Posted in Uncategorized on 30/11/2025| Leave a Comment »
If you can access NT At Home streaming, go for LONDON ASSURANCE (link to my review) this is a must. Dion Boucicault’s 1841 comedy was produced at the National Theatre in 2010. It’s well-filmed and directed by Nicholas Hytner with Simon Russell-Beale, Fiona Shaw, Richard Briers, Mark Addy, Michelle Terry, Paul Ready and Nick Sampson. It was considerably tweaked by Richard Bean. And all there to see online.
Posted in Uncategorized on 28/11/2025| Leave a Comment »
My favourite play, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at the Wanamaker Playhouse (link to review), Directed by Holly Race Roughlan. This is a co-production with Headlong, Leeds Playhouse and Bristol Old Vic. It’s at the Wanamaker (at Shakespeare’s Globe) until the end of January, then tours into March. You can definitely get to see it. Yes, it’s a radical version. This play often is a radical version. Yes, there are changes, but for a small cast small stage production I thought it a must-see. Have a look. I don’t reveal too much about it.
L to R: Bottom, Puck, Theseus
Posted in Uncategorized on 22/11/2025| Leave a Comment »
Review added of DEAR ENGLAND by James Graham (link to review). The story of Gareth Southgate’s management of the England football team. It was ‘Best New Play of 2024’ after its run at the National Theatre in 2023, the West End in 2023. It was revived in 2025, and is now on a tour stretching to March 2026. It has a large cast, and is action packed. It’s one everyone can get to. Comments say ‘You don’t need to know anything about football to enjoy it.’ I question that, but I do know about football and so appreciated it.
Posted in Uncategorized on 17/11/2025| Leave a Comment »
Review of THE SEAGULL, adapted by Mike Poulton. (Follow the link) This is the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh production, which transferred to Chichester for just a week. It doesn’t appear to be going elsewhere and it’s over. It stars Caroline Quentin as Arkadina. Hopefully they filmed it and it will be streamed one day, but I hope a review is worth reading out of interest in the play and Chekhov.
Posted in Uncategorized on 15/11/2025| Leave a Comment »
Review of the NT At Home streamed 2024 play TILL THE STARS COME DOWN by Beth Steel. (linked) It’s on line you can see it. It starts as a bawdy classic wedding day tale, but wow, it develops! Well worth watching.
Posted in Uncategorized on 14/11/2025| Leave a Comment »
The November / December 2025 tour is extensive. You should be able to see them. Do! Folk song for the season by two of Britain’s best-known folk singers. The review of the concert is here: Eliza Carthy & Jon Boden’s Wassail.
Posted in Uncategorized on 11/11/2025| Leave a Comment »
MR BURTON (follow link to review) was shown on BBC TV last night, so will be on BBC iPlayer. This 2025 film had its theatrical release earlier in the year, but is shown for the 100th anniversary of Richard Burton’s birth. It tells the story of how young Ritchie Jenkins (Harry Lawtey) was tutored by his teacher, Mr Burton (Toby Jones) and became an actor. Lesley Manville plays their landlady. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Posted in Uncategorized on 03/11/2025| Leave a Comment »
Review of CYRANO DE BERGERAC by Edmond Rostand at the Royal Shakespeare Company added (follow link). This new adaptation by Simon Evans and Debris Stevenson has been deservedly garnering five star reviews. Adrian Lester as Cyrano, and Susannah Fielding as Roxane are joined by Levi Brown as Cristian. It was a wonderful production. Have a read and see the photos.
Posted in Uncategorized on 02/11/2025| Leave a Comment »
Review of MACBETH at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Other Place (follow link). This one is set entirely in a gangland Glasgow pub, with Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser in Outlander) as Macbeth and Lia Williams as pub Landlady Macbeth. It’s high concept, extremely violent, and much as I like concepts I don’t think the play squeezed into this one. The Three witches below:
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