A short review of JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH, aka #3 in the franchise. Follow link.
Review of ANNA KARENINA at Chichester Festival Theatre (link to review). This new stage version of Tolstoy’s masterpiece is written and directed by Phillip Breen and stars Game of Thrones Natalie Dormer as Anna Karenina. It is elaborate with a large cast including Jonnie Broadbent as Silva and Naomi Sheldon as Dolly. It has a dazzling array of theatrical styles too. It runs for the rest of June. it’s very likely to go on elsewhere in the future.
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Review of P.P. ARNOLD at Poole Lighthouse, Friday 13th June 2025. Magnificent as ever (though I have harsh words on the venue and support act). FOLLOW LINK TO REVIEW
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The Royal Shakespeare Theatre hosts a bold and innovative HAMLET, combining it with arrangements of Radiohead’s 2003 album HAIL TO THE THIEF played by a live band. Then add choreography and dance of the highest order, and cram it all into just 100 minutes or so (well, add a few minutes for the standing ovations). OK, the text is somewhat “Hamlet: the best lines” but the performances are intense. Running to June 28th … IF you can get tickets. Follow the link to the review of HAMLET : HAIL TO THE THIEF.
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I haven’t done a link to “Around and Around” for a while because I’m stuck in the huge task of the Epic record label. However, I see several things a week and all the articles are updated and grow. Recently, one under Art of The LP has some additions, and that’s “A Girl on the Sleeve” tracing LP illustrations which simply stuck a picture of a girl on the record, especially beloved of Easy Listening and budget compilations. To be in the category, the photo has to be completely gratuitous. FOLLOW THIS LINK.
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Emma Rice has done another classic adaptation, this time Hitchcock’s film masterpiece NORTH BY NORTHWEST, follow link to the review. That is a challenge … the crop duster scene, Mount Rusahmore, a train, all done with a cast of six. How well did they do on a proscenium stage? We saw it at Bath Theatre Royal. It’s still touring and her productions often do subsequent tours.
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The 2012 Booker prize winning novel sold multi-millions of copies worldwide in 37 languages. Then Rachel Joyce scripted a film version, and now a stage musical version of THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY (link to review) at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre. It stars Mark Addy as Harold Fry, a fantastic ensemble and music and lyrics from Passenger. I will be surprised if it isn’tr the best thing we see this year. We couldn’t fault it, and I haven’t read the book or seen the film. Yet. It’s on till June 14th, but you’ll only get returns. It’s sold out. However, read the review. I’m convinced it will transfer to London.
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Review of THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR by Nikolai Gogol, (follow link to the review)adapted by Phil Porter. Chichester Frstival Theatre, 2025. Directed by Gregory Doran. Tom Rosenthal as Khlestakhov, the trickster.A truly sumptuous production with a large cast of a play considered to be among the very greats. This version went for all-out comedy. Did it work? Read on.
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TITUS ANDRONICUS (link to review) is directed by Max Webster at the RSC. It is a total contrast to the play next door, Much Ado About Nothing. Stark. Bare. Almost minimal. A palette of greys and blues.More blood than you’d want. It focusses on the acting and the text, and when you have Simon Russell Beale as Titus, Joshua James as the Emperor Saturnius and Natey Jones as Aaron the Moor, that’s the obvious route.
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This is the second production of Much Ado this year. This RSC MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (follow link to the review) is directed by Michael Longhurst and takes a football setting. Messina FC haver just won the European championship and the players return in triumph to their owner’s villa. Leonato owns the club. Benedick is team captain, Claudio just scored a hat trick, Don Pedro is the manager and Don John is the resentful injured substitute. Beatrice is a football commentator. Yes, it’s high concept. Set and costumes are a visual spectacle, but paradoxically it’s actually a very faithful rendition of the full play. Yes, words are changed here and there, but it brings the play out remarkably well.
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