REVIEW: King Lear, Donmar Warehouse (2010)

I am the first to admit that King Lear, of Shakespeare’s great tragedies, is the one that fills me with little joy at the prospect of seeing it again. But here at London’s Donmar Warehouse with Michael Grandage at the helm and Derek Jacobi in the title role is a production to prove my misgivings not just unfounded but as foolish as the old man. This is the definitive Lear for my money, the one to which all others should aspire. Nothing annoys. Nothing grates. All builds a perfect and avoidable tragedy.

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Read more about the article REVIEW: Earthquakes in London, Cottesloe Theatre (2010)
Brian Ferguson as Young Robert - Photo: Manuel Harlan

REVIEW: Earthquakes in London, Cottesloe Theatre (2010)

The epic themes of the play, which mainly takes place in the present, but begins in 1968 and fasts forward to 2525, are explored through the prism of a dysfunctional family, whose break-up mirrors the impending ecological disaster.

Continue ReadingREVIEW: Earthquakes in London, Cottesloe Theatre (2010)
Read more about the article REVIEW: Sucker Punch, Royal Court (2010)
Anthony Welsh as Troy and Daniel Kaluuya as Leon - Photo: Chris Nash

REVIEW: Sucker Punch, Royal Court (2010)

Roy Williams' plays can be enjoyed at many levels and so it is with his latest and original offering at the Royal Court, Sucker Punch which follows a group of young boxers in a club in a run down area of London in the 1980s. Besides the sports story which culminates in a boxing match being excitingly staged in a real ring, there are observations about race and friendship and about racism and sport.

Continue ReadingREVIEW: Sucker Punch, Royal Court (2010)