Read more about the article REVIEW: Dancing at Lughnasa, Olivier (2023)
Bláithín Mac Gabhann as Rose, Alison Oliver as Chris, Louisa Harland as Agnes and Siobhán McSweeney as Maggie (Photo: Johan Persson)

REVIEW: Dancing at Lughnasa, Olivier (2023)

Robert Jones’ set is idyllic. A bead curtain hangs implying that rain is falling and we can see a large tree close by. A curved path winds through the grass and peat to the Mundys’ kitchen with its solid oak dining table, chairs and dresser. To the rear are mountains and a blue sky and bracken lined scrub.Another arrival at the Mundy house is Gerry Evans (Tom Riley) the father of Chrissie’s son Michael. Gerry’s latesst career development is as a gramophone salesman but he is feckless and unreliable although Chris is obviously still in love with him.As the radio symbolises a modern world that is about to descend on rural Ireland, so we hear that a factory will replace the home knitters but there is no place for Rose and Agnes. After Rose meets a boy at Lughnasa known for its trial marriages, the family search for her because they cannot cope with another scandal and Rose is very vulnerable. Rose and Agnes run away to a life of destitution in London. Chrissie, we are told by Michael, will spend the rest of her life as a worker in that knitwear fa

Continue ReadingREVIEW: Dancing at Lughnasa, Olivier (2023)
Read more about the article REVIEW: The Secret Life of Bees, Almeida (2023)
Eleanor Worthington-Cox as Lily and Rachel John as August Boatwright. (Photo: Marc Brenner)

REVIEW: The Secret Life of Bees, Almeida (2023)

When you look at the creative team for the musical version of The Secret Life of Bees, you cannot fail to be impressed. Lynn Nottage, the playwright of Ruined and Sweat and who has authored MJ the new Michael Jackson musical has written the book.

Continue ReadingREVIEW: The Secret Life of Bees, Almeida (2023)
Read more about the article REVIEW: The Good Person of Szechwan, Lyric Hammersmith (2023)
Ami Tredrea as Shen Te and Jon Chew as Lin To (Photo: Manuel Harlan)

REVIEW: The Good Person of Szechwan, Lyric Hammersmith (2023)

But the same theatricality also allows some of the play’s most telling lines to come across with great force. “I know money doesn’t make you happy, but the lack of it can ruin your health.”

Continue ReadingREVIEW: The Good Person of Szechwan, Lyric Hammersmith (2023)