FringeReview UK

Alterations

We must be grateful for this compelling revival, and wait for more from the National’s Black archive.

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As Long As We Are Breathing

Do see this exceptional and brave piece of theatrical memory.

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Cry-Baby

Easily the most joyous musical we’ll see this side midsummer, Cry-Baby in this production blazes fit to set another fire in Dalston

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Cymbeline

One of the most uneven of late plays, its heights have to be seen; and though there’s pitfalls, this absorbing production surmounts most. A feat.

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Dear England

With its nimbus of inevitability as national storytelling, it’s still groundbreaking.

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Dr Strangelove

Steve Coogan reigns supreme, and a cast like John Hopkins then Giles Terera are a gift to both Coogan and the show.

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Harriet Madeley Outpatient

Highly recommended. Except to the anti-death league.

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Macbeth

ETT’s gallimaufry stimulates, frustrates, occasionally fascinates. A more selective through-line would have revealed a mineral gleam, a new earth of tyranny.

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One Day When We Were Young

This grips anyone who can’t let first love go, anyone who stares homeward even now, wild with all regret. Unmissable.

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Outlying Islands

A first rate-revival of a small classic. Do seek out this rare, dream-like play.

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Rhinoceros

Don’t miss this. It’s provoking, wholly in spirit, with moments of great power.

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Robert Icke Manhunt Royal Court Theatre Downstairs

Compelling and required viewing.

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Stephen Sondheim, David Ives Here We Are

Altogether this mightn’t be in the top tier of Sondheim musicals, but it’s one of the most interesting, even profound, and Sondheim exits with a rapt question-mark. Unmissable.

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Teatro dei Gordi: Pandora

It begs questions: what couldn’t we do, if placed outside our own comfort station in life? Essential theatre. essential questions. A gem.

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Tending

Essential theatre, essential witness and mandatory for anyone who wants to know how human we have to be, from beginning to end.

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Vaughan Williams, J.M. Synge Riders to the Sea

Betteridge’s prologue is certainly worth seeing even if you know the work, and won’t need persuading. And after the opera, the rest is surf, and silence.

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WILKO: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll

This could potentially be outstanding.

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