Genre: Mainstream Theatre 0
Review: Henry IV Part 2 or Falstaff
The triumph of this newly-energized production is bringing the darker Falstaff to a diverse audience
Review: Henry IV Part 1 or Hotspur
A soaring remix of how the play settles a succession on congealed blood.
Review: Creditors
We’re unlikely to see a better production of this still rarely-performed disturber of ourselves.
Review: The Glass Piano
A bewitching mix of deconstructive magic and fabulous therapy, it’s above all Grace Molony who brushes distinction into this already distinctive production.
Review: Mary’s Babies
Maud Dromgoole’s proved more than adroit, skilful, and deliciously risk-taking. A must-see.
Review: The Rubenstein Kiss
If you care for grippingly argued, passionate theatre, you must see this.
Review: Rotterdam
Rotterdam’s an outstanding play about sexual identity, choices, and above all what it means to transition.
Review: After Edward
This has to be the smartest debut from this venue since Jessica Swales’ Bluestockings: no wonder the playscripts sold out early.
Review: Downstate
A masterly, unsettling play that in this production never puts a foot wrong. And wrong-foots us all.
Review: Berberian Sound Studio
Thoroughly absorbing, full of walking shadows who throw vivid questions.
Review: Blood Knot
With Angela Smith’s phrase ringing in our ears, there’s not going to be a better play anywhere that answers it. Do see it.
Review: Shipwreck
A superb ensemble piece. Of all dramas on these interesting times in America, it’s the one truly necessary.
Review: Cyprus Avenue
Devastating drama about the DNA of bigotry; and it all starts in surreal farce.
Review: The Lady From the Sea
A groundbreaking production. Even outside its unique terms it’s outstanding.
Review: When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other
This cast’s exemplary dedication deserves watching for their sheer performative belief.
Review: I’m Not Running
Compelling dissection of what hampers the mindset of our main progressive party.
Review: Sweat
No wonder this play’s just extended its run. Don’t even read this before you try booking.
Review: The Merry Wives of Windsor
Sparkling, a sassy, sexy, sure-footed revival. On its own terms, could it really be bettered?
Review: The Tell-Tale Heart
As an electric shock to schlock gothic, theatre doesn’t come much better than this.
Review: Romeo and Juliet
This Romeo and Juliet has all the pace and heart any production, modern-dress or period, demands. Karen Fishwick’s radiant Juliet is the soul that imprints itself on it.
Review: Antony and Cleopatra
Supremely worth it to see a pair so famous weighing equal in their own balance, perhaps for the first time.
Review: Madagascar The Musical
Highly Recommended for monkeys and lemurs of all ages – quite apart from lions, zebras, hippos and giraffes.
Review: The Madness of George III
This magnificent revival poses even more urgent questions. A twitch on the thread for all of us.
Review: The Funeral Director
One of the most riveting few minutes of contemporary theatre I’ve seen all year.
Review: Allelujah!
Bennett’s exhorting us to fight back with laughter and rage in this riveting, timely play. It’s a sad and angry consolation.
Review: Stories
Utterly compelling. Anything Nina Raine writes now is routinely expected to touch greatness. No pressure.
Review: Measure for Measure
The most thoughtful and thought-provoking recreation of a Shakespeare play this year.
Review: I’m Not Running
Compelling dissection of what hampers the mindset of our main progressive party.
Review: Antony and Cleopatra
Supremely worth it to see these characters weighing equal in their own balance, perhaps for the first time.
Review: Private Peaceful
This is as good as a one-person show of this kind gets. Andy Daniel should be up there above his own rows of five-star ratings.
Review: Dirty Dancing
There’s a fitting heart-warming climax to a dream of production. And a surprise to those who think they know the film.
Review: The Outsider
Like so much from The Print Room, this feels like European theatre. And we need it more desperately than ever.
Review: Eyam
A ringing, tolling end to a pioneering season. This play must have a life – and already possesses a miraculous importunity.
Review: Aristocrats
Turner terraces a reading of Aristocrats that heightens Friel’s study in dislocation.
Review: Cyrano de Bergerac
A delightful night of theatre in an ensemble piece that brings the leid o oor land tae life fur the fowk tae tak delight wi
Review: Dance Nation
As an airborne metaphor for how you get to be grown-ups, what it does to you, Dance Nation takes as it were some beating.
Review: Copenhagen
A superb revival that can hardly be bettered, it’s more than enough to persuade us of Copenhagen’s classic status.
Review: The Play That Goes Wrong
A play about amateurs no amateur company should even dare contemplate. There’s genius in the timing of all this. Outstanding.
Review: Emilia
This is a necessary, thrilling play, its energy and message spill straight into the audience.
Review: Home, I’m Darling
It’s a moment when rejoicing to concur with the general public, as Samuel Johnson once did over Gray’s Elegy, is the only thing to do.
Review: The Death of Edgar Allan Poe
Equal parts ghost story, biography, gothic theatre, and poetry, The Death of Edgar Allan Poe is a funeral to which you should not be late.
Review: That Daring Australian Girl
This is an empathetic and heartfelt account of a life that has been, until now, ‘hidden from history.’
Review: Exit the King
We need such risk-taking theatre back. This outstanding production of Exit the King might just remind us how to get it.
