Tag Archives: Nicholas Hytner

Cheers to our Will, not sorry old George

By Ray Bennett Today is St. George’s Day named for the patron saint of several places  such as Aragon, Catalonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal and Russia. Oh, and England. We English, of course, don’t mark April 23 in … Continue reading

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THEATRE REVIEW: Lester and Kinnear in ‘Othello’

By Ray Bennett Nicholas Hytner’s production of “Othello” at the National Theatre has drawn rave reviews from UK critics and in the theatre it was easy to be consumed by the power of the play and the great acting, but … Continue reading

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THEATRE REVIEW: Rory Kinnear in ‘Hamlet’ at the National

By Ray Bennett LONDON – “Now I am alone,” Hamlet says, and a key light immediately pins him down as a reminder that he never is alone. No one is ever alone in Nicholas Hytner’s riveting production of the William … Continue reading

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THEATRE REVIEW: Dion Boucicault’s ‘London Assurance’

By Ray Bennett LONDON – First produced on the West End stage in 1841, Dublin-born playwright Dion Boucicault’s hilarious farce “London Assurance” is given its full measure in an uproarious production at the National Theatre that makes most modern comedies … Continue reading

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THEATRE REVIEW: Alan Bennett’s ‘The Habit of Art’

By Ray Bennett LONDON — Alan Bennett has a lot on his mind in his latest play, “The Habit of Art,” including creativity, aging, fame, anonymity and sex, and it hangs together because of his gift for language and fine … Continue reading

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THEATRE REVIEW: Helen Mirren in ‘Phaedre’

By Ray Bennett LONDON – The National Theatre’s production of Jean Racine’s tragedy “Phaedre,” in a version by British poet Ted Hughes, is so full of “woe is me” lamentations that when John Shrapnel as Theramene begins his round-the-houses description … Continue reading

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Stars turn out for new National Theatre season

By Ray Bennett Oscar winners Jeremy Irons, Vanessa Redgrave and Juliette Binoche plus Ralph Fiennes, Claire Higgins and Simon Russell Beale are among the stars to perform and the fabulous “War Horse” will return in the new season at London’s … Continue reading

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THEATRE REVIEW: ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at the National

By Ray Bennett LONDON — Simon Russell Beale and Zoe Wanamaker (pictured) breathe new life into the roles of belated lovers Benedick and Beatrice in Nicholas Hytner’s warmly enjoyable production of “Much Ado About Nothing” at London’s National Theatre. Clearly … Continue reading

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THEATRE REVIEW: ‘Henry IV Part 1 and Part 2’

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Nicholas Hytner’s immaculate National Theatre production of William Shakespeare’s “Henry IV, Part 1” is so vibrant and enthralling that it cries out to finally be made as a movie. Michael Gambon as Falstaff (above) and … Continue reading

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THEATRE REVIEW: ‘His Dark Materials Parts 1 & 2’

By Ray Bennett LONDON – For kids and adults who like to read children’s books, Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy of fantasy novels are second in popularity only to the Harry Potter stories. They are rich with colorful characters … Continue reading

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