Category Archives: Theatre

BERLIN FILM REVIEW: Simon Bitton’s documentary ‘Rachel’

Posted on February 12, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett BERLIN – The drive to keep alive the name of a young American woman who died beneath a U.S.-made bulldozer driven by an Israeli soldier in Palestine continues in Simone Bitton’s sober documentary “Rachel.” The idealistic Rachel … Continue reading →

Posted in Berlin International Film Festival, Film, Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'My Name is Rachel Corrie', 'Rachel', Alan Rickman, Berlin International Film Festival, Megan Dodds, Rachel Corrie, Royal Court, Simone Bitton | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Richard Dreyfuss in ‘Complicit’

Posted on February 4, 2009 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Government sanctioned torture and freedom of the press are topics of explosive dramatic potential but Joe Sutton’s new play “Complicit,” which has opened at the Old Vic, misses the opportunity. Richard Dreyfuss plays Benjamin Kritzer, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'Complicit', David Suchet, Elizabeth McGovern, Joe Sutton, Kevin Spacey, Richard Dreyfuss, The Old Vic | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Ralph Fiennes in ‘Oedipus’

Posted on December 20, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Bloodied and screaming, Ralph Fiennes brings the tortured title role of Sophocles’ “Oedipus” to vivid life in a new version by Irish playwright Frank McGuinness. On a set that is both stark and imposing and … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'Oedipus', Clare Higgins, Frank McGuinness, National Theatre, Ralph Fiennes | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Kenneth Branagh in ‘Ivanov’

Posted on November 12, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Anton Chekhov wrote “Ivanov” when he was a mere 27, and it shows, and so the Donmar Warehouse’s West End production benefits enormously from having the play re-imagined with the expertise and wisdom of playwright … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged Andrea Riseborough; Gina McKee, Anton Chekhov, Donmar Warehouse, Ivanov, Kenneth Branagh, Michael Grandage, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Stoppard | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: ‘Zorro the Musical’

Posted on October 28, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – A musical version of the saga of the Spanish Californian hero with the mask and deadly sword sounds like a commercial bridge too far but “Zorro the Musical”, with songs by the Gypsy Kings, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'Zorro the Musical', Emma Williams, Garrick Theatre, Matt Rawle, The Gypsy Kings | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Josh Hartnett in ‘Rain Man’

Posted on September 23, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – In a reversal of the usual path of play to movie, the hit West End production of “Rain Man,” with an adaptation by Dan Gordon, has Hollywood star Josh Hartnett in the film’s Tom Cruise … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'Rain Man', Adam Godley, Apollo Theatre, Dan Gordon, Josh Hartnett, Terry Johnson | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Elena Roger in ‘Piaf’ at the Donmar

Posted on August 23, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Playing legendary French singer Edith Piaf seems to bring out the best in performers. Following Marion Cotillard’s Oscar-winning turn in the film “La Vie en Rose” comes Argentine pocket rocket Elena Roger in a new … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'Piaf', Donmar Warehouse, Elena Roger, Jamie Lloyd, Pam Gems | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: ‘Dickens Unplugged’

Posted on June 13, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett Sometimes all you want at the theater is a good time, and that’s just what’s on offer with “Dickens Unplugged,” a witty and agreeable show from one of the founders of London’s long-running spoof “The Complete Works … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'Dickens Unplugged', Comedy Theatre, Reduced Shakespeare Company | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Neil LaBute’s ‘Fat Pig’

Posted on June 12, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Neil LaBute’s social comedy “Fat Pig” could easily be titled “Skinny Weasel” because it deals with a young man in love with a pretty but very large young woman and who lacks the self-confidence to … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged Ella Smith, Joanna Page, Kris Marshall, Neil LaBute, Robert Webb, Trafalgar Studios | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Michel Legrand’s ‘Marguerite’

Posted on June 7, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Singing Nazis are a tough sell unless its Mel Brooks producing laughs. So when the German officer in love with the title character in the new musical “Marguerite” starts to sing about his broken heart, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'Marguerite', Herbert Kretzmer, Michel Legrand, Ruthie Henshall, Theatre Royal Haymarket | Comments Off