Category Archives: Theatre

THEATRE REVIEW: ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’

Posted on February 20, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Decorated with more quotable lines than any play has a right to, Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” is given a sprightly revival at London’s Vaudeville Theatre with the women, for once, having the … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’

THEATRE REVIEW: Lucinda Coxon’s ‘Happy Now?’

Posted on February 4, 2008 by admin

  By Ray Bennett An attempted out-of-town pickup prompts an overburdened wife, mother, daughter and businesswoman to question her grasp on happiness in Lucinda Coxon’s new play, “Happy Now?” In its world premiere on the National Theatre’s Cottesloe stage, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Lucinda Coxon’s ‘Happy Now?’

THEATRE REVIEW: Eileen Atkins, David Haig in ‘The Sea’

Posted on January 25, 2008 by admin

  By Ray Bennett A curious blend of Charlotte Bronte, Oscar Wilde and M. Night Shyamalan, Edward Bond’s eccentric play “The Sea” brings together drawing-room comedy and alien conspiracies in a storm-laden English setting in 1907. In the second production … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Eileen Atkins, David Haig in ‘The Sea’

THEATRE REVIEW: Ben Woolf’s ‘Angry Young Man’

Posted on January 18, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett Four clean-cut young men in suits on a small stage — bare apart from two stools and two chairs — become many characters, men and women, including a doctor from Eastern Europe who is lost in London … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Ben Woolf’s ‘Angry Young Man’

Stars turn out for new National Theatre season

Posted on January 16, 2008 by admin

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 →

Posted in News, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Stars turn out for new National Theatre season

THEATRE REVIEW: Catherine Storr’s ‘Marianne Dreams’

Posted on January 4, 2008 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Known for provocative productions, the Almeida Theatre has taken a typically adventurous approach to its first seasonal show for youngsters, “Marianne Dreams,” based on the 1958 novel by English writer Catherine Storr. A fable about … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Catherine Storr’s ‘Marianne Dreams’

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

Posted on December 28, 2007 by admin

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 →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at the National

THEATRE REVIEW: Stephen Fry’s pantomime ‘Cinderella’

Posted on December 21, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – The traditional British pantomime, the seasonal romp that mixes fairy tales with broad comedy and lots of innuendo, is given a gay makeover by Stephen Fry in “Cinderella” at the Old Vic. Many of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Stephen Fry’s pantomime ‘Cinderella’

THEATRE REVIEW: Chichester Festival’s ‘Nicholas Nickleby’

Posted on December 15, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – David Edgar has trimmed his nine-hour 1982 Tony-winning play based on Charles Dickens’ “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby” to two easily digested parts, but they should please audiences just as much. Revived for … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Chichester Festival’s ‘Nicholas Nickleby’

THEATRE REVIEW: ‘Othello’ at the Donmar Warehouse

Posted on December 5, 2007 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Audiences who flock to see “Othello” at the Donmar Warehouse because of stars Ewan McGregor and Chiwetel Ejiofor will not be disappointed, but it’s Shakespeare’s women who steal the show. Kelly Reilly and Michelle Fairley … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment