Category Archives: Theatre

THEATRE REVIEW: Sheridan’s ‘The Rivals’

Posted on November 24, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – If Mrs. Malaprop did not exist (in fiction) someone would have to invent her. The trouble with Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s 18th century comedy of manners “The Rivals”, given a jewel-box revival at London’s Theatre Royal, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Sheridan’s ‘The Rivals’

THEATRE REVIEW: ‘The Master Builder’ at the Almeida

Posted on November 20, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – When conscience and vanity come wrapped up in a package as enticing as Gemma Arterton, it’s no wonder that Stephen Dillane is mesmerized in the title role of Henrik Ibsen’s metaphoric fable “The Master Builder” … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: ‘The Master Builder’ at the Almeida

THEATRE REVIEW: ‘The Glass Menagerie’ at the Young Vic

Posted on November 20, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON — In a dream, there is always music, says Leo Bill as Tom, the nostalgic wanderer who narrates Tennessee Williams’ autobiographical play “The Glass Menagerie” and the Young Vic’s refreshing revival honors the playwright’s vision with … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: ‘The Glass Menagerie’ at the Young Vic

THEATRE REVIEW: ‘Flashdance the Musical’

Posted on November 2, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – There is so much exciting singing and dancing talent onstage in the West End debut of “Flashdance the Musical” that it makes you wonder how all the other musicals in town are making out. Fans … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: ‘Flashdance the Musical’

THEATRE REVIEW: Sarah Kane’s ‘Blasted’

Posted on October 22, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – In the course of Sarah Kane’s pitiless apocalyptic drama “Blasted” it becomes apparent that the title is short for “blasted to hell” as the fate of a couple in a war torn city becomes increasingly … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Sarah Kane’s ‘Blasted’

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

Posted on October 14, 2010 by admin

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 →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Rory Kinnear in ‘Hamlet’ at the National

THEATRE REVIEW: Richard Bean’s ‘House of Games’

Posted on October 7, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – The great thing about confidence trickery is that you don’t see it coming, and when you’re not the target that’s what makes Richard Bean’s stage version of David Mamet’s “House of Games” — having its … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Richard Bean’s ‘House of Games’

THEATRE REVIEW: Richard Bean’s ‘The Big Fellah’

Posted on October 5, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter, the old saying goes, and Richard Bean attempts to come to grips with the paradox in his alternately funny and savage drama “The Big Fellah,” about Irish … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Richard Bean’s ‘The Big Fellah’

THEATRE REVIEW: Noel Coward’s ‘Design for Living’

Posted on October 5, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Noel Coward’s provocative play “Design for Living” caused more than a few corks to pop when it debuted in 1933 on Broadway with a recipe for happiness defined by a hedonistic menage-a-trois. The new Old … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Noel Coward’s ‘Design for Living’

THEATRE REVIEW: Rachel Wagstaff’s ‘Birdsong’

Posted on September 29, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – A vibrant love story and the searing experience of World War I in the trenches are combined successfully in British novelist Sebastian Faulks’ bestseller “Birdsong.” It has thwarted filmmakers so far but young playwright Rachel … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on THEATRE REVIEW: Rachel Wagstaff’s ‘Birdsong’