Category Archives: Theatre

THEATRE REVIEW: Elena Roger in Sondheim’s ‘Passion’

Posted on September 24, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – That love never fails is a simple concept made rich and complex in Stephen Sondheim’s ardent 1994 Tony Award-winning musical “Passion” in a memorable new production at the Donmar Warehouse. From the sizzling opening bedroom … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'Passion', David Thaxton, Donmar Warehouse, Elena Roger, Jamie Lloyd, Scarlett Strallen, Stephen Sondheim | Comments Off

THEATER REVIEW: ‘Les Miserables – 25th Anniversary’

Posted on September 15, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – In a reasonable world, 25 years should see fans of strident caterwauling sated sufficiently, but here is “Les Miserables” in a new production to celebrate the show’s quarter century. It has returned to London’s Barbican from … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'Les Miserables - 25th Anniversary', Barbican Hall | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Howard Brenton’s ‘Danton’s Death’

Posted on July 23, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – A guillotine towers over the stage at the end of the National Theatre’s production of “Danton’s Death” as several French revolutionaries are executed. It’s a terrific illusion and it’s just a shame no blade was … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'Danton's Death', Eleanor Matusuura, Elliot Levey, Georg Buchner, Howard Brenton, Kirsty Bushelll, Michael Grandage, National Theatre, Toby Stephens | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Neil Simon’s ‘The Prisoner of Second Avenue’

Posted on July 14, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Neil Simon’s 1971 play “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” is set against the economic slump of its day so given current circumstances the Old Vic’s West End revival would appear timely. Instead, it feels merely … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'The Prisoner of Second Avenue', Jeff Goldblum, Linal Haft, Mercedes Ruehl, Neil Simon, Terry Johnson, Vaudeville Theatre | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: David Hirson’s ‘La Bete’

Posted on July 8, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – “La Bete” is a 1991 American play by David Hirson set in 17th century France and besides being extremely funny it has a lot say about the dumbing down of art and entertainment. Mark Rylance … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'La Bete', Comedy Theatre, David Hirson, David Hyde Pierce, Joanna Lumley, Mark Rylance, Matthew Warchus | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: ‘As You Like It’, ‘The Tempest’

Posted on June 24, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Sam Mendes brings his Bridge Project back to the Old Vic for the second year but while the pairing of “As You Like It” and “The Tempest” makes enjoyable theater, the productions lack the vitality … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'As You Like It', 'The Tempest, Bridge Project, Old Vic, Sam Mendes, Stephen Dillane, William Shakespeare | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Ruth Wilson in ‘Through a Glass Darkly’

Posted on June 17, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – A sense of claustrophobia permeates the films of Ingmar Bergman and it’s especially strong in his 1961 Oscar-winner “Through a Glass Darkly” so high marks are due to Michael Attenborough who matches that in his … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'Through the Glass Darkly', Dan Jones, Dimitri Leonidas, Ian McElhinney, Ingmar Bergman, Jenny Worton, Justin Salinger, Michael Attenborough, Ruth Wilson | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Terence Rattigan’s ‘After the Dance’

Posted on June 9, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Portraying apparent wastrels who actually have genuine character and feelings is never easy but the National Theatre’s production of Terence Rattigan’s seldom produced 1939 play “After the Dance” succeeds wonderfully. Rattigan’s hit plays included “Separate … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'After the Dance', Benedict Cumberbatch, Nancy Carroll, National Theatre, Terence Rattigan, Thea Sharrock | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Simon Gray’s ‘The Late Middle Classes’

Posted on June 2, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Simon Gray’s “The Late Middle Classes” is an exquisite delineation of 1950s English pretensions when snobbery and prejudice strived to hold their own against the post-war shattering of illusions. It’s a brittle little tale that … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'The Late Middle Classes', David Leveaux, Donmar Warehouse, Eleanor Bron, Helen McCrory, Peter Sullivan, Robert Glenister, Simon Gray | Comments Off

THEATRE REVIEW: Arthur Miller’s ‘All My Sons’

Posted on May 28, 2010 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – In Howard Davies’s suspenseful and moving production, Arthur Miller’s 1947 play “All My Sons,” which tells of a man who puts his own and his family’s well being above his responsibility to others, remains as … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged 'All My Sons', Apollo Theatre, Arthur Miller, Daniel Lapaine, David Suchet, Howard Davies, Jemima Rooper, Stephen Campbell Moore, Zoe Wanamaker | Comments Off