This 1982 cult musical has always been a potty favourite: hapless florist Seymour cultivates an alien plant with an appetite for human flesh – a Faustian pact that wins him fame, fortune and Audrey, the girl of his dreams. Continue reading “Review: Little Shop of Horrors, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre”
Category: Theatre
Review: Twenty Theatres to See Before You Die, Amber Massie-Blomfield
In 2016, the arts producer Amber Massie-Blomfield began “plotting an adventure”: a freewheeling trip around Britain’s “most remarkable” theatres. Each would need to have an unusual story, or a distinctive setting. Continue reading “Review: Twenty Theatres to See Before You Die, Amber Massie-Blomfield”
‘It was therapeutic’: How Frightened Rabbit found solace making music for a new play, following the death of Scott Hutchison
When playwright Gary McNair was asked who should provide the music for his new play Square Go, there was only one answer: Frightened Rabbit. He’d been friends with the Scottish indie rock band for years – as well as being a huge fan – and had been waiting for a chance to work with them on the right show. Continue reading “‘It was therapeutic’: How Frightened Rabbit found solace making music for a new play, following the death of Scott Hutchison”
A dramatic play about finance? Yes, if it’s Lehman Brothers
I watched The Lehman Trilogy at the National Theatre with David Segal, business reporter for the New York Times, for the paper; read the full conversation here
Review: Exit the King, National Theatre
Death comes to us all, and we’re lousy at preparing for it. And probably would be even if we lived for 483 years – like King Berenger, of Ionesco’s absurd comedic tragedy, who squirms in the face of his impending, certain demise. Continue reading “Review: Exit the King, National Theatre”
The Town Hall Affair: Making a show out of the showdown between Germaine Greer and Norman Mailer
The evening of 30 April, 1971 and New York’s Town Hall is electrified. A debate is being staged between Norman Mailer and several prominent feminists: literary critic Diana Trilling, Village Voice writer Jill Johnston, president of the National Organisation of Women (NOW) Jacqueline Ceballos, and a fox fur-draped Germaine Greer, at the height of her fame following the publication of The Female Eunuch. They speak on the politics of the vaginal orgasm, equal pay, the myth of male genius. Continue reading “The Town Hall Affair: Making a show out of the showdown between Germaine Greer and Norman Mailer”
Review: Allelujah!, Bridge Theatre
Here’s a chorus line with a difference: the geriatric ward of an under-threat Yorkshire hospital, shouting hallelujah, come on, get happy, while shuffling cheerfully in their slippers. Continue reading “Review: Allelujah!, Bridge Theatre”
Fleabag’s Vicky Jones: ‘After #MeToo, I feel people are more ready to talk’
Looking back at her first play, Vicky Jones says: “I don’t think I’ve written anything as brutal since,” before adding: “I’m sort of appalled and proud at the same time.” Continue reading “Fleabag’s Vicky Jones: ‘After #MeToo, I feel people are more ready to talk’”
Review: Flight of the Conchords, O2 Arena
“Sorry we’re late.” Flight of the Conchords, aka Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, are back in the UK for the first time in seven years – and three months. Their tour had to be rescheduled after McKenzie fell down some stairs and injured his hand. Continue reading “Review: Flight of the Conchords, O2 Arena”
Andrew Scott: ‘There was no Hamlet rivalry with Benedict Cumberbatch’
Andrew Scott, 41, was born and raised in Dublin. Recently seen in the BBC adaptation of King Lear, he is best known for playing Moriarty in Sherlock, and for starring in Robert Icke’s production of Hamlet, which transferred from the Almeida to the West End last year. In 2008, Simon Stephens wrote Sea Wall – a monologue about grief – for Scott; it is being revived as part of the Old Vic’s bicentenary celebrations. Continue reading “Andrew Scott: ‘There was no Hamlet rivalry with Benedict Cumberbatch’”