Is there a new interest in long-neglected Sixties playwright Peter Barnes? Two revivals do not a come-back make, but this production of his 1969 play, following Jamie Lloyd’s James McAvoy-starring The Ruling Class, is at least putting his name back on people’s lips. And reminding us what a bold playwright Barnes was: his work smashes together big ideas about religion, class, madness and human nature with zinging dialogue, song-and-dance routines, physical madcappery and fleshy rudeness. Continue reading “Review: Noonday Demons, King’s Head Theatre”
Tag: revival
On revivals, and the urge to ‘bring back to life’ past triumphs
The words ‘10th Anniversary Revival’ are given as much prominence as the author’s name – Tim Crouch – on the National Theatre’s promotional material for An Oak Tree; a new ‘10th anniversary edition’ of the playtext accompanies. Such subtitling flags up its rare status: a genuinely experimental, fringe show that has achieved international acclaim, academic recognition, and much love from audiences – and performers (a key point, of which more later). Continue reading “On revivals, and the urge to ‘bring back to life’ past triumphs”
Review: Communicating Doors, Menier Chocolate Factory
What’s really behind those communicating doors in hotel rooms? Alan Ayckbourn’s answer in this ‘comic thriller’ is: a timewarp. A literally revolving, magical doorway leads three women from three different decades, all involved with a businessman and his sinister, murderous partner, to move through each other’s lives and hotel rooms, altering the course of their personal histories. The play has a pleasing sci-fi structure, but the writing creaks like a rusty hinge. Continue reading “Review: Communicating Doors, Menier Chocolate Factory”