Saxon Court review " bullying bosses rule the office but not the world by Michael Billington

Southwark Playhouse, London Daniel Andersen's drama about a recruitment firm during the 2011 financial meltdown says a lot about work politics but not the bigger picture Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:57am on November 25, 2014☆⚑

Twelfth Night review " evokes JM Barrie and CS Lewis by Michael Billington

Richmond theatre, SurreyJonathan Munby's production of Shakespeare's greatest comedy is strangely spectral' Best Shakespeare productions: your favourite Twelfth Night Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:34am on November 21, 2014☆⚑

God Bless the Child review " classroom revolution in lively satire by Michael Billington

Royal Court theatre, LondonMolly Davies's lively play is like a primary-school version of Lindsay Anderson's If… Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:00pm on November 20, 2014☆⚑

Richard Pasco obituary by Michael Billington

Classical actor with a prolific repertoire, authoritative stage presence and unforgettable voice Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 1:41pm on November 20, 2014☆⚑

Behind the Beautiful Forevers review " a triumph for David Hare and Meera Syal by Michael Billington

Olivier, LondonMeticulously detailing the endless grind of Mumbai slum life helps this spirited adaptation of Katherine Boo's award-winning reportage avoid any danger of quaintness' A spotli…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:00am on November 19, 2014☆⚑

Accolade review " Blanche McIntyre's impeccable revival of 50s thriller by Michael Billington

St James, LondonA novelist gains a knighthood, then is outed as a frequenter of pub orgies: Emlyn Williams's play has plenty of contemporary resonance Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:34am on November 18, 2014☆⚑

Pomona review dark, compelling play brings to mind Poliakoff by Michael Billington

Orange Tree, RichmondPowerfully articulated and skilfully wrought, Alistair McDowalls bleakly pessimistic horror story has young audiences in raptures Alistair McDowall: There are no rules i…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:55am on November 17, 2014☆⚑

The Shape of the Table review David Edgars power play proves prophetic by Michael Billington

Cockpit, London Twenty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the first play in the Iron Curtain trilogy gets an excellent revival David Edgar: Ukip is my territory. I suspect I am g…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:23am on November 14, 2014☆⚑

Warren Clarke had burly power, vulnerability and immense presence by Michael Billington

In plays by David Storey and Anthony Shaffer, Clarke was something special on stage. If only theatre had made more use of him Warren Clarke: a life in clips Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:45am on November 13, 2014☆⚑

Wildefire review visceral, vigorous police drama by Michael Billington

Hampstead theatre, LondonRoy Williams explore the problems of an eager young policewoman in south London and finds little division between law enforcers and law breakers Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:40am on November 13, 2014☆⚑

La Soirée review raucously enjoyable, sex-obsessed circus by Michael Billington

Spiegeltent, Southbank, London Ping-pong, knife-juggling and witty stripping save the show from sniggering adolescence Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:19am on November 12, 2014☆⚑

2071 five-star review urgent call for the greatest collective action in history by Michael Billington

Royal Court, LondonThe facts are sombre in Chris Rapleys compelling 75-minute talk on climate change, but his belief in human ingenuity knows no bounds Climate change play 2071 aims to make …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:52am on November 7, 2014☆⚑

Speaking truth to power: this is the rebirth of political theatre by Michael Billington

Too much film and television is cursed by blandness. Societys mirror now is the stage Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 1:00am on November 7, 2014☆⚑

Made in Dagenham review brassy Gemma Arterton musical lacks passion by Michael Billington

Adelphi, LondonDirected by Rupert Goold, this stage version of the film suffers from its caricatures, relentless jokiness and functional score Ford fiesta: Made in Dagenham musical opens in…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:00pm on November 5, 2014☆⚑

Hippolytos review V&A stages Greek tragedy in a tunnel by Michael Billington

The Colepit, V&A Museum, LondonAntic Faces frantic, inventive staging of the Euripides play is worlds away from the corseted passion of Racine Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:43am on November 4, 2014☆⚑

Dance Til Dawn review Strictly Come Dancing stars dazzle but lose the plot by Michael Billington

Aldwych, London Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace impress with a sexy tango in this film noir pastiche Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:00pm on November 3, 2014☆⚑

First Episode review what impresses is the sexual and emotional candour by Michael Billington

Jermyn Street theatre, LondonTerence Rattigans Oxford-set first play captures the hedonistic irresponsibility of privileged pre-war student life Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:04am on November 2, 2014☆⚑

Coolatully review touching tale of tough times in rural Ireland by Michael Billington

Finborough theatre, London With its echoes of Brian Friel and Conor McPhersons The Weir, this prizewinning play paints a plausible picture of the modern Celtic twilight Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:04am on October 31, 2014☆⚑

The Witch of Edmonton review superbly textured lead performance by Michael Billington

Swan, Stratford-on-AvonIf the quality of Rowley, Dekker and Fords 1621 attack on society is open to debate, Eileen Atkins multifaceted turn as the witch is a resounding success Continue read…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:02am on October 30, 2014☆⚑

Tis Pity Shes a Whore review naked passion illuminated by candlelight by Michael Billington

Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, LondonJohn Fords unsettling Renaissance incest drama is lent a subtle urgency by fine acting and direction Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:31am on October 29, 2014☆⚑

Sunny Afternoon review: a heady celebration of the Kinks and Ray Davies by Michael Billington

Harold Pinter theatre, LondonNeatly allows the songs to grow out of the story, and perfectly captures Ray Daviess mix of bloody-mindedness and innocence Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:00pm on October 28, 2014☆⚑

Blank canvas: the enduring appeal of Yasmina Rezas Art by Michael Billington

The French playwrights comedy has been packing audiences in worldwide for 20 years. What is the secret of its success? Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:32pm on October 28, 2014☆⚑

The Wild Duck review revision serves up 80 minutes of potted Ibsen by Michael Billington

Barbican, LondonSimon Stones compressed and clever Australian version aims to capture the essence of Ibsens greatest tragicomedy, but wheres the irony? More from the International Ibsen seas…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:39am on October 27, 2014☆⚑

Memphis: The Musical review Beverley Knight shines in story of R&Bs explosion by Michael Billington

Shaftesbury, LondonThe singer combines charisma and power alongside a Sinatra-like Killian Donnelly in this exciting take on a key moment in pop history Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:00pm on October 23, 2014☆⚑

Nevilles Island review descent into savagery stretches credulity by Michael Billington

Duke of Yorks, LondonAwayday adventurers Adrian Edmondson, Robert Webb, Miles Jupp and Neil Morrissey go wild in the Lake District Ade Edmondson: I never laughed as hard as I did with Rik Co…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 4:59pm on October 21, 2014☆⚑