The House That Will Not Stand review unlike any other play in London by Michael Billington

Marcus Gardleys pulsing new play about a free black woman and her daughters in 1830s New Orleans is a rich mix of rivalry, voodoo and the fight for freedom Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:11am on October 20, 2014☆⚑

Our Town review an unforgettable evocation of Everytown by Michael Billington

Almeida, LondonDavid Cromers cooly observant narrator leads a radically reworked version of Thornton Wilders classic that taps into collective folk memory Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:37am on October 19, 2014☆⚑

The Cherry Orchard review: Simon Stephens leaves little space for laughter by Michael Billington

Young Vic, London This compressed, contemporary Chekhov directed by Katie Mitchell skips over the works tragicomic irony Simon Stephens on the impossible act of translating Chekhov Continue …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:54am on October 17, 2014☆⚑

Loves Labours Lost/Loves Labours Won a perceptive pairing by Michael Billington

Royal Shakespeare theatre, Stratford-upon-AvonThe operetta treatment of the first play may be misguided, but Christopher Luscombes directing style comes into its own in the second, Much Ado …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:07am on October 16, 2014☆⚑

Gypsy review Imelda Staunton in superb tale of showbiz and self-delusion by Michael Billington

Chichester festival theatreEverything slots perfectly into place in this glorious evocation of American vaudevilles tackiness Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:29am on October 15, 2014☆⚑

Here Lies Love review a fine, immersive spectacle lacking substance by Michael Billington

Dorfman theatre, LondonBeguiling songs, ingenious design and stunning performances dont quite do justice to a subject that deserves more complex treatment Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:17pm on October 13, 2014☆⚑

Here Lies Love review " David Byrne and Fatboy Slim show lacks substance by Michael Billington

Dorfman theatre, LondonBeguiling songs, ingenious design and stunning performances don't quite do justice to the story of Imelda Marcos's riseImelda Marcos puts on her disco shoes " in pictu…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:17pm on October 13, 2014☆⚑

The Distance review a funny, lively second play from Deborah Bruce by Michael Billington

Orange Tree, RichmondHelen Baxendale catches perfectly a sense of numbed isolation in this look at the anguished adventure of motherhood Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:16am on October 12, 2014☆⚑

Henry IV review a welcome change from male-dominated Shakespeare by Michael Billington

Donmar Warehouse, London Phyllida Lloyd returns to a prison setting for her all-female follow-up to Julius Caesar, with entertaining results Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:15am on October 10, 2014☆⚑

Notes from Underground review an ecstasy of self-loathing by Michael Billington

Print Room at the Coronet, LondonHarry Lloyds gripping portrayal of Dostoevskys antihero conjures manic verve and smouldering angst Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:08am on October 9, 2014☆⚑

The Unquiet Grave of Garcia Lorca review Nicholas de Jongh unravels a dramatic mystery by Michael Billington

Drayton Arms, LondonDe Jonghs second play is thematically overcrowded, but its fascinating subject matter holds your attention Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:10am on October 6, 2014☆⚑

Joan Littlewood: Oh what a legacy by Michael Billington

Littlewood, who would have been 100 today, demolished the barriers we erect between popular and art theatre. She loosened up acting from the shackles of well-bred restraintTell us about your…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 4:30am on October 6, 2014☆⚑

Taken at Midnight review gripping tale of Jewish lawyer who crossed Hitler by Michael Billington

Minerva, ChicesterPenelope Wilton shines in Mark Hayhursts deeply engrossing drama about the high price of resisting tyranny Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:55am on October 5, 2014☆⚑

Speed-the-Plow review - Lohan brings unusual naivety to tame revival by Michael Billington

Playhouse, LondonLindsay Lohan provides the most interest in a revival of David Mamets anti-Hollywood satire that otherwise fails to takes wing Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:34pm on October 2, 2014☆⚑

Seminar review egos duel in creative-writing comedy with Roger Allam by Michael Billington

Hampstead theatre, LondonAllam is a joy to watch in Theresa Rebecks smart, clever play about a faded novelist and his charges Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:39am on October 2, 2014☆⚑

Electra review great irony in her manner and iron in her soul by Michael Billington

Old Vic, LondonKristin Scott Thomas gives a psychologically perceptive study of a spiritually wounded woman, brimming with passionate intensity Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:00pm on October 1, 2014☆⚑

The Edge of Our Bodies review coming-of-age tale plays with reality by Michael Billington

Gate, LondonShannon Tarbet is riveting as a pregnant teen rapidly ascending into an adult world of disillusionment Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:58am on September 30, 2014☆⚑

The Vertical Hour review timely revival for David Hares Iraq inquiry by Michael Billington

Park theatre, LondonThe clash between political belief and personal psychology sometimes labours its points but is wittily explored by a cast led by Peter Davison Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:58am on September 26, 2014☆⚑

An Enemy of the People five-star review like a rowdy version of Question Time by Michael Billington

Barbican, London Thomas Ostermeier involves the audience to thrilling effect as Ibsens drama scales new heights of excitement and fascination Thomas Ostermeier talks to Simon McBurney Contin…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:07am on September 25, 2014☆⚑

Teh Internet Is Serious Business review a high-speed hacktivist adventure by Michael Billington

Royal Court, LondonTim Prices play about two hackers is tumultuous, energetic and ultimately touching in its vision of a global network of young people dedicated to challenging the status qu…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:31am on September 24, 2014☆⚑

Evita review shout it loud, showgirl dictatorship is back with a bang by Michael Billington

Dominion, LondonMadalena Alberto skilfully avoids sentimentality in reviving the musical life of Argentinas favourite dictators wife, though sound issues blunt the sharpness of Tim Rices lyr…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:43am on September 23, 2014☆⚑

Evita review breathtaking inventiveness and quicksilver fluency by Michael Billington

As Evita returns to the West End, heres what Michael Billington made of its opening night with Elaine Paige and David Essex. This review was first published on 22 June 1978 The truth is I ne…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:52am on September 22, 2014☆⚑

Albion review raucous but uninsightful look at extremism by Michael Billington

Chris Thompsons karaoke-interspersed play about the rise of an rightwing group doesnt penetrate English fascisms dismaying ordinariness Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:53am on September 21, 2014☆⚑

Fred and Madge review Joe Ortons first pot shot at conformity falls short by Michael Billington

Hope theatre, LondonThis previously unperformed slice of domestic surrealism offers only glimpses of the writer Orton would become Premiere of Joe Ortons lost first play tells bitter tale of…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:40am on September 19, 2014☆⚑

Doctor Scroggys War review Howard Brenton explores horror of combat by Michael Billington

Shakespeares Globe, LondonFact and fiction are intertwined in an affecting drama about a first-world-war soldiers treatment by the pioneering plastic surgeon Harold Gillies Continue reading.…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:34am on September 18, 2014☆⚑