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☆⚑

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☆⚑