Performing Arts Reviews:
2008–2022

NATIONAL THEATRE in association with HANDSPRING PUPPET COMPANY presents WAR HORSE based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo. Adapted by Nick Stafford. At the New London Theatre, Drury Lane, London. WAR HORSE was first presented at the National Theatre, Southbank, in the Olivier Theatre in October in 2007. Revived in September 2008.Opened at the New London Theatre in March 2009. When I was purchasing my tickets for the performance I saw in January, 2010, the man in front of me was purchasing a “family” booking for September, 2010!!!!! This Production has what those in the business call “legs”. I will…

  RED. A New Play by John Logan. Presented at the Donmar Warehouse. This is a play for two actors, lasting approximately 100 minutes, without interval, by American, John Logan – (eg. Theatre: NEVER THE SINNER and film: THE AVIATOR, GLADIATOR, etc). It is set in Mark Rothko’s studio at 220 Bowery, New York, during 1958 and 1959. A young man/artist, Ken (Eddie Redmayne) is employed to be an assistant/’dog’s body to the artist Rothko (Alfred Molina). The job/role/challenge is accepted by the young man and the play charts the learning process of both men in the two years covered…

  The National Theatre presents a co- production between the National Theatre, London and Live Theatre, Newcastle; THE PITMAN PAINTERS by Lee Hall. Inspired by a book by William Feaver, In the Lyttelton Theatre. Live Theatre, Newcastle Upon Tyne was founded in 1973. “The company has defined itself as a ‘new writing theatre’ whose mission has been inspired by a quest to understand and interpret the social history and identity of the region it serves and to examine the issues and events that affect its people. This has created a profound well of source material and an astonishing array of…

    The National Theatre presents NATION based on a novel by Terry Pratchett adapted by Mark Ravenhill in the Olivier Theatre. Over the past few years the National Theatre has had a program that has invested in the development of plays for young audiences and especially for the festive season of Christmas. Among them: HIS DARK MATERIALS, based on the Phillip Pullman trilogy of novels; WAR HORSE, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo and now NATION based on the novel by Terry Pratchett. This adaptation was given to Mark Ravenhill. An interesting choice, as we know his work…

    The NATIONAL THEATRE presents a World Premiere THE HABIT OF ART a new play by Alan Bennett in the Lyttelton Theatre. Five years after the extraordinary hit, THE HISTORY BOYS, that toured the world, including Sydney at The Sydney Theatre, Alan Bennett has once again teamed up with Director, Nicholas Hytner, and now presents us with A HABIT OF ART. The play is set in a rehearsal room and we observe a first run-through with sound, of a new play called CALIBAN’S DAY on a mock up set, with all the props and furniture, workable doors etc –…

  Sydney Theatre Company presents THE RESIDENTS in THE MYSTERIES: GENESIS. A new version by Hilary Bell & Lally Katz. The Residents are the Sydney Theatre Company’s new permanent ensemble of players: Alice Ansara, Cameron Goodall, Ursula Mills, Julia Ohannessian, Zindzi Okenyo, Richard Pyros, Sophie Ross, Tahki Saul and Brett Stiller. The Residents “with the exploration, shaping and fine-tuning of new works as a guiding objective… provide an invaluable resource to playwrights and directors…” THE MYSTERIES: GENESIS is a new version of some of the stories from the Hebrew Bible (Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament) by Hilary Bell and Lally…