Long Day’s Journey Into Night – review
Apollo, LondonWhy, however often we see it, do we continue to find Eugene O'Neill's family drama so moving? Partly because the play draws so closely on the author's own experience. Watching Anthony Page's fine revival, which boasts glowing performances...
Huis Clos – review
Trafalgar Studios, LondonWatching Paul Hart's fine revival of Jean-Paul Sartre's infernal triangle, I was struck by the play's far-reaching influence. Written in 1943, it not only encapsulates Sartre's existentialist philosophy, but left its indel...
Huis Clos – review
Trafalgar Studios, LondonWatching Paul Hart's fine revival of Jean-Paul Sartre's infernal triangle, I was struck by the play's far-reaching influence. Written in 1943, it not only encapsulates Sartre's existentialist philosophy, but left its indel...
Goodbye Barcelona – review
Arcola, LondonIf Joan Littlewood could create a musical out of the first world war, there is no reason why the same should not be done today for the Spanish civil war. Littlewood, however, came up with a radical new form. Here, Judith Johnson (book) an...
Written on the Heart – review
The Swan, Stratford-upon-AvonNo one could accuse the British theatre of ignoring the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. And David Edgar has come up with a learned, information-packed and engrossing play that sees the Authorised Version in ...
Sixty-Six Books – review
Bush, LondonI confess that this is a partial response to the vast enterprise with which Josie Rourke has chosen to christen the spaciously handsome new Bush theatre. The event consists of 66 responses, in the form of plays, poems and song, to...
War Horse: why has it been such a hit?
After four years, the adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's book is still going strong, and providing the RSC with vital income. But why do people love it so much?In racing parlance, War Horse is a "stayer". It's been running in London for four years, is st...
Jonathan Cecil obituary
Versatile actor and writer often called upon to play toffs and bumbling clericsThe actor Jonathan Cecil, who has died of pneumonia aged 72 after suffering from emphysema, spent much of his career playing upper-class characters. That is hardly surprisi...
In the Penal Colony – review
Young Vic, LondonThe Palestinian theatre company ShiberHur made a big impact last year with I Am Yusuf and This Is My Brother. Now it is back with an hour-long version of Kafka's 1916 short story, adapted and directed by Amir Nizar Zuabi. Where the ear...
Why small is beautiful when it comes to festivals
One of my favourite festivals is the tiny but perfectly formed Galway theatre festival – and this year's instalment promises to be as brilliant (and boozy) as everWhat makes for a good arts festival? Above all, it has to be distinctive. Edinburgh is ...
Government Inspector – review
Young Vic, LondonThere are, broadly speaking, two possible approaches to Gogol's classic 1836 comedy. Treat it as a realistic satire on provincial corruption or as a wild fantasy. Given his track record, Richard Jones unsurprisingly leans more towards ...
Incoming – review
The Cut, Halesworth, SuffolkGiven that Andrew Motion is a poet, novelist and biographer, it's surprising it has taken him so long to get round to writing a play. But, prompted by an invitation from Halesworth's admirable Hightide festival, he has come ...
