Andrew Scott’s Garry liberates Coward’s Present Laughter in a gender-swapping production
30/11/2019
United Kingdom National Theatre Live – Noël Coward’s Present Laughter: Directed for the screen by Marcus Viner and captured live at London’s The Old Vic and broadcast to Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 28.11.2019. (JPr)
Andrew Scott and Indira Varma in Present Laughter (c) Manuel Harlan
Doran’s dark and decadent Measure for Measure at the Barbican Theatre
29/11/2019
United Kingdom Shakespeare, Measure for Measure: Royal Shakespeare Company, Barbican Theatre, London, 27.11.2019. (CS)
Measure for Measure, RSC company (c) Helen Maybanks/RSC
Making The Lady Vanishes at the Ashcroft Playhouse
26/11/2019
United Kingdom The Classic Thriller Theatre Company’s The Lady Vanishes (adapted by Antony Lampard and based on the film written by Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder and directed by Alfred Hitchcock): Ashcroft Playhouse at Fairfield Halls, Croydon, 25.11.2019. (JB)
The Classic Thriller Theatre Company’s The Lady Vanishes
A gender-flipping Shrew from the RSC at the Barbican Theatre
22/11/2019
United Kingdom Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew: Royal Shakespeare Company, Barbican Theatre, London, 20.11.2019. (CS)
Claire Price as Petruchia and Joseph Arkley as Katherine (c) Ikin Yum Photography
An exuberant RSC As You Like It at the Barbican Theatre
31/10/2019
United Kingdom Shakespeare, As You Like It: Royal Shakespeare Company, Barbican Theatre, London, 29.10.2019. (CS)
Sandy Grierson (Touchstone); photo credit, Topher McGrillis (c) RSC
Bridge Theatre’s gender-fluid forest frolics are all in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
19/10/2019
United Kingdom National Theatre Live – Bridge Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: recorded live at the Bridge Theatre and shown at Cineworld Basildon, Essex, 17.10.2019. (JPr)
Bridge Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (c) Manuel Harlan
At Croydon’s Ashcroft Playhouse: ‘Who’s Afraid of Angela’s Ashes – The Musical?’
07/10/2019
United Kingdom Angela’s Ashes – The Musical (music and Lyrics by Adam Howell, book by Paul Hurt [based on a memoir of Frank McCourt]): Ensemble of Angela’s Ashes -The Musical and musicians / David Hayes (musical director). Ashcroft Playhouse, Fairfield Halls, Croydon, 5.10.2019. (JB)
Jacinta Whyte (Angela) (c) Pat Redmond
Benke Rydman fashions another hit with Gothenburg Opera’s Oliver!
02/10/2019
Sweden Lionel Bart, Oliver! (Lionel Bart [Lyrics and book] and a new Swedish translation by Ulricha Johnson): Soloists of Gothenburg Opera, ensemble and children’s ensemble, Gothenburg Opera Orchestra / Bjorn Dobbelaere (conductor), Gothenburg Opera, 27.9.2019. (NS)
Fagin (David Lundqvist, centre) with his gang (c) Lennart Sjöberg
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This joyous set of Beethoven's sonatas takes its place among the very best. 
In its own way, the Seven Words of Christ is just as sublime as the Stabat Mater. 
This sensitive, dynamic recording is a joy, and may even constitute a revelation. 
The pair exhibits a refined style on these illuminating performances. 
A deeply affecting experience that ought to win the opera many new admirers. 
Mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre performs arias like a dove from heaven 
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A heart attack on the rostrum couldn't stop him becoming the world's greatest living condu 
