Kenneth Branagh’s King Lear succeeds in dressing a classic piece of theatre in a modern guise without losing its character. Many Lears have kept us on the edge of our seats over the years, each with their unique approach; Branagh’s take is sensitive, a slow decline into madness that threatens to break the viewer’s heart. He brings … More KING LEAR – REVIEW – WYNDHAM’S THEATRE
A near-perfect production that is electrifying, fun, and modern. Romeo & Juliet is director Nicholai La Barrie’s Royal Exchange debut, and it is a daunting venture. With Shakespeare, the difficulty is freshening the text and its themes; any Shakespearean production must justify its revival. While many people cite universal themes, exemplary dramatic narratives, and heritage … More ROMEO & JULIET – REVIEW – ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
It is amazing how little the world knows about one of its most famous writers. There are countless books and films about the secret, everyday life of William Shakespeare. With Hamnet, the Royal Shakespeare Company tells the domestic part of the story; it is a story about love, trust, loss, and all the little aspects that … More HAMNET – REVIEW – GARRICK THEATRE
Every summer, productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream seem to roll around, and every time they are a tonic. The story is a familiar one, guaranteed to bring giggles aplenty from its farce and innuendo, and this production is no exception. In the black box space of the Jack Studio Theatre, Conor Cook and Heather Simpkin’s set … More A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – REVIEW – JACK STUDIO THEATRE
A reinterpreted adaptation directed by Evan L. Barker has many qualities that both hit and miss. This modern take brings back memories of high school; the story takes place in a secondary school of an English Academy, albeit with Italian names and setting. They even play catch with an American football to give the impression … More THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA & SONNET 104 – REVIEW – BARONS COURT THEATRE
O brawling love! O loving hate! Rebecca Freknall’s latest theatrical conquest sees Romeo and Juliet bursting through an earthen wall with visceral ensemble dance, uncompromisingly emotional performances, and a true command over the holy potential of light. Shakespeare’s introduction of ‘two hours’ traffic’ always seemed an unattainable goal, yet Frecknall’s production somehow manages to capture … More ROMEO AND JULIET – REVIEW – ALMEIDA THEATRE
Shakespeare’s First Folio, a collection of 36 of his much-loved plays, was first published 400 years ago. This European premiere tells the story of how a small group of the King’s Men decided to undertake the enormous task of protecting Shakespeare’s legacy, in a poignant yet uproariously witty production of Lauren Gunderson’s award-winning play. The … More THE BOOK OF WILL – REVIEW – THE OCTAGON, BOLTON
The National Youth Theatre REP company was founded a decade ago, as an alternative to expensive drama school training. The company offers free practical training to performers aged 17-25. Now, they bring their lyrical adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy, Much Ado about Nothing, by poet and playwright Debris Stevenson, to the West End stage. Upon entering … More REVIEW – MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING – DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE
This modern take on one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays hits you in the senses from the moment you enter the theatre. The space is immediately loud and brash: club music at club volume, making it actually quite hard to think as you first walk in. A simple bar is set up with pool table … More REVIEW – OTHELLO – LYRIC HAMMERSMITH
‘‘Twas the season of the greyest of sweatpants, when sat in a circle nine young folks meet to… talk.’ This production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet is truly one that explores the text and takes a completely new angle. The captivating opening scene is just one of the many surprises that made me love artistic director Ricky … More HAMLET – REVIEW – SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE
An inclusive, refreshing and lively adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, is being staged in London’s brand new West End Theatre, Soho Place. With a cast full of wonderfully talented stars that will make you forget the freezing cold weather outside, and transport you to the sunny Forest of Arden. Shakespeare’s As You Like … More REVIEW – AS YOU LIKE IT – @SOHOPLACE
Intermission Youth Theatre (IYT) has put on a unique adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s much-loved plays, A Midsummer’s Night Dream. MSND is a retelling of the Shakespearean classic with a contemporary twist. The show begins with the audience learning about the new drug on the block called ‘MSND’. Once taken, it is believed to grant the ability … More REVIEW – MSND – CHELSEA THEATRE
Witty and wonderful, Sheffield Theatres and Ramps on the Moon productions Much Ado About Nothing is an absolute triumph in accessible storytelling. Much Ado is probably Shakespeare’s most famous Rom-Com. Frenemies Benedick and Beatrice trade barbs as their friends Claudio and Hero fall in love. This overly invested friendship group then plots to get B … More REVIEW – MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING – THEATRE ROYAL STRATFORD EAST
My Own Private Shakespeare is brilliantly innovative. Writer and performer Justin Hay has taken real life stories and intricately woven a script of modern reality and Shakespeare. It’s not stated anywhere, but the show has an autobiographical feel to it, and the emotive power of Hay’s performance means the story is even more believable. We … More REVIEW – MY OWN PRIVATE SHAKESPEARE – EDINBURGH FRINGE
The Tempest is a sizzling summer hit! With Love Island vibes abound, complete with a giant flamingo pool float – it is an absolute delight! I was lucky enough to see this Ensemble’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest is equally wonderful. This is such a hard review to write – there are so many … More REVIEW – THE TEMPEST – SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE
A high school remake is a tried and tested formula to help add modern context to Shakespeare’s plays. This rendition has Theseus (Isambard Rawbone) and Hippolyta (Melissa Parker) become homecoming King and Queen of Athens Academy, an American style high school complete with letterman jackets and prom. The band of players are replaced with the … More REVIEW – A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – IRIS THEATRE COMPANY
There couldn’t have been a more pleasant backdrop for ‘The Tempest’ to occur, than in a beautiful private garden in Notting Hill. The audience must use their imaginations to see the wild storms, as on a such a warm and sunny day it seemed next to impossible for winds strong enough to bring a ship … More REVIEW – THE TEMPEST – SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARES
This review is spoiler-free because you absolutely must go see Starcrossed. It has given the unnamed queer people who lived five hundred years ago a voice; it has told their untold story. And, it has given people who are queer the same epic love story as Romeo and Juliet. Although ending in fated tragedy, Starcrossed is a triumph. Directed … More REVIEW – STARCROSSED – WILTON’S MUSIC HALL
In a tiny theatre which proves pretty hard to find, Shakespeare got a modern queer revamp this week. Network Theatre has been around for 80 years. A community run theatre space located in the underground railway arches of Waterloo station. The company is volunteer run, and they produce their own productions of classical and contemporary … More REVIEW – MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING – NETWORK THEATRE
When I saw an advert for this show, I immediately checked for tickets and they were all sold out. I then waited in the virtual queue for the free performance, I was 500 in the queue and didn’t get a ticket 😂 Then one night I randomly checked their website and someone had returned a … More REVIEW – THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH – ALMEIDA
