Theatre

Must theatre be so dire? Thoughts on the “unworthy scaffold”

If 'art est celare artem' (true art is to conceal art), then theatre is pretty poor art. You ain't fooling me into thinking that's a storm.

Culture Saul Grenfell -

“What is a good life?”: The Standard of Living in review

“What is a good life?” This axiological question, asked earnestly in the opening lines of James Graham’s The Standard of Living – playing at Theatre Royal Haymarket until December 12 – is often overlooked by the fractured and hyper-specialised discipline of economics.

Culture Eoin Ware -

Good grief! Why do we feel for the death of fictional people?

Whether it’s a mild sniffle or full-blown tears, I always end up feeling a bit ridiculous about the whole ordeal when it’s over. I mean, it’s not real, is it? Why do I waste my grief on things that haven’t happened, that will never happen?

Culture Jas Mauj -

Caught between grief and hope: ‘On Some Far Shore’ reviewed

Fresh off the back of 'Our House' and 'Macbeth', Cross Key Productions presents an original three-hander focused on the complexities of grief and young love.

Culture Melissa Eddon -

Review: Good Dog – ‘reflects an experience that many can relate to’

Arinzé Kene’s Good Dog portrays the harsh reality of growing up in inner-city London as a young black man

Review: Edward II – ‘fantastic at handling themes of homosexuality and power’

The tender exploration of sexuality in Bagnall's production makes Marlowe's sixteenth century play still relevant for a modern audience

Review: Betrayal – ‘all the poise, restraint and subtlety that Pinter’s masterpiece requires’

Ingenious set design, the actors’ spectacular chemistry, and director Lloyd’s brilliant attention to detail make Betrayal a triumphant culmination of the ‘Pinter at the Pinter’ venture

Review: The Duchess of Malfi – a brave and ambitious move

York Settlement Community Players present an ambitious take on the Webster classic

The Dark Review – ‘calls our attention to the othering of refugees’

Taiwo Oyebola finds that poet Nick Makoha's new play uncovers the stark realities of a refugee's journey.

Surviving the Drama Scene

Do Oxford's student theatre productions have the longevity of professional shows?

Fade to Black – a history of the theatrical blackout

The convention which now seems part-and-parcel of theatre wasn’t always there – indoor venues and developments in lighting provided new staging opportunities. But what is the theatrical blackout for?

Review: What Comes After – ‘one of the most effortlessly flowing performances’

Wonderful set design, music, and performance make for a beautiful new song cycle by Máth Roberts

Preview: You Are Frogs – ‘toes the line between playfulness and danger’

Practically Peter's production will be at the BT Studio until Saturday.

Review: I punched a Nazi (((and i liked it))) – ‘Brechtian to the absolute T’

I found out I wasn’t going to be allowed to punch a Nazi

Review: Bandages – ‘hard-hitting and unromanticised’

With visceral imagery and effective multi-roling, Radical Attic Productions' darkly feminist show explores the inheritance of abuse

Review: Redacted Arachnid – ‘has the audience close to tears with laughter’

The Owlets’ adaption of a Broadway legend provides great character performances and hilarious Beyoncé-inspired dance routines

Review: Many Moons – “thoroughly compelling”

Stellar performances and staging create a wonderfully emotive piece, but its bitter narrative makes it a hard pill to swallow

Review: Kinky Boots – ‘a poignant message amongst the glitter and glamour’

This touring production of Cyndi Lauper's celebratory musical seems a fitting show for LGBT History Month

Preview: Many Moons – ‘the edges of a crowd’

Small Fry Theatre’s production of the Alice Birch play provides a tense snapshot between the worlds of the intimate and immense

Made in Dagenham Review – ‘a fight that will affect women for generations to come’ –

Daanial Isaaq Chaudhry finds the latest Playhouse production completely compelling

OUDS New Writing Festival 2019 – A Roundup

A summary by their writers of the plays which are part of this year's OUDS New Writing Festival.

Preview: Skin a Cat – an interview with playwright Isley Lynn

"The final scene I saw – a relentless, breezy epiphany, beautifully handled in all its profanity by Tupper – emphasises this point more than any: it’s about 'creating your own metric for your own happiness'."

Review: Waiting for Gary – ‘surpasses the Beckettian classic’

High praise given to Waiting for Gary for its emotional truth underlying the humour

Preview: Made in Dagenham

A cheerful rendition of 'Payday' and some impressive character analysis make for a stunningly professional fifth week production.

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