Pursuit of Freedom
The Handmaid’s Tale
by Poul Ruders, libretto by Paul Bentley
English National Opera at the London Coliseum until 15th February
Review by Claire Alexander
‘Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from. Don’t underrate it’. So says Aunt Lydia (boldly sung by Rachel Nicholls) in the early part of The Handmaid’s Tale.
When The Handmaid’s Tale was first published in 1985 ‘freedom to’ was perhaps at its zenith. There were regimes repressive against women at the time (especially in Iran) and pockets of fundamentalist ‘Christianity’ especially in some US States, but many western societies were beginning to live the life of sheer unfettered freedom. When Atwood’s book was republished and reimagined into the TV Series in 2017 perhaps things were beginning to come full circle – the Taliban was making its presence felt in Afghanistan, there were murmurings of extremist regimes, and early red flags of influencers like Andrew Tate. Covid and its restrictions were only three years off. Atwood’s book was prescient enough in 1985 but perhaps no surprise that the ideas it imagines have become more so and more real in recent times.
Read more…Keep Calm and Carry On
Panic – A Live Radio Musical
by Stephen Dolginoff
Teddington Theatre Club, at the Coward Studio, Hampton Hill Theatre until 3rd February
Review by Heather Moulson
The glamorous Evelyn mingles with the audience like a socialite at a cocktail party, as it draws them straight into the ambience of a pre-war recording studio, there to be charmed by men in smart suits and authentic American accents
The pace of the musical,Panic, skilfully directed by Wesley Henderson Roe, does not stop for breath as we witness a famous historical event, the more than convincing radio production of War of the Worlds that terrified America in 1938.
Read more…Wise Saws and Modern Instances
All the World’s a Stage
compiled by Anne Warrington
Poetry Performance at Hampton Hill Theatre, 28th January
Review by Ian Moone
A delightful evening of poetry and song was enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience at All the World’s a Stage, a one-off event to aid with much-needed fundraising for the continuing repair and maintenance of Hampton Hill’s much-loved community theatre. The performance was introduced by Lottie Walker (Chair of the Teddington Theatre Club), and showcased the works and talents of Poetry Performance, an Arts Richmond affiliated group consisting of local poets, singers and actors, who meet monthly at the Adelaide Pub in Teddington to share their works. The evening was compiled and produced by Anne Warrington and directed by Ken Mason – both also contributing to the evening with their own works.
The programme was divided into three sections, each examining theatre through different lenses. The first was a historical examination of theatre, focussing on some literary and theatrical heroes (Shakespeare and Chaucer), some theatrical villains (Oliver Cromwell and Panto!) and looked at the works of some of the shining lights of Variety and opera. The second section explored theatre tales, including some hilarious poetic anecdotes, poignant verse and entrancing song. The third and final segment explored the theatre of war, including some truly moving, sombre and thought-provoking pieces.
Read more…All That Glitters
Look Behind You
by Daniel Wain
Strut and Fret Theatre Company at the Theatre at the Tabard, Chiswick until 3rd February
Review by Heather Moulson
Who can resist an adult pantomime? (The promos warn, “Look Behind You contains lots of Pussy, Dick… and Nuts”!) Revived and updated from its earlier incarnation in 1999, and now with nice references to the powerful Tik-Tok, the updated revival gives further insights to a very traditional production genre, both onstage and offstage. Hiding under the greasepaint is a very strong drama.
A jaded professional theatre company is staging a well-worn panto Dick Whittington in the crumbling Britannia Theatre, culture centre of a rundown seaside town.
Read more…Adam and Eve It
Oh, Wouldn’t It Be Luverly!
by Jackie Howting
The Edmundians, Cheray Hall, Whitton until 27th January
Review by Viola Selby
Oh, wasn’t this a luverly toe tapping show that was such an intriguing and refreshing adaptation to a much loved classic! With twists to keep us guessing and so many hilarious jokes you wouldn’t Adam and Eve it!
Part of the guessing is whether the show will pitch towards a musical or veer towards a panto. What the heck, let’s do both, as Edmundians latest romp, with sufficient apology to GBS, references a certain popular play of 1914 (itself based on Greek myth), and its later film and musical versions. Lerner and Loewe, eat your heart out, for here is Oh, Wouldn’t It Be Luverly!
Read more…As Never Before
Northanger Abbey
by Zoe Cooper
Octagon Bolton, Stephen Joseph Theatre and Theatre by the Lake, at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond until 24th February
Review by Viola Selby
I first read Northanger Abbey when I was eighteen and fell absolutely in love with Catherine. However, after watching the many adaptions of Austen’s work, it has only been Zoe Cooper’s masterpiece, under the daringly refreshing direction of Tessa Walker, that has truly encapsulated the real meaning behind the writing for me.
Through just three actors and a minimal set design, the audience are part of a performance by Catherine (known as Cath and played by Rebecca Banatvala), Henry Tilney (known as Hen and played by Sam Newton) and Isobel Thorpe (known as Iz and played by AK Golding) retelling Catherine’s story.
Read more…Stormy Weather
Pressure
by David Haig
Teddington Theatre Club, at the Hampton Hill Theatre until 27th January
Review by Gill Martin
Storm Isha had just loosened its grip but Storm Jocelyn was now battering Britain on the opening night of Pressure, TTC’s docudrama, subtitled 6th June 1944: The day the weathermen fought the war, and meticulously directed by Clare Cooper
Weather hardly ever drops out of the headlines, with horror stories of floods, fires and famines. Meteorologists and climate gurus take centre screen night after night with their dire warnings and predictions.
Read more…Viennese Swirl
Measure for Measure
by William Shakespeare
Richmond Shakespeare Society at the Mary Wallace Theatre until 27th January
Review by Brent Muirhouse
Gracing the Mary Wallace Theatre in Twickenham, Richmond Shakespeare Society’s rendition of Measure for Measure merged the prose of the Bard with a vibrant contemporary heartbeat, building a production that more than measured up to the reputation of the great man himself.
Much like the themes of modern, glossy TV series Succession or The Morning Show, Measure for Measure puts a kaleidoscope onto the emotions of the large array of characters (played by a sizeable cast of fifteen) as they navigate the intricacies of power, morality, and justice.
Read more…Yee/Yer/Yey Hah
Cowbois
by Charlie Josephine
Royal Shakespeare Company, at the Jerwood Downstairs, Royal Court Theatre until 10th February
Review by Gill Martin
Come out with your guns blazing, your Stetson at a jaunty angle and your spurs sparkling for a night on the town with the wildest Western. Cowbois is tagged as a rollicking queer Western like you’ve never seen before. They ain’t wrong.
Audiences at the Royal Court are treated to a rare rootin’ tootin’ night of lively music, livelier dance, the steamiest of erotic sex scenes, and furious gun fights overlaid with serious messages of gender inclusivity.
Read more…Nature’s Hand Dealt
The Father
by Florian Zeller
Rhinoceros Theatre Company, at the Coward Studio, Hampton Hill Theatre until 20th January
Review by Gill Martin
A momentary murmur of confusion shivers around the audience. We are suddenly plunged into the depths of doubt and uncertainty that plague the minds of those with Alzheimer’s -and those closest to them.
Welcome to the world of André, an engineer who might have been a tap dancer … or a conjurer. His broken mind conjures a myriad of events both real and imagined, pleasant and painful, terrifying and menacing.
Read more…
Mark Aspen 