I'm back! Things I've seen from August 2012

As the title suggests; I'm back! After a long time away I have decided to start posting again. Due to a large work load, my theatre-going was put on hold and so after august I didn't see a lot of things which meant that I stopped posting reviews. So, to make up for lost time, I though I would quickly compile a list of things I have seen from then till now...


The Last of the Haussmans (National Theatre) - Funny, moving and brilliantly acted with a script that lacked a touch of originality. Helen McCrory was on top form and gave the best performance I believe she has ever given. ****

Timon of Athens (National Theatre) - A Shakespeare I was completely unfamiliar with. Although Hytner's production was fairly safe, the relocating to modern day did help lift the play's themes of money and hypocrisy to the surface. Great central performances and set in the second half. ****

Richard III (Globe) - Mark Rylance gave a highly original and comedic take on one of Shakespeare's greatest villains. An assured production, which rarely disappointed. ****

Twelfth Night (Globe) - A comedic tour de force, this production was one of my highlights of last year's theatre offerings. Paul Chahidi gave the best performance of Maria I have ever seen, and Stephen Fry's Malvolio perfectly blended humour with tragedy. *****

The River (Royal Court) - Haunting, mesmerising, subtle, beautiful. The battle to get tickets was certainly worth it. *****

Julius Caesar (Donmar Warehouse) - In a year of great all-male Shakespearean productions, it was refreshing to see an all-female production of Shakespeare's bloodiest play. The concept wasn't the strongest and lost its way half way through. However, the set, lighting, sound and performances redeemed it and helped produce a production that will most definitely be remembered in year to come. ****

Written On Skin (Royal Opera House) - A stunning production directed by Katie Mitchell of a stunning score and libretto. An opera truly for now. A triumph in every sense. *****

6 Week Theatre Challenge: 11-15

11. What was the fist thing you saw at the theatre?

Besides from pantomimes and the occasional trip to an Agatha Christie play, I'd have to say the first thing I saw at the theatre was Sean Mathias' production of Waiting for Godot - I'd also have to say that it was this production which really inspired me to see more theatre and go more regularly.

12. What is the worst production you have seen?

I am lucky in the respect that I haven't seen many terrible productions, however, there have been one or two which just haven't clicked with me. The Late Middle Classes at the Donmar, although well acted, was a big disappointment and from the start did not grip me. The fact I left at the interval says it all. More recently Zach Braff's All New People left me feeling cold, completely failing to lift one smile from my face.

13. What is the production you're most looking forward to?

I am very excited to see The Globe's Richard III and Twelfth Night later this year (I am seeing them very late in their runs). Mark Rylance, in my opinion, is the best actor you can possibly see on stage and so hopefully these two productions are just as good as everything else he has been in. The rest of the cast also looks intriguing - Johnny Flynn as Lady Anne and Stephen Fry as Malvolio.

14. Who is your favourite theatre director?

Katie Mitchell hands down is my favourite theatre director. The sheer originality of her work really excites me and you never quite know what she will do with a text, classic or modern.

15. Which play would you most like to see?

Although not specific, I would like to see more of Shakespeare's obscure work (Pericles, Titus Andronicus).  If I had to be specific and pick a non-Shakespeare I would like to see Beckett's A Piece of Monologue performed.

6 Week Theatre Challenge: 6 - 10

6. What is the best performance you have seen?

The best performance I have ever seen would have to go to Mark Rylance as Johnny 'Rooster' Byron in Jerusalem. Rylance's performance was visceral, raw and electric, whilst also being deeply touching at the same time. It was truly a humbling experience seeing Rylance in this epic role in a equally epic play.

7. What is the best ballet you have seen?

Giselle at the Royal Opera House was a brilliant ballet to have witnessed. Tamara Rojo as the fragile Giselle and Carlos Acosta as the noble prince highly elevated this production so that it became something of a theatrical event. The atmosphere was almost palpable in the final moments and the rapturous applause proved that Giselle was just as brilliant as I hoped it would be.

8. What is your favourite London theatre.

This question is hard due to me having many favourite theatres in London. I have always found the Harold Pinter theatre quirky and full of character, however the National Theatre has everything you would ever want in a theatre. Not only does it show some really quality productions, it also offers three theatres so that the national can offer different types of works. The staff are always nice and the bookshop is a theatre buff's heaven.

9. Is there a production you wish you had seen?

Definitely. Over the years there have been many productions which I wish I had seen. Recently, I would have like to have seen Constellations at the Royal Court (I hope I can catch it when it transfers to the Duke of York's). I would also have liked to see A Doll's House at the Donmar a few years ago which starred Gillian Anderson, Christopher Eccleston and Tara Fitzgerald.

10. What is the best lighting you have seen in a production?

I really loved Bruno Poet's lighting in Frankenstein. The hundreds of lights of the ceiling of the Olivier were beautiful and the rest of the on stage lighting was brilliant - it really added another dimension to the production.