02 March 2017 Madame Butterfly The King’s Head,Islington *** reviewed by Adam McCormack The King’s Head Theatre in Islington has a long history of success in producing pared down versions of high opera that are original, accessible and entertaining. Director Paul Higgins’ modern take on Madame Butterfly manages to sustain the trend, but more because… Continue reading Issue 94:2017 03 02:Madame Butterfly (Adam McCormack)
Tag: Adam McCormack
Issue 89: 2017 01 26:Raising Martha (Adam McCormack)
26 January 2017 Raising Martha The Park Theatre by Adam McCormack This laugh-out-loud black comedy from writer David Spicer is another hit for the Park Theatre. At times surreal and ultimately frenetic, this is an engaging production that never lapses and benefits from highly talented actors whose feats of coordination and physicality demonstrate British… Continue reading Issue 89: 2017 01 26:Raising Martha (Adam McCormack)
Issue 88: 2017 01 19:La La Land (Adam McCormack)
19 January 2017 La La Land A film by Damien Chazelle reviewed by Adam McCormack The musical is back. Don’t despair, we are not seeing Hollywood revert to the saccharine-saturated schmaltz of the past, where 2-dimensional characters spontaneously launch into songs that develop the plot not one iota. The opening scenes of La La Land,… Continue reading Issue 88: 2017 01 19:La La Land (Adam McCormack)
Issue 85: 2016 12 22: Theatre review, Pinocchio at the King’s Head (Adam McCormack)
22 December 2016 Theatre Review: Pinocchio at the King’s Head Theatre by Adam McCormack My love affair with panto has been rekindled. The prospect of going to yet another interminably long, hackneyed vehicle for fading soap stars filled me with dread, and was to be avoided other than for the contractual obligations of fatherhood. Charles… Continue reading Issue 85: 2016 12 22: Theatre review, Pinocchio at the King’s Head (Adam McCormack)
Issue84;2016 12 15:The Tempest (Adam McCormack)
15 December 2016 The Tempest The Donmar, King’s Cross by Adam McCormack The Tempest completes the Donmar’s trilogy of Shakespeare plays set in a women’s prison with an all female cast, following their versions of Henry IV in 2012 and Julius Caesar in 2014. Yet again this production, as with the others directed by Phyllida… Continue reading Issue84;2016 12 15:The Tempest (Adam McCormack)
issue 82:2016 12 01: Lazarus (Adam McCormack)
1 December 3016 Lazarus The King’s Cross Theatre reviewed by Adam McCormack It is always good to start with the positives. If you are a fan of David Bowie’s music, Lazarus offers a great deal. The play features some of his most recent work together with a collection of great songs from his back catalogue,… Continue reading issue 82:2016 12 01: Lazarus (Adam McCormack)
Issue 80:2016 11 17:Nice Fish (Adam McCormack)
17 November 2016 Nice Fish Harold Pinter Theatre by Adam McCormack Mark Rylance’s recent acting successes on stage in Farinelli and the King and Jerusalem, on the big screen in Bridge of Spies, and on TV in Wolf Hall make the opening in London of a play that he co-wrote and in which he also acts, a… Continue reading Issue 80:2016 11 17:Nice Fish (Adam McCormack)
Issue79: 2016 11 10: Deny, deny, deny (Adam McCormack)
10 November 2016 Deny, Deny, Deny The Park Theatre reviewed by Adam McCormack Just what does it take to be the best athlete in the world? If you start with a basic flair for running, apply Gladwell’s 10,000 hours rule (the amount of training needed to become an expert in any discipline), together with the… Continue reading Issue79: 2016 11 10: Deny, deny, deny (Adam McCormack)
Issue79:2016 11 10: Travesties (Adam McCormack)
10 November 2016 Travesties The Menier Chocolate Factory reviewed by Adam McCormack Every so often one needs reminding of the brilliance of Tom Stoppard. The Hard Problem last year, did illustrate that his creative genius has not faded, but this was only his second play in the last 10 years, and there seems to have… Continue reading Issue79:2016 11 10: Travesties (Adam McCormack)
Issue 77:2016 10 27: Oil (Adam McCormack)
27 October 2016 Oil Almeida Theatre Reviewed by Adam McCormack Theatre is at its best when an ambitious project comes off. There is no doubt that Ella Hickson’s Oil at the Almeida Theatre is ambitious, reaching across two centuries and five different environments. The good news is that the Almeida has once again delivered a… Continue reading Issue 77:2016 10 27: Oil (Adam McCormack)
Issue 76:2016 10 20:The Red Barn (Adam McCormack)
20 October 2016 The Red Barn The National Theatre reviewed by Adam McCormack A trip to see a new play at the National is always eagerly anticipated. When that new play is written by David Hare, is based on a Georges Simenon novel (Le Main) and stars the likes of Mark Strong and Elizabeth Debicki… Continue reading Issue 76:2016 10 20:The Red Barn (Adam McCormack)
Issue 76:2016 10 20:Inferno (Adam McCormack)
20 October 2016 Inferno A film by Tom Howard Reviewed by Adam McCormack How many books has Dan Brown written featuring symbologist Robert Langdon? The answer is either four or one depending on your point of view. Cynics would suggest that he has written just the one and then repeated the same series of dramas… Continue reading Issue 76:2016 10 20:Inferno (Adam McCormack)
Issue75:2016 10 12: La Boheme (Adam McCormack)
13 October 2016 La Bohème The King’s Head, Islington reviewed by Adam McCormack Perhaps the best production at the King’s Head last year was a modern version of La Bohème, featuring 2 young couples trying to make ends meet in east London. Following that success it might seem strange to present another modern take on… Continue reading Issue75:2016 10 12: La Boheme (Adam McCormack)
