Category Archives: Reviews

Fawn Press ‘Elements: Natural & The Supernatural’ Poetry Anthology Review

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What better time than Autumn to observe nature’s transient gifts and cosy up with a book? This November sees the launch of brand new Staffordshire-based poetry publisher Fawn Press, and their inaugural anthology, Elements: Natural & The Supernatural. Founded and edited by established local poet Scarlett Ward-Bennett (Ache, Verve Poetry Press), Fawn Press “aims to publish beautiful books of exceptional poetry, as we believe that poetry has the power to change lives through that transcendental connection between writer and reader.” Continue reading →

Alone in Berlin: swansong of a hesitant ally

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Charlotte Emmerson (Therese Raquin, The Duchess of Malfi), Denis Conway (The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Brooklyn) and Joseph Marcell (King Lear, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air) lead a small ensemble cast directed by James Dacre, Artistic Director of Royal & Derngate Northampton, in the world premiere production of Alone in Berlin, Hans Fallada’s acclaimed novel translated and adapted for the stage by Alistair Beaton; a York Theatre Royal and Royal & Derngate Northampton co-production, in association with Oxford Playhouse. Continue reading →

Crongton Knights: bold young hope

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Known for their bold work celebrating diversity and examining contemporary issues, Pilot Theatre presents the world stage premiere of Alex Wheatle’s Crongton Knights, Winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2016. Continue reading →

The Goat or Who Is Sylvia?: From American Dream to Greek Tragedy

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York-based Pick Me Up Theatre present the northern UK premiere of Edward Albee’s sensational black comedy, The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? (or, Notes Towards a Definition of Tragedy). Once again transforming the black box John Cooper Studio into a completely fitting world, Robert Readman’s production design transports you smoothly to a liminal space; the perfect living room of a high-flying American family, in the moments before protagonist husband and father Martin drops a bombshell on it all. Continue reading →

Overheard: nuance in the melee

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You’re in a cafe; a restaurant; a bar. You start catching snatches of conversation from nearby. Hopes, dreams, private politics, and secret desires of characters from across the Chinese diaspora. A tenuous facade between a restaurant owner and customer, obnoxious un-PC mutterings from the table behind you, an anxious hand-wrangling conversation about something monumentally important. Continue reading →

Ten Times Table: a fête worse than death

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Directed by Robin Herford, Ten Times Table is the inaugural production of the Classic Comedy theatre company, produced by Bill Kenwright and his team behind other sister compaies: the Agatha Christie, the Classic Thriller, and the Classic Screen to Stage theatre companies – which between them have enjoyed over 15 years of theatrical success across the UK. Somehow, this relic script has long outlived its bedtime and appears to be reaping similar attention. Continue reading →