thespyinthestalls.com

SLAVE: A QUESTION OF FREEDOM

★★★★

UK Tour

SLAVE: A QUESTION OF FREEDOM at the The Lowry ★★★★ “Moments of lightness or humour are rare, but welcome, during the work, which is a hard watch for a compassionate audience” Co-adapted for stage by Kevin Fegan and Caroline Clegg from the autobiography Slave (Virago) by Mende Nazer and Damien

Read the full review >>

FILUMENA

★★★★

UK Tour

FILUMENA at the Theatre Royal Windsor ★★★★ “There are complex emotions and issues on show here, that are delivered with warmth and humour – and at times with quite a punch” The opening of Eduardo De Filippo’s “Filumena” finds the title character on her deathbed with Domenico, her partner of

Read the full review >>

EURYDICE

★★

Jermyn Street Theatre

EURYDICE at Jermyn Street Theatre ★★ “Occasionally it feels as though the actors, lost in their own underworld, are making it up as they go along” “Orpheus was beginning to get very tired of sitting by his girlfriend on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice

Read the full review >>

FRENCH TOAST

★★★★

Riverside Studios

FRENCH TOAST at Riverside Studios ★★★★ “It mocks pretty much everything about the industry, but it is also a heartfelt love letter to the theatre” The French actor, director and writer, Jean Poiret, is best known for his 1973 “La Cage aux Folles”. He is perhaps less well known as

Read the full review >>

MAISIE ADAM – APPRAISAL

★★★★

UK Tour

MAISIE ADAM – APPRAISAL at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House ★★★★ “a welcomingly confrontational and awkward evening of stand-up with a bit of something for everyone” On the biggest night of her new tour, Maisie Adam presents a raucous night of heckling the audience right back, and journeying through

Read the full review >>

PORT CITY SIGNATURE

★★★½

Hope Theatre

PORT CITY SIGNATURE at the Hope Theatre ★★★½ “a riveting, exciting watch” Port City Signature by Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller is a Noir-styled suspense story centred around the arrival of the naïve Newcomer into the local public house after having missed her train home. The mistrustful Regular and his sex-working partner-in-crime, Lady

Read the full review >>

PAST TENTS

★★★

Golden Goose Theatre

PAST TENTS at the Golden Goose Theatre ★★★ “The actors, as writers, producers and performers, are committed and sincere.” Alan and Justin take a lot of getting used to. Alan, in particular, is a rancid bundle of petty aggression and intolerance. He literally crashes into a campsite having totalled his

Read the full review >>

THE RIVER

★★★

Greenwich Theatre

THE RIVER at the Greenwich Theatre ★★★ “each actor was incredibly committed and the chemistry between them was fantastic” Jez Butterworth’s The River returns to London at the Greenwich Theatre. A play about a man who takes his girlfriends to a lovely country cabin by a river. Yet he is

Read the full review >>

FRONTIERS

★★★★

Sadler’s Wells Theatre

FRONTIERS at Sadler’s Wells Theatre ★★★★ “an impressive showcase of talent, both established and on the up” The National Ballet of Canada arrived at Sadler’s Wells this season for the first time in over a decade. Company Director Hope Muir leans into the national heritage with a programme of works

Read the full review >>

INCARNATION

★★★★

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

INCARNATION at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane ★★★★ “Caruso is a meticulous performer; each step choreographed with a purpose” “I remember that day like it was yesterday. I remember being tied up, being unable to speak. I remember how much I hurt trying to escape”. Maria Caruso’s pre-recorded voice swoops

Read the full review >>

THE HISTORY BOYS

★★★★

UK Tour

THE HISTORY BOYS at the Cambridge Arts Theatre ★★★★ “an enjoyable and important revival of a play that has become a modern classic” Alan Bennett’s much-loved play celebrates the 20th anniversary of its National Theatre first performance with a new production and a national tour (Director Seán Linnen). The period

Read the full review >>

ONE SMALL STEP

★★

Charing Cross Theatre

ONE SMALL STEP at the Charing Cross Theatre ★★ “Milla Clarke’s slowly revolving set reflects a narrative going round in circles” Set in the not-too-distant future, Takuya Kato’s “One Small Step” depicts a society where colonising the moon has become a practical reality. The scenario throws up many questions, some

Read the full review >>

TUTU

★★★

Peacock Theatre

TUTU at the Peacock Theatre ★★★ “all six dancers look mighty fine in mini tutus and costumes, and all have beautiful classical technique – and legs” Tutu is dance-theatre from the French dance company Chicos Mambo, performed by a company of six male dancers who don’t take themselves too seriously.

Read the full review >>

“Once glanced at by someone moderately famous”