Monthly Archives: March 2016

Bug, Found111

Posted on March 30, 2016 by mkmswain

My skin is still tingling with the presence of imaginary critters. Never mind I’m A Celebrity… or Bear Grylls’s latest expedition – Tracy Letts has got them beat when it comes to nightmarish creepy-crawlies. But it’s not just a creature feature: … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reasons to Be Happy, Hampstead Theatre

Posted on March 25, 2016 by mkmswain

Sequel-itis has spread to the stage. There’s no caped crusader, but the troubled quartet of Neil LaBute’s latest will be familiar to anyone who caught Reasons to be Pretty at the Almeida in 2011 – as will Soutra Gilmour’s industrial crate … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

People, Places & Things, Wyndham’s Theatre

Posted on March 24, 2016 by mkmswain

Recovery depends on honesty, but Emma – not her real name – lies for a living. Duncan Macmillan’s searing play, getting a well-deserved West End transfer from the National, complicates the familiar story of addiction and rehab by making its … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Painkiller, Garrick Theatre

Posted on March 17, 2016 by mkmswain

The fourth production in Branagh’s Garrick season is the revival of an odd-couple romp he brought to the Lyric, Belfast in 2011. Sean Foley (best known for his superlative Branagh-directed Morecambe and Wise tribute The Play What I Wrote) adapts … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Truth, Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on March 17, 2016 by mkmswain

Infidelity, hypocrisy, disillusionment, betrayal – and yet this is by far the lightest of French playwright Florian Zeller’s current London hat trick. Premiering in 2011, and thus sandwiched chronologically between the bleak pair of The Mother (2010) andThe Father (2012), … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Public art, Delacroix and multimedia horror

Posted on March 11, 2016 by mkmswain

On my March MoveTo Town and Country Arts page: Pick of the month: Public display A new Historic England exhibition highlights exceptional post-war public art – much of which is disappearing. Don’t miss: Modern master The National Gallery illustrates Delacroix’s enduring influence. Commuter corner A multimedia … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Fiction, Journalism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Florian Zeller’s latest leads this week’s Top 10 new London shows

Posted on March 7, 2016 by mkmswain

From the French playwright’s highly anticipated The Truth to Kenneth Branagh’s hitman farce and an atomic musical, here are some of this week’s most eye-catching openings. Read my full BroadwayWorld article here

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stylish, witty and lurid tale

Posted on March 4, 2016 by mkmswain

In 1933, French society was rocked by Christine and Léa Papin’s brutal murder of their employer. The incident loosely inspired Jean Genet’s 1947 play, which uses that power struggle to starkly challenge identity constructs. Jamie Lloyd’s suitably unflinching revival benefits … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pick of the Week

Posted on March 3, 2016 by mkmswain

A new Coen caper, Hermione’s directing debut, ENO’s strike battle, and revolution in the music industry. Read my full theartsdesk newsletter here

Posted in Art, Dance, Film, Journalism, Theatre, TV | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment