The rolling stone is now at home in the West End, as Conor McPherson’s inimitable dramatic take on Bob Dylan transfers from the Old Vic, where it premiered last summer. Described as “a play with songs”, it’s the distinct harmony of two art … Continue reading
“My mother says you’re tragedy personified,” reports a precocious child to Carol, who recently attempted suicide. It’s typical of Alice Birch’s harrowing new play, which wrings blistering humour as well as despair from its accomplished portrait of women in pain … Continue reading
Has there ever been a time when we’re more in need of irrepressible optimism? The orphan who convinces everyone around her that “the sun will come out tomorrow” has certainly hit the West End at an opportune moment, and there’s … Continue reading
On my April MoveTo Town and Country Arts page: Pick of the month: Russian phantoms The Design Museum resurrects utopian Soviet architecture Don’t miss: American abyss From Edward Hopper to Grant Wood: 1930s Americana at the Royal Academy Commuter corner Samanta Schweblin’s Fever Dream and new podcast … Continue reading
Anne longs for 23-year-old son Nicholas to return home. One night, he appears. Or does he? Welcome back to the queasily elliptical world of Florian Zeller, where certainty fractures as familiar elements are repeated, dissected, made strange and menacing. Zeller … Continue reading
Make opera, not war. So urges composer-turned-playwright Claire van Kampen’s featherweight historical star vehicle, elevated by husband Mark Rylance – in a tailored role showcasing his beguiling idiosyncrasies – and John Dove’s sumptuous production. Read my full Ham & High review … Continue reading
Sonali Deraniyagala’s Wave is not an easy read. I’ll say that again (it definitely bears repeating): Sonali Deraniyagala’s Wave is not an easy read. It is, however, an important one. An exceptional one. And a profoundly moving one. We often … Continue reading
