Theatre, opera, dance and showcase reviews from The Stage - a fresh look at entertainment 2009-11-20T16:15:00Z tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.20 http://www.thestage.co.uk/images/blogbuttons/reviews.gifThis feed is intended for personal, non-commercial use only. Aleks Sierz tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.20.26282 2009-11-20T16:15:00Z 2009-11-20T16:15:00Z

<p><strong>Royal Court Theatre Upstairs:</strong> Some scabs itch so much that you can&#039;t help but pick them. In Mike Bartlett&#039;s compelling new play, Cock, the injury is sex and sexuality. John, played with agonised sensitivity by Ben Whishaw, lives with a man, his long-term lover. Then, one day, he meets a woman - they have sex and John&#039;s world is turned upside down.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26282/cock">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Royal Court Theatre Upstairs:</strong> Some scabs itch so much that you can&#039;t help but pick them. In Mike Bartlett&#039;s compelling new play, Cock, the injury is sex and sexuality. John, played with agonised sensitivity by Ben Whishaw, lives with a man, his long-term lover. Then, one day, he meets a woman - they have sex and John&#039;s world is turned upside down.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26282/cock">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6UjreAUoBR4k5HcPdgpuPhukC3k/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6UjreAUoBR4k5HcPdgpuPhukC3k/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6UjreAUoBR4k5HcPdgpuPhukC3k/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/6UjreAUoBR4k5HcPdgpuPhukC3k/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=S_d5D0XadlY:U-tR-I16ABs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=S_d5D0XadlY:U-tR-I16ABs:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=S_d5D0XadlY:U-tR-I16ABs:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/S_d5D0XadlY" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26282/cock Derek Smith tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.20.26280 2009-11-20T15:35:00Z 2009-11-20T15:35:00Z

<p><strong>Crofton Club, Stubbington, Hampshire:</strong> A big, live football game being screened in the venue&#039;s front room, raffle tickets being sold on the door and a table enticingly stacked with goodies for the winners could only mean this Inspirations Entertainments showcase was being held at a more traditional club. A chance to win a tin of Quality Street and see some quality acts then promised just about the perfect evening, as the more intimate atmosphere such venues offer is always welcome. Quite whether performers feel likewise, I&#039;m never quite sure though. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26280/inspirations-entertainments-in-association">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Crofton Club, Stubbington, Hampshire:</strong> A big, live football game being screened in the venue&#039;s front room, raffle tickets being sold on the door and a table enticingly stacked with goodies for the winners could only mean this Inspirations Entertainments showcase was being held at a more traditional club. A chance to win a tin of Quality Street and see some quality acts then promised just about the perfect evening, as the more intimate atmosphere such venues offer is always welcome. Quite whether performers feel likewise, I&#039;m never quite sure though. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26280/inspirations-entertainments-in-association">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WBxuRKmOuFp6xQuEqQ_y0kKyb6w/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WBxuRKmOuFp6xQuEqQ_y0kKyb6w/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WBxuRKmOuFp6xQuEqQ_y0kKyb6w/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WBxuRKmOuFp6xQuEqQ_y0kKyb6w/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=-KU4ycU_CAM:0VuvCw2sDFw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=-KU4ycU_CAM:0VuvCw2sDFw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=-KU4ycU_CAM:0VuvCw2sDFw:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/-KU4ycU_CAM" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26280/inspirations-entertainments-in-association Jonathan Lovett tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.20.26274 2009-11-20T14:35:00Z 2009-11-20T14:35:00Z

<p><strong>Cock Tavern, London:</strong> Some secrets are best left unsaid. Well, 87.5 per cent of them to be exact, if this poorly conceived and executed devised piece is anything to go by.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26274/secrets">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Cock Tavern, London:</strong> Some secrets are best left unsaid. Well, 87.5 per cent of them to be exact, if this poorly conceived and executed devised piece is anything to go by.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26274/secrets">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FaJa7axgkORGZaHLySzXUc82QW0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FaJa7axgkORGZaHLySzXUc82QW0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FaJa7axgkORGZaHLySzXUc82QW0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FaJa7axgkORGZaHLySzXUc82QW0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=_8WCXrkVx9s:AqU0sBQTzVo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=_8WCXrkVx9s:AqU0sBQTzVo:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=_8WCXrkVx9s:AqU0sBQTzVo:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/_8WCXrkVx9s" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26274/secrets Scott Matthewman tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.20.26272 2009-11-20T13:00:00Z 2009-11-20T13:05:49Z

<p><strong>Jermyn Street, London:</strong> Jest End&#039;s sideswipes at London&#039;s most loved (or at least best known) musicals may be affectionate, but no punches are pulled.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26272/jest-end">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Jermyn Street, London:</strong> Jest End&#039;s sideswipes at London&#039;s most loved (or at least best known) musicals may be affectionate, but no punches are pulled.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26272/jest-end">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/P4SEqZF4M3gpYq-5jHJuACA7mqg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/P4SEqZF4M3gpYq-5jHJuACA7mqg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/P4SEqZF4M3gpYq-5jHJuACA7mqg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/P4SEqZF4M3gpYq-5jHJuACA7mqg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=s5i2S3acYt0:9UEcsGOrm94:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=s5i2S3acYt0:9UEcsGOrm94:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=s5i2S3acYt0:9UEcsGOrm94:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/s5i2S3acYt0" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26272/jest-end Liz Arratoon tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.20.26271 2009-11-20T12:55:00Z 2009-11-20T12:55:49Z

<p><strong>Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London:</strong> By night, Guy Barrett&#039;s illusions form the centrepiece of a second show being staged in Zippos Circus tent at Winter Wonderland. Assisted by Sarah Ward and Kylie Miller, most of them are based on boxes such as the sword box and substitution trunk - or Metamorphosis. The girls are squished and dismembered and, most impressively, the sensationally glamorous Ward is sawn in two while strapped down by her neck and ankles. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26271/the-palace-of-grand-illusion">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London:</strong> By night, Guy Barrett&#039;s illusions form the centrepiece of a second show being staged in Zippos Circus tent at Winter Wonderland. Assisted by Sarah Ward and Kylie Miller, most of them are based on boxes such as the sword box and substitution trunk - or Metamorphosis. The girls are squished and dismembered and, most impressively, the sensationally glamorous Ward is sawn in two while strapped down by her neck and ankles. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26271/the-palace-of-grand-illusion">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bxDLbdOMf7RHFcyrvfYly9Uijd0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bxDLbdOMf7RHFcyrvfYly9Uijd0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bxDLbdOMf7RHFcyrvfYly9Uijd0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bxDLbdOMf7RHFcyrvfYly9Uijd0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=Dntk2G8b6Ro:OBtvqh9aCcw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=Dntk2G8b6Ro:OBtvqh9aCcw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=Dntk2G8b6Ro:OBtvqh9aCcw:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/Dntk2G8b6Ro" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26271/the-palace-of-grand-illusion John Thaxter tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.20.26270 2009-11-20T12:50:00Z 2009-11-20T12:55:23Z

<p><strong>Richmond, Surrey:</strong> With a beguiling smile and voice like a rasp - kissing a bashful boy full on the lips - Felicity Kendal creates a powerful, sexy portrait of the vital vulgarian with a dark secret. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26270/mrs-warrens-profession">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Richmond, Surrey:</strong> With a beguiling smile and voice like a rasp - kissing a bashful boy full on the lips - Felicity Kendal creates a powerful, sexy portrait of the vital vulgarian with a dark secret. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26270/mrs-warrens-profession">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zkERog5S-ZW8pHWHmj0fr9IFpoQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zkERog5S-ZW8pHWHmj0fr9IFpoQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zkERog5S-ZW8pHWHmj0fr9IFpoQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/zkERog5S-ZW8pHWHmj0fr9IFpoQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=ZoO-3zDDL38:MI-POTmkEAg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=ZoO-3zDDL38:MI-POTmkEAg:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=ZoO-3zDDL38:MI-POTmkEAg:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/ZoO-3zDDL38" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26270/mrs-warrens-profession Liz Arratoon tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.20.26269 2009-11-20T12:45:01Z 2009-11-20T12:56:08Z

<p><strong>Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London:</strong> Devilish red lights in the trees mark the entrance to Winter Wonderland, a naff sort of cross between amusement park and Christmas shopping village. Anyone with kids should head straight for Zippos tent, where Hyde Park&#039;s first ever circus run takes place. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26269/zippos-christmas-circus">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London:</strong> Devilish red lights in the trees mark the entrance to Winter Wonderland, a naff sort of cross between amusement park and Christmas shopping village. Anyone with kids should head straight for Zippos tent, where Hyde Park&#039;s first ever circus run takes place. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26269/zippos-christmas-circus">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0Z1Y3Ko0pMMaWCO_WKD0nIiVUWo/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0Z1Y3Ko0pMMaWCO_WKD0nIiVUWo/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0Z1Y3Ko0pMMaWCO_WKD0nIiVUWo/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0Z1Y3Ko0pMMaWCO_WKD0nIiVUWo/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=Np9tCjcoInE:KqueP7WWg34:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=Np9tCjcoInE:KqueP7WWg34:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=Np9tCjcoInE:KqueP7WWg34:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/Np9tCjcoInE" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26269/zippos-christmas-circus Pat Ashworth tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.20.26268 2009-11-20T11:55:00Z 2009-11-20T11:55:00Z

<p><strong>Holy Trinity Church, Mapperley:</strong> Touring theatre doesn&#039;t come any more magical than this eccentric Christmas Carol from Strangeface. The masks are spellbinding, often grotesque and always extraordinary in the way they can leave characters permanently agape, watchful or wary. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26268/a-christmas-carol">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Holy Trinity Church, Mapperley:</strong> Touring theatre doesn&#039;t come any more magical than this eccentric Christmas Carol from Strangeface. The masks are spellbinding, often grotesque and always extraordinary in the way they can leave characters permanently agape, watchful or wary. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26268/a-christmas-carol">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKm1IS883hONsBUauXsbdLrb5Ns/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKm1IS883hONsBUauXsbdLrb5Ns/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKm1IS883hONsBUauXsbdLrb5Ns/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKm1IS883hONsBUauXsbdLrb5Ns/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=zTTyXIrh4XU:7X-gwmdA0mw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=zTTyXIrh4XU:7X-gwmdA0mw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=zTTyXIrh4XU:7X-gwmdA0mw:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/zTTyXIrh4XU" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26268/a-christmas-carol Scott Matthewman tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.18.26254 2009-11-18T16:25:00Z 2009-11-19T09:34:00Z

<p><strong>King's Head, Islington:</strong> Every sketch show has scenarios which, while amusing in moderate amounts, outstay their welcome. Imagine such a sketch stretched out to the best part of two hours and you have Scouts in Bondage.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26254/scouts-in-bondage">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>King's Head, Islington:</strong> Every sketch show has scenarios which, while amusing in moderate amounts, outstay their welcome. Imagine such a sketch stretched out to the best part of two hours and you have Scouts in Bondage.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26254/scouts-in-bondage">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/o3Gc8Y0EmyeHJQC6q4BKVS2zj2k/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/o3Gc8Y0EmyeHJQC6q4BKVS2zj2k/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/o3Gc8Y0EmyeHJQC6q4BKVS2zj2k/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/o3Gc8Y0EmyeHJQC6q4BKVS2zj2k/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=whFvWPoplfc:0ymlPuDR8AE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=whFvWPoplfc:0ymlPuDR8AE:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=whFvWPoplfc:0ymlPuDR8AE:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/whFvWPoplfc" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26254/scouts-in-bondage Susan Elkin tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.18.26248 2009-11-18T11:40:03Z 2009-11-20T12:56:14Z

<p><strong>National's Lyttleton, London:</strong> Yes, Alan Bennett&#039;s eagerly awaited new play is brilliant in that it glitters with sophisticated bravura and, as always, there is some enjoyable situation comedy and hilarious one-liners - such as Adrian Scarborough as a bemused Humphrey Carpenter, telling the dissolute WH Auden, played by the (literally) larger than life, utterly splendid Richard Griffiths, that he can&#039;t possibly have come to suck him off because - he&#039;s from the BBC. On the other hand, this may be a play which strives just a tad too hard to be clever. At times it feels contrived.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26248/the-habit-of-art">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>National's Lyttleton, London:</strong> Yes, Alan Bennett&#039;s eagerly awaited new play is brilliant in that it glitters with sophisticated bravura and, as always, there is some enjoyable situation comedy and hilarious one-liners - such as Adrian Scarborough as a bemused Humphrey Carpenter, telling the dissolute WH Auden, played by the (literally) larger than life, utterly splendid Richard Griffiths, that he can&#039;t possibly have come to suck him off because - he&#039;s from the BBC. On the other hand, this may be a play which strives just a tad too hard to be clever. At times it feels contrived.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26248/the-habit-of-art">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ht3dq95omIcougWcCzjddqDw2Ng/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ht3dq95omIcougWcCzjddqDw2Ng/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ht3dq95omIcougWcCzjddqDw2Ng/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ht3dq95omIcougWcCzjddqDw2Ng/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=9uoXq2t1P4g:t2S0cYva5Qc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=9uoXq2t1P4g:t2S0cYva5Qc:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=9uoXq2t1P4g:t2S0cYva5Qc:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/9uoXq2t1P4g" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26248/the-habit-of-art Catherine Usher tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.17.26231 2009-11-17T11:00:00Z 2009-11-17T11:00:00Z

<p><strong>Trafalgar Studios, London:</strong> What is clear from the outset is that this production is in assured hands. However much the dialogue and storyline wavers, Robert Daws, Nigel Harman and Steven Webb are fantastic in their respective roles as the closet homosexual newsreader - soon to become tabloid fodder, his slippery PR man hiding a multitude of secrets and the reluctant rent boy, bringing about his downfall with spectacular vulgarity.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26231/public-property">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Trafalgar Studios, London:</strong> What is clear from the outset is that this production is in assured hands. However much the dialogue and storyline wavers, Robert Daws, Nigel Harman and Steven Webb are fantastic in their respective roles as the closet homosexual newsreader - soon to become tabloid fodder, his slippery PR man hiding a multitude of secrets and the reluctant rent boy, bringing about his downfall with spectacular vulgarity.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26231/public-property">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hFCuEO9Fg5BrGmpMYXQOshz48R4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hFCuEO9Fg5BrGmpMYXQOshz48R4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hFCuEO9Fg5BrGmpMYXQOshz48R4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hFCuEO9Fg5BrGmpMYXQOshz48R4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=VrW1ETYcbFk:rCIZelHjCwQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=VrW1ETYcbFk:rCIZelHjCwQ:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=VrW1ETYcbFk:rCIZelHjCwQ:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/VrW1ETYcbFk" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26231/public-property John Thaxter tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.16.26214 2009-11-16T12:15:00Z 2009-11-16T12:15:00Z

<p><strong>Orange Tree, Richmond upon Thames:</strong> A colonial do-gooder builds a dam to help the natives, but ends up inadvertently drowning their river god Ega. Chastened by the unrest this causes, he creates a new deity he calls Moo, with an iconography based on a blend of Christianity and human sacrifice, helped by his wife and his assistant, who eventually become high priests.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26214/the-making-of-moo">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Orange Tree, Richmond upon Thames:</strong> A colonial do-gooder builds a dam to help the natives, but ends up inadvertently drowning their river god Ega. Chastened by the unrest this causes, he creates a new deity he calls Moo, with an iconography based on a blend of Christianity and human sacrifice, helped by his wife and his assistant, who eventually become high priests.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26214/the-making-of-moo">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/w25SalQxVxCqfhrruuehN_yVjCo/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/w25SalQxVxCqfhrruuehN_yVjCo/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/w25SalQxVxCqfhrruuehN_yVjCo/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/w25SalQxVxCqfhrruuehN_yVjCo/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=XZR4zUew3eQ:vK0DldQm-z4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=XZR4zUew3eQ:vK0DldQm-z4:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=XZR4zUew3eQ:vK0DldQm-z4:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/XZR4zUew3eQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26214/the-making-of-moo Chris High tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.16.26211 2009-11-16T10:45:00Z 2009-11-17T10:29:34Z

<p><strong>Unity Theatre, Liverpool:</strong> Frenetic from start to finish, it&#039;s quite possible that Amanda Lawrence was born to play Charles Hawtrey in this world premier production that gets the 2009 Homotopia Festival off to a flyer. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26211/jiggery-pokery">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Unity Theatre, Liverpool:</strong> Frenetic from start to finish, it&#039;s quite possible that Amanda Lawrence was born to play Charles Hawtrey in this world premier production that gets the 2009 Homotopia Festival off to a flyer. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26211/jiggery-pokery">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CaDa6Mn5jxU-bP8irfqG_vTC1g8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CaDa6Mn5jxU-bP8irfqG_vTC1g8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CaDa6Mn5jxU-bP8irfqG_vTC1g8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CaDa6Mn5jxU-bP8irfqG_vTC1g8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=yRwJ6AJQhZk:3B4k-LExN8c:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=yRwJ6AJQhZk:3B4k-LExN8c:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=yRwJ6AJQhZk:3B4k-LExN8c:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/yRwJ6AJQhZk" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26211/jiggery-pokery Derek Smith tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.16.26210 2009-11-16T10:20:01Z 2009-11-16T12:00:48Z

<p><strong>JMA Entertainments, Sandford Holiday Park, Poole, Dorset:</strong> As good a venue to hold a showcase as any, with holidaymakers of all ages mixing with agents and bookers, all the acts billed at this year&#039;s JMA show had to please a quite demanding, varied audience. Different agendas certainly, but both still clearly expectant. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26210/jma-showcase">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>JMA Entertainments, Sandford Holiday Park, Poole, Dorset:</strong> As good a venue to hold a showcase as any, with holidaymakers of all ages mixing with agents and bookers, all the acts billed at this year&#039;s JMA show had to please a quite demanding, varied audience. Different agendas certainly, but both still clearly expectant. </p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26210/jma-showcase">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/sduQpcKxB0mnTJNGzVtwU-taruI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/sduQpcKxB0mnTJNGzVtwU-taruI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/sduQpcKxB0mnTJNGzVtwU-taruI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/sduQpcKxB0mnTJNGzVtwU-taruI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=JRhj8rhZ-aE:qXiVKbQI5-Y:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=JRhj8rhZ-aE:qXiVKbQI5-Y:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=JRhj8rhZ-aE:qXiVKbQI5-Y:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/JRhj8rhZ-aE" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26210/jma-showcase Catherine Usher tag:www.thestage.co.uk,2009:11.16.26209 2009-11-16T10:20:00Z 2009-11-16T10:20:00Z

<p><strong>Polka Theatre, London:</strong> Devising a play to entertain pre-schoolers and their accompanying parents must be quite daunting. The Polka parents seem a formidable bunch and it is as important to the continuation of the Wimbledon-based theatre&#039;s success that they are as impressed by the show as their children are stimulated and entertained.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26209/goldilocks-and-the-three-bears">Read the full review</a></p>

<p><strong>Polka Theatre, London:</strong> Devising a play to entertain pre-schoolers and their accompanying parents must be quite daunting. The Polka parents seem a formidable bunch and it is as important to the continuation of the Wimbledon-based theatre&#039;s success that they are as impressed by the show as their children are stimulated and entertained.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26209/goldilocks-and-the-three-bears">Read the full review</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3HJYfQTgsCpWOhZ4kgdX1ZqHfp8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3HJYfQTgsCpWOhZ4kgdX1ZqHfp8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3HJYfQTgsCpWOhZ4kgdX1ZqHfp8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3HJYfQTgsCpWOhZ4kgdX1ZqHfp8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=lXXt6m-w0lc:XOSlxQCkkGY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=lXXt6m-w0lc:XOSlxQCkkGY:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?a=lXXt6m-w0lc:XOSlxQCkkGY:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/TheStageReviews?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStageReviews/~4/lXXt6m-w0lc" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26209/goldilocks-and-the-three-bears