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Sons of the Prophet
13 Dec
Reviews
Stuart King

Review: SONS OF THE PROPHET at Hampstead Theatre

Making its European premiere following a Pulitzer nomination, Stephen Karam's Sons Of The Prophet opened this week at Hampstead Theatre. For a comedy play which literally starts with a deer-in-the-headlights moment, its strength lies in the instantaneous relatability of the many middle-America characters who by the end have each experienced or conveyed their own darkly comic emotional crossroads.

Sons of the ProphetSons of the Prophet at Hampstead Theatre

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Mandela at the Young Vic
12 Dec
Reviews
Stuart King

Review: MANDELA at the Young Vic

If ever there were a man worthy of an heroic musical treatment of his life, then surely Nelson Mandela would automatically qualify as a case for treatment. With music and lyrics by Greg Dean Borowsky, Shaun Borowsky and a book by Laiona Michelle, the Young Vic plays host to Mandela. Directed by Schele Williams, choreographed by Gregory Maqoma and proudly proclaiming the production's close associations with the Mandela family.

Mandela at the Young VicMandela at the Young Vic

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Hex at The National Theatre
07 Dec
Reviews
Stuart King

Review: HEX at the National Theatre

After considerable initial anticipation, (mired by a spate of unfortunate Covid cancellations), Rufus Norris announced the postponement of HEX’s original National Theatre opening nearly 12 months ago. This week, assembling at the Olivier a year on, press night attendees, (many of whom were earnestly hoping for an end to the disquieting run of mediocre offerings from that period of the National’s recent past), finally got to assess for themselves the work on which so many reputations seemed to depend just a short while ago.

Hex at The National Theatre Hex at The National Theatre

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Best of Enemies
01 Dec
Reviews
Stuart King

Review: BEST OF ENEMIES at the Noel Coward Theatre

Zachary Quinto (the most recent incarnation of Mr Spock in the Star Trek film franchise) becomes the latest in a long line of Hollywood imports to hit London’s theatre district. Stylishly delivering his effete East Coast leftie Gore Vidal to David Harewood’s brittle and uptight right-winger William F Buckley Jr, the two spar for the TV cameras in ABC’s news studio as they offer their distinctly polarised political assessment of the Republican and Democratic conventions in the run-up to the 1968 US Presidential Election.

Best of Enemies David Harewood and Zachary Quinto, Best of Enemies, Noel Coward Theatre.

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ENO 22-23, It’s a Wonderful Life, Donovan Singletary, Ronald Samm, Frederick Ballentine, Danielle de Niese © Lloyd Winters
26 Nov
Reviews
Stuart King

Review: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE at London Coliseum

Philip Van Doreen Stern’s story The Greatest Gift formed the basis for Frank Capra’s 1946 classic piece of filmic Christmas whimsy IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE containing James Stewart’s searing portrayal of a small town American family man, who feels trapped in a humdrum existence and considers suicide on Christmas Eve. The movie has been beloved by generations, but does it make a good subject for operatic treatment?

ENO 22-23, It’s a Wonderful Life, Donovan Singletary, Ronald Samm, Frederick Ballentine, Danielle de Niese © Lloyd WintersENO 22-23, It’s a Wonderful Life, Donovan Singletary, Ronald Samm, Frederick Ballentine, Danielle de Niese © Lloyd Winters

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