UNBELIEVABLE: 4 | History Defined

Is King Lear a mountain or molehill? How to play the tragic monarch and ‘stupid old fart’

Paul Scofield, Ian McKellen and Glenda Jackson have all redefined Shakespeare’s unpredictable ruler – a role in which actors usually succeed

The Guardian - UK · Sep 26, 2023

Metamorphosis review – Lemn Sissay adaptation is more poetic than dramatic

This staging of Kafka’s story is physically exciting, even tireless, but it hits an early peak of terror then has nowhere to go for two hours

The Guardian - UK · Sep 21, 2023

After Amadeus: Brian Cox as Bach is theatre’s latest orchestral manoeuvre

Oliver Cotton’s The Score, a new drama about Bach’s confrontation with Frederick II, continues a rich tradition of plays about great composers

The Guardian - UK · Sep 20, 2023

Carlos at 50 review – Acosta’s gorgeous birthday bash with friends and family

There’s less gravity defying, more gravitas as the Cuban star makes a dazzling return to the Royal Opera House in a seamless show of crowd-pleasing highs

The Guardian - UK · Aug 6, 2023

The Australian Ballet: Jewels review – lots of glitter but no gold

George Balanchine’s choreography is gorgeous to look at, and there are standout individual performances, but it really needs more lush grandeur

The Guardian - UK · Aug 3, 2023

The week in classical: Itch; Semele; Prom 16: Hallé/Elder – review

Jonathan Dove transforms Simon Mayo’s ripping yarn into an exhilarating instant classic; it’s Thebes by way of Port Talbot in Adele Thomas’s Glyndebourne debut; and all hail the Hallé

The Guardian - UK · Jul 29, 2023

No for An Answer review – touching moments but Blitzstein’s ‘play with music’ offers at best curiosity value

Part of Grimeborn opera festival, Marc Blitzstein’s 1941 work has here an economical production and strong and committed cast, but it’s no forgotten masterpiece

The Guardian - UK · Jul 28, 2023

Carlos at 50 review – stunning tricks and charisma to burn

Of course Acosta has lost a little bounce after half a century, but the Cuban master still dances with care, specificity and dramatic flair

The Guardian - UK · Jul 27, 2023

Semele review – outstanding mezzos enliven dour take on Handel’s tale of desire

Joélle Harvey and Jennifer Johnston are ravishing, and the chorus sensational, but Adele Thomas’s staging feels neither funny nor erotic enough for what is essentially a barbed Restoration comedy

The Guardian - UK · Jul 24, 2023

Itch review – a tale of chemistry, corporate muscle and kidnap

Based on Simon Mayo’s children’s books, OHP’s mainstage premiere features a nerdy teenager, radioactive rocks, greedy executives and a stunning Tetris-like set

The Guardian - UK · Jul 23, 2023