Review: The Island

Bringing together true stories from inmates of Robben Island, the infamous prison that held Nelson Mandela from 1962-1982, Alex Brown directs the poignantly simple The Island. Two inmates, Winston and John (Jimmy Akingbola and Daniel Poyser respectively), reminisce about life outside, the tortuous tasks they’re given for the amusements of the guards, and the hope … More Review: The Island

Review: Three Sisters

Chekhov normally evokes images of upper-middle class families, wood-paneled walls, and realism at its best – an insight into the lives of well to-do societies and what goes on behind closed doors. His play Three Sisters, written in 1901, is no exception, depicting Olga, Masha, and Irina, three sisters desperate to return to their childhood … More Review: Three Sisters

Review: The Suit

Warm lighting stirs up images of a hot country, in fierce contrast to the blustering drizzle outside the Young Vic auditorium. Clothing rails and backless chairs cleverly denote a room and doorways, whilst allowing the three-sided audience an unobstructed view. All else that adorns the earth-coloured stage is a woven rug. And a suit. Peter … More Review: The Suit

Fame or Finesse?

Last week, I went to see Edward Bond’s Bingo at the Young Vic theatre, starring Sir Patrick Stewart as Shakespeare himself in this tale of the bard’s last few years back in his home. It goes without saying that watching Stewart from the front row was mesmerising – he is a phenomenal actor, and anyone … More Fame or Finesse?