Mary Beer

“Huge on spectacle but thin on drama, the revival of War Horse at the Olivier feels more like the launch of another tour than a seminal work that has returned with new resonance.”

“Exceptionally well-acted and taut, 1536 is a thought-provoking and emotionally engrossing experience.”

“A sharp and rich production, The Playboy of the Western World’s ridicule of reductively romantic veneration of causes or cultures is more relevant than ever and should provoke as much thought as it entertains.”

“Many of them are well-acted, but the tone feels inconsistent and the invitation to invest emotionally half-hearted.”

“Mary Page Marlowe’s time-jumping episodes make sense of the juxtapositions – indeed contradictions – that a life, with or without regrets, and its memories and crossroads, will have and provide an outstanding vehicle for some truly leading ladies of the theatre.”

“Clunky and neither funny nor moving, Rubasingham’s production of Taleghani’s play is a tedious misfire.”

“However, whilst I enjoyed the performance, I do not feel it will endure as a classic of either story-telling or theatre.”

“This musical is not transformative of the genre like, say Hamilton or even Operation Mincemeat, but it is satisfying in its spectacle and humour.”

“This works to an extent, especially because the musical numbers are so powerful and capable of delivering more emotion than the rather frothy story, but it also gave me a nagging sense of the show’s promise not quite being fulfilled.”

“Football aficionados or those who want an angst-light coming-of-age story that captures a particular and recognisable moment in time will probably enjoy Red Pitch.”