The Critics
A LIFE IN THE THEATRE
Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1
STAR Trek legend Patrick Stewart and Dawson's Creek heart-throb Joshua Jackson are the latest Hollywood names to hit the West End in this new version of David Mamet's play about the highs and lows of life on stage.
Stewart plays Robert, an ageing theatre actor whose talent and confidence is starting to fade. Jackson is the fresh new talent taking his first cocky steps on stage and making vulnerable Robert ever more aware of his own professional mortality.
The play - based partly on Mamet's own experiences of life as a struggling actor - follows the pair backstage and on the boards as they try to carve out a relationship.
Robert is eager to teach the upstart a lesson or two and prove he is the master, but his increasing desperation begins to grate on John who is eager to make his own mistakes.
The entire play is viewed from backstage, making for a fun twist as the audience gets to see theatre from the wings.
The series of small sketches - both on stage and "backstage" - allow the stars to show off their talent for different roles and keep the play fast-paced and very funny.
And the performances are fantastic. Stewart shows the talent, presence and charisma which have led to him enjoying a 40-year career at the top of his profession, both on stage and in film.
Jackson's West End debut proves he is so much more than the lovable rogue adored by thousands of teenage TV viewers. He is charming, witty and a natural star.
A Life in the Theatre is a superbly acted play and is emotional, funny and poignant. A thoroughly uplifting experience. - SALLY LOWE
THE ANNIVERSARY
Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2
In the 1960s Sheila Hancock starred in the West End premiere of Bill MacIlwraith's vicious comedy, repeating the role eight years later on screen opposite Bette Davis.
Nearly 40 years on she takes on the senior part - and has, thankfully, aged far better than this now creaky play.
Hancock is the formidable and domineering widow who delights in getting the better of her family - three grown up sons, daughter-in-law and several grandchildren.
The annual wedding anniversary party - carried on despite the death of her husband - turns into a hilarious battle of wits as she lies, cheats and schemes to keep the desperate sons under her thumb.
Director Denis Lawson chooses to keep this as a period piece - the family house is straight out of the era, complete with flock wallpaper, pineapple-shaped ice bucket and the popular wall prints of the day. It reinforces the play's dated feel, but it doesn't really matter - the action is all about the monstrous mother.
And what a monster Hancock's character is! Her withering looks and shocking funny put-downs help the tension crackle on stage as she does battle with not only the sons but also daughter-in-law Karen - the excellent Rosie Cavaliero - and the shrill-voiced Shirley (Madeleine Worrall). And that's why it's still worth seeing. - KEITH ARCHER
THE TEMPEST
Southwark Playhouse, Southwark Bridge Road, SE1
TOM Wright's direction of Shakespeare's The Tempest, a tale of whipwreck, love, corruption, mystical powers and vanity is, to be quite blunt about it, very much a patchy affair.
There were certainly moments throughout the production where the likes of Hannah McBride's Miranda was refreshingly natural, as was Linda Gathu's interpretation of the spirit Ariel succinct, but the problem is that the strengths of some actors were undermined by others.
Milo Twomey's Gonzalo was fine, but his role as Caliban was excruciatingly bad - likewise Greg Haiste's Sebastian worked, while his rendition of Trinculo was a farce.
With a well lit stage and functional set, this was a production that should have raised itself above the level of amateur dramatics.
Tom Wright certainly needs to reappraise his directing talents and give his cast a better understanding of how The Tempest should be better performed!
- DALE MAITLAND-CARTWRIGHT
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