Colchester THE RECRUITING OFFICER by George Farquhar Mercury Theatre To 27 October 2001 Runs 2hr 45min One interval TICKETS 01206 573948 Review Timothy Ramsden 13 October Colour and light give a fine setting for a rare revival of mixed quality acting.
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BLOOD AND ROSES: Trestle Theatre Touring till 16th October Runs: 2h 5m, one interval Review: Rod Dungate, mac, 12th October 2001 Toby Wilsher is a master of his craft: BLOOD AND ROSES marks a shift in direction, the company's mask work is as miraculous as ever and the production a delight.
Leicester DEATH OF A SALESMAN: Arthur Miller Haymarket: Tkts 0116 253 9797 Runs: 3h, one interval, till 27th October Review: Rod Dungate, 11th October 2001 The emotional dynamics are orchestrated with confidence, Joseph Marcell carries Willy Loman superbly.
Edinburgh/ Tour THE BALLAD OF CRAZY PAOLA by Arne Sierens, in a version by Stephen Greenhorn Traverse Theatre to 20 October 2001, then touring Scotland to 10 November Runs 55min No interval TICKETS 0131 228 1404 Review Thelma Good 9 October A lover, a brother, a drummer – but no overall driving beat.
Glasgow JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK by Sean O' Casey Arches Theatre Company at Glasgow Citizens' To 29 September 2001 Runs 2hr 20min One interval Review Timothy Ramsden 29 September Anniversary celebrations create limited impact with O' Casey's richly orchestrated tenement symphony.
Oxford ANGELA CARTER'S THE MAGIC TOYSHOP by Bryony Lavery Shared Experience Theatre Company at Oxford Playhouse To 13 October 2001 Runs 2hr 10min One interval Review Timothy Ramsden 11 October Once again, Shared Experience demonstrates how a good novel can take new life as an integral theatre piece.
Chichester STAIRS TO THE ROOF by Tennessee Williams Minerva Theatre To 27 October 2001 Runs 2hr 20min One interval TICKETS 01243 781312 Review Timothy Ramsden 10 October Raw play, good performances, brilliant direction in one of England's finest theatre spaces.
London ANTARCTICA by David Young Savoy Theatre Runs 2hr 35min One interval TICKETS 020 7836 8888 Review Timothy Ramsden 10 October 2001 World's end whiz of ideas tumble out of the ice-cave where fictional explorers shelter.
Coventry A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: William Shakespeare Belgrade Theatre: Tkts 024 7655 3055 Runs: 3 hours, one interval, till 20th October Review: Rod Dungate, 9th October 2001 Something special – a bleak world full of life, love, innocence and great humour: stunning designs from Patrick Connellan
London WHISPERS ALONG THE PATIO by David Cregan Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond To 27 October 2001 Runs 2hr 25min One interval TICKETS 020 8940 3633 Review Vera Lustig 5 October Inventive comedy of manners that starts promisingly but over-eggs the pudding.
London PRIVATE LIVES by Noel Coward Albery Theatre To 3 March 2002 Runs 2hr 25min One interval TICKETS 020 7369 1740 Review Timothy Ramsden 7 October 2001 Magnificent revival of Coward's star-piece, with sets notably more ornate than the acting.
London NIGHTINGALE AND CHASE by Zinnie Harris Royal Court, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs To 27 October 2001 Runs 1hr 10min No interval TICKETS 020 7565 5000 Review Timothy Ramsden 6 October A two-hander on prison's aftermath leaves undecided questions on the impact of the institution and the individual.
Edinburgh GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS by David Mamet Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh To 6 October 2001 Runs 1hr 35min One interval TICKETS 0131 248 4848 Review Timothy Ramsden 29 September Quality revival of Mamet's best play; fine performances and direction start the Lyceum season in style.
Tour THE SONG FROM THE SEA by Mike Kenny Visible Fictions Theatre Company Tour to 7 November 2001 Runs 40min No interval Age range 4-8 Review Timothy Ramsden 1 October An imaginative modern classic of young people's work in a sympathetic new Scottish production.
EMMA: Adapted Sue Pomeroy/ Dennis Saunders from Jane Austen Good Company: Tour info 01273 606652 Runs: 2h 45m, till 1st December Review: Rod Dungate, Alexandra Theatre, Bham: 3rd October 2001 A clear straightforward telling of the story, but not an exciting evening in the theatre, it lacks attitude.
Watford A DIFFERENT WAY HOME by Jimmie Chinn Palace Theatre To 20 October 2001 Runs 2hr 5min One interval TICKETS 01923 225671 Review Timothy Ramsden 4 October Truth and contrivance mix in Chinn's script, which evokes a fine solo performance from Roy Barraclough.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne THE PLAYBOYS Northern Stage Ensemble, Newcastle Playhouse/ Gulbenkian Studio To 13 October 2001 TICKETS 0191 230 5151 Review Timothy Ramsden 28 September –2 October A season of seasoned dramatic wordsmiths throws up a lot of interest, and at least one revelation.
Birmingham CLOSER: Patrick Marber Birmingham Rep: Tkts 0121 236 4455 Runs: 2h 10m, in repertory till Sat 27 Oct 2001 Review: Rod Dungate, 2nd October 2001 A bit of a rottweiler – it grabs you by the throat, shakes you about and leaves you gasping for more.
MYFAIR LADY, Lerner and Lowe Dury Lane: Tkts £7.30 - £ 37.50: 0207 494 5000 Runs: 3h 30m, one interval Review: David Battcock, 16th August 2001 Covent Garden gloriously recreated on stage at Drury Lane
FAG HAG: Joyce Connolly & Chris Green Tour: till 13th October, details: 0121 440 4203: womenandtheatre@btinternet.com Runs: 1h 40m, one interval Review: Rod Dungate, mac, Birmingham, 28th September 2001 A play about the relationships that sometimes exist between a straight woman and a gay man: somewhere an intriguing play is struggling to get out.