Tours SITTING PRETTY by Amy Rosenthal Touring to 27 October 2001 Runs 2hr 10min One interval Review Timothy Ramsden at Nuffield Theatre, Southampton Poignant yet lively comedy with a maturity astonishing for a 22 year old, boasting a suite of fine performances in this Nuffield Theatre production.
Blog Posts
London HIGH JUMPERS by Tom Kempinski New End Theatre to 7 October 2001 Runs 2hr 20min One interval TICKETS 020 7794 0022 Review Timothy Ramsden 23 September Ancient Greek comrades face a 1,000 mile agony in a forcefully directed piece.
London AFORE NIGHT COME by David Rudkin Young Vic Theatre To 13 October 2001 Runs 2hr 25min One interval TICKETS 020 7928 6363 Review Timothy Ramsden 26 September The Young Vic provides an apt environment for the dark day of Rudkin’s powerful piece.
Birmingham PRIVATE LIVES: Noel Coward Birmingham Rep, Tkts 0121 236 4455 Runs: 2h 15m, two intervals, till Saturday 27th Oct 2001 Review: Rod Dungate, 26th Sept 2001 Shaw and Backhouse triumphantly reconcile Coward's opposing world views and pull off the magic trick.
Oxford SEZAR by Yael Farber, from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar Oxford Playhouse To 29 September 2001 Runs 2hr 5min No interval TICKETS 01865 798600 Review Timothy Ramsden 25 September Striking perspective on Shakespeare intriguingly relocates ancient Rome to modern Africa.
Harrogate TEARS OF A CLOWN by Shelly Willetts and Rob Swain Harrogate Theatre To 6 October 2001 Runs 2hr 40 min One interval TICKETS 01423 502116 Review Timothy Ramsden 21 September A thorough plunder of 20th century rock and roll, with quite a few Shakespearean line thrown in to mixed effect.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare Theatre Royal York In rep to 17 November 2001 Runs 2hr 40min One interval TICKETS 01904 623568 Review Timothy Ramsden 22 September Visually and musically sophisticated revival emphasises the inter-working of the mundane and spirit worlds.
Tour THE CRACKED POT by Blake Morrison Northern Broadsides, touring to 16 November 2001 Runs 2hrs 25min One interval Review Timothy Ramsden at Viaduct Theatre, Halifax 15 September Theatre at its best, with superb performances of a magnificent script in Barrie Rutter’s fresh, inventive revival.
Tour OEDIPUS by Blake Morrison Northern Broadsides touring to 16 November 2001 Rune 1hr 30min No interval Review Timothy Ramsden at Halifax Viaduct Theatre 15 September Drama’s oldest detective play comes up well in Broadsides territory.
Leeds JOHNSON OVER JORDAN by J.B. Priestley West Yorkshire Playhouse (Quarry Theatre) to 29 September 2001 Runs 1hr 40mins No interval TICKETS 0113 213 7700 Review Timothy Ramsden 14 September More than sixty years on, Priestley’s expressionist stage adventure receives a mixed production in his home county.
London FLYIN’ WEST by Pearl Cleage Orange Tree, Richmond To 29 September 2001 Runs 2hr 30min One interval TICKETS 020 8940 3633 Review Vera Lustig 17 September Triumphs, struggles and dilemmas of African American women in 1890s Kansas evoked with wit and compassion.
London RED RED SHOES by Charles Way Unicorn Theatre at The Place To 6 October 2001 New tour 25 April- 1 June 2002 Runs 1hr 25 min No interval TICKETS 020 7387 0031 Review Timothy Ramsden 18 September One of Britain’s leading writers for young people leads them over rough terrain in this free adaptation of Hans Andersen’s Red Shoes.
HENRY IV PARTS 1 AND 2: William Shakespeare RSC: The Swan: Stratford Upon Avon Review: Rod Dungate, 14th May 2000 Real magical quality . . .wonderful central performances with acting of the highest quality.
Coventry SPEND, SPEND, SPEND: Steve Brown and Justin Greene Belgrade: Tkts, 024 7655 3055 Runs: 2h 15 mins: till Sat 29th September 2001 and tour Review: Rod Dungate, 20th September 2001 Gritty story, talented cast, pity about the music.
Tour DAMSELS IN DISTRESS (GamePlan, FlatSpin, RolePlay) by Alan Ayckbourn Run 2hr 20min; 2hr 35min; 2hr 30min. One interval each play Review Timothy Ramsden 8 September 2001 at The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough Three course fun with thrills as the new Scarborough Ayckbourn trio takes to the road.
Derby THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL: Richard Brinsley Sheridan Playhouse: till 6th October: Tkts 01332 363275 Runs: 2h 45m, till Sat 6th October Review: Rod Dungate, 19th September 2001 A sparkling and highly intelligent production, the comedy bursts into life, the laughter is well earned
Chichester PUTTING IT TOGETHER by Stephen Sondheim Minerva Theatre To 29 September 2001 Runs 2hr One interval TICKETS 01243 781312 Review Timothy Ramsden 19 September Overall, a satisfying survey of the master word and songsmith; a few glitches but several glories too.
London REDUNDANT by Leo Butler Royal Court, Jerwood Theatre Downstairs to 6 October 2001 Runs 1hr 45mins No interval TICKETS 020 7565 5000 Review Timothy Ramsden 18 September Striking scenes from the underbelly of provincial life would benefit from greater dramatic propulsion.
THE PRISONER’S DILEMMA: David Edgar The Other Place, Stratford Upon Avon: Tkts 01789 403403 Runs: 2h 45m, in rep till 13th Oct 2001 Review: Rod Dungate, 18th September 2001 A detailed and totally absorbing look at international conflict resolution: debate flies round The Other Place on tongues of fire.
York HAPPY JACK by John Godber Theatre Royal Studio, York In rep to 3 November 2001 Runs 1hr 30min One interval TICKETS 01904 623568 Review Timothy Ramsden 22 September A new intimate performance space launched with affecting Godber revival.