The Explorers Club is full of wacky characters in ridiculous situations, and the laughs are fast and frequent
A fine production true to Wilde’s wit and sarcasm
Matthew Chapman has done a very fine job of fulfilling the genius of Tom Stoppard’s writing in Arcadia
Written in 1775 by Richard Sheridan, The Rivals has seen many revivals, but still maintains its intrinsic humour.
Written as a vehicle for the founders of the venerable Belvoir Street Theatre, Seventeen sees a group of teenagers, hanging out in a park, on their last day of school. Except that these teens are played by middle-aged actors.
J.B. Priestley’s old-fashioned drawing-room drama written in 1945 still packs a moral wallop. On the surface, it’s a static set, with a bunch of English upper middle-class people talking around the celebratory dining table. Dad and mum, daughter and son, together with the daughter’s new fiancé, cheerfully celebrate the engagement. A mysterious Inspector Goole knocks on their door and starts asking them all questions.
A pleasant way to spend a late spring evening, watching Shakespeare performed in the open air! The theatre Guild’s production of As You Like It works well in the amphitheatre-like space that is Pfitzner Court at the uni.
The publicity describes this production as a dark comedy about the dark ages! That about sums it up nicely, with the emphasis on comedy. Michael Hollinger has written a play about moral dilemmas - we all face them - the concept of doing the right thing for the wrong reason.
The lilt of Oscar Wilde’s elegant language, meticulously chosen to delight, provoke and entertain, helps to confect a figgy pudding of fun crammed with bons mots, epigrams and wicked satire.
Usually considered the first of Shakespeare’s plays, 'The Two Gentlemen Of Verona' is often thought to be less well crafted, but this doesn't seem the case with this production.