CATCH UP ON NEW SHOWS

A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN ****

pic by Marc Brenner 

Yes it’s a long play. Yes, it’s got a lot of drinking and yes it’s beautifully written by Eugene O’ Neill and performed by some of our top British actors.  O’Neill’s final play (on at Almeida Theatre London until 16 August) is a sequel to his better known Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Director Rebecca Frecknall understands the writer and draws poignant performances from her actors.  Ruth Wilson shows us Josie Hogan who appears to be a loose woman who sleeps around, but actually is innocent and is in love with her landlord, James Tyrone (Michael Shannon). He is an alcoholic.As their love story develops, we see the effect on her uncouth father (David Threlfall).

Two plays currently showing at the new Kings Head theatre in London are worth catching. ECHO *** written by Susan Eve Harr and directed by  Abigail Zealey Bess, revolves around two couples in the same Airbnb set up, taking place some years apart. ‘He’ (Kyle Rowe) and ‘She’ (Amara Okereke) are celebrating their 10th anniversary. She is unhappy at being infertile. A baby is brought in. We then move to another couple – played by the same actors – whose identity is unclear. Is she a mirrored genetic replica?  The set and lighting are excellent as is the acting but the script could be made easier to follow.

The second play is given the rather sexy title FOUR PLAY**** and, indeed, the play is basically about sex, although talked about rather than seen in general. Rafe (Lewis Corday) and Pete (Zheng Xi Yong) have had a close harmonious relationship for seven years.  All seems perfect except they have never been with anyone else. They get their friend Michael (Daniel Bravo) to agree to couple with each of them in turn. It doesn’t go as straightforwardly as expected. Sensitively acted with amusing and unexpected developments.

Pic by Tristram Kenton

The latest play to open at Shakespeare’s Globe is THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR**** (until 20 September). The production brings out the humour and liveliness of the comedy. Sean Holmes directs his actors with panache and the musicians come in at appropriate moments with a variety of instruments, including a loud tuba.

NOUGHTS & CROSSES**** only had a short run at the  Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, but, hopefully, it might get a future showing. Based on Marjorie Blackman’s best selling novel, the play deals with race and class through the interaction between a group of young people. With echoes of Romeo and Juliet, the adaptation of the book by Dominic Cooke is directed energetically by Tinuke Craig. Super performances by the two young leads,  Corina Brown and Noah Valentine.

written by CARLIE NEWMAN