New theatre openings for Group Visits

AMERICAN PSYCHO **** (until 21 March ) at the Almeida Theatre, London entertaining but very violent.

Pic: Marc Brenner

it’s very difficult to show the psychopathic murderous Patrick Bateman (Arty Froushan) as anything but a hero. But in this excellent musical adaptation, based on the novel by Bret Eastern Ellis, Froushan manages to show us the evil beneath the charming well turned out investment banker. Directed by Rupert Goold – in his last production as artistic director of the Almeida Theatre – we see

Patrick Bateman in his work environment with colleagues and later slashing bodies left right and centre. There’s lots of blood here.

It’s a beautifully staged production on a well-designed stage setting, with excellent costumes. Super acting all round with an outstanding performance from Froushan. Recommended.

pic: Teddy Cavendish 

Also good for Groups who enjoy a straight play well done in an intimate performance space is After Miss Julie **** (until 28 February)at the Park Theatre, London. It’s a very modern interpretation of Strindberg ‘s play by Patrick Marber. Although it’s all about sex and the relationship between different classes, there is very little actual sex shown. Mostly we see smouldering glances and some touching between chauffeur, John (Tom Varey) and the Labour Peer’s daughter, Julie (Liz Francis). The couple come together during celebrations for the Labour Party’s 1945 election win. While John and his fiancée Christine (Charlene Boyd) drink together after finishing their work, Julie waltzes in, beautifully dressed and gradually seduces John. They go off stage for the actual sex act which is later seen by Christine.

More about the class system at the time than a concentration on the male female interaction, the play keeps the spirit of Strindberg and is very well written by Marber. Well worth capturing!

CARLIE NEWMAN