William Russell (@pursuivant) 's Twitter Profile
William Russell

@pursuivant

Currently theatre critic on Reviews Gate & also on Movies 1, one time film critic, political correspondent & dogsbody on the Glasgow Herald. Old git.

ID: 30108760

linkhttp://www.reviewsgate.co.uk calendar_today10-04-2009 00:29:48

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Alastair Whatley performs Michael MacLiamoir's The Importance of Being Oscar impeccably at Jermyn Street theatre but in his own way. Funny, sad, tormented, and foolish Wilde is conjured up, his rise and fall all in his own words in a 4**** performance.

Alastair Whatley performs Michael MacLiamoir's The Importance of Being  Oscar impeccably at Jermyn Street theatre but in his own way. Funny, sad, tormented, and foolish Wilde is conjured up, his rise and fall all in his own words  in a 4**** performance.
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Mark Lockyer plays all the parts in The Play's the thing - a one-person Hamlet at Wilton's music hall until 12 April . If ever there was a tour de force this is one. It doesn't always work but when it does he captures the heart of the play perfectly. Not to be missed. ****

Mark Lockyer plays all the parts in The Play's  the thing - a one-person Hamlet at Wilton's music hall until 12 April .  If ever there was a tour de force this is one. It doesn't always work but when it does he captures the heart of the play perfectly. Not to be missed. ****
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One to give a miss - Puppy by Naomi Westerman at the King's Head until 27 April. All you need not know about dogging and bottoming as two young women embark on a relationship with come who may. Cast keep their clothes on which is a small mercy. 1* for actually doing it.

One to give a miss - Puppy by Naomi Westerman at the King's Head until 27 April. All you need not know about dogging and bottoming as two young women embark on a relationship with come who may. Cast keep their clothes on which is a small mercy. 1* for actually doing it.
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Manhunt by Robert Icke at the Royal Court about Raoul Moat (Samuel Edward- Cook ) who went on the rampage in July 2010 becoming Britain's most wanted man raises questions gives no answers about why men are so angry. Upsetting, well acted 4**** evening but not a good night out

Manhunt by Robert Icke at the Royal Court  about Raoul Moat (Samuel Edward- Cook ) who went on the rampage in July 2010 becoming Britain's  most wanted man raises questions  gives no answers about why men are so angry. Upsetting, well acted 4**** evening  but not a good night out
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A rare chance not to be lightly missed to see David Storey's 1978 play Sisters at the Brockley Jack Studio theatre to 26 April done by a new company Uncommon Theatre. It is in a way his Streetcar Named Desire set in a north of England housing estate - 3*** production, well acted.

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Supersonic Man on the Little at Southwark Playhouse is about a thirty something man who gets motor neurone disease. Well cast.well played. Needs cutting but still 4**** show worth seeing. Properly staged could fill the Large. Several bullseyes get hit as well as the misses.

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Heisenberg by Simon Stephen at the Arcola, Dalston until 10 May has fine performances from Jenny Galloway as Alex, the butcher, and Faline England as Georgie but the sex change - Alex was a man - does do something very intriguing but arguably damaging to the play 4****.

Heisenberg by Simon Stephen at the Arcola, Dalston until 10 May has fine performances from Jenny  Galloway as Alex, the butcher, and Faline England as Georgie but the sex change - Alex was a man - does do something very intriguing but arguably damaging to the play 4****.
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Dick by Adam Kinneen at the Drayton Arms theatre until 26 April is a 4**** affair - just forget the title. Five 26-year olds face up to life, love, death & the whole damn thing. Challenging, too long, but well acted and interestingly staged. A risk perhaps but the pub is nice.

Dick by Adam Kinneen at the Drayton Arms theatre until 26 April is a 4**** affair - just forget the title.  Five 26-year olds face up to life, love, death & the whole damn thing. Challenging, too long,  but well acted and interestingly staged. A risk perhaps but the pub is nice.
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Fascinating first play about hoarding and sisterhood Personal Values by Chloe Lawrence-Taylor at Hampstead Downstairs to 17 May. Terrific performances by the three strong. Bea hoards, Veda is dying and wants reconciliation with her sister. Some problems but a 4**** 60 minutes.

Fascinating first play about hoarding and sisterhood  Personal Values by Chloe Lawrence-Taylor at Hampstead Downstairs to 17 May. Terrific performances by the three strong.  Bea hoards, Veda is dying and wants reconciliation with her sister. Some problems but a 4****  60 minutes.
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Been and gone but she will surely return Lorna Dallas did her Snapshots show at Crazy Coqs on April 23 & held the audience entranced. A leading lady from the days when they were sopranos who could sing not shout through a sound system, she was a funny, beguiling 4**** delight

Been and gone but she will surely return Lorna Dallas did her Snapshots show at Crazy Coqs on April 23 & held the audience entranced. A leading lady from the days when they were sopranos who could sing not shout through a sound system, she was  a funny, beguiling 4****  delight
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Why do people buy theatre programmes? You can find it all on line so why waste £6.50 which is what have just been asked to pat should I so wish.

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To the Savoy for the world premier of We aren't kids any more words and music by Drew Gasparini about one Drew growing up performed by three women and two men all playing Drew. Gasparini also appeared in person and proved to be a force pf nature belting hell out of a baby grand.

To the Savoy for the world premier of We aren't kids any more words and music by Drew Gasparini about one Drew growing up performed by three women and two men all playing Drew. Gasparini also appeared in person and proved to be a force pf nature belting hell out of a baby grand.
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Little Brother by Timberlake Wertenbaker sensitively directed by Stella Powell-Jones at Jermyn Street Theatre to 21 June is based on the book by Ibrahima Balde about his trip from his home in Guinea - he ended as an asylum seeker in Spain. Powerfully acted & very moving. 5*****

Little Brother by Timberlake Wertenbaker sensitively directed by Stella Powell-Jones at Jermyn Street Theatre  to 21 June is  based on the book by Ibrahima Balde about his trip from his home in Guinea - he ended as an asylum seeker in Spain. Powerfully acted & very moving. 5*****
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Hedda Gabler at the Etcetera Theatre, Camden Town. A pared down version by Kyle Goeken directed by Charlie Froy had an impressive Hedda in Pia Litzmann longing for those vine leaves . A short run. Verdict 4**** for daring to tackle it 3*** for the result. More on Reviewsgate.

Hedda Gabler at the Etcetera Theatre, Camden Town. A pared down version by Kyle Goeken directed by Charlie Froy  had an impressive Hedda in Pia Litzmann longing for those vine leaves . A short run. Verdict 4**** for daring to tackle it 3*** for the result. More on Reviewsgate.
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Our Cosmic Dust at Park 200 until % July is a spectacular look at how a little Japanese boy, a puppet , deals with his grief following his father's death. Maybe not as moving here as it was in Japan but writer,director Michinari Ozawa and the cast deliver the unusual. 4****

Our Cosmic Dust at Park 200 until % July is a spectacular look at how a little Japanese boy, a puppet , deals with his grief following his father's death. Maybe not as moving here as it was in Japan but writer,director Michinari Ozawa  and the cast deliver the unusual. 4****
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Claire Dowie's Swansong at the Finborough theatre until 5 July is a triumphant 5***** return to the place where she began with four of her plays, starting with Adult Child, Dead Child which launched her career as playwright and performer. Catch her while you can

Claire Dowie's Swansong at the Finborough theatre until 5 July is a triumphant 5***** return to the place where she began with four of her plays, starting with Adult Child, Dead Child which launched her career as playwright and performer. Catch her while you can
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GODZ at the Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street until June 14 is an acrobatic feast. Apollo, Dionysus, Cupid and Hercules perform incredible feats in mid air. Melbourne's Head First Acrobats London debut is a 5***** not to be missed camp as Chloe affair - no names sexy as hell.

GODZ at the Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street until June 14 is an acrobatic feast. Apollo, Dionysus, Cupid and Hercules perform incredible feats  in mid air.  Melbourne's Head First Acrobats London debut is a 5***** not to be missed camp as Chloe affair -  no names sexy as hell.
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Steel by Lee Mattinson at Park 90 for two performances only deserves a longer run if only for the stunning performances By Jordan Tweddle and Suraj Shah as 17 year olds stuck in rain drenched down at heel Workington suddenly offered an escape to a better world. 4**** .

Steel by Lee Mattinson at Park 90 for two performances only deserves  a longer run if only for the stunning performances By Jordan Tweddle and Suraj Shah as 17 year olds stuck in rain drenched down at heel Workington  suddenly offered an escape to a better world. 4**** .
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Press by Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller is a satire about a Hollywood producer digging himself out of a hole leaving his nearest & dearest behind. Brockley Jack Studio to 5 July. 4**** on the hottest night of the year. 5 ***** any other night . He & Rosie Hart battle brilliantly.

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It's No About Coffee by Sophia Hail & Jennifer Kohl is a fascinating tale about Armageddon rather than flat whites. The Brockley Jack Studio until 19 July. A 3*** play well performed by its authors. 15 minutes shorter would be a 4 **** one. Get your blue pencil director Hail.

It's No About Coffee by Sophia Hail & Jennifer Kohl is a fascinating tale  about Armageddon rather than flat whites. The Brockley Jack Studio until 19 July. A 3*** play well performed by its authors. 15 minutes shorter would be a 4 **** one. Get your blue pencil director Hail.