Rev Stan's Theatre Blog
London theatre reviews and interviews
Category: Comedy
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Hopefully this year we'll see theatres reopening and a semblance of normality returning so with that in mind the first Sunday Theatre question of 2021 is about what your dream play would be and who would star in it. So pick a genre – or a play if you have one in mind – the…
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I love a serious play, something thought-provoking and challenging but right now, with everything that is going on, I just want a laugh. I want frothy fun that is diverting. Did behind-the-scenes farce The Comeback at the Noel Coward Theatre fit the bill? Ben Ashenden & Alex Owen in The Comeback. Photo Marc Brenner Written…
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Humour is personal, what one person finds hilarious might fall flat for someone else. And it is really difficult to get right, comic timing is a great skill. Now I love dark comedy, the uncomfortable laugh that makes you think but I'm also partial to the silliness of a good farce. Here are my favourite…
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It doesn't matter if you've never seen Ben Elton's TV comedy series, Upstart Crow, (I hadn't) as the stage play is a stand-alone piece. David Mitchell and Gemma Whelan in Upstart Crow the play. Photo: Johan Persson Having some familiarity with Shakespeare's plays helps although I confess I couldn't tell you the plot of Measure…
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Teenage Dick is one of those play titles you have to be careful mentioning or googling, a bit like Cock at the Royal Court – but it is wholly appropriate for Mike Lew's play. The Dick of the title is Roseland high-school student Richard Gloucester (Daniel Monks) who is based loosely on Shakespeare's machiavellian King.…
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Foley has injected the odd contemporary quip about proroguing parliament, Brexit and capitalism which landed well with the audience. Stephen-Mangan in The Man in the White Suit. Photo: Nobby Clark The woman sat behind me at Wyndham's Theatre for The Man In The White Suit, last night, had a very distinctive laugh. It was the…
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The Actor's Nightmare is six short plays, linked by themes of acting, theatre and performance and brought together for the first time at the Park Theatre. The Cast of The Actor's Nightmare. Photo: Ali Wright It kicks off with a monologue, Mrs Sorken, which is in part a lecture about the etymology of words such…
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London's theatreland is ripe for a good hearty laugh. I mean look at the state of the world, who wouldn't want to bury their head in giggles for a couple of hours? And so we are spoiled by not one but two classic comedies both with stellar casts: Present Laughter starring Andrew Scott and Indira…