Mary Conway | Morning Star

Theatre review / 2 May 2025

Wooden bourgeois cliché

2 May 2025

MARY CONWAY is disappointed by a star-studded adaptation of Ibsen’s play that is devoid of believable humanity

Theatre Review / 30 April 2025

Men doing capitalism

30 April 2025

MARY CONWAY applauds the revival of a tense, and extremely funny, study of men, money and playing cards

BRUTAL PERSONIFICATION: Rosie Sheehy (Billie) and Hannah Morrish (Lydia) in The Brightening Air / Pic: Manuel Harlan

Theatre review / 29 April 2025

A masterpiece from a superb dramatist

29 April 2025

MARY CONWAY applauds the study of a dysfunctional family set in an Ireland that could be anywhere

Matchless: Samuel Barnett and Victoria Yeates in Ben and Imo / Pic: Ellie Kurttz

Theatre Review / 28 April 2025

Virtuoso two-hander

28 April 2025

MARY CONWAY relishes two matchless performers and a masterclass in tightly focused wordplay

A JOY TO WATCH: (l-r) Gabby Wong (Lan Ping, Jiang Qing) and

Culture / 14 April 2025

Bereft of insight into Chinese culture and politics

14 April 2025

MARY CONWAY is disappointed by a production that panders – if inadvertently – to Western prejudice against China

RAVISSANT! 12. Romola Garai, Gina McKee, Deborah Findlay, Ha

Theatre review / 7 February 2025

The drama of a woman’s life

7 February 2025

MARY CONWAY recommends a beautifully judged performance that shines a light on the experience of all female war babies and boomers

MASSIVELY RELEVANT: The company in Cable Street

Best of 2024 / 18 December 2024

Best of 2024: Theatre with Mary Conway

18 December 2024

A nervous year, showing that the theatre, like the world, stands on a precipice and seems uncertain where to jump

DEADLY DYNASTICS: Mark Bonnar, Steffan Rhodri, and Stanley M

Theatre Review / 12 December 2024

The horrible Hubbards

12 December 2024

MARY CONWAY applauds a worthy revival of the US 1939 classic drama that studies the dehumanising consequences of affluence

GAME CHANGER: Billy Howle (Jimmy) and Ellora Torchia (Alison

Theatre review / 4 October 2024

Still angry

4 October 2024

MARY CONWAY relishes the revival of two classics for the naked expression of truthful thoughts and class anger

CAMPUS ACTIVISM: Phoebe Campbell in Alma Mater

Theatre review / 18 July 2024

The necessity of activism

18 July 2024

MARY CONWAY evaluates a polemical play whose actors, rather than the writer, introduce the humanity and the light and shade

MONSTROUS: Laura Donnelly with Nicola Turner, Nancy Allsop,

Theatre Review / 9 February 2024

Mother trouble

9 February 2024

The relationship between an over-ambitious mother and her damaged daughters makes for a muddled evening of drama, finds MARY CONWAY

DEVASTATING: Sinead Matthews (Sylvia), Lorraine Ashbourne (A

Theatre Review / 5 February 2024

Mansfield Polak

5 February 2024

In communities where exploitative warehouses have replaced coal mines, Beth Steel has fashioned an uproarious state-of-the-nation comedy, says MARY CONWAY

LUCID CLASS ANALYSIS: David Sturzaker and Olivia Le Andersen

Theatre Review / 13 November 2023

How class trumps love

13 November 2023

MARY CONWAY is in awe of an immaculately orchestrated analysis of inequality, rendered with precise and simple clarity

Theatre Review / 25 September 2023

Theatre as art and artifice

25 September 2023

A kaleidoscope of human emotions offered by Andrew Scott’s virtuoso performance as multiple characters gets the thumbs up from MARY CONWAY

Paapa Essiedu (Tristan) and Taylor Russell (Connie) in The E

Theatre Review / 11 August 2023

Ineffective

11 August 2023

MARY CONWAY points out that superb acting and production can't remedy a contrived idea

The cast of Grenfell: in the words of survivors

Theatre Review / 4 August 2023

After such knowledge

4 August 2023

MARY CONWAY salutes an outstanding play with a firm moral compass that transforms the audience

Theatre Review / 29 May 2023

Glitz Glitch

29 May 2023

MARY CONWAY feels that well-meaning audiences deserve more than exploitation

Luke Thompson (Willem), James Norton (Jude)

Theatre Review / 6 April 2023

Jude the abused

6 April 2023

Mary Conway is put through the mill and ultimately enlightened by an unrelenting portrayal of a cruel all-male world

Jonathan Hansler as Joseph Stalin and David Malcolm as Harry

Theatre / 17 February 2023

Human Sacrifice

17 February 2023

MARY CONWAY applauds a new play that explores the compromised relationship between Harry Pollitt and Stalin

SKILFUL: Aidan Turner as Oliver and Jenna Coleman as Bernade

Theatre Review / 5 February 2023

Words words words

5 February 2023

MARY CONWAY wonders if a single absurd concept is enough to sustain a drama, however beautiful the actors

Theatre Review / 31 January 2023

Dragged into the limelight

31 January 2023

MARY CONWAY contemplates a landmark show that raises questions of identity, not class

(left) Ada opens a playground by planting a tree, Alfred is

Theatre Review / 27 January 2023

By the people, for the people

27 January 2023

MARY CONWAY is inspired by a community theatre project that explores the remarkable life of Ada Salter

Martin Crimp 'defies expectations but leaves us wondering wh

Theatre Review / 7 November 2022

An exhibit rather than a play

7 November 2022

‘Don’t expect a play, or even to know what it was you saw or why,’ is MARY CONWAY’S uncomfortable verdict

REVELATORY POWER: (L to R) Elliot Levey, David Tennant and S

Theatre Review / 17 October 2022

A necessary meditation on the corrosiveness of fascism

17 October 2022

MARY CONWAY applauds the timely restaging of a play premiered to world-wide acclaim in 1981

(L to R) Sophia Brown (Tituba), Fisayo Akinade (Rev. Hale),

Theatre Review / 4 October 2022

No real catharsis offered

4 October 2022

This production’s bland ‘let’s not offend anybody’ approach could not be less appropriate in a work with such piercing and targeted acumen, writes MARY CONWAY

IMMACULATE: Lee Phillips as Dwight and Nadia Williams Shirle

Theatre Review / 7 August 2022

Slice of life

7 August 2022

MARY CONWAY recommends a play that has autism, race and dysfunctional public agencies at its centre

Or Yehuda memorial, in Tel Aviv, dedicated to the 9 Jews exe

Book Review / 7 August 2022

Courage in adversity

7 August 2022

MARY CONWAY recommends a compelling and complex story of one Iraqi family, held together by their Jewish heritage

SINGLE CONCERN: Something about the continuously static stat

Theatre Review / 17 July 2022

Pinpointing Seagull’s universality

17 July 2022

MARY CONWAY recommends, with minor reservations, an innovative staging of the Chekhov classic

(L to R) Hilton McRae as Edgar; Emily Bruni as Katrin and Li

Theatre Review / 17 July 2022

An unexpected and singular aberration

17 July 2022

MARY CONWAY explains her disappointment with the ‘reconfigured’ classic

Culture / 12 July 2022

Theatre review: The Fellowship

12 July 2022

A stirring tale of two Caribbean sisters in a world where their origin is a daily call to arms

Theatre Review / 12 April 2022

The Fever Syndrome

12 April 2022

Great acting and arresting ideas are marred by an over-written effort that risks blinding us with facts, says MARY CONWAY

Theatre Review / 7 March 2022

Noble aims and terrific cast – but audience empathy is spread too thin

7 March 2022

In true drama, writes MARY CONWAY, we must share in individual jeopardy not just glimpse it fleetingly and in general

MARITAL CHAOS: Andrea Bræin as Maia Rubek and Hovig and Ja

Theatre Review / 3 March 2022

Clever and respectful but missing the requisite dramatic excess

3 March 2022

Theatre Review / 17 February 2022

A cerebral play, broaching questions that never quite land

17 February 2022

MARY CONWAY tries her best to work out ‘what the hell is going on’ as style triumphs over substance

WELL-MATCHED: Danusia Samal as Tessa, Tamsin Greig as Peggy

Theatre Review / 21 December 2021

An engaging demystification of a woman of substance

21 December 2021

A big hit in the ’90s, this garrulous story of literary agent Margaret ‘Peggy’ Ramsay has lost none of it’s old charm, writes MARY CONWAY

Nick King and Charlotte Beaumont in Fair Play

Theatre Review / 15 December 2021

Worthy cause derailed by lack of dramatic momentum

15 December 2021

A tick-box approach to real concerns and nodding to the crowd disappoint, writes MARY CONWAY

INNOCENTS? Saffron Coomber as Mina and Dino Kelly as Mili

Theatre Review / 31 October 2021

Innocents in Mostar

31 October 2021

A promising debut that leaves glittering memories but has ducked the politics of the Croat-Bosniak conflict simmering at the time, writes MARY CONWAY

ZERO INTERACTION: Lucy Black (Teresa), Laura Rogers (Mary) a

Theatre Review / 11 September 2021

Best of intentions pave way to indifference

11 September 2021

MARY CONWAY is disappointed to see a once award-winning comedy lose its spark entirely

IMMACULATELY CONTROLLED: Jonathan Slinger and Rosie Sheehy i

THEATRE / 2 August 2021

Oleanna, Arts Theatre London

2 August 2021

David Mamet’s play on the power games between men and women as relevant today as when first performed 30 years ago

THEATRE ONLINE / 19 April 2021

No Future

19 April 2021

Complex streams of consciousness irk and illuminate

THEATRE ONLINE / 17 March 2021

The Musician: A Horror Opera for Children

17 March 2021

Well-staged prequel to The Pied Piper lacks emotional charge

THEATRE ONLINE / 15 January 2021

The Snow Queen

15 January 2021

Polly Lister a marvel in solo-show version of Hans Christian Andersen classic

THEATRE ONLINE / 21 December 2020

Little Red Riding Hood, The Arts Centre Hounslow

21 December 2020

Exuberant and innovative take on classic panto

Theatre / 4 December 2020

Crime of the Century

4 December 2020

Timely exposé of murderous violence among young people

THEATRE / 29 November 2020

Haunting Julia, Stephen Joseph Theatre

29 November 2020

Ayckbourn chiller makes for easy seasonal listening

ONLINE THEATRE / 15 September 2020

Brief lives brave lockdown

15 September 2020

MARY CONWAY recommends a touching short drama on people trying to connect during the pandemic

DANCE ONLINE / 8 September 2020

Palermo Palermo

8 September 2020

Masterpiece of contemporary dance transcends frontiers

IN THE HERE AND NOW: Ayesha Dharker, Adjoa Andoh and Leila F

ONLINE THEATRE / 1 September 2020

Casting a contemporary eye on Shakespeare

1 September 2020

MARY CONWAY recommends a production of Richard II that makes a striking break with tradition

CONVINCING Medhavi Patel as Jayaben Desai

ONLINE THEATRE / 2 August 2020

We Are the Lions, Mr Manager!

2 August 2020

Engaging account of groundbreaking Grunwick strike

ONLINE THEATRE / 24 July 2020

Dance

24 July 2020

Revealing insights into world of a teenager on the margins

ONLINE THEATRE / 28 June 2020

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bridge Theatre/National Theatre at Home

28 June 2020

Riotous Dream for the 21st century

ONLINE THEATRE / 21 June 2020

Racism writ large in Small Island

21 June 2020

MARY CONWAY recommends a resonant drama on the fraught experiences of post-war black migrants in Britain

AT WAR WITH HIMSELF: Tom Hiddlestone as Coriolanus

THEATRE ONLINE / 5 June 2020

Coriolanus, National Theatre at Home

5 June 2020

Gritty account of the downfall of an uncompromising war lord

THEATRE ONLINE / 24 May 2020

A Streetcar Named Desire, Young Vic/National Theatre at Home

24 May 2020

Gillian Anderson is riveting as the damaged goods in a Tennessee Williams classic

LUMINOUS: The cast of Barber Shop Chronicles

THEATRE ONLINE / 15 May 2020

Barber Shop Chronicles, National Theatre at Home

15 May 2020

Life-affirming narratives in a beautifully realised male preserve

THEATRE ONLINE / 4 May 2020

Operation Elsewhere, Big Telly Theatre Company

4 May 2020

Pure escapism from the doldrums of lockdown

THEATRE ONLINE / 9 April 2020

Dem Times, Omnibus Theatre Clapham

9 April 2020

Bitter-sweet tale of a British-born troublemaker’s re-education in Ghana

SOUL BROTHERS: Daniel Ward (left) and Nigel Taylor in The Ca

Theatre / 22 January 2020

A black and white issue

22 January 2020

The word racism doesn't have to be mentioned in a thrillingly explicit exploration of inequality, says MARY CONWAY

Theatre / 12 December 2019

Cyrano de Bergerac, The Playhouse London

12 December 2019

Star vehicle with James McAvoy at the helm destined for box-office bonanza

Theatre / 8 November 2019

The Match Box, Omnibus Theatre London

8 November 2019

Brilliant meditation on the fragility of existence from Frank McGuinness

Theatre / 30 October 2019

When the Crows Visit, The Kiln London

30 October 2019

Play on gang rape in India sets a misdirected agenda

From the grassroots: Charlotte Bate and Charlotte O’Leary

Theatre Review / 20 October 2019

Daughterhood, Theatre Royal Stratford East

20 October 2019

Real people living real lives the focus as two women cope with the ties that bind

Blood-chilling: Annie Firbank and Gavin Drea in Blood Weddin

Theatre Review / 27 September 2019

Chilling chronicle of deaths foretold

27 September 2019

Written on the eve of the Spanish civil war, Lorca's domestic tragedy is a brilliant allegory of the looming bloodbath, says MARY CONWAY

Comic interlude: Tom Brooke, MyAnna Buring and Amanda Hading

Theatre Review / 12 September 2019

Trivial pursuit

12 September 2019

A play on the Litvinenko poisoning entertains but offers little fresh insight, says MARY CONWAY

Lighting up the stage: David Moorst and Gwendoline Christie

Theatre Review / 19 June 2019

Dream of a production

19 June 2019

MARY CONWAY sees a gender-bending version of a classic Shakespeare comedy triumphantly reconfigured

Opinion / 21 May 2019

What we were – and still are

21 May 2019

The Globe Theatre's productions of Shakespeare's history plays show how acutely they mirror a divided country, says MARY CONWAY

Power play: Charlotte Hamblin and James Sheldon in Miss Juli

Theatre Review / 6 May 2019

Miss Julie, Jermyn Street Theatre London

6 May 2019

August Strindberg's febrile drama of class and sex conflicts gets an outstanding production

Theatre Review / 5 May 2019

An avalanche of empathy

5 May 2019

MARY CONWAY sees a riveting performance from Maxine Peake inhabiting the experience of a woman undergoing fertility treatment

Signing the times: Charmaine Wombwell and Nadia Nadaraja

Theatre Review / 7 April 2019

Going Through Bush Theatre, London

7 April 2019

With a unique use of non-verbal language, Going Through tells a moving story of migration

Fatal Attraction: Ruby Bentall (Esther Rubenstein) and Henry

Theatre Review / 25 March 2019

The Rubenstein Kiss, Southwark Playhouse, London

25 March 2019

Thought-provoking drama on the Rosenbergs, executed in 1953 as ‘Soviet spies’ in the US

Performance of a lifetime: Tom Hiddlestone in Betrayal

Culture / 18 March 2019

Theatre review: Betrayal, Harold Pinter Theatre, London

18 March 2019

A stellar production concludes a memorable season of Harold Pinter plays

Empty gesture: There’s a void at the heart of Alys, Always

Culture / 8 March 2019

Theatre review: Alys, Always, The Bridge Theatre London

8 March 2019

Slick and stylish it may be but this version of a best-selling thriller has a moral vacuum at its core

Star performances: Martin Freeman (left) and Danny Dyer

Review / 10 February 2019

Theatre: Pitch-perfect Pinter

10 February 2019

Pinter Seven: A Slight Ache and The Dumb Waiter Harold Pinter Theatre, London

Theatre Review / 25 January 2019

Less talk, more action

25 January 2019

An explicit take on sexual power games could do with less reliance on arid discourse and more engagement in meaningful drama, says MARY CONWAY

Alienated: Luke Thallon and Jane Horrocks in Pinter Five

Theatre Review / 7 January 2019

The gift that keeps on giving

7 January 2019

There are yet more delights in the ongoing season of Harold Pinter plays in London, says MARY CONWAY

Spectacular: Alun Armstrong and Maggie Steed

Theatre Review / 21 December 2018

The case for sparing the rod

21 December 2018

The Cane persuasively reflects on the malignant consequences of corporal punishment, says MARY CONWAY

Culture / 9 December 2018

Best of 2018: London theatre

9 December 2018

by MARY CONWAY

Theatre Review / 4 November 2018

Skin-deep significance

4 November 2018

MARY CONWAY recommends an important play on the racism experienced by black people

Theatre Review / 4 November 2018

Exhilarating state of the nation address rings true to the times

4 November 2018

Immersed in the telling: The cast of forgotten

Theatre Review / 31 October 2018

Gone but not forgotten

31 October 2018

MARY CONWAY recommends a poignant tribute to the Chinese Labour Corps in WWI

Truthful: Bianca Stephens and Alice Franziska

Theatre Review / 1 October 2018

Must-see drama sparks burning questions on Grenfell disaster

1 October 2018

Accomplished: Claire Goose and Dorothea Myer-Bennett in Holy

Theatre Review / 13 September 2018

Shit hits the fan in topical polemic on school intake machinations

13 September 2018

Theatre Review / 3 September 2018

Connection problems at the dawn of the internet era

3 September 2018

Richard Harrington as Johnny and Katherine Parkinson as Judy

Theatre review / 23 August 2018

What's the point, Darling?

23 August 2018

MARY CONWAY wonders what the mixed messages in a play about a woman’s quest to be the perfect 1950s housewife are aiming to communicate