In this production of David Mamet’s play, MARY CONWAY misses the essence of cruelty that is at the heart of the American deal
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Mary Conway
MARY CONWAY is disappointed by a star-studded adaptation of Ibsen’s play that is devoid of believable humanity
MARY CONWAY applauds the revival of a tense, and extremely funny, study of men, money and playing cards
MARY CONWAY applauds the study of a dysfunctional family set in an Ireland that could be anywhere
MARY CONWAY relishes two matchless performers and a masterclass in tightly focused wordplay
MARY CONWAY is disappointed by a production that panders – if inadvertently – to Western prejudice against China
MARY CONWAY recommends a beautifully judged performance that shines a light on the experience of all female war babies and boomers
A nervous year, showing that the theatre, like the world, stands on a precipice and seems uncertain where to jump
MARY CONWAY applauds a worthy revival of the US 1939 classic drama that studies the dehumanising consequences of affluence
MARY CONWAY relishes the revival of two classics for the naked expression of truthful thoughts and class anger
MARY CONWAY evaluates a polemical play whose actors, rather than the writer, introduce the humanity and the light and shade
The relationship between an over-ambitious mother and her damaged daughters makes for a muddled evening of drama, finds MARY CONWAY
In communities where exploitative warehouses have replaced coal mines, Beth Steel has fashioned an uproarious state-of-the-nation comedy, says MARY CONWAY
MARY CONWAY is in awe of an immaculately orchestrated analysis of inequality, rendered with precise and simple clarity
A kaleidoscope of human emotions offered by Andrew Scott’s virtuoso performance as multiple characters gets the thumbs up from MARY CONWAY
MARY CONWAY points out that superb acting and production can't remedy a contrived idea
MARY CONWAY salutes an outstanding play with a firm moral compass that transforms the audience
MARY CONWAY feels that well-meaning audiences deserve more than exploitation
Mary Conway is put through the mill and ultimately enlightened by an unrelenting portrayal of a cruel all-male world
MARY CONWAY applauds a new play that explores the compromised relationship between Harry Pollitt and Stalin
MARY CONWAY wonders if a single absurd concept is enough to sustain a drama, however beautiful the actors
MARY CONWAY contemplates a landmark show that raises questions of identity, not class
MARY CONWAY is inspired by a community theatre project that explores the remarkable life of Ada Salter
‘Don’t expect a play, or even to know what it was you saw or why,’ is MARY CONWAY’S uncomfortable verdict
MARY CONWAY applauds the timely restaging of a play premiered to world-wide acclaim in 1981
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
MARY CONWAY recommends a play that has autism, race and dysfunctional public agencies at its centre
MARY CONWAY recommends a compelling and complex story of one Iraqi family, held together by their Jewish heritage
MARY CONWAY recommends, with minor reservations, an innovative staging of the Chekhov classic
MARY CONWAY explains her disappointment with the ‘reconfigured’ classic
A stirring tale of two Caribbean sisters in a world where their origin is a daily call to arms
Great acting and arresting ideas are marred by an over-written effort that risks blinding us with facts, says MARY CONWAY
In true drama, writes MARY CONWAY, we must share in individual jeopardy not just glimpse it fleetingly and in general
MARY CONWAY tries her best to work out ‘what the hell is going on’ as style triumphs over substance
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
A tick-box approach to real concerns and nodding to the crowd disappoint, writes MARY CONWAY
A promising debut that leaves glittering memories but has ducked the politics of the Croat-Bosniak conflict simmering at the time, writes MARY CONWAY
MARY CONWAY is disappointed to see a once award-winning comedy lose its spark entirely
David Mamet’s play on the power games between men and women as relevant today as when first performed 30 years ago
Complex streams of consciousness irk and illuminate
Well-staged prequel to The Pied Piper lacks emotional charge
Polly Lister a marvel in solo-show version of Hans Christian Andersen classic
Exuberant and innovative take on classic panto
Timely exposé of murderous violence among young people
Ayckbourn chiller makes for easy seasonal listening
MARY CONWAY recommends a touching short drama on people trying to connect during the pandemic
Masterpiece of contemporary dance transcends frontiers
MARY CONWAY recommends a production of Richard II that makes a striking break with tradition
Engaging account of groundbreaking Grunwick strike
Revealing insights into world of a teenager on the margins
Riotous Dream for the 21st century
MARY CONWAY recommends a resonant drama on the fraught experiences of post-war black migrants in Britain
Gritty account of the downfall of an uncompromising war lord
Gillian Anderson is riveting as the damaged goods in a Tennessee Williams classic
Life-affirming narratives in a beautifully realised male preserve
Pure escapism from the doldrums of lockdown
Bitter-sweet tale of a British-born troublemaker’s re-education in Ghana
The word racism doesn't have to be mentioned in a thrillingly explicit exploration of inequality, says MARY CONWAY
Star vehicle with James McAvoy at the helm destined for box-office bonanza
Brilliant meditation on the fragility of existence from Frank McGuinness
Play on gang rape in India sets a misdirected agenda
Real people living real lives the focus as two women cope with the ties that bind
Written on the eve of the Spanish civil war, Lorca's domestic tragedy is a brilliant allegory of the looming bloodbath, says MARY CONWAY
A play on the Litvinenko poisoning entertains but offers little fresh insight, says MARY CONWAY
MARY CONWAY sees a gender-bending version of a classic Shakespeare comedy triumphantly reconfigured
The Globe Theatre's productions of Shakespeare's history plays show how acutely they mirror a divided country, says MARY CONWAY
August Strindberg's febrile drama of class and sex conflicts gets an outstanding production
MARY CONWAY sees a riveting performance from Maxine Peake inhabiting the experience of a woman undergoing fertility treatment
With a unique use of non-verbal language, Going Through tells a moving story of migration
Thought-provoking drama on the Rosenbergs, executed in 1953 as ‘Soviet spies’ in the US
A stellar production concludes a memorable season of Harold Pinter plays
Slick and stylish it may be but this version of a best-selling thriller has a moral vacuum at its core
Pinter Seven: A Slight Ache and The Dumb Waiter
Harold Pinter Theatre, London
An explicit take on sexual power games could do with less reliance on arid discourse and more engagement in meaningful drama, says MARY CONWAY
There are yet more delights in the ongoing season of Harold Pinter plays in London, says MARY CONWAY
The Cane persuasively reflects on the malignant consequences of corporal punishment, says MARY CONWAY
by MARY CONWAY
MARY CONWAY recommends an important play on the racism experienced by black people
MARY CONWAY recommends a poignant tribute to the Chinese Labour Corps in WWI
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
James Graham's play about the man who cheated on Who Wants to be a Millionaire is a sure-fire hit, says MARY CONWAY
A challenging play about a child killer leaves MARY CONWAY somewhat cold
The B*easts has disquieting things to say about the sexualisation of young children, says MARY CONWAY
MARY CONWAY recommends a play which enthrallingly explores the limits of human consciousness
MARY CONWAY sees a play on a young girl abandoned by her mother that could do with some dramatic depth