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Gaza Climate Crisis Workers' rights Austerity Far right Labour
Simon Parsons
CLASS AND SEXUALITY: Sesley Hope and Synnove Karlsen in Laura Lomas’s The House Party / Pic: Ikin Yum
Theatre Review / 24 April 2025
Stunning Strindberg update
24 April 2025

SIMON PARSONS applauds an imaginative and absorbing updating of Strindberg’s classic

Lizzie Watts and Andre Squire in Jane Upton’s (the) Woman
Theatre review / 19 February 2025
No woman no cry
19 February 2025
SIMON PARSONS is discomfited by an unflichingly negative portrait of motherhood and its trials
IT'S BEHIND YOU: The cast of A Good House, Amy Jeptha's Sout
Theatre review / 18 February 2025
Neighbourhood black watch
18 February 2025
SIMON PARSONS applauds an insightful state-of-the-nation play that explores the growing class divide in South Africa
Hiba Medina as Antiya in Antigone (On Strike) 
Theatre Review / 4 February 2025
If Shamima Begum had a sister
4 February 2025
SIMON PARSONS applauds a tense and thoughtful production that regularly challenges our political engagement and prejudices
(L to R) Cat McKeever as Olivia's Attendant, Daniel Millar a
Theatre Review / 13 December 2024
Winter gloom
13 December 2024
SIMON PARSONS questions whether a dark take on Shakespeare’s Seasonal comedy is in harmony with the original text
Ross Tomlinson as Smash and Waj Ali as Valdez in The Unseen
Theatre review / 22 November 2024
Strategies of resistance
22 November 2024
SIMON PARSONS applauds the psychological study of prisoners dealing with a frighteningly oppressive world endured by far too many
Diyar Bozkur, Safiyya Ingar and Meera Syal in King Troll
Theatre review / 9 October 2024
Surrealistic take on plight of migrants
9 October 2024
Using magic realism to highlight the problems of migrants does not sit easily with the harsh reality, says SIMON PARSONS 
Miles Molan, Rosie Day and Tok Stephen in When It Happens to
Theatre review / 7 August 2024
The after effects of rape
7 August 2024
SIMON PARSONS salutes drama that registers how the impact of the sexual assault ripples out through every element of a family’s existence
Chiten perform their adaptation of Osamu Dazai's Good Bye
Theatre Review / 6 March 2024
Suicidal head-bashing
6 March 2024
SIMON PARSONS is dazed by the unremitting discordance of an immersive rendition of the work of Japanese author Osamu Dazai
URGENT: Chris Thorpe in A Family Business
Theatre review / 13 February 2024
90 seconds to midnight
13 February 2024
SIMON PARSONS applauds an informative show that reminds us of the need to keep the threat of nuclear destruction, accidental or intentional, in the headlines
DYNAMIC: The full company in Anna Karenina
Theatre Review / 9 June 2023
Sex, lies and samovars
9 June 2023
SIMON PARSONS applauds an ambitious and relevant dramatisation of the the great Russian classic
EMPOWERING: Abbie Purvis in Waldo's Circus of Magic and Terr
Circus / 24 March 2023
Eloquent body language
24 March 2023
Simon Parsons admires the ambition of a spectacular show that pits disabled performers against Nazis
(L to R) Amanda Lawrence as the teacher Wainwright, Ramesh M
Culture / 13 December 2022
2022 Bristol Old Vic highlights with SIMON PARSONS
13 December 2022
Sam Hoare, in Press, as a self-centred journalist with littl
Theatre Review / 2 December 2022
Pitting the personal against the state
2 December 2022
SIMON PARSONS reviews two plays in which the manipulation of facts for the sake of the drama produces uneven results
CHARISMATIC: Jonathan Slinger as Scott
Theatre Review / 24 November 2022
A brilliant dismantling of the American Dream
24 November 2022
SIMON PARSONS applauds the energy and humour of a riveting show
BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED: Stephen Kennedy as Ray and Matthew Blan
Theatre Review / 11 November 2022
To be Irish or not to be Irish
11 November 2022
SIMON PARSONS recommends an engrossing, Belfast-based, inter-generational two-hander
(L to R) Theo Fraser Steele as George and Miles Molan as Jim
Theatre Review / 25 October 2022
A profound meditation on loss of identity
25 October 2022
The once controversial book A Single Man receives an excellent stage adaptation, writes SIMON PARSONS
Deborah Pugh as Medusa
Theatre Review / 24 October 2022
Medusa’s take on the Trojan Wars reveals a startling modern relevance
24 October 2022
Romeo and Juliet recreated 30 years on, desperate to recaptu
Theatre Review / 23 September 2022
A self-confessed epic mash up
23 September 2022
Romeo and Juliet rehashed 30 years on is full of disparate ideas and feels like a production on steroids, writes SIMON PARSONS
WARMTH AND VITALITY: Maureen Lipman as Rose
Theatre Review / 19 September 2022
Poignant reflections on being Jewish
19 September 2022
SIMON PARSONS recommends a production in which experiences of war and life as an immigrant become horrifyingly contemporary
A journey of self-discovery and exploration of how national
Theatre Review / 22 August 2022
An exploration of migration conundrums
22 August 2022
SIMON PARSONS recommends an award-winning production of rare simplicity, graceful beauty and profound significance about Sri Lankan immigrants to Australia
POWERFUL ACTING: Abigail Hood as Kayleigh Grey and Emma Keel
Theatre Review / 4 August 2022
Shock tactics fail to generate empathy
4 August 2022
SIMON PARSONS recommends a thought-provoking play about the long-term impact of traumatic childhoods and the morality of accepting the rehabilitation of social outcasts
Stuffed with Xmas cracker style gags
Theatre Review / 22 July 2022
An intentionally amateurish quality provides the winning charm
22 July 2022
(L to R) Caroline Quentin as Mrs Malaprop, Peter Forbes as A
Theatre Review / 15 July 2022
Ridiculing courtship and the traditional battle of the sexes
15 July 2022
SIMON PARSONS recommends an ingenious and wonderfully memorable upgrade of a classic
Theatre Review / 2 July 2022
Dante’s parable applied to war crimes
2 July 2022
SIMON PARSONS
INFECTIOUS ENERGY: Anoushka Lucas and Raphael Bushay
Musical Review / 16 May 2022
Time to don your Stetson Cattleman and join the melee
16 May 2022
SIMON PARSONS is captivated by a charming zest of an intelligently reworked Rodgers and Hammerstein classic
MENACING: Richard Clothier as Himmler
Theatre Review / 13 May 2022
A chilling portrayal of Heinrich Himmler
13 May 2022
SIMON PARSONS reviews an exploration of an infamous psychopath forced to judge his own actions
Theatre Review: / 3 May 2022
The Straw Chair
3 May 2022
SIMON PARSONS welcomes an atmospheric drama about relationships set in the remote Hebrides
Theatre Review / 15 April 2022
The Meaning of Zong
15 April 2022
Giles Terera's debut play on the intentional drowning of 132 slaves in 1781 has a grim resonance today, argues SIMON PARSONS
(L to R) Jung Sun den Hollander as Seung-Ki and Kwong Loke a
Theatre Review / 9 March 2022
Korean divide bridged by bond of blood
9 March 2022
WINNINGLY SYMPATHETIC: L-R Angela Yeoh as Yvette) and Anya J
Theatre Review / 25 February 2022
A stylish two-hander exploring the communication and identity issues of immigrants
25 February 2022
INTELLIGENTLY RESTRAINED: Meaghan Martin, Flora Montgomery a
Theatre Review / 14 February 2022
Socially relevant and emotionally poignant production
14 February 2022
(L to R) Thomas McGee as Jordan and David Lloyd as Yates
Theatre Review / 9 February 2022
A skillfully crafted nugget of a play
9 February 2022
by Simon Parsons
A fantastical idea pushed way too far: (L to R) Ria Zmitrowi
Theatre Review / 1 February 2022
A production doomed by lack of discernible purpose
1 February 2022
A string quartet and dancers representing the lost women tro
Theatre Review / 28 January 2022
Towering Rylance at the heart of Dr Semmelweis
28 January 2022
SIMON PARSONS recommends a production about a pioneering 19th-century Hungarian doctor that reverberates with contemporary relevance
EXCELLENT: (L to R) Cormac Elliott, Kate Reid, Rachael Roone
Theatre Reviews / 16 January 2022
A sharply written and beautifully performed piece of drama
16 January 2022
SIMON PARSONS recommends an innovatory production that addresses the tragedies of Northern Ireland’s recent history
MEMORABLE: Catherine Cusack (Adult Women), Amara Okereke (We
Theatre Review / 21 December 2021
Controversial 1891 play in striking new production
21 December 2021
A glorious, collaborative piece that must be the standout new show in London at the moment, writes SIMON PARSONS
SPECTACULAR STORM: Owen McDonnell (Pete) in Manor
Theatre Review / 24 November 2021
A production that misses the mark on many levels
24 November 2021
Political tirades, prophetic end-of-world visions, broad, sit-com style humour and trite caricatures do not blend, writes SIMON PARSONS
With energy to spare
Theatre Review / 26 October 2021
A production overflowing with zest, flair and distinctive originality
26 October 2021
Wise Children are once again proving themselves an outstanding force in British theatre, writes SIMON PARSONS
UNDERWHELMING: (L to R) Noel Sullivan, Ben Lamb, Kristin Ath
Theatre Review / 4 October 2021
Lives irrelevant to most people
4 October 2021
Instead of Deliverance we are presented with an overlong, flat episode of Friends, writes SIMON PARSONS
AMUSINGLY BLUNT: (L to R) Cecilia Noble (She), Tamara Lawran
Theatre Review / 20 September 2021
A Tarantino-style blend of humour and violence
20 September 2021
ILLUMINATING: Cleo Sylvestre and Alan David
THEATRE / 25 June 2021
Under Milk Wood, National Theatre London
25 June 2021
Reworking of Dylan Thomas's radio classic sometimes an unwieldy fit for the stage
LIGHT RELIEF: Susan Aderin and Gabriel Vick in Can I Help Yo
THEATRE / 8 March 2020
Can I Help You? Omnibus Theatre London
8 March 2020
Sensitive exploration of triggers for mental breakdown
GRIEVING: Paula Cassina in For the Sake of Argument
Theatre Review / 2 February 2020
For The Sake Of Argument, Bridewell Theatre London
2 February 2020
Flawed but worthy attempt to unpick arguments over Iraq war
DYSFUNCTIONAL: Eve Steele and William Fox as Mandy and Neil
Theatre / 30 January 2020
The Political History of Smack and Crack, Bristol Old Vic/Touring
30 January 2020
Telling reportage on the 1980s drugs havoc in inner-city Britain
LOVE INTEREST: Carly Bawden (Angelique) and Marc Antolin (Je
MUSICAL / 26 January 2020
Romantics Anonymous, Bristol Old Vic
26 January 2020
Tasty musical about chocolate and love from Wise Children
COMMANDING: Maxine Peake (second right) in The Welkin
Theatre / 23 January 2020
The Welkin, National Theatre London
23 January 2020
Riveting and original exploration of women's lives in mid-18th century England
HARD-WORKING: Reece Pantry and Clare-Louise English
Theatre / 15 December 2019
One Under, Arcola Theatre London
15 December 2019
Characterisation submerged by concept in suicide drama lacking emotional engagement
STANDOUT: BAC Beatbox Academy's Frankenstein
Year round-up / 5 December 2019
Best of 2019: Theatre
5 December 2019
A nose for love: Cyrano (Tristan Sturrock) with Roxane (Sara
Theatre Review / 20 October 2019
Cyrano, Bristol Old Vic
20 October 2019
Outstanding new version of a tragi-comic classic
Tragedy in miniature: Meet Me at Dawn
Theatre Review / 20 October 2019
Meet Me at Dawn, Arcola Theatre London
20 October 2019
Moving meditation on love and loss from Zinnie Harris
Power play: Cheska Hill-Wood and James Barnes in Dutchman
Theatre Review / 13 October 2019
Dutchman, Tristan Bates Theatre London
13 October 2019
Assault on racist attitudes in the US of the 1960s still packs a punch
Mike Noble and Dilek Rose in Reasons to Stay Alive.
Theatre Review / 2 October 2019
Reasons to Stay Alive, Bristol Old Vic
2 October 2019
Stylish and often amusing exploration of one man's battle with depression
Striking similarity: Zoe Wanamaker as Helen in Two Ladies
Theatre Review / 30 September 2019
Two Ladies, Bridge Theatre, London
30 September 2019
Perceptive insights on first ladies' subservient relationships with powerful presidents
Inventive: Alice Lamb and Annabel Baldwin
Theatre Review / 15 September 2019
Wild Swimming, Bristol Old Vic
15 September 2019
Off-the-wall exploration of changing identities and relationships over time
Pointing to the past: The Fishermen
Theatre Review / 8 September 2019
The Fishermen, Trafalgar Studios London
8 September 2019
Stunning reflections on the lost promise of a newly independent Nigeria
Theatre Review / 20 August 2019
Sexual misconduct and questions about identity examined
20 August 2019
Musical review / 30 July 2019
A charming take on Blytonesque bubble
30 July 2019
In disgrace: Clive Owen as Reverend Shannon
Theatre Review / 17 July 2019
The Night of The Iguana, Noel Coward Theatre, London
17 July 2019
Production of a Tennessee Williams play doesn't live up to its promise
Summer Rolls
Theatre Review / 26 June 2019
Summer Rolls, Park Theatre, London
26 June 2019
Affecting drama on the culture clash within a Vietnamese immigrant family
Boxing clever: Miles Yekinni (left) and Conor Glean
Theatre Review / 26 June 2019
Heart and soul-felt moment in Miami
26 June 2019
SIMON PARSONS sees a stirring theatrical recreation of an historic encounter between four iconic black figures in the 1960s
Broken on the wheel of injustice: Freeman
Theatre review / 26 May 2019
Freeman, Bristol Old Vic/Touring
26 May 2019
Timely indictment of unspoken link between institutional racism and mental-health care
Excellent: Stephen Jones, Sarah Morris and Will O’Connell
Theatre Review / 12 May 2019
Instructive lessons in Class
12 May 2019
SIMON PARSONS recommends an evocative snapshot of an education system struggling to cope with deprivation
At the mercy of the plot: Sujaya Dasgupta, Pal Aron and Amin
Theatre Review / 12 May 2019
A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Rep, Birmingham/Touring
12 May 2019
Khaled Hosseini’s evocative fiction is lost in translation to the stage
Fatal attraction: Ira Mandela Siobhan (Nugget) and Ethan Kai
Theatre Review / 22 April 2019
Equus, Bristol Old Vic/touring
22 April 2019
Stripped of most of its period trappings, Peter Shaffer’s disturbing 1973 play is given a new lease of life
Two-faced: Stefan Adegbola as Buckingham
Culture / 13 March 2019
Theatre: Richard III, Bristol Old Vic
13 March 2019
A new version of Shakespeare’s history has more style than substance in its search for contemporary relevance
Clocked on: Taheen Modak
Culture / 3 March 2019
Theatre review: The American Clock
3 March 2019
Arthur Miller’s family drama may lack emotional impact but it’s nevertheless an acute take on boom-and-bust capitalism
Trouble in mind: Seun Shote, Fode Simbo and Donna Berlin in
Theatre Review / 26 February 2019
Missing the bus
26 February 2019
The political significance of a landmark anti-racist bus boycott in Bristol is muted by an insipid domestic drama, says SIMON PARSONS
Outstanding: The cast of The Unreturning
Theatre Review / 20 January 2019
War wounds that don't heal
20 January 2019
SIMON PARSONS recommends a powerful drama on the traumatic consequences of combat past, present and future
Revengeful: Anya Chalotra in The Village
Culture / 5 December 2018
Best of 2018: Performance
5 December 2018
by SIMON PARSONS
Triple trouble: Unique Spencer, Dan Starkey and Douggie McMe
Theatre Review / 3 December 2018
Yule fare past its sell-by date
3 December 2018
Oratory of the oppressed: Hadestown
Musical / 15 November 2018
Hellishly good
15 November 2018
SIMON PARSONS sees a brilliant musical reworking of Greek myth at the National Theatre which chimes with the Trump era
Frenetically funny: Guy Hughes and Dawn Sievewright
Theatre Review / 31 October 2018
Gender-bending night a comic treat in Bristol
31 October 2018
Fantastical: Bettrys Jones, Katy Owen and Mirabelle Gremaud
Theatre Review / 21 October 2018
Story of family Chance a fine thing in thrilling adaptation of Angela Carter novel
21 October 2018
Challenged: Penny Layden, Sophie Wu and Nav Sidhu in Sketchi
Theatre Review / 17 October 2018
Sketchy results in bringing London to life on stage
17 October 2018
Theatre Review / 12 October 2018
Kwame Kwei-Armah sets a marker in vibrant first production at the Young Vic
12 October 2018
Contagious tragedy: Eyam Pic: Marc Brenner
Theatre Review / 25 September 2018
Counting the costs of communal sacrifice in plague-stricken Eyam
25 September 2018
The Village
Theatre Review / 18 September 2018
Outstanding adaptation brings Lope de Vega's parable of social injustice bang up to date
18 September 2018
Theatre / 16 September 2018
Uneven evocation of haunted generation in anti-gay era
16 September 2018
Theatre Review / 15 July 2018
Mastered by Mammon
15 July 2018
SIMON PARSONS sees an epic account of how traditional business values are overwhelmed by corporate imperatives in The Lehman Trilogy
Theatre Review / 15 July 2018
Monster treat for children of all ages
15 July 2018
SIMON PARSONS sees an excellent stage version of a classic book
Theatre Review / 6 June 2018
Riveting accounts of father-son relationships
6 June 2018
Theatre review / 13 May 2018
Riveting views from the eye of the storm
13 May 2018
SIMON PARSONS recommends a spellbinding production of Life and Fate, set at the height of WWII in Soviet Russia
Not Talking at the Arcola Theatre. David Horovitch (James) L
Theatre Review / 3 May 2018
It's good to talk
3 May 2018
SIMON PARSONS recommends an acute exploration of the negatives of non-communication
Theatre Review / 20 March 2018
A tsunami of historical proportions
20 March 2018
The Great Wave is an acute reflection of the fraught relations between Japan and North Korea, says SIMON PARSONS
Role-playing: Eva Magyar (centre) as Charlotta
Theatre Review / 11 March 2018
A Cherry Orchard ripe with contemporary resonance
11 March 2018
Lady Cooper Anita Dobson and Hilton MCRae
Theatre Review / 18 February 2018
Bruising consequences of the blitz
18 February 2018
SIMON PARSONS recommends a new play on the stand-off in Southampton between locals and government during WWII
Theatre Review / 14 December 2017
Seasonal light and darkness in Emma Rice's illuminating Matchgirl
14 December 2017
Theatre Review / 2 October 2017
Care taken in revival of Pinter's classic tale of alienation
2 October 2017
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