MARK TURNER wallows in the virtuosity of Swansea Jazz Festival openers, Simon Spillett and Pete Long
Latest editorial
Choosing to thrive not just survive
MAYER WAKEFIELD recommends a 1970s US theatre classic that has lost none of its relevance
KEEPING THE AUDIENCE HOOKED: The Company
[Manuel Harlan] 
PAUL DONOVAN recommends three new books that explore the human relationship with nature
Doomed adolescents, when the missing person is you, classic whodunnit, and an anti-capitalist eco-thriller
WILL STONE takes a ticket to indie disco heaven, but misses the rarely performed tunes
Reviews of new releases by Jens Lekman, Big Thief, and Christian McBride Big Band
TOM PIERSCIONEK recommends a remarkable series of interviews with those few and brave Israeli citizens who refuse to do military service
Jitney
Old Vic
AUGUST WILSON’S Jitney is unique within his American Century Cycle as the only one of the 10 plays to be written and performed in the same decade – the 1970s.
But as with most of them, it’s set in the Hill District of Pittsburgh where Wilson was raised, on this occasion in an unlicensed cab rank owned by Jim Becker (Wil Johnson) where all the action occurs.
It’s an office buzzing with activity as Wilson’s patchwork of nine personalities orbit in and out, taking on journeys in an area where official taxis refuse to go. Despite that, the city authorities want to “tear down the whole block” and replace it with new housing. They are given just a few weeks’ notice before they must close. It’s a now familiar tale which will resonate with many in modern Britain.
More from this author
MAYER WAKEFIELD speaks to Urielle Klein-Mekongo about activism, musical inspiration and the black British experience
MAYER WAKEFIELD is swept up by the tale of the south London venue where music forged alliances across race, class and identity
MAYER WAKEFIELD applauds Rosamund Pike’s punchy and tragic portrayal of a multi-tasking mother and high court judge
![SISTERS IN HARMONY The Company of The ministry Of Lesbian Affairs [Pic Mark Senior]](https://dev.morningstaronline.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/desktop/public/2025-07/The%20Company%20of%20The%20ministry%20Of%20Lesbian%20Affairs.jpg.webp?itok=47hfE2GG)
MAYER WAKEFIELD relishes a witty and uplifting rallying cry for unity, which highlights the erasure of queer women
