MICK MCSHANE is roused by a band whose socialism laces every line of every song with commitment and raw passion
Latest editorial
The Welkin, National Theatre London
Riveting and original exploration of women's lives in mid-18th century England
COMMANDING: Maxine Peake (second right) in The Welkin
New releases from Mountain, Soul Asylum and Michael McDermott
ALEX HALL is disgusted by the misuse of ‘emotional narratives’ to justify uninformed geo-political prejudice
SUE TURNER welcomes a thoughtful, engaging book that lays bare the economic realities of global waste management
JOHN GREEN welcomes an insider account of the achievements and failures of the transition to democracy in Portugal
SIMON PARSONS applauds an imaginative and absorbing updating of Strindberg’s classic
PETER MASON is enthralled by an assembly of objects, ancient and modern, that have lain in the mud of London’s river
THE MONOCHROMATIC, yet stylish, opening scene of a dozen women isolated in their daily drudgery in Lucy Kirkwood’s new play initially appears to be heading towards well-worn territory — the trial format of Twelve Angry Men.
But those brought together are a “jury of matrons” and their role is to decide whether the guilty woman in front of them is pregnant. If she is, she escapes the noose for transportation instead.
With only the nominal supervision of a muted court official, this eclectic group is temporarily released from daily oppressive routines to freely argue another woman’s fate.
More from this author
SIMON PARSONS applauds an imaginative and absorbing updating of Strindberg’s classic
SIMON PARSONS is discomfited by an unflichingly negative portrait of motherhood and its trials
SIMON PARSONS applauds an insightful state-of-the-nation play that explores the growing class divide in South Africa
SIMON PARSONS applauds a tense and thoughtful production that regularly challenges our political engagement and prejudices
