THEATRE REVIEW: John Gabriel Borkman starring Simon Russell Beale, Lia Williams & Clare Higgins at the Bridge Theatre

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 1 October (matinee), runs to 26 November 2022 RUNTIME: 105 minutes (no interval)

Russell Beale plays Borkman the titular banker jailed for fraud, released and plotting his comeback from the top floor of his luxury home he shares with his estranged wife.

  • Read on for reasons including how the acting is convincing but the subject matter is bleak
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2022 starring Tammy Faye at the Almeida

  1. New Elton John, Jake Shears and James Graham musical

Tammy Faye Messner was an American evangelist, singer, author, talk show host, and television personality. This musical about her life includes music by Elton John, lyrics by Jake Shears and a book by James Graham (Ink, Almeida and BBC1’s Sherwood). It stars Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells (The Prom and The Boys In The Band). Runs 13 October through 3 December. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including Brown Boys Swim, Simon Russell Beale and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
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THEATRE REVIEW: Bach & Sons starring Simon Russell Beale at the Bridge Theatre

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 25 June, opens 29 June and booking to 11 September 2021

RUNTIME: 150 minutes with 20-minute interval

It’s easy to forget the power of theatre to move its audience and that thought is foremost in our mind as we leave this venue fellow theatregoers clearly wiping tears from their eyes.

  • Read on for reasons including why a gay audience will find a resonance in the story of Frederick The Great here
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THEATRE REVIEW: A Christmas Carol starring Simon Russell Beale, Patsy Ferran & Eben Figueiredo at the Bridge Theatre

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: 5/12/20 (matinee), runs to 16/1/21

WHERE?: Bridge Theatre RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

There’s something quietly moving about how the Bridge Theatre, more than any other venue we can think of, has opened during this pandemic. It did close its doors but for nowhere near as long as other venues, offering performers work at a time when it was scarce and audiences escape when it was most needed.

  • Read on for reasons including what to expect of this one of many A Christmas Carols

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for November starring A Christmas Carol at the Bridge Theatre

  1. A Christmas Carol starring Simon Russell-Beale and Patsy Ferran

There are at least 2 other A Christmas Carols in London this festive season but we have chosen this 1 because Russell Beale is always good value and Ferran is an Olivier Best Actress award-winner. Runs 27/11 through 16/1/21. Tickets UPDATE: The 2nd lockdown means this run will now start on 3/12/20

  • Read on for reasons including new Steps album, Rent in Manchester and Kylie’s Disco set
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Tragedy of King Richard the Second starring Simon Russell Beale at the Almeida

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE? Almeida RUN TIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

WHEN?: 12/1/19, runs to 2/2/19

Buckets of blood, soil and water rain down on the cast in director Joe Hill-Gibbins’ 3rd radical reinterpretation of Shakespeare since 2015.

  • Read on for reasons including what to expect from its NT Live showing next week

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Tempest starring Simon Russell Beale

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE: Barbican Theatre

WHEN: 30/6, runs to 18/8

Simon Russell Beale is one of the finest actors of his generation and therefore it’s curious that he should choose to return to the Royal Shakespeare Company after 20 years in something quite so overcooked.

  • Read on for reasons including why cutting edge technology detracts from this

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for June

  1. Emeli Sandé at Glastonbury

This year will be our fourth Glastonbury in a row and, although there’s far too much to be excited about to list here, we’d probably pick our first Emeli Sandé gig as the thing we’re most enthused by at the sold-out event which runs from 22/6 to 25/6. Katy Perry’s new album Witness is out 9/6 and Lorde’s Melodrama 16/6 and they both also feature.

  • Read on for reasons including Billie Holiday, Jade Anouka & Fisayo Akinade

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INVESTIGATION: Should you join your favourite theatre as a member?

Would becoming a member of your favourite theatre make it easier for you to get the most in-demand tickets? We became a member of five of our favourite London venues to see what the value for money is.

  • Read on to find out what membership of the Almeida, British Film Institute, Menier Chocolate Factory, National Theatre and Old Vic gets you.

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