The Bush Theatre’s newest show, written and directed by Mohamed Zain-Dada and Milli Bhatia respectively, follows four British Asians whose paths cross at a speed awareness course, set in the basement of a Birmingham-based hotel. A play with an all-Asian cast, writer and director slots well into the Bush Theatre’s rich history of giving aContinue reading “‘Speed’ at the Bush Theatre Review and Analysis: A Portrait of South Asian Rage, Trauma and Identity”
Tag Archives: Theatre
‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 1910: The Phantom, Raoul and Christine – A Toxic Love Triangle
Happy (early) Valentines Day! What better day to break down one of literatures most famous love triangles? Gaston Leroux’s novel ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ has charmed, and haunted, the world long before Andrew Lloyd Webber took to his keyboard. Despite the books success though, it was Webber’s words that immortalised the story and lovesContinue reading “‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 1910: The Phantom, Raoul and Christine – A Toxic Love Triangle”
‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ at the Southbank Centre: An Analysis
Pravesh Kumar’s ‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ is currently playing at the Southbank Centre and has just celebrated it’s one hundredth show. The billion-colour musical is true to its name and follows eponymous heroine Frankie on her journey to Bollywood stardom. It is a classic, fish out of water story, and one of self-discovery, set inContinue reading “‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ at the Southbank Centre: An Analysis”
‘Wuthering Heights’ at the National Theatre: An Analysis
Emily Brontë’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ is famously hard to adapt, in part because of the non-linear narrative and the nature of the protagonists. While the book has legions of fans, including myself, it is not difficult to understand why people would find Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff irritating, and why readers would find the narrative, and thereforeContinue reading “‘Wuthering Heights’ at the National Theatre: An Analysis”
‘A Doll’s House’ and ‘The Merchant’s Tale’: Hidden Truths Will Always Be Revealed
In ‘A Doll’s House’ and ‘The Merchant’s Tale,’ secrets drive the plot forward, and their reveal occurs at the climax of each respective work. A hidden truth can be interpreted as a known secret that it kept secret deliberately, which makes the reader question why, and for whose benefit. When discussing truth and secrecy inContinue reading “‘A Doll’s House’ and ‘The Merchant’s Tale’: Hidden Truths Will Always Be Revealed”
‘West Side Story’: An Analysis
‘West Side Story’ is recognised as one of the most popular musicals of all time, and it is not surprising that it has its roots in Shakespeare given the tragedy and romance of the whole affair. Almost all the songs have been subsumed into popular culture, and are instantly recognisable. The story takes Shakespeare’s ideaContinue reading “‘West Side Story’: An Analysis”
Happiness as a vain illusion in Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ and Chaucer’s ‘The Merchant’s Tale’
‘The Merchant’s Tale’ and ‘A Dolls’s House’ both examine the idea of marriage, and what a truthful marriage really is. In Chaucer’s fabliau, and satire of courtly love, Januarie’s incorrect and over optimistic view of marriage appears as a vain illusion, especially when the audience is introduced to May’s clandestine affair with Damyan. Despite this,Continue reading “Happiness as a vain illusion in Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ and Chaucer’s ‘The Merchant’s Tale’”
Female Suffering in Shakespeare: Ophelia and Juliet
Female expressions of love lead to suffering, and this initial suffering comes in the form of exploitation. Ophelia suffers as she is exploited by Polonius and Claudius in Hamlet because of her love for the title character. Although their love is debated, Ophelia confesses that she did ‘love’ Hamlet ‘once’ (3.1.1114).[1] AC Bradley concurs, declaringContinue reading “Female Suffering in Shakespeare: Ophelia and Juliet”
Saint or Dragon? Johnny Byron’s presentation in ‘Jerusalem’
The protagonist in Butterworth’s 2009 play ‘Jerusalem’ comes in the form of Johnny Byron, a character that has been classed as ‘one of the most compelling, complex and iconic characters in modern British theatre’ by critic Paul Mason. He was portrayed by Mark Rylance. It is no doubt that the audience find the character comical,Continue reading “Saint or Dragon? Johnny Byron’s presentation in ‘Jerusalem’”
Why does Hamlet delay his revenge?
Critic Kenneth Muir is right in saying that there are ‘many different explanations’ for Hamlet’s procrastination in avenging his father. Hamlet is delayed by others and delayed by himself, as he grapples with his own conscience in his quest to avenge his fathers’ ‘foul and most unnatural murder.’ Hamlet is clearly grieving for his father.Continue reading “Why does Hamlet delay his revenge?”
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