Absurdia - see below

A Resounding Tinkle by N.F. Simpson

Middie Paradock - Judith Scott
Bro Paradock - Peter Capaldi
Uncle Ted - Lyndsey Marshal
Vicar's Voice - John Hodgkinson


Gladly Otherwise by N. F. Simpson

Mrs Brandywine - Judith Scott
Mr Brandywine - Peter Capaldi
Man - John Hodgkinson

The Crimson Hotel by Michael Frayn

Bibette's Voice - Judith Scott
Pilou - Peter Capaldi
Lucienne - Lyndsey Marshal
Dodine's Voice - - John Hodgkinson

Directed by Douglas Hodge
Designed by Vicki Mortimer

This collection see at the Donmar Warehouse on Supporters Night - B7

Celeb in the audience: sweet faced boy from The Thick of It

I laughed uncontrollably and shook the benches during A Resounding Tinkle. Gladly Otherwise didn't do so much for me but The Crimson Hotel was more clever than funny. A very smart ensemble and we were treated to a wonderful post show discussion so that I could bask in the multiple talents of Douglas Hodge . Gawd, I adore that boy. He helped compose the music too, you know.

Saint Joan by Bernard Shaw

Robert de Baudricourt - Brendan O'Hea
Stewards and Pages - Luke Treadaway
Joan - Anne-Marie Duff
Bertrand de Poulengey - Ross Waiton
Duke de la Tremoullie - James Barriscale
The Archbishop of Rheims -James Hayes
Gilles de Rais(Bluebeard) - Gareth Kennerley
Captain La Hire - Finn Caldwell
Charles (The Dauphin) - Paul Ready
Dunois - Christopher Colquhoun
Richard - Angus Wright
Chaplain de Stogumber
Peter Cauchon (Bishop of Beauvais) - Paterson Joseph
The Inquisitor - Oliver Ford Davies
Canon John D'Estivet - William Osborne
Canon de Courcelles - Simon Bubb
Brother Martin Ladvenu - James Ballard
The Executioner - Jonathan Jaynes
Ensemble - Michael Camp, Eke Chukwu, Simon Markey, David Ricardo-Pearce

Directed by Marianne Elliott
Designed by Rae Smith

At the Olivier where it belongs - K 14

Celeb in the audience: Andrew Davies


My evening began earlier in the Cottesloe where I attended a 'Platform' with Paul Miller as he discussed The Enchantment. So young and so talented.....and frighfully posh. Very interesting start to my cultural delights.

Entering the Olivier tonight (as so many nights) was a beautifully calming experience. It always reminds me of a really well designed church and I cannot express how disgusted I would have been if they had staged this production at the Lyttelton. I endure that auditorium but I can only think of one production that actually felt right in it (The Far Side of the Moon) - that actually needed a space like that.

I digress. Saint Joan is as remarkable as a revival in London is likely to be. Humour has been injected in almost all the right places allowing the space for Joan to be the bright shining light of passion and serenity. My only grip here is the silliness of the French Court. I think it was just a tad overplayed on the night I saw it but I'm sure it is more balanced normally.

I cried during the trial when she burned. I think the staging of the burning was either having a bad night or just a tiny bit too subtle but I would love to see this again.....time permitting.

The Enchantment by Victoria Benedictsson

Louise Strandbert - Nancy Carroll
Erna Walden - Niamh Cusack
Henrik Ryberg - Edward Davenport
Viggo Pihl - Hugh Skinner
Gustace Alland - Zubin Varla
Lilly Wallden - Claudia Renton
The Concierge - Avril Elgar
Botilda - Marlene Herrington
Mr Moller - Patrick Drury
The Postman - Ray Newe

Directed by Paul Miller
Designed by Simon Daw

in a new version by Clare Bayley at the Cottesloe - F 28

At tale of obsession and manipulation. Very interesting piece. A famous but fading artiste preys on the vulnerable bereaved woman as his inspiration and muse. I think it took a little longer to make it's point than necessary. A couple of the scenes didn't seem to move the plot along very much but some lovely performances. Mses Cusack and Carroll were fabulous

In Celebration by David Storey

Steven - Orlando Bloom
Mr Shaw - Tim Healy
Mrs Burnett - Lynda Baron
Mrs Shaw - Dearbhla Molloy
Andrew - Paul Hilton
Colin - Gareth Farr
Reardon - Ciaran McIntyre

Directed by Anna Mackmin
Designed by Lez Brotherston

At the Duke of York in an average seat surround by noisy people but the second half was nearer the front and in the middle - J3

Brilliant play with a wonderful cast. Sadly, my deepest fears about Orly were realised to a greater degree than I had thought. He just stood there like a plank and recited his lines. He knew where to move to but no more than that. He's playing Steven so he can get away with that for a certain amount of the time but he looked like a petrified observer throughout. He had no idea how to occupy himself in a naturalistic way. This was made all the more obvious by the wonderful performances from his stage father and brothers. They were exceptional and I completely forgot I was in a matinee (especially by the time I had moved seat).

Go see the play and just don't be too hard on Orly. It's not his fault he was robbed of his learning curve.

Philistines by Maxim Gorky, adapted by Andrew Upton

Tanya - Ruth Wilson
Polya - Susannah Fielding
Pyotr - Rory Kinnear
Vassily - Phil Davis
Akulina - Stephanie Jacob
Stepanida - Maggie McCarthy
Perchikin - Duncan Bell
Teterev - Conleth Hill
Elena - Justin Mithcell
Nil - Mark Bonnar
Shyshkin - Jonathan Bryan
Tsvetaeva - Rendah Heywood
Doctor - Marcus Cunningham
Old Man - Mike Aherne
Old Woman - Julia West
Passers-by - Saskia Butler, Danny Nutt, Charlotte Pyke

with live music played by Irita Kutchmy

Directed by Howard Davies
Designed by Bunnie Chrisite

Seen towards the end of it's run - K6

What a wonderful vibrant version. So well judged and balanced and some priceless performances. Rory Kinnear always stands out and he really showed his versatility with dry humour and pain.