Book Review of Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell: Devastating & Emotive Family History

In a modest Stratford house, in the late sixteenth century, a boy is searching for help. His twin sister, Judith, has fallen ill, and he has no idea what to do. His mother will come, carrying kind words, herbal remedies, and fear in her heart. The plague should not be here - the playhouses in London may close, but here in Stratford, far away, they are supposed to be safe. Heedlessly, the sickness has arrived from another world, crept into their home, and waits with insatiable power to shatter a family beyond recognition.

Yes, You CAN Enjoy Shakespeare! Magazine Article

Lockdown is the ideal time to give Shakespeare's plays a try, as many theatres are offering free streamed productions online. In this article, I share some links to where you can watch the performances, as well as my tips to make sure you actually enjoy them!

Theatre Review: Measure for Measure (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Isabella is a woman of deep religious belief, who is soon to enter a convent where she will begin her devout life as a nun. Shortly before she embarks, Isabella is informed that her beloved brother Claudio has been arrested by Lord Angelo. His sentence is death.

Isabella meets with Lord Angelo to plead for her brother's life and he strikes a deal: her virginity in return for a pardon. Torn between a sister's love and her unwavering religious faith, Isabella's struggle dramatises the public and private battles for power that have raged for centuries...

Theatre Review: Richard III (Headlong Productions)

After years of devastating war between the houses of York and Lancaster, peace is finally restored to England under the reign of King Edward IV. However, with Edward's bitter and alienated younger brother, Richard, waiting in the wings, it seems that the cycle of vengeance is yet to be broken...

Theatre Review: Troilus & Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Company)

My birthday treat this year was a pair of tickets to see a live-streamed production of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Troilus & Cressida. The play is a love story that unfolds in the midst of the Trojan war. With the Greek army camped at their walls, tensions are mounting in the besieged city. Troilus and Cressida must negotiate a tangle of betrayal and deceit if they are to remain true to one another.

Dunsinane by David Greig: Raw, Atmospheric Shakespeare Sequel

Rating: 4 stars

Category: Play

Synopsis: Macbeth, the Scottish tyrant, has been defeated and King Malcolm placed on the throne. However, Scotland’s woes are far from over. With an English army placed at Dunsinane to protect Malcolm from dissenters, all sides are wary and loyalties only tentative. The possibility of peace is called into question as citizens and foreigners alike struggle to navigate this strange and unforgiving land.

Theatre Review: Romeo & Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Last week I went to watch a live theatre streaming of Romeo & Juliet at my local cinema, performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. I studied this play at school and it became one of my favourite works of Shakespeare, so I was a little nervous that finally being able to see it on stage would not live up to my very high expectations. However, I absolutely loved the bold modern version brought to life by director Erica Whyman. 

Royal Shakespeare Company’s Macbeth: Theatre Review

This week I went to see a live-streamed performance of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Macbeth at my local cinema. It was my first experience of Macbeth and I have been captivated by Shakespeare’s twisted and darkly insidious tale...

Live Theatre Streaming: Royal Shakespeare Company’s Twelfth Night

If you follow my blog on Facebook, then you may know that I recently went to watch Twelfth Night performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The performance took place in Stratford-upon-Avon (UK) but I watched it live streamed from the comfort of my local cinema. It was an incredible experience that gave me a real buzz, so I wanted to share it with you!