“Photograph 51” suggests that sexism kept Franklin conservative, reluctant to be right because as a woman, she could never, ever be wrong. Ziegler’s text depicts a woman who had all the evidence but didn’t put the pieces together because she was afraid to prematurely commit herself.
Theatre
Here you will find reviews of local theatre productions the world round, with a particular focus on the Greater Toronto Area and the San Francisco Bay Area. We also review many "Digital Theatre" productions — live recordings of theatre — and explore how this new medium presents theatre productions, for better or worse. We especially focus on NTLive, RSC On Screen, and Globe Theatre On Screen productions. And we have a soft spot for modern Shakespeare productions.
San Jose Stage’s RFK brings Bobby Kennedy to life
San Jose Stage’s RFK, a one-man play about Robert Kennedy (David Arrow), combines a captivating lead performance with evocative projections to elevate a historically rich but dramatically flat script.
Pericles, Prince and Tiresome at Stratford
Shakespeare’s Pericles, Prince of Tyre (rebranded by the Stratford Festival as The Adventures of Pericles) is less a play and more a series of scenes strung together. It opens with incest and runs through murder, resurrection, and the threat of sexual slavery before a visitation from the goddess Diana. Remarkably, director Scott Wentworth manages to impose unity on this unruly text by highlighting the theme of feminine virtue that runs through the play.
Warchus’ ‘Matilda: The Musical’ at SHNSF is a miracle without peer
“My mummy says I’m a miracle! My daddy says I’m his special little guy! I am a princess And I am a prince. Mum says I’m an angel sent down from the sky My daddy says I’m his special little soldier, No one is as handsome, strong as me. It’s true he indulges my tendency […]
A terrific ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at Santa Cruz Shakespeare
A successful production of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” must satisfy three requirements: Beatrice and Benedick — the lovers in a merry war of wit — have to be lovable, the story needs to be clear, and the jokes have to land. Even Kenneth Branagh’s otherwise brilliant and definitive film of the play suffered from […]
Life is a Dream enchants at CalShakes
The Bay Area’s California Shakespeare Theatre staged a wonderful production of the 17th century play “Life Is a Dream.” Director Greco fully compensates for the play’s shortcomings with her terrific cast. Hayon and Lopez-Morillas are particular standouts, able to play comedy, angst, and affection with equal seriousness and believability.