Category Archives: Theatre

THEATRE REVIEW: Lester and Kinnear in ‘Othello’

Posted on April 26, 2013 by admin

By Ray Bennett Nicholas Hytner’s production of “Othello” at the National Theatre has drawn rave reviews from UK critics and in the theatre it was easy to be consumed by the power of the play and the great acting, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

An evening at the Idler with Tinker and Sir Tim

Posted on April 1, 2013 by admin

By Ray Bennett Dudley Sutton (pictured above) says that although he has done a few, he prefers not to record his poetry and songs, which is a great shame for posterity but makes his performance at the Idler Academy, along … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Royal Opera House is ready for its close-up

Posted on February 7, 2013 by admin

By Ray Bennett When the BBC’s new Director General, Tony Hall, takes up the job in April, the broadcaster will get not only a former BBC News Chief Executive but also the man who has brought financial stability to one … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music, News, Theatre | Tagged , | Leave a comment

THEATRE REVIEW: McKellen and Stewart in ‘Waiting for Godot’

Posted on January 26, 2013 by admin

Broadway is in for a treat this fall as Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are scheduled to repeat their West End and worldwide success in Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”. The pair also will perform together in Harold Pinter’s “No … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Rose Kennedy got mad with Sammy Cahn

Posted on November 21, 2012 by admin

From the archives, here’s a story from The Windsor Star, Nov. 21, 1975, after an interview in Detroit with the great lyricist Sammy Cahn. By Ray Bennett Sammy Cahn is a walking musical box. Open him up and songs and … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

STAGE REVIEW: Nick Payne’s ‘Constellations’

Posted on November 18, 2012 by admin

By Ray Bennett The infinite variety of chance and choice is the subject of Nick Payne’s funny and touching 70-minute play “Constellations” at the Duke of York’s Theatre in which Sally Hawkins and Rafe Spall spin considerable enchantment. The chance … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Two jovial madcaps taking over Detroit

Posted on July 8, 2012 by admin

By Ray Bennett Jimmy Edwards sauntered into the Detroit hotel lobby an inch or two behind a magnificent white moustache, cane in hand and a Moss. Bros. light brown bowler atop his portly frame. “I wouldn’t be seen dead looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Interviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

STAGE REVIEW: Raymond Chandler’s ‘The Big Sleep’

Posted on October 28, 2011 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – As Alvin Rakoff’s production of Adam Rolston’s A Sentimental Journey, about the life of Doris Day, opens in Los Angeles, the British-based filmmaker and stage director takes on another Hollywood icon with the World Premiere … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

STAGE REVIEW: Mark Rylance in Jez Butterworth’s ‘Jerusalem’

Posted on October 18, 2011 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – “We are an unruly people,” Queen Elizabeth I warned the King of Spain, by which she meant the likes of Johnny “Rooster” Byron the Romany outlaw who cries freedom from his little patch of English … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jonathan Pryce to play ‘King Lear’ at the Almeida

Posted on September 30, 2011 by admin

By Ray Bennett Great news from London’s Almeida Theatre: Jonathan Pryce will perform “King Lear” there in a production directed by Michael Attenborough that will run Aug. 31 to Nov. 3. Also next year, the Almeida will have Federico Garcia … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Theatre | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment