I am still unsure whether I like or loathe this play. I am unsure whether it liberates women, or entraps them. I am unsure whether the play is a genius meditation on motherhood, knowingly referencing Ancient Greek tragedy, or merely an over-laboured attempt to do so. I am certain that I hate moments of Magali Mougel’s new script (translated by Chris Campbell), which is turgid and over-written at points, but that Jean-Pierre Baro’s direction combined with Caoilfhionn Dunne’s performance to create moments of theatrical brilliance. I guess everything comes full-circle, as the play itself illuminates.

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I’ve loved the story of The Little Mermaid ever since I was a little girl, and it’s still one of my favourites today. I was so excited to see Northern Ballet’s new adaptation of the original classic by Hans Christian Anderson.

Courtesy of Emma Kauldhar.

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The first rule of news: you do not become the news. This is easier said than done, as UBS TV Anchorman Howard Beale proves, when he announces his planned suicide on his evening news slot to many a bewildered audience. In a moment of madness that should have ruined his career, it actually propels Beale to stardom, making him the most watched broadcaster on the TV circuit.

Courtesy of Jan Versweyveld.

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This is a timely play, but not a timeless one. It is dated, and overlong, and some dialogue is too clever by half and therefore anachronistic onstage. But it’s also timely: its revival is another commemorative nod to the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, and, somewhat more sinisterly, it explores the uncomfortable dynamics of sexual power between queer schoolboys of differing ages.

Courtesy of the Finborough Theatre.

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Celebrating its 12th year, Darbar Festival marks two firsts, number one, taking residence at Sadler’s Wells and number two, its inclusion of dance. Renowned for championing India’s incredibly rich classical music culture, the festival offers a programme of India’s finest musicians and dancers.

Courtesy of Sadler’s Wells.

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When Israeli director Yael Ronen began rehearsals for her first production at the Kammerspiele in July 2016, there was no play yet, only a title. The first three weeks were spent on research and discussion, mainly about relationships today and the influence of technological developments on the future of sex: dating apps, body implants and cybersex. But when David S. went on a killing spree at a shopping centre in Munich on 22 July 2016, people thought Munich had become the first German target of a major terrorist attack. Presumably, there was more than one perpetrator targeting sites all over the city. This information proved to be wrong, yet rumours and speculation spread fear and panic through the channels of the social media. After this incident, the theme of the production changed dramatically – this presumed terrorist attack became the “point of no return” in Yael Ronen’s production.

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Superposition: The net response caused by two or more stimuli is the sum of responses that would have been caused by each stimulus individually. The Superposition principle attributed to the scientific field of physics depends on a linear system producing a straightforward outcome. Drawing on this strand of science, Chanje Kunda takes on the role of scientist; dissecting and analysing life events that have contributed to her current status.

Courtesy of Stratford Circus Arts Centre.

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Corrupt business propositions and anarchic violence are shrouded under the brim of the gangster hat. In the ruling dictatorship of Arturo Ui, Brecht’s Hitler parody is a gangster spectacle, but this production lacks the bite they so often chew over.

Courtesy of ADC Theatre.

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“When there is a wall behind you and a knife in front, the enemy wants you to take the knife. But you do not take the knife in your body – you take it in your hand”. Purva Naresh’s emotive and explosive adaptation of this true story is one that captures the essence of feminism at its roots, and encapsulates the political power of theatre. A story that is both empowering and heart breaking, upsetting but enlightening – Pink Sari Revolution tells the tale of 400,000 women fighting for freedom in Uttar Pradesh, and their fearless leader Sampat Pal. (Syreeta Kumar).

Courtesy of West Yorkshire Playhouse.

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This Beautiful Future is a transporting vision of innocence and regret as teenage lovers Elodie (Abigail Lawrie) and German soldier Otto (Tom Morley) shelter from the chaos of France’s liberation and dream of better days ahead.

Courtesy of the Yard Theatre.

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