Theatre: The Week in Review
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE FILM
ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE
OVERVIEW: The Motion Picture Event of the decade has finally arrived. George Lucas's The Phantom Menace forms the first of the three Star Wars prequels.
CRITICAL VIEW: "No summary can convey the spirit of a movie whose defining characteristics are pomposity, vulgarity and dreariness," stated Anthony Quinn. "While Lucas's technology may be fresh, his notion of entertainment is dead and buried," griped The Express. "Nothing has the right to disappoint us this much," groaned The Guardian. "Deliriously inventive," gushed The Daily Telegraph.
OUR VIEW: If the endless political discussions don't put you to sleep, the cavalcade of digital walk-ons will. An unmitigated disaster.
ON VIEW: Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace is out on general release, certificate U. 133 minutes.
THE PLAY
EURYDICE
OVERVIEW: Anouilh's 1941 play - a reworking of the Orpheus myth into a 1930s love story - is revived by Simon Godwin and his Straydogs company.
CRITICAL VIEW: "There is no reason why Straydogs' beautifully acted production shouldn't stand its ground amid the tainted commercialism of the West End," declared Dominic Cavendish. "Hifalutin' stuff; yet it is given a weird plausibility by a fine cast," applauded The Times. "Godwin's small-scale direction is dwarfed in the echoing wastes of the Whitehall," carped the Evening Standard.
OUR VIEW: Straydogs have made a successful transition from the fringe to the West End with a compellingly understated production.
ON VIEW: Eurydice is at the Whitehall Theatre until 14 Aug. For bookings and enquiries, call 0171-369 1735
THE GIG
CELINE DION
OVERVIEW: 100 million album-selling warbler Celine Dion brings her titanic stadium set-up to the UK, performing in the round on a heart-shaped stage.
CRITICAL VIEW: "If credibility was measured in terms of volume, [Dion] has no competition. But like her predilection for spilling her guts to strangers, her singing similarly lacks subtlety," revealed Fiona Sturges. "This isn't soul music: it's lung music," cried the Daily Mail. "Her show is big on regimented precision and strangely eerie," noted The Guardian. "There is an endearing innocence to her stage manner," The Times.
OUR VIEW: Dion's show was earth-shatteringly loud but short on imagination. But when she switched on the schmaltz, the crowd lapped it up.
ON VIEW: Celine Dion's album Let's Talk About Love is out now on Epic records
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments