Sunday, December 22

Tag: Richard Eyre

The Snail House – Hampstead Theatre
London

The Snail House – Hampstead Theatre

A new play written and directed by Richard Eyre is something to look forward to.  Neil Marriot an eminent paediatrician and recent scientific adviser to the government during the pandemic, think Chris Whitty or Patrick Valance, is preparing to celebrate both his birthday and his elevation to a knighthood.  Unfortunately, the meticulously planned celebrations are marred by the internecine warfare between the members of his dysfunctional family and the revelation of a historic medical misjudgement with appalling consequences. There are topical themes aplenty in this piece:  management of the pandemic, enduring class divisions, the incompetence of contemporary politicians, Brexit, race, the inequalities of private and public education, north/ south divisions and even referen...
La Traviata (2022) – Royal Opera House
North West

La Traviata (2022) – Royal Opera House

Director Bárbara Lluch’s current revival of Richard Eyre’s 1994 production delivers a truly musical feast that not only embraces and relishes its traditional 19th Century roots but whose theme continues to resonate strongly today. At its heart lies a love story which draws upon Alexandre Dumas the Younger’s real-life doomed love affair with well-known courtesan, Marie Duplessis. We open with Violetta (Pretty Yende) aided by her friend Flora (Angela Simkin) hosting a lavish party where she is introduced by Gastone (Andrés Presno) to his friend, Alfredo Germont (Stephen Costello), a fervent admirer, who is more concerned for her failing health than her escort, Baron Douphal (Germán E. Alcántara). When Alfredo declares his love for her she wonders if he could be the one amidst her desire t...