Reviews

My Name is Rachel Corrieis a play based on the diaries and e-mails of Rachel Corrie, a young woman with a passion for the Palestinian cause in the Gaza Strip, that led to her violent death whilst protesting. To create the play Katherine Viner and Alan Rickman edited Rachel’s writing, which in places contains sharp enigmatic poetic imagery and sensitive insights.  It was first produced at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2005.   

West Side Story is the modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, set in New York City in the 1950’s. It is based around young protagonist Tony of the ethnically American gang the ‘Jets’ and Maria, sister to Bernardo, the leader of the ethically Puerto Rican gang known as the ‘Sharks’, and the forbidden love they share amidst a turf war fought between the two rival groups.

The Runcible Spoon is a ‘hip’ addition to the stylish Owl and the Pussycat Gallery at 34 Swan Street Richmond – opposite the Richmond Station. Opening night was a busy, lively cosmopolitan, fashionable fringe arts affair.

The small, slightly claustrophobic, theatre space is the front upstairs room of a two story Victorian terrace with, on this occasion, little more than a, bay window size stage.

The Tropical Arts production of Measure for Measure opened last Friday with an energetic performance of Shakespeare’s comedy. Director Avril Duck gave the production an un-Elizabethan look by opting for Japanese costuming and stylized manga (Japanese comic book) movements. The result was an interesting production, acted on a simple set under effective lighting.