Old Times ★★★★★✰
This must rank as one of the sexiest ever adaptations of Harold Pinter’s work. It’s a notable achievement given the multi-interpretative nature of the 1971 play has seen many theatre groups give it a wide berth. While most productions are rather dry, HIT’s at Krudttønden was the opposite: wet with excitement, it really hit the spot. The electricity was palpable as one of the characters luxuriously put on a pair of panties, and things promise to get even more intense when it moves to a circular stage at Matrikel1 from February 5. (RM)
La Traviata ★★★★✰✰
Any production of this powerful, emotional journey must do justice to its emotional zenith and nadirs. The pairing of soprano Gisela Stille and tenor Francesco Castoro in the first act, where the emotional focus is the flowering of a new love, was disappointing. Much better were the second and third acts, where the performance is far more accomplished and therefore emotionally confident. Meanwhile, the Royal Danish Opera Chorus performed with distinction – especially during the party scene at Flora’s house. (BG)
Manwatching (TBC)
There are no reservations, so it is first come, first seated once the doors open at 19:30 ahead of a 20:00 start at Dexter’s Bar on February 6. The organisers of this one-off performance are charging ‘pay what you decide’ as three unrehearsed male actors (including comedian Adrian Mackinder) read out thoughts of female heterosexual desire at its most raw. It made its premiere at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2015, and the reviews have been orgasmic, and the performances multiple, ever since. (BH)
