Back from a mini tour of Yorkshire and Stockport and cheering for supporting act Indignation Meeting
The Welkin, National Theatre London
Riveting and original exploration of women's lives in mid-18th century England
Maxine Peake in Welkin
ALISTAR FINDLAY is mesmerised by this multiple ‘Visions of Scotland’ assault on the audience’s eyes and senses
The Star's critics ANGUS REID, ANDY HEDGECOCK and MICHAL BONCZA reviews I Am Love, The Penguin Lessons, Freaky Tales, The Thicket
MAYER WAKEFIELD has reservations about the direction of a play centered on a DVLA re-training session for three British-Pakistani motorists
New releases from Steve Knightley, Jupiter & Okwess, Jason Palmer, Lisa Knapp and Gerry Driver, Kin'Gongolo Kiniata, Ingrid Laubrock/Tom Rainey, Dan Sealey, Simin Tande, PAZ
JOHN GREEN relishes photography that unfolds a longstanding and poetic relationship with Leeds
A uncomfortably misogynistic authorial voice that sometimes seems to lack insight troubles FIONA O’CONNOR
THE MONOCHROMATIC, yet stylish, opening scene of a dozen women isolated in their daily drudgery in Lucy Kirkwood’s new play initially appears to be heading towards well-worn territory — the trial format of Twelve Angry Men.
But those brought together are a “jury of matrons” and their role is to decide whether the guilty woman in front of them is pregnant. If she is, she escapes the noose for transportation instead.
With only the nominal supervision of a muted court official, this eclectic group is temporarily released from daily oppressive routines to freely argue another woman’s fate.
More from this author
SIMON PARSONS is discomfited by an unflichingly negative portrait of motherhood and its trials
SIMON PARSONS applauds an insightful state-of-the-nation play that explores the growing class divide in South Africa
SIMON PARSONS applauds a tense and thoughtful production that regularly challenges our political engagement and prejudices
SIMON PARSONS questions whether a dark take on Shakespeare’s Seasonal comedy is in harmony with the original text
