Peter Mason | Morning Star

Gig Review / 12 August 2025

Still burning

12 August 2025

PETER MASON relishes a legend of Jamaican roots reggae still plying his trade with a large degree of spirit

Dance / 30 May 2025

Flamenco festival

30 May 2025

PETER MASON is wowed (and a little baffled) by the undeniably ballet-like grace of flamenco

IT'S JUST NOT CRICKET: Protesters demonstrate outside Lord's Cricket Ground in London, on February 25 2025, against England playing Afghanistan in a Champions Trophy match, as female participation in sport has effectively been outlawed in Afghanistan since the Tailban returned to power in 2021

Books / 25 May 2025

Sticky wicket

25 May 2025

PETER MASON is surprised by the bleak outlook foreseen for cricket’s future by the cricketers’ bible

(L) Mudlark kneels on a rocky shore, collecting objects; (R) Medieval pilgrim badge. Pics © London Museum

Exhibitions / 22 April 2025

The marvels of mudlarking

22 April 2025

PETER MASON is enthralled by an assembly of objects, ancient and modern, that have lain in the mud of London’s river

POWER-DRESSING: Miriam Grace Edwards as Mary in Mrs Presiden

Theatre Review / 5 February 2025

Tradwife pic dilemma

5 February 2025

PETER MASON applauds a thought-provoking study of the relationship between a grieving woman and her photographer

CONSTRUCTIVISM FOR KIDS: Ballet Shoes at the National Theatr

Theatre Review / 9 December 2024

Orphan girls find their gift

9 December 2024

PETER MASON is moved by a striking production of Noel Streatfeild’s enduringly popular children’s book

DOUBLE TAKE: Dominic Semwanga and Megan Keaveney as Fes and

Theatre review / 4 December 2024

Festive Feste fare

4 December 2024

PETER MASON reckons the NYT’s production of Shakespeare’s comedy is the pick of the Christmas shows on offer in London

FEELING THE CHILL: Le Concert Spiritual play St James Spanis

Music review / 25 November 2024

Spiritual chiller

25 November 2024

PETER MASON shivers in the under-heated ecclesiastical setting of a concert featuring five 19th-century French composers

Doreene Blackstock and Cash Holland in A Raisin In The Sun

Theatre Review / 15 October 2024

Outstanding US kitchen sink drama

15 October 2024

PETER MASON applauds a classic drama exploring assimilation and resistance among poor black inhabitants of a Chigago slum

Suzy Kohane, Josie Benson and Edith Vernes in French Toast

Theatre review / 9 October 2024

Lost in translation

9 October 2024

PETER MASON is disappointed by a clunky comedy that falls flat

Theatre review / 29 August 2024

A charming version of the tale of the hard-hearted giant

29 August 2024

PETER MASON is enchanted by a unique take on the Oscar Wilde favourite delivered through the ancient form of marionettes

KEW JUMPING: Fairies in Theatre on Kew's production of Midsu

Theatre review / 30 July 2024

Missing the Kew

30 July 2024

PETER MASON is unimpressed by an unsubtle production that disregards its woodland setting

(Left to right) Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and An

Motorsport / 14 June 2024

24 Hours of Le Mans

14 June 2024

PETER MASON writes about the exhilarating race which kicks off in France this weekend, and the British drivers competing across three categories

McLaren's Jenson Button during the 2016 British Grand Prix a

Sport / 13 May 2024

Former F1 champ Button set sights on Le Mans 24 for third time

13 May 2024

Theatre Review / 26 March 2024

Death of a snake oil salesman

26 March 2024

PETER MASON applauds a pitch-perfect production of the late Brian Friel’s compelling study of gullability and disillusion

Crossroads Motel: Liza Sadovy (Mary) and Peter Wight (John)

Theatre Review / 23 October 2023

Shakespearian soap

23 October 2023

PETER MASON is unimpressed by a two-act Elizabethan version of Crossroads

Theatre Review / 19 June 2023

Little to justify the trip

19 June 2023

PETER MASON's overwhelming disappointment is ameliorated by a sumptuous stage settings

NOSTALGIC Tom Carradine in Carradine’s Cockney Sing-a-long

Theatre / 7 March 2023

Ding dong on the old joanna

7 March 2023

PETER MASON submerges into East End nostalgia, and would do it again

(L to R) Reece Shearsmith as Peter, Frances Barber as Elsa,

Theatre / 23 January 2023

Stranger danger

23 January 2023

PETER MASON applauds a razor-sharp comedy of manners

(L to R) Michael Luwoye as Mandela, Danielle Fiamanya as Win

Theatre Reviews / 16 December 2022

An examination of the way apartheid tore at the heart of human relations

16 December 2022

Two of Morning Star’s theatre critics take distinct views of the musical that charts the life of one of the world’s greatest and best loved freedom fighters

Elton John performing at Vicarage Road Stadium

Music Review / 12 July 2022

Elton John's wonderfully idiosyncratic British farewell

12 July 2022

Circus Review / 22 June 2022

A refreshing take on the circus experience

22 June 2022

A CONGA LIKE NO OTHER: Stephen K Amos as Alfred P Doolittle

Musical / 3 June 2022

A fantastically enjoyable interpretation of a great musical

3 June 2022

PETER MASON recommends a production that never drags, never dips in intensity nor wanes in entertainment value

Theatre Review / 8 April 2022

Project Dictator

8 April 2022

Music Review / 4 April 2022

The beauty of Gaelic according to Allt

4 April 2022

Theatre Review / 20 March 2022

A prime example of the dangers of well-intentioned over-complication

20 March 2022

MEMORY LANE: (L to R) Bus conductor Agatha Claudette Hart, 1

Exhibition / 1 March 2022

‘I cried like a baby the first week I was here’

1 March 2022

PETER MASON is captivated by snapshots that build up a strong feel of what it was like to live and work in those now far-off times, when strong unionisation and an enlightened attitude from LT nurtured camaraderie

(L to R) Nebra Sky Disc, Germany, about 1600 BC; Stonehenge

Exhibition / 20 February 2022

Stonehenge re-discovered

20 February 2022

PETER MASON recommends the satisfying to see, full-scale appreciation of one of the great wonders of the world

STRONG PERFORMANCE: (L to R) Ruby Barker as Imani, Suzette L

Theatre Review / 20 February 2022

The conundrums of processing grief

20 February 2022

PETER MASON recommends a play which eloquently addresses the emotional consequences of an unexpected death in the family

Theatre Review / 18 February 2022

The conundrums of processing grief

18 February 2022

PETER MASON recommends a play which eloquently addresses the emotional consequences of an unexpected death in the family

(L to R) Hamish Macdougall as fiance, Nathaniel Christian as

Theatre Review / 31 January 2022

The fading memory of spitfires and Vera Lynn

31 January 2022

PETER MASON recommends a tentative metaphor of a nation in search of a meaningful destiny beyond the remembrance of conflict

Music Review / 24 January 2022

No moribund nostalgia-fest from the Hersham crew

24 January 2022

(L to R) Dawaat-Leesa Gazi and Halema Hussain

Theatre Review / 21 December 2021

A tender story of migration

21 December 2021

MOUNTING UNEASE: (L to R) Stephanie Beatriz as Lauren, James

Theatre Review / 19 December 2021

Class and gender tension flavoured ghost story

19 December 2021

Well-paced production keeps PETER MASON, and the rest of audience, at the edge of their seats

Theatre Review / 5 December 2021

An overall splendid package if perhaps too drawn-out

5 December 2021

Theatre Review / 29 November 2021

A panto let down by inconsistent writing and direction

29 November 2021

Music Review / 15 November 2021

An aura of mystery that was hauntingly emotional and ethereal

15 November 2021

Music review / 26 October 2021

Impeccable blend of past and present

26 October 2021

Orla Fitzgerald as Maureen and Adam Best as Pato

Theatre Review / 20 October 2021

A brilliantly tense play

20 October 2021

A compelling story of how cruelty begets cruelty, and of how the child becomes the parent, writes PETER MASON

Francesca Annis as Ranyevskaya and Ian McKellen as Firs in t

Theatre Review / 15 October 2021

Orchard blossoms with novel take

15 October 2021

Chekhov classic is rejuvenated by being played nearer to comedy than tragedy, writes PETER MASON

Theatre review / 30 August 2021

A memorably stimulating production despite information overload

30 August 2021

GLORIOUS: Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as Orlando, Anna Crichlow

Theatre Review / 22 August 2021

A glorious gamut of romance, poetry, satire and slapstick

22 August 2021

STRETCHING CREDULITY: Ian McKellen (centre)

THEATRE / 29 July 2021

How not to be Hamlet

29 July 2021

Ian McKellen's portrayal of the Prince of Denmark demands a suspension of disbelief too far, says PETER MASON

THEATRE / 21 July 2021

Lava, Bush Theatre London

21 July 2021

Impassioned exposé of pain and anger wreaked by racism and prejudice

GEEK APPEAL: Scott Folan (Jeremy Heere) with Renee Lamb (Jen

MUSIC THEATRE / 9 July 2021

Be More Chill, Shaftesbury Theatre London

9 July 2021

Coming-of-age journey in high school musical hits all the right notes

(L to R) Marble bust of Nero, around AD 55; miniature portra

EXHIBITION / 4 July 2021

Empirical proof in question

4 July 2021

An exhibition attempting to paint the Roman autocrat Nero as a popular ruler isn't really matched by the exhibits on display, says PETER MASON

MUSIC / 17 June 2021

Binker Golding, Ronnie Scott’s London

17 June 2021

Exhilarating fusion of hard bop and contemporary soul from Golding's new quintet

LIVE MUSIC REVIEW / 30 May 2021

Lady Maisery, Cecil Sharp House London

30 May 2021

10th anniversary of top folk trio marked in style

HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED: It has to rain before you can see where

EXHIBITION REVIEW / 30 May 2021

Walter Price: Pearl Lines

30 May 2021

Accomplished exploration of the figurative and the abstract

MUSIC / 25 May 2021

Sarathy Korwar, King’s Place London

25 May 2021

Exhilarating eclecticism from Korwar and co

TURNING POINT: Commemoration on February 2, 2021, of the 27t

BOOKS / 16 May 2021

The Country That Does Not Exist

16 May 2021

Obscured history of post-colonial Somalia

THE TIMES THEY ARE A'CHANGING: President Barack Obama hangs

MUSIC / 9 April 2021

Nothing to see here

9 April 2021

A new book on Bob Dylan offers no new insights into what makes the music legend tick, says PETER MASON

YEAR ROUND-UP / 4 January 2021

Best of 2020: Arts

4 January 2021

Music Review / 8 December 2020

An impressive, multi-layered combination of players and instruments

8 December 2020

Streamed concert Bellowhead Stabal Mansion

Culture / 23 October 2020

Greater focus on the collateral damage connected to Salazar’s rule would have provided better context and more balance to his portrayal

23 October 2020

BOOKS / 2 September 2020

On a Dark Night With Enough Wind by Lilla Pennant

2 September 2020

Evocative accounts of life on the edge in rural Wales

BOOKS / 31 August 2020

Bordering Britain: Law, Race and Empire by Nadine El-Enany

31 August 2020

Questions posed but few answers given to the injustices of immigration controls in Britain

ARTS AHEAD / 26 August 2020

White Riot

26 August 2020

Gripping documentary on the birth and life of the anti-racist movement Rock Against Racism

FICTION / 23 August 2020

She’s My Witch by Stewart Home

23 August 2020

Deviance devotees make for an endearing odd couple

FICTION / 22 July 2020

Another Kind of Concrete by Koushik Banerjea

22 July 2020

Hard realities of 1970s racism explored in outstanding debut novel

PODCAST REVIEW / 10 May 2020

Busking it

10 May 2020

Amiable meander around the country with fiddler and busker Tom Kitching

MUSIC ONLINE / 9 April 2020

Ninebarrow, Live stream

9 April 2020

Folk duo in perfect harmony

BOOKS / 7 April 2020

Apartheid Is Not a Game by Geoff Brown and Christian Hogsbjerg

7 April 2020

How the campaign against the 1970 South African cricket tour struck a major blow against the Pretoria regime

ADMIRABLE: Josh Zare (left) and Alex Waldmann

THEATRE / 5 March 2020

The Mikvah Project, Orange Tree Theatre Richmond-upon-Thames

5 March 2020

Sensitive exploration of the love that dares not speak its name in a Jewish community

WISHFUL THINKING? Scottish independence rally, 2018

Books / 5 February 2020

Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot: The Great Mistake of Scottish Independence by John Lloyd

5 February 2020

Forceful but flawed case against home rule for Scotland

DESPERATE RELATIONSHIP: Tim (John Hollingworth) and Dani (Je

Theatre Review / 2 February 2020

The Sugar Syndrome, Orange Tree Theatre Richmond upon Thames

2 February 2020

Edgy exploration of damaged relationships in the early days of the internet

Music / 27 January 2020

Band of Burns, Union Chapel London

27 January 2020

Rousing Burns Night celebration from ad hoc folk supergroup

COMPELLING: Gemma Dobson, Tom Varey and Jodie Prenger

Theatre / 24 January 2020

A Taste of Honey, Trafalgar Studios London

24 January 2020

Excellent revival of Shelagh Delaney's classic Salford drama

Live Music / 6 January 2020

Lady Maisery, Kings Place London/Touring

6 January 2020

Theatre / 18 December 2019

A Kind of People, Royal Court Theatre London

18 December 2019

Thought-provoking exploration of race and class issues in Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti's new play

Year round-up / 10 December 2019

Best of 2019: Theatre

10 December 2019

Year round-up / 4 December 2019

Best of 2019: Music

4 December 2019