MARIA DUARTE picks the best and worst of a crowded year of films
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[Marc Brenner]
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Cold War
Almeida Theatre, London
CONOR MACPHERSON’s Cold War, based on Pawel Pawlikowski’s film, the winner of a best director prize at Cannes, is a musical adaptation of this bittersweet on-off love story which showcases Polish folk music and several new Elvis Costello songs.
Pawlikowski partly based it on the experiences of his parents.
Luke Thallon plays Wiktor, a musical director and struggling composer who is scouring Stalinist Poland for folk songs. He meets the passionate and talented singer Zula (Anya Chalotra) and sparks fly. He is smitten and they both fall deliriously in love.
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MAYER WAKEFIELD wonders why this 1978 drama merits a revival despite demonstrating that the underlying theme of racism in the UK remains relevant
GORDON PARSONS is bowled over by a skilfully stripped down and powerfully relevant production of Hamlet
MARY CONWAY recommends a beautifully judged performance that shines a light on the experience of all female war babies and boomers