BARBARA BOSWELL remembers South African poet, storyteller, publisher, editor and activist Diana Ferrus (1953-2026)
Latest editorial
Bartful dodger
SUSAN DARLINGTON is swept along by a spirited and borderline political production of Lionel Bart’s masterpiece
CHUTZPAH: The young company in Oliver! at Leeds Playhouse
[Alastair Muir]
HELEN VASSALLO recommends a gripping Argentinian crime story about gender violence and the weaponisation of religion
New releases from Steve Swallow, Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, and Ady Johnson
When the ravages of Alzheimer’s leave an elderly woman marooned in painful memories of October 1950, her grandchild comes up with a creative strategy.
New releases from Simone White, Brass Funkeys, and Souad Massi
SUE TURNER is compelled by a history that shows how far a country can turn in on itself to collude with abuses of power
RON JACOBS is persuaded by the parallel drawn between Charles Manson and Donald Trump
Oliver!
Leeds Playhouse
ESCALATING child hunger and poverty have given renewed topicality to Lionel Bart’s Oliver!
In this latest revival, directed by James Brining, heaped platters of meats and savouries are paraded past rows of ravenous workhouse children. Gluttonous fat cats feast on a balcony as they look down — physically and metaphorically — on youngsters who are given meagre bowls of gruel.
It’s a powerful depiction of social inequality that could make the 1960 musical, which is based on the Charles Dickens novel, an awkward fit for a festive family show. Brining has nonetheless navigated the production with great care. The politics are unavoidable, but he also delivers on the familiar showtunes, joyous choreography and makes the audience warm to the central cast.
Similar stories
PETER MASON applauds a stage version of Le Carre’s novel that questions what ordinary people have to gain from high-level governmental spying
MAYER WAKEFIELD is gripped by a production dives rapidly from champagne-quaffing slick to fraying motormouth
GORDON PARSONS is disappointed by an unsubtle production of this comedy of upper middle class infidelity
JAN WOOLF finds out where she came from and where she’s going amid Pete Townshend’s tribute to 1970s youth culture