Reviews

Here is the world’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare, at the height of his powers and at the end of a remarkable career, in a tempest of slavery and freedom, barbarism and civilisation, chastity and lust, revenge and forgiveness.

And to ensure it all goes to modern plan, director Kip Williams has inserted some textual changes, especially as far as Caliban is concerned. Guy Simon plays the rickety character as dispossessed, rather than overtly ugly and evil. This Caliban loves his tiny country and ends up owning it, thanks to Richard Roxburgh’s Prospero.

It’s still called the Wharf Revue, but after two decades it’s moved inland – and sits happily in the York Theatre, Seymour Centre.  The familiar foursome has the same winning formula, spoiling us with over 90 minutes of political satire, which this year seems energised by a new PM on the block.

If you get a chance to see Kara Zmatiq then do so. The Queen is simply fantastic.

This is a unique version of the classic Dickens tale. David Wenham makes a delightful transformation from the grumbling cantankerous Scrooge into a warm-hearted caring person. The show keeps its focus on the need for those who are able to amass wealth to share their good fortune and the message could not be more apt in the current global political and economic climate. The performance closes with an acknowledgement of the important work of charities such as foodbanks, which are often especially sought out during the Christmas period.