What’s On At The Theatre

FRANCESCA HILL and JAMES MACNAMARA bring you news from theatreland, with plays to raise spirits and help you push on through to the end of term.

ADC bald prima donna can't stand up for falling down chekhov Corpus Playroom folding chair Footlights haggard how to succeed in business without really trying ivanov lost property Pembroke New Cellars three sisters

The term rushes onwards, and Francesca for one fears she hasn’t the strength to keep up. But now we’ve all survived Week 5, here’s what the theatre world is offering you. You can do it, kids.

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Anton: Ivanov / Three Sisters

ADC, 7.45pm, 12th – 23rd February, Sat 16th/Sat 23rd 2.30pm, £10/£8

So the ADC’s two-week Chekhov extravaganza is coming to an end. Francesca went, and is convinced it’s some of the very best theatre you’re likely to see all year. Go before it’s too late!

 

The Bald Prima Donna

Pembroke New Cellars , 7pm, 19th – 23rd February, £5

This absurdist and at times unintelligible play from Ionesco has very little to do with a bald prima donna, and more to do with two dreary middle-class marriages. Our reviewer admitted it “doesn’t sound very fun… yet, strangely, enough, it is”.

 

Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down

Corpus Playroom, 7pm, 19th – 23th Feb 2013, £5/£6

Three women, three interlinked and deeply moving stories. “Engaging, provocative, and in a weird way, life-affirming”; this may not be a cheerful sort of play, but it’s a worthwhile one nonetheless.

 

Folding Chair

Pembroke New Cellars, 9.30pm, 19th – 23rd Feb, £5

New writing inspired by a Regina Spektor song. Our review contains some constructive criticism, but also the biggest critical bitchslap (damn, son!) we’ve had all term. If you love the song very, very much then go. If you don’t, then don’t.

 

Haggard

Corpus Playroom, 9.30pm, 19th – 23rd Feb, £6/£5

Seen Ted Haggard’s interview with Richard Dawkins? Want to see his and the Church’s hypocrisy ripped apart? This play interestingly avoids this temptation, but is by all accounts well written, and it has an excellent cast.

 

 

 

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

Sir Humphrey Cripps Auditorium, Magdelene College, 7.45pm 21st – 23rd February and matinee 1.45pm on 23rd, £5/£7

This satirical musical set in 1950s America was written by the authors of “Guys and Dolls”. Set to open tonight for its first ever performance in Cambridge, it might well be worth a try.

 

Lost Property
ADC, 11.00pm, 20th – 23rd Feb, £6/£5

More (yes, more) stuff from the Footlights this week; and whilst it may have failed to realise its theme, this seems like a solid night of fun from the sketch stars of the future.