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Writer: Anton Chekhov, in a version by Ranjit Bolt Director: Mark Leipacher Reviewer: Andy Moseley The Public Reviews Rating: People who bemoan theatre’s obsession with classical plays often complain they have no contemporary relevance. The Faction’s production of Three Sisters almost immediately shows the complaint as false, as Irina, the youngest sister, espouses the value of work and [...]

Writer: Friedrich Schiller Adaptor: Mark Leipacher & Daniel Millar Director: Mark Leipacher Reviewer: Deborah Klayman The Public Reviews Rating: Mark Leipacher and Daniel Millar’s latest adaptation for The Faction Theatre Company is Schiller’s Mary Stuart, a powerful and entertaining play chronicling the politically and emotionally charged last days of Mary Queen of Scots. A piece which accentuates the [...]

Writer: David Gieselmann trans, David Tushingham Director: Rachel Valentine Smith Reviewer: Steve Barfield The Public Reviews Rating: If you had the mistaken impression that contemporary German drama is all grave, angst-ridden work that directly addresses major philosophical and political questions in a stylised manner: then Mr. Kolpert is a wonderful correction to such a view. It is a [...]

Writer: August Strindberg Adaptor: Emily Juniper Director: Mark Leipacher Reviewer: Deborah Klayman The Public Reviews Rating: Strindberg’s Miss Julie is a play that has truly stood the test of time – the themes of power and lust versus love are universal and enduring, as are its naturalistic style and eloquent text. When a play is this well [...]

Writer: Schiller Adapted by: Daniel Millar and Mark Leipacher Director: Mark Leipacher Reviewer: Antoinette Stott The Public Reviews Rating: “A Woman is a weak and fragile thing” so says Talbot, advisor to Queen Elizabeth 1st and former gaoler of Mary Stuart. Not perhaps the wisest of words when speaking to the Queen in defence of Mary Stuart, but [...]

Writer: William Shakespeare Director: Mark Leipacher Reviewer: Ian Foster The Public Reviews Rating: With a burst of enthusiasm and ambition that should inspire anyone who is already struggling to keep their New Year’s resolutions,The Faction Theatre company are launching into 2012 with a three play rep season for the next seven weeks at the New Diorama Theatre. First [...]

Doubt Week*** Apparently it has only been a week since my last blog. Apparently it is Christmas at the weekend. I say ‘apparently’ as my concept of time has become somewhat distorted with the intensity of the Rep Season. Last week it was decided by ensemble member Tom Radford (Sebastian/Mortimer/Reveller) that the company were at [...]

2011 Peter Brook Empty Space Award winning company The Faction are bringing REP back to the heart of central London with their ambitious 8 week season at The New Diorama Theatre. Assistant Director Rachel Valentine-Smith will be sharing her weekly thoughts with The Public Reviews as the company tackle the delights of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, [...]