All stories by Ian Foster on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

‘Appealingly done’: AIN’T TOO PROUD – Prince Edward Theatre by Ian Foster

The latest in a long line of jukebox musicals to be impeccably performed but dead behind the eyes – Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations opens at the Prince Edward T…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Tuesday, April 12, 2022

‘The show deserves a bigger stage to fully breathe into its fabulousness’: BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER – Turbine Theatre by Ian Foster

A cheering musical to be sure, but But I’m a Cheerleader is ill-suited to the intimacy of the Turbine Theatre, it needs a bigger stage (and a bit of an edit) to truly shine.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Monday, April 4, 2022

‘This is a powerful revival of this punchy play’: COCK – West End by Ian Foster

If some of the detail of Mike Bartlett’s Cock now feels a little dated, the skill of his writing is as fresh as ever, performed brilliantly at the Ambassadors Theatre.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Tuesday, March 22, 2022

‘I yearn for a transfer so that more people can see it’: THE WICKER HUSBAND – Watermill Theatre, Newbury by Ian Foster

The Wicker Husband is a show that has my heart entirely. A future life is surely going to happen but catch it now at the Watermill Theatre while you can.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 08:00AM
Tuesday, March 15, 2022

‘Five cracking performers all get their moments to shine’: THE DRIFTERS GIRL – West End by Ian Foster

The Drifters Girl is a classic example of the worst type of jukebox musical – a group effort in failing to tell an interesting story whilst putting on a good show.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 12:00PM
Monday, March 14, 2022

‘As much calculating businessman as inspirational ruler’: HENRY V – Donmar Warehouse by Ian Foster

There’s way too much going on in this production of Henry V at the Donmar Warehouse, despite Kit Harington’s return to the stage.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 12:00PM
Friday, March 11, 2022

‘A truly troubling scenario emerges with a horrific imbalance of power’: AFTER THE END – Theatre Royal Stratford East by Ian Foster

With all its effortful but pointless violence, Dennis Kelly’s After the End leaves me cold at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Monday, March 7, 2022

‘Disappointingly formulaic in its treatment of two artistic icons:’ THE COLLABORATION – Young Vic Theatre by Ian Foster

Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope star as artistic legends in The Collaboration but Anthony McCarten’s play at the Young Vic doesn’t thrill.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Friday, March 4, 2022

‘Undoubtedly stylish but seriously underwhelming’: THE FOREST – Hampstead Theatre by Ian Foster

Like being given a jigsaw with no corner pieces, the challenges of putting together what is happening in Florian Zeller’s The Forest means it is hardly worth the trip to the Hampstead Thea…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Tuesday, March 1, 2022

‘How rare it is to see work from Middle Eastern writers’: BROKEN WINGS – Charing Cross Theatre by Ian Foster

The music of Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan’s Broken Wings remains strong, but the musical around it feels slightly disappointing at Charing Cross Theatre.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Friday, February 25, 2022

‘Well acted to be sure but just not my cup of tea’: 2:22 – A GHOST STORY – West End by Ian Foster

The perils of going to see something just because you like an actor in it… I loved seeing Elliot Cowan onstage again but was significantly less keen on 2:22 – A Ghost Story.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Wednesday, February 23, 2022

‘Entertainingly put together & starrily cast’: STEVE – Seven Dials Playhouse by Ian Foster

The Seven Dials Playhouse opens with the European premiere of Mark Gerrard’s gently amusing and affecting Steve.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Sunday, February 20, 2022

‘Full of the expressive theatricality director Emma Rice has built her reputation on’: WUTHERING HEIGHTS – National Theatre by Ian Foster

Emma Rice dips into her usual bag of theatrical tricks for a highly expressive take on Wuthering Heights but possibly to diminishing returns.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Tuesday, February 15, 2022

‘The realities of contemporary city-dwelling coupledom bite hard’: US – White Bear Theatre by Ian Foster

It’s the little things. Like using up the kitchen roll when there’s no toilet paper, or not getting some milk when the carton’s run out.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Monday, February 14, 2022

‘The beauty of Shanley’s play is that nothing is black & white’: DOUBT – Chichester by Ian Foster

Monica Dolan is more than worth the journey in Lia Williams’ striking production of Doubt: A Parable at Chichester Festival Theatre.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Monday, February 7, 2022

‘Caryl Churchill’s play has only gained in depth & gravitas’: A NUMBER – Old Vic Theatre by Ian Foster

Paapa Essiedu and Lennie James deliver stunning performances in a cracking production of Caryl Churchill’s A Number at the Old Vic Theatre.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Sunday, February 6, 2022

‘A striking play about a most striking woman’: PAYNE – The Stars Are Fire – Jack Studio Theatre by Ian Foster

I may still not know what a variable star is but Cecilia Payne did and that’s what matters.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Thursday, January 27, 2022

‘Illuminates the struggle to pursue an almighty artistic vision’: HOLST – The Music in the Spheres – Jack Studio Theatre by Ian Foster

Arrows & Traps return to live performance in customary ambitious style with Holst – The Music In The Spheres at the Brockley Jack Theatre.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Friday, January 14, 2022

Year in review: Ian’s 10 favourite shows of 2021 by Ian Foster

Just a little bit late… Here’s 10 of my favourite shows, both online and onstage but fully acknowledging that I saw a lot less than usual, I might actually have broken the back of this t…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Thursday, January 13, 2022

Year in review: Ian’s 10 top theatrical moments of 2021 by Ian Foster

As distinct from my favourite shows of the year, this list celebrates the fact that sometimes the good and the not-so-good co-exist right next to each – some of my favourite moments.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Monday, January 10, 2022

‘This revival can’t help but resemble a middling 1970s sitcom’: HABEUS CORPUS – Menier Chocolate Factory by Ian Foster

Alan Bennett’s Habeus Corpus gets a belated revival at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Stuck in the past, should it have been left in the past too?

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Sunday, January 2, 2022

‘The routines are without fail breathtakingly good’: BRING IT ON – Queen Elizabeth Hall then Touring by Ian Foster

Fabian Aloise’s banging choreography spikes, basket-tosses and split-lifts this cracking production of Bring It On – the Musical.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Tuesday, December 28, 2021

‘Eddie Redmayne & Jessie Buckley shimmer & scintillate in this striking reworking’: CABARET – West End by Ian Foster

Director Rebecca Frecknall and designer Tom Scutt have done an awesome job in reconfiguring the Playhouse Theatre into the risqué surroundings of The Kit Kat Club.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Saturday, December 11, 2021

Panto not your thing? Lucie Jones & other alternative festive shows this Christmas by Ian Foster

Not up for seeing panto but still fancy getting out of the house before Omicron burns it all down? Here are some alternatives to pantomimes this month.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Thursday, December 9, 2021

‘The show really is a visual treat like no other’: LIFE OF PI – West End by Ian Foster

If it isn’t necessarily the best play around, Life of Pi at Wyndham’s Theatre can seriously lay claim to being one of the finest productions open right now. 

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Wednesday, December 8, 2021

‘We’re joyously submerged in the thrills & terrors of this parallel universe once again’: THE BOOK OF DUST – La Belle Sauvage – Bridge T by Ian Foster

Nicholas Hytner returns to the world of Philip Pullman with an impressively atmospheric take on The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage at the Bridge Theatre.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Saturday, December 4, 2021

‘A beautiful reunion for Michael Xavier & Emma Williams’: LOVE STORY 10th Anniversary Concert – Cadogan Hall by Ian Foster

This 10th Anniversary Concert of Love Story was such a gorgeous way to spend a Sunday evening.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Friday, December 3, 2021

‘This play can’t help but end up as something of a disappointment’: MANOR – National Theatre by Ian Foster

Despite the presence of Nancy Carroll and Shaun Evans, Moira Buffini’s Manor proves a disappointment at the National Theatre.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM

‘The questions that resonate really do feel pertinent’: ASSISTED – Golden Goose Theatre by Ian Foster

Alexa who? Greg Wilkinson’s new play Assisted takes an amusing and assured look at the growing role AI takes in our lives.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 09:00AM
Thursday, November 11, 2021

‘We’re actually bearing witness to some serious soul-bearing’: WHAT THEY FORGOT TO TELL US (& other stories) – BOLD Elephant by Ian Foster

A little elusive in nature but utterly enrapturing, devised piece What They Forgot To Tell Us (and other stories) makes for an exhilarating evening at BOLD Elephant.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 09:00AM
Sunday, November 7, 2021

‘Productions like this are precisely why Agatha Christie has endured so long’: WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION – County Hall by Ian Foster

Witness for the Prosecution is an absolute marvel in the atmospheric surroundings of County Hall.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 15, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic