Matt Barton
@matt-barton.bsky.social
Grumpy. Heartthrob. Critic in the Financial Times / The Observer / The Stage / WhatsOnStage / Mill Media / Exeunt
Royal Exchange hit-maker Raz Shaw has done a great job with what I don’t think is an amazing musical. Although the pace occasionally makes it feel like Singin in a Tornado, this is sunny stuff with a strong chance of rain-drenched rapture
★★★★ Review: Singin’ in the Rain – Splashy showbiz glamour makes for one of the Royal Exchange’s best Christmas shows in years 👇
Singin’ in the Rain at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Read our review of Singin’ in the Rain at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester: Splashy showbiz glamour makes for one of the Royal Exchange's best Christmas shows in years
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Royal Exchange hit-maker Raz Shaw has done a great job with what I don’t think is an amazing musical. Although the pace occasionally makes it feel like Singin in a Tornado, this is sunny stuff with a strong chance of rain-drenched rapture
Now this is more like it
December 5, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Now this is more like it
Brolly-tree for Singin’ in the Rain at the Royal Exchange
December 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Brolly-tree for Singin’ in the Rain at the Royal Exchange
I caught the Toby Jones/David Harewood Othello, which often looked great but essentially hammed the whole thing up in a jarringly overripe way that consistently made the audience laugh while rendering Othello a comic fool rather than a tragic hero
Our latest batch of reviews for your reading pleasure: @matt-barton.bsky.social, @cindymarcolina.bsky.social, and @cohengrin.bsky.social on some recent openings
Review round-up: Othello, Porn Play, All My Sons
Exeunt writers on some recent plays
exeuntmagazine.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:53 AM
I caught the Toby Jones/David Harewood Othello, which often looked great but essentially hammed the whole thing up in a jarringly overripe way that consistently made the audience laugh while rendering Othello a comic fool rather than a tragic hero
Dinsdale’s Scrooge scrimps slightly on grumpiness, but the BSL performers really added something to the story, and a brilliant Ghost of Christmas Past puppet really added something to the scares
★★★★ Review: A Christmas Carol – Wonderfully designed production relocates the Dickens classic to Leeds 👇
A Christmas Carol review at Leeds Playhouse: wonderfully designed
Read our review of A Christmas Carol at Leeds Playhouse. Wonderfully designed production from writer Deborah McAndrew relocates the Dickens classic to Leeds
www.thestage.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Dinsdale’s Scrooge scrimps slightly on grumpiness, but the BSL performers really added something to the story, and a brilliant Ghost of Christmas Past puppet really added something to the scares
Second Cinders of the week – this one Cinder-better than the last
★★★★ Review: Cinderella – Phylip Harries’ brilliant dame leads an infectiously fun cast in a thoroughly feelgood panto 👇
Cinderella at Theatr Clwyd, Mold: determined to have a ball
Read our review of Cinderella at Theatr Clwyd, Mold: Phylip Harries' brilliant dame leads an infectiously fun cast in a thoroughly feelgood panto
www.thestage.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Second Cinders of the week – this one Cinder-better than the last
I didn’t think every twist worked, but I liked that it decided Christmas shows can have the imagination to do something a bit different
★★★ Review: Cinderella – Unconventional twists sprinkle fresh fairy dust over classic tale 👇
Cinderella at Shakespeare North Playhouse – vibrant
Read our review of Cinderella review at Shakespeare North Playhouse: Unconventional twists sprinkle fresh fairy dust over classic tale
www.thestage.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:07 PM
I didn’t think every twist worked, but I liked that it decided Christmas shows can have the imagination to do something a bit different
Anyway, this “spoilt and entitled horrible little ignoramus” just saw End at the National and loved it! Such rich but understated performances. Not seen anyone crumple their face like Clive Owen. The hour and a half flew by; I almost didn’t want it to end
November 22, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Anyway, this “spoilt and entitled horrible little ignoramus” just saw End at the National and loved it! Such rich but understated performances. Not seen anyone crumple their face like Clive Owen. The hour and a half flew by; I almost didn’t want it to end
My weekend began with a 1,353-word email from the director of the show I reviewed in the FT this week, which began like this (below), went on to say I’m not fit to clean the boots of the production team, and concluded by saying “Yours is a remarkably ugly contribution to the world.” Happy Saturday
November 22, 2025 at 1:24 PM
My weekend began with a 1,353-word email from the director of the show I reviewed in the FT this week, which began like this (below), went on to say I’m not fit to clean the boots of the production team, and concluded by saying “Yours is a remarkably ugly contribution to the world.” Happy Saturday
I thought this was a bit of a turkey. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice muster up all of seven forgettable songs that make you wonder why they bothered. But nothing else in the messy show seems to have a clearer idea of what is going on or why
on.ft.com/4oSkkT8
on.ft.com/4oSkkT8
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber reunite for dire Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas
[FREE TO READ] The duo’s songs are elementary and the rest of the Birmingham Rep’s show is equally basic
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I thought this was a bit of a turkey. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice muster up all of seven forgettable songs that make you wonder why they bothered. But nothing else in the messy show seems to have a clearer idea of what is going on or why
on.ft.com/4oSkkT8
on.ft.com/4oSkkT8
For a limited time only, you can get 20% off an Exeunt subscription, granting you 100% access to some of the best voices in theatre criticism. Which I would surely take up myself were I not one of said best voices in theatre criticism.
It’s our one-year anniversary on Substack! AND it’s nearly Christmas...
So go on, treat yourself to a tasty little 💫 subscriber discount 💫 (and a post about the impossible economics of theatre criticism)
exeuntmagazine.substack.com/p/how-do-you...
So go on, treat yourself to a tasty little 💫 subscriber discount 💫 (and a post about the impossible economics of theatre criticism)
exeuntmagazine.substack.com/p/how-do-you...
How do you measure, measure a year?
How about... suuuuuubs?
exeuntmagazine.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:22 AM
For a limited time only, you can get 20% off an Exeunt subscription, granting you 100% access to some of the best voices in theatre criticism. Which I would surely take up myself were I not one of said best voices in theatre criticism.
Very late to writing up my Line of Beauty thoughts, but I thought it had great performances in a pretty uninspired, trad production that made you feel Grandage's reverence for the novel above much else
upstagereviews.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/t...
upstagereviews.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/t...
The Line of Beauty review: A production that’s seduced by its own story
29th October 2025 • Almeida ★★★☆☆ Jasper Talbot (Nick). Photo: Johan Persson There is a fine line between a production that captures a specific period and an old-fashioned period piece. It is …
upstagereviews.wordpress.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Very late to writing up my Line of Beauty thoughts, but I thought it had great performances in a pretty uninspired, trad production that made you feel Grandage's reverence for the novel above much else
upstagereviews.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/t...
upstagereviews.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/t...
Ft. me on Oli Hurst’s revival of Dennis Kelly’s Orphans, which has another fantastically full-on performance from John O’Neill, but not a whole lot else
We went to see some plays, had some thoughts about them!
Review round-up: The Unbelievers, Gwenda's Garage, Orphans, Mary Page Marlowe
We went to the theatre. We thought about what we saw.
exeuntmagazine.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Ft. me on Oli Hurst’s revival of Dennis Kelly’s Orphans, which has another fantastically full-on performance from John O’Neill, but not a whole lot else
I felt I had more to say after writing my Marina Abramovic review the other week, and thankfully so did some of the other critics. Cue an Exeunt discussion about endurance, bodily diversity and whether the thing really needed to be four hours at all
Marina Abramovic’s latest work is the four-hour Balkan Erotic Epic - but is it really erotic? Epic? Balkan?! We discuss!
Erotic Epic Discussion
On the heft, the nudity, and the lack of bodily diversity in Marina Abramović’s latest
exeuntmagazine.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:34 PM
I felt I had more to say after writing my Marina Abramovic review the other week, and thankfully so did some of the other critics. Cue an Exeunt discussion about endurance, bodily diversity and whether the thing really needed to be four hours at all
Nick Payne's new play is full of the frenzied agitation and dislocation of being left without answers in the wake of a family catastrophe, but I felt it lacked the quiet devastation that must surely accompany it
upstagereviews.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/t...
upstagereviews.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/t...
The Unbelievers review: Nicola Walker is a grieving mother who won’t let go of her belief
★★★☆☆ 23rd October 2025 • Royal Court Nicola Walker (Miriam). Photo: Brinkhoff Moegenburg There is a split in this new play starring Nicola Walker. Not between husband and wife, as in her BBC drama…
upstagereviews.wordpress.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Nick Payne's new play is full of the frenzied agitation and dislocation of being left without answers in the wake of a family catastrophe, but I felt it lacked the quiet devastation that must surely accompany it
upstagereviews.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/t...
upstagereviews.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/t...
Despite an incredibly forceful performance from David Shields, I thought Punch was far too bombastic. It felt as crass and sensationalistic as a tabloid headline. And moratorium on adults playing teenagers, especially teenage roadmen 🥴
October 25, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Despite an incredibly forceful performance from David Shields, I thought Punch was far too bombastic. It felt as crass and sensationalistic as a tabloid headline. And moratorium on adults playing teenagers, especially teenage roadmen 🥴
This felt like a great idea that lacks the parts it needs to fulfil the director’s ambitions of it having a big further life. Those parts being great songs and/or a great book
★★★ Review: Gwenda’s Garage – Sparky new musical about a band of lesbian mechanics and political campaigners.
Read The Stage's review 👇
Read The Stage's review 👇
Gwenda’s Garage review at Sheffield Theatres: empathy and affection
Read our review of Gwenda’s Garage at Sheffield Theatres: Val Regan and Nicky Hallett's sparky new musical about a band of lesbian mechanics and political campaigners
www.thestage.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 8:00 AM
This felt like a great idea that lacks the parts it needs to fulfil the director’s ambitions of it having a big further life. Those parts being great songs and/or a great book
Joe Penhall has written some great plays, but hasn’t written a great book here. Don’t think the solution to the story’s simplicity (The Kinks became big then fell out) is to saddle it with a load of cliches and make Ray Davies the most irritatingly earnest character imaginable
★★ Review: Sunny Afternoon – Touring revival of the Kinks jukebox musical proves heavy weather.
Read The Stage's review 👇
Read The Stage's review 👇
Sunny Afternoon at Palace Theatre, Manchester: tedious trudge
Read our review of Sunny Afternoon at the Palace Theatre, Manchester: touring revival of the Kinks jukebox musical proves heavy weather
www.thestage.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Joe Penhall has written some great plays, but hasn’t written a great book here. Don’t think the solution to the story’s simplicity (The Kinks became big then fell out) is to saddle it with a load of cliches and make Ray Davies the most irritatingly earnest character imaginable
Marina Abramović is still making remarkable large-scale work at 78 – even if she is also still resorting to some glib imagery here and there. But I otherwise loved this often hypnotic four-hour odyssey through her surreal rituals about sex, life and death
Marina Abramović’s Balkan Erotic Epic is a grand and elemental experience on.ft.com/4hbB9oY
Marina Abramović’s Balkan Erotic Epic is a grand and elemental experience
The artist’s immersive show at Manchester’s Aviva Studios unfolds with scenes that are alternately majestic and crass
on.ft.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Marina Abramović is still making remarkable large-scale work at 78 – even if she is also still resorting to some glib imagery here and there. But I otherwise loved this often hypnotic four-hour odyssey through her surreal rituals about sex, life and death
This has moments of wonder, largely thanks to Scott Brooks’s Ariel, which it almost ruins with its lack of discipline. Not least throwing in a 10-minute naff magic show, complete with audience participation, near the end when the play already struggles to wrap itself up swiftly
★★★ Review: The Tempest – Busy production sometimes breaks its own spell 👇
The Tempest at Shakespeare North Playhouse: hyperactive production
www.thestage.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
This has moments of wonder, largely thanks to Scott Brooks’s Ariel, which it almost ruins with its lack of discipline. Not least throwing in a 10-minute naff magic show, complete with audience participation, near the end when the play already struggles to wrap itself up swiftly
Cracking new (albeit Mamet-indebted) comedy with fangs where Alastair Michael’s professor and Matt Holt’s Dean, who moves twitchily like a velociraptor, play an absurd game of brinksmanship that spirals as they devolve into beasts, finishing with one of Foley’s characteristically brilliant endings
We have our first preview of JURASSIC today! It’s a closed one for freshers and students. I’m buzzed that our first showings for this are on a university campus, it’s taking my Oleanna With Dinosaurs premise to a whole new level…
September 26, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Cracking new (albeit Mamet-indebted) comedy with fangs where Alastair Michael’s professor and Matt Holt’s Dean, who moves twitchily like a velociraptor, play an absurd game of brinksmanship that spirals as they devolve into beasts, finishing with one of Foley’s characteristically brilliant endings
A man with the imagination of Alan Turing is given a production with little theatrical imagination. A potentially riveting drama becomes a patience-tester about the code-breaker
www.ft.com/content/e795...
www.ft.com/content/e795...
Breaking the Code fails to crack the character of Alan Turing — review
The mathematician’s dazzling life is flattened in Royal & Derngate, Northampton’s revival of Hugh Whitemore’s play
www.ft.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:06 PM
A man with the imagination of Alan Turing is given a production with little theatrical imagination. A potentially riveting drama becomes a patience-tester about the code-breaker
www.ft.com/content/e795...
www.ft.com/content/e795...
Wasn’t sure what to expect with this, but it was great - so much thought and effort clearly gone into the clever production design and vivid detail of the performances. Michael Hugo a particular hoot
★★★★ Review: The Grand Babylon Hotel — Accomplished adaptation of Arnold Bennett’s novel is packed with clever comedy 👇
The Grand Babylon Hotel at New Vic Theatre: Claybody Theatre's madcap adaptation
Read our review of The Grand Babylon Hotel at the New Vic Theatre, Deborah McAndrew's clever and funny adaptation of Arnold Bennett’s novel, directed by Conrad Nelson
www.thestage.co.uk
September 22, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Wasn’t sure what to expect with this, but it was great - so much thought and effort clearly gone into the clever production design and vivid detail of the performances. Michael Hugo a particular hoot
Back in the Sheffy T reviewing Elizabeth Newman’s first show as AD: a production whose main problem is that it’s a production of Dancing at Lughnasa, a play that makes you think it must’ve been a fallow year when it won its Olivier
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/the-crucible...
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/the-crucible...
The Crucible's next chapter opens
'Yes, big things happen because of the big capital P[olitics], but really your life changes in a room with your family.'
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
September 22, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Back in the Sheffy T reviewing Elizabeth Newman’s first show as AD: a production whose main problem is that it’s a production of Dancing at Lughnasa, a play that makes you think it must’ve been a fallow year when it won its Olivier
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/the-crucible...
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/the-crucible...
Reviewed Manchester’s Darkfield triple bill; I’m yet to see the light with their shows
As three Darkfield shows open in containers around Manchester, Matt Barton asks if they make for transporting theatre - or just a thrill ride?
What we see in the dark
As three Darkfield shows open around Manchester, Matt Barton asks if they make for transporting theatre – or just a thrill ride?
open.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Reviewed Manchester’s Darkfield triple bill; I’m yet to see the light with their shows