Creditors review – Charles Dance, Geraldine James and Nicholas Farrell get gasps and guffaws from Strindberg

Orange Three theatre, LondonDirector Tom Littler finds the comedy in the Swedish tragedian’s play about how people use each other up in love and artIn an interview before his production of Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit, the director Michael Blakemore reported telling the cast to aim for “Strindberg with laughs”. The line suggests a gulf between the Swedish dark tragedian and English light comedian but the dramatists have a curious affinity.August Strindberg’s Creditors (1889) and Coward’s Private Lives (1930) both start in hotels where a troubled couple is haunted by a former marriage. It’s unclear if the influence was conscious but, if so, would have been apposite. Strindberg identified his drama as a “tragicomedy”, the genre in which, as Blakemore recognised, Coward is increasingly seen to belong. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin elected as SAG-AFTRA’s new president

Independent

‘I would have crossed the line more’: How They Think It’s All Over became one of the most uproarious, controversial shows on TV

about 15 hours ago

Andrew Lincoln on why he was ‘scared’ to star in Coldwater – and why he rejected the role twice

Independent

Comments

Culture

Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin elected as SAG-AFTRA’s new president

Inside Strictly’s Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg’s relationship as they expect first baby

From the public to celebrities, everybody wanted a piece of Ricky Hatton

Studio chief recalls Bohemian Rhapsody recording 50 years on

Coldplay at Wembley Stadium review: 'an overarching message of togetherness'

Strictly couple Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg announce they’re expecting first baby

David Bowie fans can explore his legacy at close quarters at an unusual new archive in London

New James Bond writer insists Brits should celebrate ‘creative nationalism’ and not ‘glorify division’

Vicky Pattinson reveals how ‘debilitating’ chronic health condition is affecting Strictly training

Vernon Kay: ‘If you forget you’re on telly, it can be dangerous’

Hermeto Pascoal, 'the wizard' of Brazilian music, dies at 89

Sunday Puzzle: Geographical people

A tiny dog takes a big walk in 'Hello, Tobi!'

Ice Cube fans express sympathy as star lifts lid on disastrous War of the Worlds film shot in isolation

Jesse Eisenberg struggled to understand ‘mind-blowing’ Now You See Me 3 twist

Ant Middleton ‘has run out of fresh starts’ following TV controversy and brother’s offensive comments

Netflix releases first look at Liam Hemsworth in action for The Witcher season four

Restaurant Review: Bong

What I Wanted, What I Got

Woody Allen says Jeffrey Epstein ‘couldn’t have been nicer’ at dinners

The Witcher fans bemoan ‘jarring’ first footage of Liam Hemsworth as Henry Cavill replacement

Ryan Reynolds had ‘thoughtful conversation’ with journalist who once mocked John Candy

Hollywood actor reveals they were rejected to play Doctor Who

Parasocial relationships are here to stay - what are the signs and are you guilty of having one?

Book Review: ‘We the People,’ by Jill Lepore

In “All The Cool Girls Get Fired,” Oprah, Jamie Lee Curtis and More Share Stories

Book Review: ‘The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny,’ by Kiran Desai

Book Review: ‘Good and Evil and Other Stories,’ by Samanta Schweblin

Robert Munsch, the Beloved Children’s Author Whose Stories Are Slipping Away

What to Expect at the 2025 Emmy Awards

We’re lucky to have the Proms – the Last Night was a middle finger to the far-right

Grey’s Anatomy fans rejoice as ‘five-star’ spin-off series lands on free streaming service

2025 Emmy Awards live: Severance and The White Lotus vying for glory as anticipation builds

Ellen DeGeneres accused of causing car crash after allegedly running through stop sign

Bill Maher says ‘both sides have to stop debating who is worse’ after Charlie Kirk death

Woody Allen says Jeffrey Epstein ‘couldn’t have been nicer’ at dinners

Coldplay’s Chris Martin asks crowd to ‘send love’ to family of Charlie Kirk

New MasterChef: The Professionals judge Matt Tebbutt says he doesn’t ‘want to ruffle any feathers’

Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? The TV love triangle that sparked a fan frenzy

Taylor Swift will only sit for Lively-Baldoni deposition if 'forced' by court

Woody Allen says Jeffrey Epstein ‘couldn’t have been nicer’ at dinners

Andrew Lincoln: ‘My violent ITV thriller made me nervous for my teenagers’

I spent £1,000 on a hen party. You feel like you have to do it

Hermeto Pascoal, Prolific Brazilian Composer, Dies at 89

‘I would have crossed the line more’: How They Think It’s All Over became one of the most uproarious, controversial shows on TV

Andrew Lincoln on why he was ‘scared’ to star in Coldwater – and why he rejected the role twice

Steve McQueen’s 34-hour Occupied City illuminates Amsterdam’s haunted past

Eve Myles says Andrew Lincoln is ‘without doubt the best leading man’ she has ever worked with

‘Intense’ Emmy-winning action film starring James Bond favourite now on Netflix

A life-changing journey powered by wheels of cheese

Australian thriller about ‘hard to watch subject’ now streaming for free in the UK

Strictly star Thomas Skinner admits to cheating on wife ‘weeks after wedding’

Queen give the BBC Proms a Rhapsodic send-off

What to expect from the Emmys and how to watch the ceremony

The ‘greatest summer blockbuster of all time’ is streaming now for free

David Bowie fans can explore his legacy at an unusual new archive in London

MrBeast Awarded $15 Million to Film Reality Show in North Carolina

Kash Patel Plays a G-Man on TV

00s TV stars send fans wild with ‘iconic’ reunion

Paramount Criticizes Celebrity-Endorsed Israeli Film Boycott