The week in theatre: The Constituent; Kyoto; Mean Girls – review
James Corden and Anna Maxwell Martin struggle for urgency in Joe Penhall’s drama about a threatened female MP; climate crisis talks are turned into a whirligig show; and Tina Fey’s musical of the 2004 film is pink and perky
The Constituent review – timely Joe Penhall political drama makes the specific universal
Anna Maxwell Martin excels as a good MP, while James Corden’s ex-soldier shows he can be dark as well as funny
Racist taunts, rape threats and murder: Joe Penhall on his play about rage against MPs
James Corden and Anna Maxwell Martin are starring in The Constituent, a play that asks if MPs are no longer safe. Here, its writer explores what politicians wearing stab vests means for democracy
March 2024
James Corden to return to London stage in political drama The Constituent
Joe Penhall’s new play marks the talkshow host’s first theatre role since One Man, Two Guvnors and will see him star opposite Anna Maxwell Martin at the Old Vic
November 2021
Blue/Orange review – Joe Penhall’s power battle in the care system
Penhall’s 2000 play, set in the world of psychiatric care, is revived by James Dacre in a production with some riveting debate
September 2021
Joe Penhall on Roger Michell: ‘His work blazed with a black wit and buoyant humanity’
The playwright pays tribute to the director’s complex mind, sophistication and clairvoyant sense of what would work
December 2019
'He holds us to account!' Theatre greats celebrate Michael Billington
Patrick Stewart, Peter Brook and Sonia Friedman are among those who give their verdict on a critic with ‘razor-like intelligence and a tender heart’
September 2019
Best culture of the 21st century
The 50 best theatre shows of the 21st century
A hip-hop history lesson, a dizzy Dahl musical and a continent-hopping barbershop … we pick the finest new works of theatre since 2000
September 2018
Joe Penhall: 'Stephen Jeffreys soothed you through failure and cheered your success'
The work of his friend and fellow playwright, says Penhall, was warm, incisive, unassuming but clever – just like the man
May 2018
The week in theatre: Mood Music; Chess; Nine Night
Mood Music review – Joe Penhall's clash of the hitmakers
April 2018
Songs in the key of strife: the explosive force of musical conflict
Gender politics and creative differences are explored in Joe Penhall’s drama about the record industry. He shares his journey through music psychology
June 2016
Blue/Orange review – an argument still worth hearing
Joe Penhall’s dissection of racism and mental health in modern Britain is still compelling
May 2016
Blue/Orange review – Joe Penhall peels tricky issues of mental heath and race
With tremendous performances from Daniel Kaluuya, David Haig and Luke Norris, Penhall’s drama packs even more of a punch 16 years after its debut
June 2015
Observer TV reviews
The week in TV: Birthday; The Tribe; The Interceptor; Stonemouth
There was laughter, gas and air as Stephen Mangan underwent labour pains, while an Ethiopian tribe brought sparkle to reality TV
May 2014
Sunny Afternoon; Debris – review
The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon is a triumph for Ray Davies and Joe Penhall, writes Susannah Clapp
April 2014
Tony Marchant and Broadchurch's Chris Chibnall on screenwriting
Theatre is the traditional training ground for TV and cinema writing, so how do dramatists make the leap?
January 2014
Chiwetel Ejiofor joins Hollywood elite as 12 Years a Slave tipped for Oscars
After parallel successes on stage and screen, the Londoner is being lauded as one of the greatest actors of his generation
July 2012
Nick Payne wins London's Royal Court Pinter prize
Mark Lawson's theatre studies
Fake members only: why theatre should handle realism with care
