The Woolf pack: Renée Fleming and Joyce DiDonato on turning The Hours into opera
The Pulitzer-prize-winning, Mrs Dalloway-influenced novel about three generations of women, has finally hit the stage. Its stars tell us how they pulled it off
October 2022
The week in theatre: My Neighbour Totoro; Local Hero – review
A beloved Studio Ghibli anime is brought to magical life in Phelim McDermott’s new RSC production, while the 1983 film Local Hero finds fresh resonance
June 2022
Muppet power! RSC uses puppet legends for My Neighbour Totoro extravaganza
The RSC’s version of the Japanese classic has smashed box office records – before the curtain’s even gone up. We meet the Jim Henson puppeteers bringing Studio Ghibli’s beloved fluffy monsters to life
April 2022
RSC to stage adaptation of animated fantasy film My Neighbour Totoro
Royal Shakespeare Company’s version of celebrated Studio Ghibli movie will be first opening ‘of this scale’ in nearly 40 years
July 2019
The week in classical: Tao of Glass review - an extraordinary exploration of creativity
Royal Exchange, Manchester Philip Glass makes a surprise appearance at Phelim McDermott’s astonishing tribute show
Tao of Glass review – golden odyssey through Philip Glass's music
Phelim McDermott’s sublime collage of theatrical fragments is the fantastical, tearjerking fruition of a lifelong dream
Philip Glass: from Einstein on the Beach to a superfan in Manchester
One is a legendary composer. The other makes spectacular shows out of Sellotape. Philip Glass and Phelim McDermott talk about their new work about loss and religion – with puppets
October 2017
Aida review – fine singing, shame about the hats
Phelim McDermott’s production has plenty to recommend it musically, but it’s hard to decipher the visual vocabulary
September 2017
Aida review – power and passion marred by a few duff notes
Phelim McDermott’s new production for ENO features some virtuoso turns and preserves the tragedy’s air of mystery, but at times lacks cohesion
July 2017
BambinO, plus Albert Herring; Turandot review – opera for real beginners
An audience of under-twos is captivated by Scottish Opera’s latest new work – and so is our critic
May 2016
Opening Skinner’s Box review – a little too educational
Improbable’s adaptation of Lauren Slater’s study of psychological experiments doesn’t quite make it off the page
March 2016
Akhnaten review – musical prowess and, at times, astonishing theatre
Akhnaten review – a gloriously coloured eye-catching affair
December 2015
A Christmas Carol review – a kindly Scrooge? Humbug!
A Christmas Carol review – Jim Broadbent's sentimental Scrooge has a twinkle in his eye
September 2015
The Tempest review – laundry-room Shakespeare spins enchantment
'One audience member tried to punch an actor': the battle to shake up Shakespeare
May 2014
Così Fan Tutte review – fun but superficial spin on Mozart
'The wonderful thing about opera is you can never know what it might become'
December 2013
Beauty and the Beast – review
Phelim McDermott thrusts disability into the spotlight and explores the dark heart of the famous fairytale, writes Lyn Gardner
