Kenneth Tynan at the Observer
Classic columns from the Observer's former drama critic
Kenneth Tynan on John Bird and John Fortune at The Establishment
In this extract originally published in the Observer on 14 January 1962, an early Soho appearance by the duo makes our critic laugh, even if he finds something essential lacking
Kenneth Tynan on Sam Wanamaker – 'a director of the new school twists the arm of an old melodrama'
In this extract originally published on 8 May 1955, the stage version of Zola's Thérèse Raquin, directed by Sam Wanamaker, fails to arouse the Observer theatre critic's passion
Kenneth Tynan on Spring Awakening: the sexual revolution's canny precursor
In this extract originally published in the Observer on 12 May 1963, Tynan applauds the play's sexual frankness – sorely needed given the circumstances of the production
Kenneth Tynan on Under Milk Wood: a true comedy of humours
In this extract originally published in the Observer on 26 August 1956, Kenneth Tynan finds the first stage adaptation of Dylan Thomas's drama as gripping as it is uneventful
Kenneth Tynan on demolishing Noël Coward – and then dining with him
In this extract originally published in the Observer on 1 April 1973 following Coward's death, Kenneth Tynan remembers a chance encounter with the playwright
Kenneth Tynan on Terence Rattigan's Variation on a Theme
In this extract, originally published in the Observer on 11 May 1958, the critic muses on the loss of Terence Rattigan's inspiration
Kenneth Tynan on A Taste of Honey
In this extract from his theatre column published in the Observer on 1 June 1958, Kenneth Tynan reviews the Stratford East production of Shelagh Delaney's breakthrough play
Kenneth Tynan on Joan Littlewood and Oh! What a Lovely War
In this review, originally published in the Observer on 24 March 1963, Kenneth Tynan finds the first world war musical to be a one-woman show
Kenneth Tynan at the Observer: Paul Scofield and Peter Brook's King Lear
In a review of a 'revolutionary' RSC production, first published on 11 November 1962, the former Observer drama critic feels closer than ever before to a Lear who is as much sinner as sinned against
Kenneth Tynan at the Observer: his first theatre column
Sixty years after the former Observer drama critic began his column, we're revisiting some of his classic articles. Here's his first one, in which he reflects upon replacing Ivor Brown
