The Cherry Orchard, Some Woman, Pearl Mackie, Maria Friedman and Theatre Peckham

This week, Nick, Nick and Nancy head to the Harold Pinter Theatre for The Cherry Orchard, starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Stephen Mangan. Conor McPherson and Ian Rickson give Chekhov’s crumbling aristocrats a good shake, while Nick Clark makes a confession: he’s somehow never seen a Chekhov play before. Will this one get him hooked?

Then Nancy and Nick Curtis review Some Woman at the National Theatre’s Dorfman. Anne-Marie Duff stars in Helen Edmundson’s play about a woman whose confrontation with a boy on a railway platform spirals horribly out of control. It leaves Nancy thoroughly shaken, and Nick feeling rather bad about his gender.

Plus, Nick Curtis talks to Doctor Who and The Diplomat star Pearl Mackie about returning to her Brixton birthplace for Baby at Brixton House. Clean Break’s solo show follows a woman fighting to be reunited with her daughter after prison, and Mackie explains how making it has reignited her love of theatre.

Nancy talks to Theatre Peckham’s artistic director Suzann McLean about its 40th anniversary, championing young Black voices and why access to the arts matters far beyond the stage.

And musical theatre royalty Maria Friedman answers our five questions as Kimberly Akimbo extends its run at Hampstead Theatre. Expect Sondheim, Angela Lansbury and an unfortunate encounter with a horse’s bottom...

Our Marquee TV watch party continues with Uncle Vanya starring Toby Jones. Watch it, then send your thoughts to thelondontheatrereview@gmail.com or via Instagram for our special review episode on 4 November. Get one month free at marquee.tv/ltr or use the code LTR at checkout. And catch up with our first watch party episode on Macbeth with David Tennant and Cush Jumbo.

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