Almeida Theatre - rest of 2024

Roots and Look Back in Anger certainly good plays. Will they both be ‘dated’? Or will they get a new life? Answers on a postcard..

You're confusing them with Sheffield Crucible, dear. 

I think all of Osborne’s plays are in themselves not that relevant any more however several of them provide very good leading roles for actors so casting is the key to have a chance of succeeding with them.

Signed on a little late for Friends booking,but all quick and straightforward. Booked for both Comeuppance and Alma Mater.

Booked for Alma Mater as I will see anything with Lia Williams. Nothing else is calling me at the moment.

Alma Mater is written by an Aussie and based in a college - I'm guessing the college is not in Australia, although the subject is international so could presumably relocate with any production.

On first glance it looks a lot like a telling of Kathleen Stock vs. Sussex Uni. Or, in more popular terms, Jo Rowling vs. gender fluidity.

I guess the attraction here is to hear the arguments out loud and developed/challenged, rather than on screen or in print, or in a 20-second clip.

Unherd > Stock > unherd.com/author/kathleen-stock/ << fwiw, I like her unfiltered, earnest manner. There used to be a lot of people like that.

Quite enjoyed The Comeuppance matinee today. It sometimes felt like there were too many issues being explored, and there’s a bit of a bizarre theme running through with asides to the audience (and doesn’t go where you expect it to), but all in all I enjoyed it and would say it is worth a watch.

Just back from the first preview of Alma Mater. Apologies, this should probably get its own thread…

Anyway, I enjoyed this a lot - it was in very good shape for a first preview. There’s lots to chew on - set on a university campus, it starts as a clash between a college head who you would probably describe as a second- or third-wave feminist, and one of the students, a fourth-wave feminist and activist, following an incident involving another female student. Naturally, things soon spiral out of control: battle lines are drawn, and loyalties are tested…

Lia Williams plays the college head, and it’s a cracking part which I thought she really nailed. Though tbh everyone was good.

I was impressed with the writing - lots of good crunchy arguments, but also quite a few laughs.

It started at 7.35pm and was all done by 10.05pm, with an interval after about an hour or so.

Also pleased to read this as I've mysteriously booked for 2 dates - probably due to having to book stealthily at work & when another theatre booking season also went live within hours. I'll only go once but after seeing one mediocre play and one definite dud recently, I'm craving something worthwhile.

I've booked for seeing both Angry and Young plays on the same day which will be an interesting experience since it's two completely different plays rather than a two part play. Luckily there are good places to eat and browse in Islington

Thank you, v useful info