John Nathan

Latest from John Nathan

Theatre

Cleansed review: a gruesome horror that doesn’t need to be seen

No stars for this controversial play – although it does hold some powerful lessons, especially for Jews

1 min read

Sarah Kane's violent play is not for the faint of heart (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Bad trip: Trainspotting the Musical sadly falls short of the mark (Photo: Matt Crockett)

Trainspotting the Musical: an unnecessary trip down memory lane ★★★

2 min read

Stringing them up: Tom Holland plays Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the latest instalment of the superhero movie franchise

Spider-Man: Brand New Day review: Oh, what a very tangled web he weaves ★★★★

2 min read

Self-indulgent: Phelim McDermott on stage at Soho Place (Credit: Johan Persson)

Tao of Glass review: This love letter to the composer Philip Glass needs a good editor ★★★

1 min read

Got a play script in your drawer? Fish it out now

The Jewish Literary Foundation is looking for eight budding Harold Pinters

4 min read

July 30, 2026 15:04

"If you’re Jewish the work is going to be Jewish": playwright Julia Pascal

Josh Radnor and Noah Galvin on playing brothers in a new comedy

The American stars are on stage at Soho Theatre

5 min read

July 30, 2026 14:28

Rivalries and royalties: Josh Radnor and (right) Noah Galvin (Credit: Bautista Araya)

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma review: ‘Schoenbrun’s most assured film yet’ ★★★★

As with the filmmaker’s previous works this one wallows pleasingly in 1980s schlock-horror and is also a love letter to the genre

2 min read

July 28, 2026 18:21

Hannah Einbinder and (right) Gillian Anderson

Midnight at The Never Get review: ‘the tender power of Benn Platt’ ★★★★

The potency of the show’s 90 uninterrupted minutes is derived from being up close in an intimate space with the Broadway star

2 min read

July 28, 2026 13:29

Piaf-like intensity: Ben Platt (Credit: Johan Persson)

The Odyssey review: Christopher Nolan turns Homer’s epic poem into movie magic

The film’s three tense hours elapse with the speed of a riptide

2 min read

July 22, 2026 10:49

The Oresteia review: Aeschylus compellingly updated for our times ★★★★

Some will criticise Simon Stone’s adaptation for straying from the original trilogy but this is an evening of theatre you will not forget

2 min read

July 21, 2026 17:50

Cycle of violence: Mary-Louise Parker and David Morrissey (Credit: Johan Persson)

Jesus Christ Superstar review: ‘seems to get better the older it gets’ ★★★★

Jews might view this sung-through rock opera with limited emotional involvement but theatrically the evening is impressive

2 min read

July 15, 2026 20:06

Superstar treatment: the chorus of the latest production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical on stage at Drury Lane Credit: Johan Persson

The Invite review: An excruciating sex-com ★★★★

The copious amount of tension in the film is derived from an open relationship encountering the emotions and instincts of tightly closed one

2 min read

July 15, 2026 16:18

Orgy off the menu: Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton in The Invite Spanish actress

Cyrano De Bergerac review: Adrian Lester’s Cyrano is bang on the nose ★★★★★

The actor gives a stunningly multi-layered performance in this triumphant revival

2 min read

July 8, 2026 15:27

Cyrano De Bergerac review: Adrian Lester’s Cyrano is bang on the nose ★★★★★

Glengarry Glen Ross review: David Mamet’s desperate estate agents ★★★★

This is the second time in a year that Patrick Marber has directed Mamet’s hilarious and horrific dissection of sales culture

2 min read

June 30, 2026 17:40

Pitch perfect: Dorothy Myer-Bennett plays much hated office manager Williamson (Photo: Manuel Harlan)

A Private Life review: Jodie Foster intrigues as Jewish shrink in clever murder mystery ★★★★

Foster gives a strong bilingual performance as psychiatrist who suspects her client may not have killed herself

1 min read

June 29, 2026 18:06

A Private Life review: Jodie Foster intrigues as Jewish shrink in clever murder mystery ★★★★

Songs by the genius behind Rent get their day in the sun

Jonathan Larson died on the eve of his hit musical’s premiere. Broadway producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper is keeping his melodies alive

5 min read

June 25, 2026 17:06

The late Jonathan Larson outside the New York Theatre Workshop in 1986

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John Nathan

Latest from John Nathan

Cleansed review: a gruesome horror that doesn’t need to be seen

Trainspotting the Musical: an unnecessary trip down memory lane ★★★

Spider-Man: Brand New Day review: Oh, what a very tangled web he weaves ★★★★

Tao of Glass review: This love letter to the composer Philip Glass needs a good editor ★★★

More from John Nathan

Got a play script in your drawer? Fish it out now

Josh Radnor and Noah Galvin on playing brothers in a new comedy

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma review: ‘Schoenbrun’s most assured film yet’ ★★★★

Midnight at The Never Get review: ‘the tender power of Benn Platt’ ★★★★

The Odyssey review: Christopher Nolan turns Homer’s epic poem into movie magic

The Oresteia review: Aeschylus compellingly updated for our times ★★★★

Jesus Christ Superstar review: ‘seems to get better the older it gets’ ★★★★

The Invite review: An excruciating sex-com ★★★★

Cyrano De Bergerac review: Adrian Lester’s Cyrano is bang on the nose ★★★★★

Glengarry Glen Ross review: David Mamet’s desperate estate agents ★★★★

A Private Life review: Jodie Foster intrigues as Jewish shrink in clever murder mystery ★★★★

Songs by the genius behind Rent get their day in the sun