John Nathan

Latest from John Nathan

Small town life and casual racism in 1960s Israel

A study in the differences between Indian and Moroccan Israeli communities set against the ochre colours of the Negev desert

1 min read

Sisters in arms: Liraz Charhi as Sara and (right) Netta Garti as Nicole

Giant review: ‘Dahl is called to account’

3 min read

The cast of Waiting for Godot, now showing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, star in this re-staging of the classic Samuel Beckett play. (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Waiting for Godot review: ‘I defy anyone not to see themselves on this stage’

1 min read

He's kosher: Michael Zindel as Ruben Bellisha in A Good Jewish Boy Credit: Simon Birman, Moonshaker Films

A Good Jewish Boy review: ‘elegiac paean to a fading community’

1 min read

Why Am I So Single review: ‘a work in progress’

Love lives that turn out to be little less interesting for a show of two and a half hours

1 min read

September 19, 2024 17:06

The cast of Why Am I So Single in rehearsal Credit: Danny Kaan

‘Why I tackled Roald Dahl’s antisemitism in my Royal Court play’

Mark Rosenblatt’s work about the children’s author and self-confessed antisemite opens this week

6 min read

September 19, 2024 10:40

Giant playwright: Mark Rosenblatt Photo: Manuel Harlan

The Real Thing review: ‘Stoppard at very top of his game’

This slick revival of his 1982 play combines comedy and cleverness in a way that would come across as intellectual show-boating in the hands of a lesser writer

1 min read

September 13, 2024 16:29

The Critic review: ‘acidic revenge plot in 1930s London’

Ian McKellen’s stone-faced critic is a delicious embodiment of cruelty and wit

1 min read

September 11, 2024 17:37

Bribes and blackmail: Ian McKellen as Jimmy Erskine and Gemma Arterton as Nina Lan Credit: Bk Studios

Wiesenthal review: ‘Inside the mind of a Nazi hunter’

This play shows the humanity and humility of a man devoted to bringing Nazis to justice and sets the record straight about what the word ‘genocide’ means

1 min read

September 11, 2024 16:29

Avenger: Christopher Gibbs as Simon Wiesenthal

Firebrand review: ‘Jude Law’s Henry VIII’

The actor is on terrifying form in this film which uses poetic licence to excellent effect

1 min read

September 5, 2024 16:58

Battle royale: Jude Law as Henry VIII and Alicia Vikander as Katherine Parr

Death of England review: ‘love and hate across the racial divide’

Seeing this play in the wake of Britain’s far-right riots gives it added poignancy

1 min read

September 5, 2024 16:36

More than acquaintances: Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Denise and Erin Doherty as Carly Photo: Helen Murray

Meet commercial theatre’s ‘socialist’ producer

The man behind Why Am I So Single? which opens this week explains why he treats actors like family and never wants to overcharge for tickets

5 min read

September 5, 2024 15:50

A show of arms: a scene from Why Am I So Single Photo: Danny Kaan

Blink Twice review: ‘men are the enemy of women’

Revenge is best served on a toxic male tycoon’s private island in this film which starts as a rom-com but which becomes a thriller

1 min read

August 27, 2024 15:59

Guest appearance: Naomi Ackie as Frida in Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut

Shifters review: ‘friends without benefits’

It is beautifully performed, but this will they, won’t they romance never quite takes off

1 min read

August 27, 2024 15:48

Soul-mates: Heather Agyepong and Tosin Cole as Des and Dre in Benedict Lombe's rom-com Shifters

Between the Temples review: ‘excruciating in the best way’

This comedy is based on the kind of ineffectual and hapless Jew that gentiles have long liked most, but it’s Jewish plea to live life to the full is one we can all get behind

2 min read

August 21, 2024 15:24