Theatre‘When I first saw the images I felt sick to my stomach’John Nathan meets a writer whose Pulitzer-finalist play, inspired by a Nazi photograph album, is making its UK debutBy John Nathan6 min read
theatreInside the big Jewish theatre fightbackAmid the hurtful cancellations and quiet blockings, a defiant Anglo-Jewry is springing up with shows that celebrate Jewish identity and concernsBy Elisa Bray8 min read
Theatre Arcadia review: ‘gardens, maths and heart in Stoppard’s masterpiece’ ★★★★This play is proof that the late playwright can make you feel as much as thinkBy John Nathan1 min read
TheatreGuess How Much I Love You?: ‘the acting elevates the writing’ ★★★The performances in this portrait of a pregnancy in crisis are marvellous. But whether the play reveals anything about love is questionableBy John Nathan1 min read
TheatreChallah, humour, the Holocaust and meJohn Nathan meets a writer-performer whose latest show is inspired by her encounters with Leonard Bernstein, Leonard Cohen – and being the daughter of a Shoah survivorBy John Nathan4 min read
TheatreWoman in Mind review: Sheridan Smith sparkles in Alan Ayckbourn’s dark comedy ★★★★★The actor will surely be in line for an umpteenth Olivier nomination for her quicksilver performance of Susan and her disintegrating mindBy John Nathan1 min read
TheatreInto The Woods review: Goyishe Brothers Grimm gloriously reinvented by a Jewish creative team ★★★★★Jordan Fein’s masterpiece interpretation of this European fable draws from real life to subvert the idea of happily every afterBy John Nathan2 min read
TheatreChristmas Day review: A not-quite-realised effort at Jewish catharsis ★★★Arguments over Jewish identity become super-heated in this dark comedy full of timely – although unfortunately random – elementsBy John Nathan2 min read
Theatre2025 in review: TheatreJohn Nathan chooses the best plays of the year, from a new stage adaptation of Mel Brooks’s musical The Producers to a comic revenge fantasy about the kidnap of Jeremy CorbynBy John Nathan4 min read
Dance The Red Shoes review: Trademark Bourne wit in an ultimately tragic tale ★★★★★Matthew Bourne’s ballet about a woman who must choose between love and dance is full of passion and self-awarenessBy Joy Sable1 min read
TheatreIt is called Christmas Day but it is about being JewishNigel Lindsay on why he’s pleased to play a Jew on the London stage amid soaring antisemitismBy John Nathan5 min read
TheatreThis version of Roald Dahl’s BFG shows that giants can be small and pathetic ★★★★Unlike The Witches in which Dahl was accused of having Jews in mind when he created the cabal of child-killers, Jewish theatregoers can relax with this adaptationBy John Nathan2 min read
jewish pantomimeOh yes they have! This panto is unashamedly Jewish – and all the funnier for it ★★★★The makers of Cinderella and the Matzo Ball deserve all the praise (naches) for conjuring up something so blissfully unapologetic at a time of Jewish erasure in the artsBy Etan Smallman2 min read
TheatreA Dracula spoof to enjoy, but no fangs for my seat ★★★Excellent music and the jokes come thick and fast. I just wish I could have seen what was happening centre stage!By John Nathan1 min read
TheatreThe Spy Who Came In From The Cold review: ‘hugely satisfying stage adaptation’★★★★There is a strong Jewish presence in this taut le Carré Cold War thriller which has more twists than a cheese stickBy John Nathan1 min read
JW3Meet the Jewish Cinderella at the heart of JW3’s Chanukah pantoCinderella is a baker in the Kosher Kingdom in this Jewish version of the classic fairy taleBy Eliana Jordan1 min read
TheatreAll My Sons review: Bryan Cranston is terrific in this new Arthur Miller revival ★★★★Ivo van Hove’s direction of the author’s 1955 hit peels back the central family’s secrets with cinematic vigourBy John Nathan1 min read
TheatreThe Hunger Games On Stage: Concept and spectacle aplenty but no heart ★★This theatrical adaptation of the trailblazing dystopian movie by Jewish director Gary Ross lacks the emotional depth of the film and book franchisesBy John Nathan1 min read
Theatre The Wanderers – review: Marriage? Be careful what you wish for ★★★★The first act of this clever play about two Brooklyn marriages is a little ponderous, but stick with it – the second act is more than worth the waitBy John Nathan2 min read
Theatre This revival of Othello should be called Iago ★★★★David Harewood is in the title role, but it is Toby Jones who steals the showBy John Nathan1 min read
TheatreThe Assembled Parties: ‘Oberman is in the form of her life’ ★★★★The Jewish actor stands out in this beautifully performed play about Jews at ChristmasBy John Nathan2 min read
balletLa Fille Mal Gardée review: A perfect antidote to the winter blues ★★★★This sunny ballet by Frederick Ashton, brought to life at the Royal Opera House, is a skilfully choreographed delightBy Joy Sable1 min read
TheatreUnbelievers review: A mother in the grip of her worst nightmare ★★★Nicola Walker conveys with fevered obsession how a mother’s mind implodes when her teenage son disappearsBy John Nathan1 min read
