Nick Curtis

ABOUT

Nick Curtis is The Standard’s chief theatre critic, co-host of the Standard Theatre Podcast, a feature writer and an award winning interviewer. Although he has written predominantly for the Standard for three decades his work has also appeared in most major English newspapers and magazines from Radio Times to Tatler to GQ.... MORE

ABOUT
VIEW

Nick Curtis is The Standard’s chief theatre critic, co-host of the Standard Theatre Podcast, a feature writer and an award winning interviewer. Although he has written predominantly for the Standard for three decades his work has also appeared in most major English newspapers and magazines from Radio Times to Tatler to GQ.

Ralph Fiennes Juliette Binoche
Film

Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche — 'I wanted to look good for her'

They’ve been friends for 30 years — now Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes are reprising their on-screen romance in a retelling of the greatest epic of them all: the Odyssey

20 Apr 2025
Theatre

Spirited Away at the London Coliseum: relentless inventiveness

The show captures scale and perspective in a way theatre rarely achieves but it’s not entirely clear who it’s aimed at

9 May 2024
Theatre

Much Ado About Nothing at the Globe: a joyful, sunkissed production

Amalia Vitale and Ekow Quartey are arch and spirited as the central, wittily unwilling lovers

4 May 2024
Theatre

The Cherry Orchard at the Donmar: utterly captivating

Hits the play’s poles of tragedy and comedy with devastating accuracy

3 May 2024
Theatre

Laughing Boy at JST: shocking social care drama feels hideously timely

This tragic true story is powerful as an act of representation and testimonial, even if it’s a flawed show

1 May 2024
Theatre

Minority Report at Lyric Hammersmith: by turns smart and daft

Why doesn’t theatre do more sci-fi? This adaptation of Philip K Dick’s novella may offer some answers

30 Apr 2024
Theatre

Player Kings at the Noel Coward: McKellen is remarkable as Falstaff

This rheumy, phlegmy performance by Britain’s greatest living classical actor is played with relish and superb comic timing

12 Apr 2024
Theatre

Gunter at the Royal Court: a punky take on 17th century bewitching

This is a scrappy, hectic medley of violent action, music and clever stage effects

8 Apr 2024
Theatre

Underdog: the Other Other Brontë at the NT – slick, knockabout fun

This take on the Brontës, with language saltily updated, is playful but slender

5 Apr 2024
Theatre

Life with Oscar at the Arcola: sloppy and self-indulgent

Despite some manic magnetism from the show’s writer-performer, this autobiographical tale is mired in cliché

4 Apr 2024
Theatre

Long Day's Journey into Night at the Wyndham's: Brian Cox is magnetic

This take on one of the great family dramas of 20th century American theatre is full of pathos and ruined grandeur

3 Apr 2024
Theatre

The Divine Mrs S at Hampstead Theatre: aimless and in-jokey

The story Sarah Siddons, the great 18th century actress, deserves better

29 Mar 2024
Theatre

Power of Sail at the Menier: a provoking cancel culture thriller

This talky and twisty show is brisk and punchy but tries to cram too much into the 100-minute running time

28 Mar 2024
MJ the musical,
Theatre

MJ the Musical review: a real, if morally dubious, spectacle

This retelling of the King of Pop’s backstory to 1992 is full of pizzaz... but then the dubiousness of the enterprise sinks back in

27 Mar 2024
Theatre

Opening Night at the Gielgud: even Sheridan Smith can't save this mess

This take on John Cassavetes’ 1977 film is unsalvageable

27 Mar 2024
Theatre

Faith Healer at the Lyric Hammersmith: a pitch-perfect revival

This emotionally dense production of Brian Friel’s eloquent play about memory, love and belief is the latest example of why the Lyric is one of London’s most interesting theatres right now

21 Mar 2024
Theatre

Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon: stuffed with clichés

This is freighted with good intentions but as drama it simply isn’t good enough

18 Mar 2024
Theatre

Harry Clarke at the Ambassadors: Billy Crudup elevates a limp play

The star of The Morning Show had the audience eating out of his hand with a performance that is better than the material deserves

14 Mar 2024