PLAYS AT THE ROYAL COURT AT THE MOMENT ARE-

Routes-

A new play offers a useful corrective to hysterical discussion of immigration, says Dominic Cavendish.

We don’t want them here. Especially if they’re from the Third World. That seems to be the disillusioned, ugly mood of the moment. And yes, it’s a bit of a liberal-minded cliché, at an hour like this, for the Royal Court to step in with a convenient reminder that migrants are people too but Routes, by Rachel De-lahay, exemplifies how drama can usefully help to stop hysteria in its tracks.

THIS PLAY IS BEING SHOWN IN THE STUDIO SPACE

The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas-

Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas, Royal Court, review

The first major production of the Royal Court's new artistic director is a punishing dud, says Charles Spencer.

This is Vicky Featherstone’s first major production as the new artistic director of the Royal Court and I regret to report that it is a punishing dud.

This might seem surprising, coming as it does from Dennis Kelly, who wrote the book for that glorious musical Matilda. But before that sudden leap to success he was the author of a string of dour, cruel plays, including a ghastly modern rewrite of King Lear called The Gods Weep which was one of the least enjoyable nights I have ever spent in a theatre.

THIS PLAY IS BEING SHOWN THE MAIN THEATRE