Nick Curtis

ABOUT

Nick Curtis is Evening 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.

ABOUT
VIEW

Nick Curtis is Evening 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.

Tom Sturgess in War Horse 2026 at the National Theatre
Theatre

War Horse at the National Theatre: Remains tremendously moving

The return of War Horse to the National Theatre comes with added resonance in our time

4 Jun 2026
Charles Dance
Theatre

Creditors at Orange Tree Theatre: Just lies there, inert, on the stage

Despite an excellent cast including Charles Dance, this Strindberg psychodrama fails to spark

17 Sept 2025
Andy Nyman (Max Bialystock) and Marc Antolin (Leo Bloom)
Theatre

The Producers at the Garrick: 'The funniest show in London'

Transferred to the Garrick, Mel Brooks’ classic comedy is not simply hilarious but is exactly what we all need right now

16 Sept 2025
Theatre

Not Your Superwoman at the Bush Theatre: Stars need more to work with

Golda Rosheuvel and Letitia Wright are a pleasure to watch, but this short play still feels 20 minutes too long

13 Sept 2025
Theatre

Is this London's weirdest show? Prepare to enter world of a cow

This unique show features sound work by Foley artists which encourages audiences to close their eyes and be plunged into the world of a cow and a deer

11 Sept 2025
Theatre

Deaf Republic at Royal Court Jerwood: powerful portrait of occupation

A portrait of occupation adapted from the work of a Ukrainian-American poet, is told in sign language and makes use of puppetry and video to provide a powerful look at oppression

10 Sept 2025
Theatre

The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return review: a mixed bag

This play’s poetic eloquence translates badly to the cold light of the London stage

6 Sept 2025
Ncuti Gatwa on stage
Theatre

Born With Teeth at Wyndham’s Theatre review: seductively clever work

Liz Duffy Adams blends intrigue and shifty eroticism with in-jokes and a discourse on creativity in this playful examination of Kit Marlowe and Shakespeare’s relationship

3 Sept 2025
Theatre

Interview at Riverside Studios review: overcooked with zero chemistry

Robert Sean Leonard is a washed-up political journalist interviewing an influencer played by Paten Hughes in this glib two-hander

29 Aug 2025
Theatre

Juniper Blood at the Donmar Warehouse: disappointingly flimsy

The play feels thin and undercooked, the plot twists and emotional revelations unearned

27 Aug 2025
Theatre

Twelfth Night at Shakespeare’s Globe: expertly-conducted, riotous fun

Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́ is arguably the most mercurial, transformative actress working today

20 Aug 2025
Richard Stirling and Chris Larkin in The Gathered Leaves
Theatre

The Gathered Leaves at the Park Theatre: slowly beguiling

The script is ponderous at times, but its careful handling of themes like autism and racism eventually exerts a cumulative power

20 Aug 2025
Theatre

Brigadoon at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre: pleasantly flimsy

There are some fine performances here, but it’s an effort to tough your way through the more saccharine moments

12 Aug 2025
Theatre

Every Brilliant Thing: 'Lenny Henry works the crowd adroitly'

Lenny Henry brilliantly works the crowd in a show which examines mental health with wry humour, and comes with serious audience interaction

8 Aug 2025
Sean Hayes (Oscar Levant)
Theatre

Good Night, Oscar: 'Sean Hayes gives an astonishing performance'

Will and Grace’s Sean Hayes stars as trouble pianist Oscar Levant in a fast-paced, zinger-packed play which has an unforgettable climax

7 Aug 2025
Carla Lopez Corpas and Aimie Atkinson
Theatre

Saving Mozart review: 'talents squandered on this vapid pop-rock work'

A musical theatre big swing at Mozart’s life which misses entirely

7 Aug 2025
Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical
Theatre

Grease – the Immersive Movie Musical: 'a spectacularly ambitious show'

Secret Cinema take on the legendary Grease for an ambitious audience participation show which - if you like this kind of thing - will be the one that you want

6 Aug 2025
Theatre

Clive at Arcola Theatre: it's hard to care about this pointless show

The set design is the only saving grace in Michael Wynne’s play about a clean-freak loser and his cactus

3 Aug 2025
Theatre

Brixton Calling at Southwark Playhouse Borough: full of brio

This story of how the Brixton Academy was built has infectious charm and cocksure swagger

28 Jul 2025
Theatre

101 Dalmatians at Eventim Apollo review: this pup is seriously mangy

The puppy puppets have been simplified and a twee mawkishness introduced in this disastrous transfer to a different theatre

25 Jul 2025
Theatre

Inter Alia at National Theatre review: Rosamund Pike is riveting

The actor commands the stage for over two hours in Suzie Miller’s play about toxic masculinity inside and outside the courtroom

24 Jul 2025