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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Henry Hitchings's rating
Reader rating
Dir: James Dacre.
Cast: Lorraine Burroughs, David Harewood
Description: David Harewood stars in Katori Hall's drama following Martin Luther King as he spends the night before his assassination in room 306 at the Lorraine Motel.
Trains: Tube: Sloane Square/South Kensington:Rail: Clapham Junction 
Phone: 0207978 7040
Website: www.theatre503.com
Vibrant: Camae (Lorraine Burroughs) and Martin Luther King (David Harewood)
Is there anything new to say about Martin Luther King? Katori Hall certainly thinks so and her vibrant play The Mountaintop, set in a Memphis motel room on the eve of King’s assassination, evokes the doomed humanity of a man whose character has tended to be obscured by myth.
King (David Harewood) may just have addressed an audience of 2,000 but his surroundings are unambiguously crummy. When we first see him, he is floundering. Self-conscious about the fact that his feet smell and frustrated to find he doesn’t even have a toothbrush, he’s an imposing figure nonetheless ravaged by doubt — whether it’s fretting about his political purpose or wondering if he should shave off his trademark moustache. He is also — with good reason — fidgety, checking the room for listening devices.
The arrival of attractive and spunkily irreverent maid Camae (the excellent Lorraine Burroughs) calls forth King’s torrential eloquence. But as it turns out, this enigmatic young woman is as much of an orator as he is.
Jumping aboard one of the room’s two narrow beds, Camae launches into an impassioned outburst. She compares King to The Beatles and dubs him a “pulpit poet” yet also spots the holes in his socks — evidence that he is still a mere mortal, which he is quick to acknowledge.
Their talk is flirtatious, bustling, reflective, edgy: King’s sense of injustice is palpable and it’s coloured by egomania, insecurity and foreboding.
Intelligently directed by James Dacre, Katori Hall’s creative reimagining of King’s last night has energy, humour and moral gravity, faltering only in a few moments of surrealism and in drawing an unnecessary parallel between King and Barack Obama. It’s certainly a fine vehicle for Harewood, whose physical performance offers both muscular command and vivid sensitivity — definitely worth catching.
Until 4 July (020 7978 7040).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Myself, my wife, friends and relations, are going down to Battersea to show our support for two local "Heroes" from Birmingham.
We even have family, ex Brummies, flying from Dublin. Martin Luther King would have considered this to be nothing more than solidarity, and certainly not putting ourselves out. At least we won't have to WALK!!
The play looks to have all the ingredients to create a great atmosphere in a small theatre.
I am intrigued to find out how the great MLK, and an unknown maid are able to hold the audience for 90 minutes.
Plus I can't wait to see how Lorraine Burroughs plays the maid. She certainly is developing into an actress of stature.
I will write my review after seeing the play on the 26th June.
- Bertie, West Midlands
