One Night Stands

Theatre critics are rarely a perceptive lot, so having a book full of honest, kind and intelligent reviews from this British writer is worthy of celebration. It is a varied bag that Billington explores, from Liberace concerts and comedians, to trying his hand at directing himself. Particular highlights are his reviews of Sondheim's first London production of COMPANY (A rave), Lloyd Webber's flop JEEVES and the modest musical GODSPELL (both pans). He is immensely readable, never pretentious and even allows his own critics voice their complaints at the end of some essays. Which makes for some argumentative discussion! Damien Slattery