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    Michael Billington

    Michael Billington is one of Britain's top theatre critics, and also contributes to titles including The Guardian as well as Country Life.
    Ian McKellen as Falstaff in Player Kings. Credit: Manuel Harlan

    Highlights, delights and lowlights: The best (and worst) shows of 2024

    Plus, what the famed theatre critic recommends going to see in January.

    • Judi Dench in Good Companions.

      In Focus: The greatest books ever written about theatre, as chosen by Michael Billington

      Michael Billington has been the theatre critic for Country Life (and several other publications) for decades. With theatres closed, he's turned his hand to picking out his 10 favourite books about theatrical life.

      By Michael Billington Published 5 June 20

    • dead actors

      A tribute to the four great theatre talents we lost in 2019

      Gone, but never forgotten, these four theatre giants shaped today's theatre in more ways than one. Michael Billington remembers.

      By Michael Billington Published 29 January 20

    • Tartuffe by Molière. (Picture: Manuel Harlan)

      In Focus: The wonder of the theatre directors finding new ways to fuse modern life into classic plays

      Our theatre critic Michael Billington applauds the efforts made to freshen up Tartuffe and Equus in ways which bring new meaning and relevance to even the most familiar pieces.

      By Michael Billington Published 15 March 19

    • Katherine Parkinson as Judy in 'Home, I'm Darling'

      Triumph, tragedy and mangling Shakespeare: Michael Billington hands out The BIllies for 2018

      Our theatre critic Michael Billington hands out his annual awards. Some recipients will be delighted; others might wish to hide behind the sofa...

      By Michael Billington Published 6 January 19

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