The new play, A Dish of Tea with Dr Johnson, plays on his witty remarks and many memorable quotes. Only 90 minutes long, it’s adapted by Russell Barr, Ian Redford and Max Stafford-Clark from Boswell’s The Life of Samuel Johnson and The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides. We are introduced to Dr Johnson and invited to look in on his life.

With very few props, the play is a compilation of Johnson moments and is very wordy; at times I craved a little more action. The acting is beautiful throughout, with a particularly stunning rendition of Johnson by Ian Redford, delivering the lines with great aplomb and possessing a manic energy that feels appropriate for this fascinating character.

Due to illness, Russell Barr has had to pull out but a very competent Luke Griffin joins the cast, taking on the role of James Boswell and a staggering seven other parts. Trudie Styler has a cameo part towards the end of the show as Johnson’s great love interest, Mrs Hester Thrale, adding another dimension to the play, interacting well with the men, making the final moments more dynamic.

A Dish of Tea with Dr Johnson plays at the Arts Theatre until 24 Sep 2011

This video from our friends Steven Gardner and presenter Will Gowing makes a great accessory to our suggestions for London’s specialist interest museums and quirky museums.

See the boys check out the Hunterian, the Bank of England Museum, Dr Johnson’s House and more on their trip around London’s lesser-known museums.

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