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FringeReview UK 2025

1536

A stunning must-see debut.


A Good House

A play deeper than the satire which propels it. And subtly layered enough to brush the epic. A stunning smack between the eyes and a must-see.


All the Happy Things

It’s impossible to believe Sienna doesn’t believe Emily’s not part of this at some level, and by the end, you’ll think so too.


Alterations

We must be grateful for this compelling revival, and wait for more from the National’s Black archive.


Aristophanes, Sondheim, Lane The Frogs

A must-see bullseye. A nutri-bullet for the soul


As Long As We Are Breathing

Do see this exceptional and brave piece of theatrical memory.


Athena Stevens Diagnosis

Over 50 minutes, a compelling, unique and disturbing vision unravels: prophesying prophesy is invisible. That’s why as many as possible should see it.


Belly of the Beast

Belly of the Beast should be a set text in schools. And should definitely tour there.


Billy Barrett and Ellice Stevens After The Act Royal Court Downstairs

Most of all this musical is necessary. With four outstanding multi-roling performers, a message both affirmative and defiant; and with a fierce joy that makes it a must-see.


Claire Dowie Adult Child/Dead Child Finborough

Claire Dowie’s never mellowed, and remains essential: taut, inordinate, alone, unreconciled. In other words, see it.


Claire Dowie Why is John Lennon Wearing a Skirt?

If you see one Claire Dowie, this might be it.


Cry-Baby

Easily the most joyous musical we’ll see this side midsummer, Cry-Baby in this production blazes fit to set another fire in Dalston


Cymbeline

One of the most uneven of late plays, its heights have to be seen; and though there’s pitfalls, this absorbing production surmounts most. A feat.


Dear England

With its nimbus of inevitability as national storytelling, it’s still groundbreaking.


Double Act

Death & Co. The Laurel and Hardy of Suicide, the Little and Large of it Do see this timely, painfully funny, and absorbing new play.


Dr Strangelove

Steve Coogan reigns supreme, and a cast like John Hopkins then Giles Terera are a gift to both Coogan and the show.


Harriet Madeley Outpatient

Highly recommended. Except to the anti-death league.


Heisenberg

If flawed it’s a fascinating, intimate piece given new life and with luck a new performing tradition. The most compelling two-hander now playing.


In Praise of Love

There’s every reason to see this rare gem, now added permanently to Rattigan’s finer plays.


Jane Upton (the) Woman

A ground-breaking play, fully deserving of its London run. Catch it there.


Jez Butterworth Parlour Song

A probing revival, James Hadrill’s production and Emily Bestow’s set inject a haunting into these people. A cooling tower about to implode: it’s Naveed Khan’s gaunt intimation of Ned’s soul that lingers.


Joel Tan Scenes from a Repatriation

A pocket epic play, huge in its reach.


Jon Fosse Einkvan

An opaque, compelling gem from Det Norske Teatret and its director Horn; and the wonderful Coronet.


Khawla Ibraheem A Knock on the Roof

What and who can you choose is something more people are forced to decide as the century rolls. But Mariam’s plight is specific, ongoing, now far worse and essential viewing.


Macbeth

ETT’s gallimaufry stimulates, frustrates, occasionally fascinates. A more selective through-line would have revealed a mineral gleam, a new earth of tyranny.


Mario Banushi Taverna Miresia

Not even the world theatre powerhouse of the Coronet has hosted anything like this. Mario Banushi must be seen.


Marriage Material

Exhilarating, heartwarming


Men’s Business

A quietly phenomenal, ground-breaking play, blistering in sumps of silence. See it.


One Day When We Were Young

This grips anyone who can’t let first love go, anyone who stares homeward even now, wild with all regret. Unmissable.


Outlying Islands

A first rate-revival of a small classic. Do seek out this rare, dream-like play.


Playhouse Creatures

When Doll Common claims “Life’s like a storm. Don’t get in its way” one thinks of the stoicism of those in the eye of it, and their audience. A consummate revival.


Rhinoceros

Don’t miss this. It’s provoking, wholly in spirit, with moments of great power.


Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky The Gang of Three

The wittiest, wisest play I’ve seen this year, it deserves a long run, not least so we can absorb its lessons. Unmissable.


Samuel Rees and Gabriele Uboldi Lessons on Revolution

It’s intersectional, it’s personal, it’s interactive: all great reasons to see this play: unless you’re a board member of BP, or the government.


Son of a Bitch

Anna Morris heightens tragedy and misogyny with gags, humour and farcical horror. Do catch this fleeting gem, running for just two more weeks before it touches down


Stephen Sondheim, David Ives Here We Are

Altogether this mightn’t be in the top tier of Sondheim musicals, but it’s one of the most interesting, even profound, and Sondheim exits with a rapt question-mark. Unmissable.


Tarantula

This stunning performance from Henley ought to garner awards.


Teatro dei Gordi: Pandora

It begs questions: what couldn’t we do, if placed outside our own comfort station in life? Essential theatre. essential questions. A gem.


Tending

Essential theatre, essential witness and mandatory for anyone who wants to know how human we have to be, from beginning to end.


The Brightening Air

Redemption has long been a McPherson theme. Here, you have to dig as deep as that well, and bring in a lot of muck. Drinking it off isn’t always best-timed. Or by the right people. McPherson is haunted and haunter.


The Crucible

A unique, unforgettable revival.


The Devil May Care

Do see this particularly for an outstanding performance from Burrows and an exceptionally fine one from Woodhouse. This adaptation remains an exhilarating reminder of what a difference a century makes.


The Double Act

A masterly comedy, and should be packed out


The Gift

How far you’d go to pursue either vengeance or to resolve one, asks just such questions of how we choose to box up our lives. The Gift is for all of us.


The Importance of Being Oscar

Alastair Whatley takes the joy of the sorrow, and makes it his own. Unmissable if you can squeeze in.


The Inseparables

A transfixingly beautiful production, with often superb acting, especially from Lara Manela


The Maids

An exceptional revival.


The Passenger

Essential theatre: a must-see.


Timberlake Wertenbaker Little Brother

bsorbs and remains indelible. Stella Powell-Jones is helming a quietly radical shift in Jermyn Street. And she’s taking the audience with her.


Tolstoy/Phillip Breen Anna Karenina

Potentially a revelation, perhaps a classic: a fully-articulated world around Anna, and not just her ghost.


UnTethered

A play about OCD


Vaughan Williams, J.M. Synge Riders to the Sea

Betteridge’s prologue is certainly worth seeing even if you know the work, and won’t need persuading. And after the opera, the rest is surf, and silence.


WILKO: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll

This could potentially be outstanding.