Genre: Theatre 0
Review: Gigi & Dar
Compelling and unanswerable, it’s more humane than recent history in several parts of the world allow. Setting it in 2016, Josh Azouz knows history itself has been overtaken. Highly recommended.
Review: Dear Evan Hansen
In Ryan Kopel and Lauren Conroy two future stars are born within a first-rate cast led by the exquisitely moving Alice Fearns; and Kopel with such a range is someone whose next role will probably surprise even him. Two and half hours blaze by like a first date. Outstanding.
Review: Salomé
Dramatically this is the most creative response I’ve seen live. Here, a director’s reach should exceed their grasp, or what’s a production for.
Review: Eurydice
Stella Powell-Jones coaxes provisional miracles from her cast and space. The medium’s playful, even fun. The message though is bleak; and love is still in the letting go.
Review: Meet Me at Dawn
An aching, unflinching look at what we might face. Yet few seek to live through such a pact as bestowed here. A Greek gift. Unmissable in the south east.
Review: The Cat and the Canary
An exceptional ensemble delivering a delirious twist on a tale that truly deserves it. Unmissable.
Review: Giant
Giant is both a magisterial debut and a landmark work for braving a terrain littered with - as Tom says - "booby traps... And surprise surprise - boom."
Review: Coriolanus
Certainly a Coriolanus blazing with extrinsic relevance, it brings clarity to a play that can seem an unmitigated grey
Review: Janie Dee’s Beautiful World Cabaret
Who could object to its urgency, or its starry messenger? A gem.
Review: Stoppard The Real Inspector Hound; Bartlett Contractions
As ever it’s a more worthwhile production than several professional ones we’re likely to see.
Review: Gareth Strachan Project M.E. The Rock Inn Pub
Strachan proves he can pull together serious talent who believe in his work. It’s a step up in all directions
Review: 23.5 Hours
A worthy successor to Never Not Once, almost from the other side of the glass, it makes Crim one of the most visible and exciting of US dramatists.
Review: Greenhouse Festival LAMDA Festival New Directors in association with Orange Tree
Every one of these productions could enjoy a run at the Orange Tree: they’re exciting and accomplished.
Review: The Comedy of Errors
The most intelligent Comedy of Errors I’ve seen since the NT production of 2012 and truer to the play’s temper.
Review: The Silver Cord
A darkly thrilling masterpiece, given what might be its finest UK revival. All are outstanding and Alix Dunmore, and certainly Sophie Ward, should be up for some glittering prizes.
Review: The Real Thing
The Real Thing is infinitely more stimulating than many popular comedies, and though it doesn’t quite ache as it should, James McArdle bestrides this production like a hopeful monster who’s got lucky.
Review: The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
This desperate elegy of betrayal, straight from Le Carré’s own hurt, will haunt you with the truth of its despair.
Review: The Unlikely Secret Agent
How it ends I urge you to discover in this sizzling paean to humanity.
Review: Shower Chair
We meet some people's deepest revelations through performance here, actors finding themselves becoming vulnerable through theatre, getting naked.
Review: Trust Me, I’m From Essex
A One Woman Solo Musical full of nostalgia and a whole lot of heart
Review: You Deserve It
It is a play which is undeniably a laugh while attempting to highlight some of the realities of a life in the spotlight.
Review: Hardly Working
She is performed confidently by Lily Simpkiss, really coming into her own towards the end of the play.
Review: Pride and Prejudice
An unalloyed delight, compressing the story but revealing things even those who know the novel will take back to it.
Review: Four More Short Plays Loosely Linked By The Theme of Crime
Quartet of four well crafted, amusingly dark and daft plays
Review: Failure Project
A poignant blend of comedy and drama that is very well performed and crafted by Yolanda Mercy.
Review: I Wish You Well: The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski Trial Musical
An hour of campy extravagance highlighting the lunacy of the American justice system.
Review: It’s the Economy Stupid
A great bit of storytelling ,with sleight of hand magic, disguised as a cost-of-living seminar
Review: The Gentleman of Shallott.
A twist on the Tennyson poem The Lady of Shallot, here through a Queer lense.
Review: Fille De Mon Coeur
An investigation into the relationship between Antonin Artaud and Colette Thomas.
Review: Flat 2
The uses of sound throughout are incredibly effective, adding something different to the portrayal.
Review: L’Addition – Here & Now Showcase
Intriguing exploration of two characters exceptionally well performed by Bert and Nasi.
Review: Musical comedy “Pretty Delusional” hits with Gen-Z
If you are Gen-Z and struggling to find love - this is THE SHOW for you
Review: Hamlet
The story follows Shakespeare’s Hamlet in their own words, with very creative diversions.
Review: Ever Yours
Played by Alex Wanebo, Olivia is beautifully portrayed, her pain feeling tangible throughout.
Review: Or What’s Left of Us
Sh*t Theatre are lost and found through folk in a show that lingers like a loved refrain
Review: A Knock on the Roof by Khawla Ibraheem
Ibraheem is an eloquent story-teller, easily going through narrative gears and the message of the production is strong and urgent.
Review: Breathe
A beautifully designed and performed story that is delightful, meaningful and entertaining.
Review: Precious Cargo
Precious Cargo brings to light a key part of history that must not be forgotten.
Review: Via Dolorosa by David Hare
Through many voices, playwright David Hare has penned an Israel-Palestine story that could have been written today. It is dramatic, powerful, and moving.
Review: Ariana vs Chomsky
This play works best as an introduction to Chomsky’s work and ideas, and will hopefully start up some conversations about who decides what is true and what they might be getting out of it.
Review: Bark Bark
Imaginative and creative show with gravitas, heart and a slightly mysterious edge - totally engrossing!
Review: 1984
Withintheatre has created an excellent piece of dramatic theatre that has gravitas and is provocative.
Review: The Sex Lives of Puppets
A unique take on puppetry that is very entertaining and extremely funny!
Review: Pillock
A searing performance funny and tragic in turns about loneliness and a quest for romantic love
Review: Thor the Walrus
It’s a rare sort of comedy that lulls you with laughs and then slaps awake from your warm duvet of manufactured consent and reusable Sainsbury bags.
Review: The Last Bantam
A moving tribute to the forgotten soldiers of World War I and a masterclass in storytelling
Review: Stuffed
Entertaining and impactful physical clowning about important topic of food poverty and food banks
