THE DREAM OF A RIDICULOUS MAN★★★★Marylebone Theatre
THE DREAM OF A RIDICULOUS MAN at the Marylebone Theatre ★★★★ “a stark parable of hope for post-Covid Britain” In these post-Covid years, one might very well question the merits of paying to see the monologic disillusionment of a lonely man played out on stage. Indeed, one would be forgiven
THE DIVINE MRS S★★★★Hampstead Theatre
THE DIVINE MRS S at the Hampstead Theatre ★★★★ “A delightful mix of the traditional and the contemporary.” In her time, Sarah Siddons was known as the Queen of Drury Lane, renowned for her roles in Shakespeare tragedies – especially her Lady Macbeth. She hung out with the top dramatists
SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE VALLEY OF FEAR★★½Southwark Playhouse Borough
SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE VALLEY OF FEAR at Southwark Playhouse Borough ★★½ “Despite a superb effort from the cast to deliver the vast array of characters, the dark twisting intercontinental plot failed to capture its audience” Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear is not the usual ‘Holmes’ story. Adapted and directed
DON’T. MAKE. TEA.★★★★★Soho Theatre
DON’T. MAKE. TEA. at the Soho Theatre ★★★★★ “a bold, razor-sharp comedy about what it really means to test someone” Don’t. Make. Tea. is a dystopian satirical comedy set in 2037 directed by Robert Softley Gale and written by Rob Drummond. We meet Christine Dunlop (Gillian Dean) an ex-copper with
WILD ABOUT YOU★★★Theatre Royal Drury Lane
WILD ABOUT YOU at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane ★★★ “It’s a long journey, but a highly entertaining one courtesy of the wonderful vocal performances” There are two things that strike you about the world premiere of Chilina Kennedy’s (music and lyrics) and Eric Holmes’s (book) new musical, “Wild About
CLUEDO 2: THE NEXT CHAPTER★★Cambridge Arts Theatre
CLUEDO 2: THE NEXT CHAPTER at Cambridge Arts Theatre ★★ “There’s much here that could be funny if only it were slicker, shorter and snappier.” I must admit to not having seen the first Cluedo stage adaptation, but I am reassured that this second play is all new (writers Laurence
BREEDING★★★★King’s Head Theatre
BREEDING at the King’s Head Theatre ★★★★ “McStay’s dialogue is electric” Breeding succeeds in finding a rare balance of sparky wit and thought-provoking poignancy. It follows a gay couple as they navigate the steps in the adoption process. It’s a three hander – charming, flirty Zeb (Dan Nicholson) kind, anxious
PRISCILLA THE PARTY!★★★★★HERE at Outernet
PRISCILLA THE PARTY! at HERE at Outernet ★★★★★ “An incredible night out.” “Priscilla The Party” is joyous, tremendous musical fun. Based on the 1994 Academy Award winner “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”, “Priscilla the Party” hails from Australia in 2006. It is a rip-roaring celebration of drag,
MIND MANGLER★★★★Apollo Theatre
MIND MANGLER at the Apollo Theatre ★★★★ “The onstage chemistry is faultless, funny and occasionally emotional, without being mawkish” A little over a decade ago, three students fresh out of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art decided to make some mischief. So, with dead end day jobs and
ASSEMBLY HALL★★★★★Sadler’s Wells Theatre
ASSEMBLY HALL at Sadler’s Wells Theatre ★★★★★ “Assembly Hall is nothing short of spectacular” Crystal Pite is a visionary theatre-maker. A once in a generation choreographer. Able to convey emotion through movement in a way unlike anyone else I have had the pleasure to see. My first introduction to Pite
HOSTAGE★★★★Etcetera Theatre
HOSTAGE at the Etcetera Theatre ★★★★ “the overwhelming comedic talent exhibited makes for an enjoyable and hilarious performance” Hostage is a show about artistic integrity. It’s about creative collaboration and the sanctity of theatre…It’s about a disgruntled playwright who breaks out of prison to threaten his former collaborators into performing
IN CLAY★★★★★Upstairs at the Gatehouse
IN CLAY at Upstairs at the Gatehouse ★★★★★ “a hugely enjoyable and upbeat production, despite the moving subject matter” The cosy pub venue is transformed by set designer Rachael Ryan into an artist’s studio/kitchen with dark wood shelves, stylishly chaotic pots and a potter’s wheel. A live band of guitar,
HIDE AND SEEK★★★★Park Theatre
HIDE AND SEEK at the Park Theatre ★★★★ “a real testament to exciting new writing, a brilliantly well-constructed meditation on fantasy and reality” Tobia Rossi’s tale of teenage exploration and alienation is a great new take on attraction across the divide. There are shades of Holden Caulfield in Louis Scarpa’s
POLICE COPS: THE MUSICAL★★★★Southwark Playhouse Elephant
POLICE COPS: THE MUSICAL at Southwark Playhouse Elephant ★★★★ “It’s great to see how this company has grown and thrived, and have created this polished and dynamic production” Police Cops began as three men – Zachary Hunt, Nathan Parkinson and Tom Roe, with a shared comic vision. It has since
APRICOT★★★★Theatre503
APRICOT at Theatre503 ★★★★ “entertaining, engaging and ultimately relatable where it needs to be” Apricot is a comedy about abortion. Right off the bat- this may be a hard sell for some. The show makes no apologies and pulls no punches in this pithy dark comedy which opens with an
AUTOBIOGRAPHY (v95 & v96)★★★Sadler’s Wells Theatre
AUTOBIOGRAPHY (V95 & V96) at Sadler’s Wells Theatre ★★★ “Autobiography’s saviours are its dancers who are technically talented with unmitigated enthusiasm.” Self, Life, Writing. The essence of the word Autobiography and a reflection of how Wayne McGregor sees the world, breaking it down to its core components. Autobiography was first
GUYS & DOLLS★★★★★Bridge Theatre
GUYS & DOLLS at the Bridge Theatre ★★★★★ “a captivating, energetic show that you’d bet on to run and run.” The Bridge Theatre’s production of Guys and Dolls opened a year ago to rave reviews and now a new cast continues the party. This show really does feel like a
PUDDLES PITY PARTY★★Soho Theatre
PUDDLES PITY PARTY at the Soho Theatre ★★ “The show is weird, but not weird enough to be interesting, or experimental” It is a strange experience to be part of an audience which is half fervent superfans and half baffled and bored. Puddles Pity Party seems to be quite well
BLUE★★★★Seven Dials Playhouse
BLUE at the Seven Dials Playhouse ★★★★ “The claustrophobic atmosphere is masterfully built and each new twist sheds new light on the truth” In this searing and hard-hitting two hander, the personal and political are blurred to explore a very human take on the current American culture wars. It’s a
FOR BLACK BOYS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE HUE GETS TOO HEAVY★★★★Garrick Theatre
FOR BLACK BOYS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE HUE GETS TOO HEAVY at the Garrick Theatre ★★★★ “a beautifully poetic and bold piece of theatre” For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy, takes your brain and your heart. It is a rollercoaster party
“Once glanced at by someone moderately famous”