MACHINAL ★★★★Old Vic
MACHINAL at the Old Vic ★★★★ “a brave and exciting revival that mixes gritty absurdism with precision-cut stylisation and outstanding performances” When Sophie Treadwell’s “Machinal” premiered in 1928, the New York Times was so intrigued that it reviewed the production twice – calling it ‘a triumph of individual distinction, gleaming
FROM ENGLAND WITH LOVE★★★½ Southbank Centre
FROM ENGLAND WITH LOVE at the Southbank Centre ★★★½ “the choreography excels – subtly, not in caricature, allowing the dancer’s skills to shine” The latest work from Hofesh Schecter, From England with Love, is exactly what you might expect from the title. An exploration through dance of England; its long,
BOYS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS ★★★★Soho Theatre
BOYS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS at the Soho Theatre ★★★★ “the ensemble takes the audience through violence, turmoil and tenderness” We open to a startling flash of light burnishing a grimy public lavatory as a small but mighty voice coming from a cubicle proclaims “I don’t need any help”
STREET SONGS: A BUSKER’S TALE ★★★★Golden Goose Theatre
STREET SONGS: A BUSKER’S TALE at the Golden Goose Theatre ★★★★ “a heart-warming show that gives many classic but over-played songs brilliant new meaning” Buskers have been performing in public spaces since public spaces were invented. They are the backdrop to society. Too often taken for granted and now highly
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING★★★★Watermill Theatre
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at the Watermill Theatre ★★★★ “never a dull moment in this energetic and above all entertaining show” Tom Wentworth’s version of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing promises a ‘sashay into the Golden Age of Hollywood’ but does the filmset backdrop stick in this brand new adaptation?
CHEEKY LITTLE BROWN★★★ ½ Theatre Royal Stratford East
CHEEKY LITTLE BROWN at the Theatre Royal Stratford East ★★★ ½ “a grower of a piece whose meaning lingers after it’s done” Described by writer Nkenna Akunna as ‘an ode to your early twenties’, ‘cheeky little brown’ follows Lady, played by Tiajna Amayo, for a night on the town as
HITS AND PIECES #5 (SPICE GIRLS)★★★★Cockpit Theatre
HITS AND PIECES #5 (SPICE GIRLS) at the Cockpit ★★★★ “a wholesome and welcoming atmosphere which continues into the bar after curtain-down” Theatre has long benefitted from pop stardom. Whether by using featured artists to draw in the crowds, or more directly providing the soundtrack to the drama. Hits &
GISELLE: REMIX★★★★★Pleasance Theatre
GISELLE: REMIX at the Pleasance Theatre ★★★★★ “a must-see – a piece of queer performance that is not to be missed” Adolphe Adam’s romantic ballet Giselle tells the story of a young peasant girl who falls in love with the disguised duke, Albrecht. Driven mad by the revelation of his
SPENCER JONES: MAKING FRIENDS★★★★Soho Theatre
SPENCER JONES: MAKING FRIENDS at the Soho Theatre ★★★★ “a delightfully silly hour with real heart, and the most representative chicken-owning experience I have ever seen on stage” The more time passes since the pandemic, the rarer you see the topic is raised on stage. Four years on, I was
ARTIFICIALLY YOURS★★★Riverside Studios
ARTIFICIALLY YOURS at Riverside Studios ★★★ “We want to dig deeper into the shadows, but the writing is reluctant to explore far enough to flesh out the ideas that are bubbling underneath” As I came out of the premiere of Aaron Thakar’s debut play, “Artificially Yours” I played a game
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM★★★★★Wilton’s Music Hall
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at Wilton’s Music Hall ★★★★★ “a production of charm and genuine ebullience” The grade II* listed Wilton’s Music Hall has endured as one of London’s hidden theatrical gems since the Victorian era. Its current run of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Flabbergast Theatre) is a spectacle worthy
MOBY DICK★★★★★Royal and Derngate Theatre
MOBY DICK at the Royal and Derngate Theatre ★★★★★ “It is one of the finest pieces of theatre I have seen” Simple8 present an ambitious adaptation (by Sebastian Armesto) of Herman Melville’s epic 1851 adventure, directed by Jesse Jones. There is a minimal set (designer Kate Bunce) of scaffolding on
YOUR LIE IN APRIL★★★★Theatre Royal Drury Lane
YOUR LIE IN APRIL at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane ★★★★ “Frank Wildhorn’s sumptuous score sweeps through the auditorium with its rousing ballads” Midway through Act Two of “Your Lie In April” something extraordinary happens. Zheng Xi Yong, as the young musical prodigy Kōsei Arima, places himself at the piano
GUNTER★★★★Royal Court
GUNTER at the Royal Court ★★★★ “With absolute trust between the performers, this is a tight and brilliant ensemble performance” Gunter, is a well-deserved transfer for Dirty Hare’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023 production to the Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Upstairs. It is exciting and innovative theatre, wonderfully performed by three
THE 39 STEPS★★★★★Richmond Theatre
THE 39 STEPS at Richmond Theatre ★★★★★ “Always tongue-in-cheek, the show is thrillingly funny and villainously clever” Sometimes a good – and fun – way of gauging a show’s reception is to listen in to people’s conversations at the interval. In the plush surroundings of Richmond Theatre’s bar, a recurring
SUN BEAR★★★Park Theatre
SUN BEAR at Park Theatre ★★★ “a brave and personal play, with a handful of electric moments” There are some flashes of excellence in this sharp one-woman dark comedy, but it’s not enough to sustain the energy throughout. Katy with a ‘y’ not an ‘ie’ (her ex asked what self
FOAM★★★★Finborough Theatre
FOAM at the Finborough Theatre ★★★★ “The execution of the story is fascinating and the reflection on the punk and queer scene of the time is illuminating” Foam is a biographical story about a gay neo-Nazi from 1974 to 1993. We follow his life through a series of conversations with
LIFE WITH OSCAR★★★Arcola Theatre
LIFE WITH OSCAR at the Arcola Theatre ★★★ “his command of accents and impersonation is considerable.” During Nick Cohen’s “Life with Oscar”, we are increasingly reminded of the old aphorism concerning barks and bites. Or perhaps, more appropriately, that thing about tins and what is said on them. Cohen may
OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR★★★★Theatre Royal Windsor
OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR at the Theatre Royal Windsor ★★★★ “A multi-talented cast of Pierrot-style performers … give their all in this satirical rollercoaster of a show.” As one of the UK’s leading touring companies with a commitment to theatre that ‘entertains, provokes and inspires in equal measure’, Blackeyed
AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN★★New Wimbledon Theatre
AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN at the New Wimbledon Theatre ★★ “the full, immensely talented, company give it their all as they wade through the likes of Madonna, Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, Blondie, Hall & Oates, Status Quo… and the list goes on” Picture the scene; in some non-descript boardroom
“Once glanced at by someone moderately famous”