THE BRIGHTENING AIR★★★★Old Vic
THE BRIGHTENING AIR Old Vic ★★★★ “a rich and entertaining family drama” “How are you doing?”, a priest asks jittery Dermot (Chris O’Dowd) midway through this fine new play. “I’m fine”, replies deadpan Dermot, although “the circumstances around me are challenging”. Dermot is not alone in his plight. In the
ROMEO AND JULIET★★★★★Hackney Empire
ROMEO AND JULIET Hackney Empire ★★★★★ “thrilling, raw, moving, and completely unforgettable” If Shakespeare were here today, he’d be proud – perhaps even moved – to see his timeless tragedy reimagined in such a vibrant, daring, and emotionally charged way. This co-production between Hackney Empire, Belgrade Theatre and Bristol Old
ORDINARY DAYS★★★★Upstairs at the Gatehouse
ORDINARY DAYS Upstairs at the Gatehouse ★★★★ “The simple sincerity is heartwarming” When asked to pick out his favourite exhibit at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Warren (played by the suitably kooky but charismatic Aidan Cutler) selects a very ordinary still life. ‘It’s a little bit boring’ counters Dora
PERSONAL VALUES ★★★Hampstead Theatre
PERSONAL VALUES Hampstead Theatre ★★★ “an unflinching depiction of grief, suffering, and how family can infect” Personal Values, a new play written by Chloë Lawrence-Taylor and directed by Lucy Morrison, is an unapologetic depiction of grief and isolation through the lens of two estranged sisters. Firstly, the set design (Naomi
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING★★★½Royal Shakespeare Theatre
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Royal Shakespeare Theatre ★★★½ “a refreshingly funny and modern production” Much Ado About Nothing is generally considered one of Shakespeare’s best comedies, because it combines elements of robust hilarity with more serious meditations on honour, shame and court politics. In this fun production at the Royal
SNOW WHITE: THE SACRIFICE★★★★★Sadler’s Wells East
SNOW WHITE: THE SACRIFICE Sadler’s Wells East ★★★★★ “pushes the boundaries of what is possible” It is a story that we grew up reading and watching. We think we know it well. Therefore, we have no reason to be uncomfortable for what we are about to witness. But we soon
DICK★★★Drayton Arms
DICK Drayton Arms ★★★ “The dialogue throughout is intricate and precise” Oh, to be young and free. To have one’s whole life ahead of you. Well, all is not as it seems. Dick is a powerful immersion into the dangerous desires of youth and the burden of potential – the
THE INSEPERABLES★★★Finborough Theatre
THE INSEPERABLES Finborough Theatre ★★★ “there is a lightness to this interpretation, and a guarded feel that at times shields its essence” Rather than her novels, Simone de Beauvoir’s most enduring contribution to literature are her memoirs. It is no surprise, therefore, that the novelist, philosopher and feminist activist’s works
THE RISE AND FALL OF VINNIE & PAUL★★★★The Glitch
THE RISE AND FALL OF VINNIE & PAUL The Glitch ★★★★ “Both actors possess exceptional singing voices — expressive, versatile, and emotionally charged” The Rise & Fall of Vinnie & Paul explores one of art history’s most infamous fallouts — the brief but intense period when, in the autumn/winter of
GHOSTS★★★★★Lyric Hammersmith
GHOSTS Lyric Hammersmith ★★★★★ “A breathtaking new adaptation that should not be missed” As Gary Owen mentions, adapting a classic play is a challenging process. Numerous things need to be considered, the time the play was originally written, the audience the specific production is destined for, to change or not
SOIR NOIR: A NIGHTCLUB CONFIDENTIAL★★★Crazy Coqs
SOIR NOIR: A NIGHTCLUB CONFIDENTIAL Crazy Coqs ★★★ “Not quite pure gold, but a nostalgic journey back to the Golden Era” ‘If you’re fond of sand dunes and salty air’, croons David Rhodes in the opening number of his cabaret show, “Soir Noir: A Nightclub Confidential”. It comes from
DEAD MOM PLAY★★★Union Theatre
DEAD MOM PLAY Union Theatre ★★★ “Though it could really sing with some further consideration, Ben Blais has certainly shown us something very real” Theatrical musings about death and grief abound, but one thing has become incredibly clear — audiences will always buy into them. Grief, after all, is a
HEISENBERG★★★Arcola Theatre
HEISENBERG Arcola Theatre ★★★ “this show reminds us how true connection can come in many forms” Longing, vulnerability, alienation, second chances. As time passes, we are forced to take a look at our lives and reflect on the people we’ve lost, our career, who we are. Simon Stephens’ play Heisenberg,
SUPERSONIC MAN★★★★Southwark Playhouse Borough
SUPERSONIC MAN Southwark Playhouse Borough ★★★★ “entertains with a heartwarming tale of courage in the face of adversity” Just to get a couple of things out of the way to begin with. The title of Chris Burgess’ new musical, “Supersonic Man”, is misleading. So is the Marvel comic styled publicity
SKATEPARK★★★★SADLER’S WELLS EAST
SKATEPARK SADLER’S WELLS EAST ★★★★ “a dizzying meld of music and movement” The spacious new Sadler’s Wells theatre in Stratford’s Olympic Park was established in part to capture the raw urban energy of East London, a bottom-up approach to curation giving platforms to non-traditional and ethnic performers. In the foyer,
MIDNIGHT COWBOY★★Southwark Playhouse Elephant
MIDNIGHT COWBOY Southwark Playhouse Elephant ★★ “Nick Winston’s staging is slick but lacks pace and energy” Apparently, John Schlesinger’s 1969 American film “Midnight Cowboy” is the only X-Rated film to win the Best Picture Academy Award. Despite its bleak setting and outlook, the story of an unlikely friendship between two
THE GUEST★★★★★Omnibus Theatre
THE GUEST Omnibus Theatre ★★★★★ “powerful, provocative, and resonant” Behind the ivy-covered walls of their quaint English cottage, Ricky and Joe – a middle-aged couple – live a quiet life, enjoying the fruits of their labour, both tangible and intangible. Their days are filled with gardening and tender conversations, the
PIAF★★★★Watermill Theatre
PIAF Watermill Theatre ★★★★ “Audrey Brisson’s portrayal of Piaf is magnificent” Piaf is a play by Pam Gems that focuses on the life and career of French chanteuse Edith Piaf, revered as much for her exceptional voice as for her extraordinary life. It is a biographical drama with music and
MANHUNT★★★★Royal Court
MANHUNT Royal Court ★★★★ “Samuel Edward-Cook’s performance is a tour-de-force” Behind a metallic, gauze curtain a figure paces back and forth. Shaven headed. His shadow follows him across the vertical wall of the translucent screen – a projected alter ego pursuing its prey, fuelling the claustrophobic motions of the man’s
QUEEN BY CANDLELIGHT★★★★UK Tour
QUEEN BY CANDLELIGHT London Palladium ★★★★ “stirring, faithful and poignant” Two questions immediately spring to mind. The first is: why candlelight? Why does the stage of the London Palladium have the appearance of a Guns N’ Roses video dressed as it is with hundreds of flickering (albeit artificial) flames. There
