FIREWING★★★★Hampstead Theatre
FIREWING Hampstead Theatre ★★★★ “smoulders with complexity” The world premiere of David Pearson’s debut play ‘Firewing’ is a potent slow burn, pushing you to finally see what’s right in front of you. Uncovering the power of connection in breaking self destructive cycles, ‘Firewing’ offers a quietly charged counter to prevailing
IONESCO/DINNER AT THE SMITHS★★★★Riverside Studios
IONESCO/DINNER AT THE SMITHS Riverside Studios ★★★★ “a deliciously served celebration of the strangeness of ordinary life” To attempt to out-absurd the absurdity of Eugène Ionesco strikes one as an absurd challenge to undertake. Writer and director Marianne Badrichani fearlessly takes on the task with her production of “Ionesco/Dinner at
HOWIE THE ROOKIE★★★Cockpit Theatre
HOWIE THE ROOKIE Cockpit Theatre ★★★ “There are moments of pure poetry to enjoy” First performed in 1999 Howie the Rookie, Mark O’Rowe’s two-hander, could still be a play for today a quarter of a century later . Because what it explores, forensically, is how unexamined emotion and trapped energy
THE PRICE★★★★Marylebone Theatre
THE PRICE Marylebone Theatre ★★★★ “as a theatrical performance, it is priceless” ‘The price we have to pay’ is an often-used aphorism, not just in literary form, but in everyday conversation. Arthur Miller shortened it to just “The Price” for his 1967 two-act play. He could have maybe done with
COCK★★★★COLAB Tower
COCK COLAB Tower ★★★★ “a poignant and thought-provoking theatrical experience” Cock by Mike Bartlett, presented by Talk is Free Theatre at COLAB Tower, invites audiences into an intimate, immersive space-in-the-round that immediately dissolves the barrier between performer and spectator. This staging choice is not merely aesthetic – it amplifies the
TWO HALVES OF GUINNESS★★★★Park Theatre
TWO HALVES OF GUINNESS Park Theatre ★★★★ “a fascinating memoir” The late Sir Alec Guinness once said of himself that “essentially, I’m a small-part actor who’s been lucky enough to play leading roles for most of my life”. This modest observation is typical of his unostentatious approach to his career
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW – 50th ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR★★★UK Tour
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW – 50th Anniversary Spectacular Dominion Theatre ★★★ “This golden jubilee celebration is timely but should be approached with the same glam-punk ethic that informs the show” In the early 1970s, a cash-strapped actor by the name of Richard O’Brien was between jobs. To keep himself
THRILL ME – THE LEOPOLD AND LOEB STORY★★Waterloo East Theatre
THRILL ME – THE LEOPOLD AND LOEB STORY Waterloo East Theatre ★★ “the twisted true crime core still holds interest” Fifteen years since its London debut, Stephen Dolginoff’s ‘Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story’ returns with another dose of murder and manipulation. Like its characters, this true crime musical
THE OTHER MOZART★★★★Omnibus Theatre
THE OTHER MOZART Omnibus Theatre ★★★★ “Hilarious, moving and heartbreaking” Despite being interested in classical music, I went into this performance knowing almost nothing about Wolfgang Mozart’s sister, Maria Anna ‘Nanneri’ Mozart—the titular ‘other’ Mozart-—a historical elision that creator, writer and performer Sylvia Milo’s striking and innovative work seeks to
AVENUE Q★★★★★Shaftesbury Theatre
AVENUE Q Shaftesbury Theatre ★★★★★ “The razor-sharp lyrics are as funny as ever, helped by some smart tweaks” Multi-Tony award winning ‘Avenue Q’, the lewd, rude and occasionally nude children’s TV parody, explodes back into the West End twenty years after its smash hit debut. Fully updated and featuring a
AN EVENING WITHOUT KATE BUSH★★★★Underbelly Boulevard
AN EVENING WITHOUT KATE BUSH Underbelly Boulevard ★★★★ “It is theatre, cabaret, comedy, music, parody, oratory and pure vocal virtuosity rolled into one” The title of the show speaks for itself, but just to make sure Sarah-Louise Young announces – from the semi-darkness of the stage – that “Kate’s not
OLIVER!★★★½Gielgud Theatre
OLIVER! Gielgud Theatre ★★★½ “Lipkin’s Olivier nominated Fagin steals the show with wit, warmth and humanity” Cameron Mackintosh’s West End revival of Lionel Bart’s Tony and Oscar winning ‘Oliver!’ enters its second year, brimming with crowd pleasing charm. Though the emotional development could be sharper, the stunning score and cast
SORRY I HURT YOUR SON (SAID MY EX TO MY MUM)★★★★Soho Theatre
SORRY I HURT YOUR SON (SAID MY EX TO MY MUM) Soho Theatre ★★★★ “his genuine humour and irreverent style keep the piece feeling fresh” James Barr’s I’m Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex to My Mum) arrives at Soho Theatre with the confidence of a show that
HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD★★★★UK Tour
HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD Duchess Theatre ★★★★ “Pulman’s voice is the evening’s prettiest pleasure” Entertainment delivered at conversational level is deeply unfashionable, to the point of feeling subversive. Nonetheless, Hooray for Hollywood has quietly, cheerfully pitched up at the West End, finding its place among a landscape of brazen, multi-media spectaculars.
IPHEGENIA★★★Arcola Theatre
IPHEGENIA Arcola Theatre ★★★ “an engaging adaptation that brings the classic text closer to us in the modern day” Director and adaptor Serdar Biliş says that he wishes to blend fiction with reality and ask piercing questions, especially during a time when one war breaks after another. And what better
PARTY SEASON★★★UK Tour
PARTY SEASON Royal and Derngate Theatre ★★★ “You’ll be laughing one minute and welling up the next” Wardrobe Ensemble’s latest creation, ‘Party Season’ – premiering at the Royal & Derngate ahead of its UK tour – delivers sharp humour and real poignancy, capturing the chaos and tenderness of new parenthood.
