DOLPHINS AND SHARKS by James Anthony Tyler
Finborough Theatre 12 – 30 September 2017
****
James Anthony Tyler’s enjoyable comedy, first shown as part of Finborough’s Vibrant Festival of new writing (2016), neatly brings new arguments to the racism debate.
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL by Patricia Resnick & Dolly Parton
Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate 30 Aug – 1 Oct 2017
****
‘Joyful and life-affirming’
The 1980’s comedy classic “9 To 5” was a pivotal film ...
THE SWORD AND THE DOPE by Michael Head
Waterloo East Theatre 5 September - 1st of October 2017
****
‘you’ll feel like you’ve been portkeyed into a world of Vikings and Lords’
Back for its fourth run, this time at the Waterloo East theatre, Michael Head and his gang of actors aimed to live up to their past praise and boy did they do just that. Read More
DANTE’S DIVINE COMEDY
Baron’s Court Theatre 5 - 30 September 2017
*****
Dante’s narrative poem was completed in 1320, one year before his death. Telling the story of the soul’s journey towards God, Dante was very much a man of his time. So It Goes Theatre have taken this late Medieval epic and given it contemporary focus. Read More
THE PROVOKED WIFE by John Vanbrugh
The Hope Theatre, 5 to 23 Sept 2017
*****
It takes something special to make a 320-year-old play feel fresh, funny, and entirely up-to-date, and Marooned Theatre do exactly that with their new take on Vanbrugh’s The Provoked Wife. Read More
TALK RADIO by Eric Bogosian
Old Red Lion Theatre 29 August – 23 September 2017
*****
Thirty years ago, when Eric Bogosian penned the play, talk radio was at its height. With loners, drunks, and insomniacs included amongst their callers, they were not, the most level-headed bunch. Read More
AGENT OF INFLUENCE: THE SECRET LIFE OF PAMELA MORE by Sarah Sigal
Drayton Arms Theatre 5 -23 September 2017
****
‘Passionate and unapologetic'
A beautiful, charismatic, fashion columnist and socialite, Mrs Pamela More is recruited by MI5 in London 1936. Read More
THE STATE OF THINGS by Thomas Attwood
Music and Lyrics by Elliot Clay
Brockley Jack Studio Theatre 7 - 23 September 2017
***
‘The musical score is fantastic, the story misses the mark’
Seven teenagers are getting prepared for their music GCSE when they suddenly find out the A’level music course is being cut. This is particularly relevant at the moment ... Read more
BREATHING CORPSES by Laura Wade
The Hen & Chickens Theatre 18 – 23 September 2017
***
‘a promising cast for Laura Wade’s seminal play’
This is required viewing for any theatre buffs who haven’t seen a Laura Wade play yet. BREATHING CORPSES was nominated for an Olivier Award as well as a bunch of other awards. Premiered at The Royal Court Theatre in 2005 ... Read More
Archive Five-Star reviewed shows:
Jack Studio theatre until 2nd September
‘the slow disintegration of a relationship…with enough edge to keep it feeling fresh’
The dysfunctional teacher pupil relationship has proved to be a rich seam for playwrights to mine (Phoebe Éclair Powell’s Wink, Matt Parvin’s Jam and Brad Birch’s The Brink) and playwright Tim Cook adds a new dimension ... Read More
THE GAME’S AFOOT by Tom Taylor (Touring nationally)
Reviewed at Upstairs at The Western, Leicester 1 September 2017
‘the laughs come thick and fast’
Tom Taylor is a very funny multi award winning comedian whose usual genre is silly musical comedy. This year he has branched out into what can only be described as spoof detective stories and ... Read More
FILTH based on the novels by Irvine Welsh adapted by Harry Gibson
Etcetera Theatre, 18 – 20 August 2017
'A stonking filthy Glasgow Kiss'
As the show kicks off, it becomes clear that the filth of the title role is an officer of the law who has chosen his job for the sole satisfaction of abusing the power it gives him. Read More
MIMES (Most Imbecilic Mime Ensemble Show)
Etcetera Theatre 16 – 20 August 2017
'Their expressive faces reveal so much more than words could say, in this exquisite mime show'
In this family show the mimes use traditional Commedia dell’arte techniques as well as clowning and ... Read More
The Etcetera, Camden 14th – 17th August
‘soaring musicality and delicious smuttiness’
Broken is one of those rare things where you feel as though you are watching a classic in the making. Set in Shepherds Bush it focuses on the ... Read More
SAM AND TOM: UNRECTIFIABLE (Edinburgh Preview)
By Tom Burgess & Sam Nicoresti
Etcetera Theatre, Camden 22nd July
‘a depth of oddity that’s utterly unique’
Jack Studio Theatre 18 July – 5 August 2017
Presented by Lazarus Theatre Company
‘If Kneehigh did fringe theatre, this would be it.’
Barons Court Theatre, 4-8 July 2017
‘Magnificent seven actors bring poetic beauty to a deeply challenging subject’
You know if you are going to a Sarah Kane play it’s going to be a challenging night. So, it was with some trepidation that I went to see 4.48 Psychosis, the last play Kane wrote before taking her life in 1999 aged just 28. Read More
Old Red Lion Theatre, 9 May to 3 June.
James (Scott Arthur) has no friends, but he has a flatmate, and that flatmate, Ryan (Laurie Jamieson), is the friendly, garrulous, foot-in-the-mouth kind of guy who isn’t going to let James waste away his life this way. Read More
LIVING A LITTLE by Finlay Bain
The Kings Head Theatre 6th May – 14th May
Presented by Riot House Theatre with In Your Face Theatre
‘Full of crudeness, charm, and heart’
It’s happened: the zombie apocalypse. The world is in tatters, society has dissolved, chaos reigns. But holed up in a small flat with all the pre-apocalypse luxuries one could hope for, Paul and Rob are living life as normally as they can. But when their sanctuary is invaded by the katana-wielding Penelope, their carefully constructed way of life is challenged and irrevocably changed. Read More
The Kings Head Theatre 3rd May – 4th June
Presented by The Charles Court Opera
‘will delight opera veterans and convert new comers alike’
Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ is one of the best known and well-loved operas there is. An intimidating project to say the least. The Charles Court Opera present their interpretation of this famous show setting it in the heart of the South American jungle. The story follows intrepid explorer Tamino as he embarks on a journey filled with fantastical, magical creatures, where nothing is as it appears to be. Read More
BRIMSTONE AND TREACLE by Dennis Potter
The Hope Theatre 2 – 20 May 2017
Where would you find the devil? Is it Mr Bates hiding behind the National Front? Or even more disturbingly behind a cup of tea and the Sunday Times? Or, Martin, the ‘kindly’ stranger inveigling his way into the household. In Dennis Potter’s 1970s play, banned by BBC radio and not aired until 11 years later, we are faced with this dilemma. Read More
The Finborough Theatre has done it again. They have re-discovered (and dare I say it re-imagined) this wonderful play ‘Caste’ by TW Robertson. They have, without a doubt, ‘a hit. A palpable hit’, on their hands. Read More
Arthur Miller’s INCIDENT AT VICHY
Finborough Theatre until 22 April 2017
Presented by Anita Creed Productions for The Phil Willmott Company
It’s late enough in the war ... Read More
Music and Lyrics by Christopher J Orton
Book and Lyrics by Robert Gould
Presented by All Star Productions
Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre 7 – 26 February
Deserves a transfer to the West End
Gatehouse Theatre until 29th January 2017
'Delightful cast in a well-presented production'
The action takes place on a transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton in 1934. This charming production is faithful to the period and might have been exactly as Cole Porter would have wanted to see it. Read More