Electrolyte is a special piece of theatre that fuses spoken word with all the key components of a gig – a great way to keep the mental health conversation going.
Mates blogger: Debbie Gilpin
Debbie Gilpin is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features Debbie's posts on MyTheatreMates. Take a look at our full list of theatre bloggers and our aggregated feed of all our Mates' posts. We’re always looking for new theatre bloggers. Could that be you? Learn about how to join us.
Debbie Gilpin stumbled into writing about theatre when she moved to London after studying for a degree in Human Genetics at Newcastle University. She started her website Mind the Blog in November 2014 and also tweets from @Mind_the_Blog. She spent the best part of 2014-16 inadvertently documenting Sunny Afternoon in the West End, and now also writes for BroadwayWorld UK. Debbie’s theatre passions are Shakespeare and new writing, but she’s also a sucker for shows with a tap routine.
The latest from Debbie on MyTheatreMates
‘Watch out, because the rhythm will get you!’: ON YOUR FEET! – London Coliseum ★★★★
One test of biography jukebox musicals is how much an uninitiated audience member ends up learning about the artist through the course of the show.
‘Writing a play is cheaper than therapy’: Tom Hartwell’s play Before 30 has a stint at the Edinburgh Fringe
Tom Hartwell’s play Before 30 is now making its way up to Edinburgh for a stint at the Festival Fringe prior to a one-off performance at the United Solo Theatre Festival in New York this November
It’s been a summer of Shakespeare Dreams
“What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?” A plethora of productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, that’s what.
‘An imaginative way to keep the mental health conversation going’: GREY – Ovalhouse ★★★★
Koko Brown is back with her new show Grey, following on from last year’s hit one-woman play White. This instalment of the Colour Trilogy explores depression and black women’s mental health.
‘Carnival reaches Southwark’: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★
Carnival reaches Southwark in this vibrant new A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with a lively cast &and colourful designs – and don’t get comfortable if you’re a groundling.
‘Consider the history books rewritten’: SIRENS – Touring ★★★★★
Sirens is a rip-roaring show that shares a vital feminist message and champions increased inclusivity in theatre – consider the history books rewritten!
‘A good concept & well-incorporated live music’: THE FLIES – Bunker Theatre
Exchange Theatre returns with its production of Jean-Paul Sartre’s The Flies, running alternately in French and English at The Bunker Theatre for a limited time.
‘Incredibly thought-provoking piece of work’: KILL CLIMATE DENIERS – Pleasance Theatre ★★★★
Kill Climate Deniers is a crazy show that’s surprisingly considered, as well as cathartic, raising big points and big laughs – a vital part of the climate conversation.
‘Highlighting its relevance to the present climate’: HENRY V – Cirencester ★★★★
Henry V at The Barn Theatre, Cirencester is an exceptionally well conceived production, with a clear focus on storytelling and great visuals – a Henry V for our times.
‘Might be the most energetic performance I’ve ever seen’: THE WORST LITTLE WAREHOUSE IN LONDON – Touring ★★★★
The Worst Little Warehouse might be the most energetic performance I’ve ever seen. I genuinely don’t know how Lala Barlow and Robbie Smith do it, pirouetting around the stage while singing, playing keyboard, actually telling the story of their year in the warehouse…
‘The whole company must be applauded’: BEATS ON POINTE – Peacock Theatre ★★★★
Beats on Pointe at the Peacock Theatre is an infectiously enjoyable show that’s at its best when it focuses entirely on the dance – highly recommended.
‘An interestingly conceived production’: SALOMÉ – Greenwich Theatre
“Dance for me, Salome, I beseech you.” The final production in this year’s Lazarus Theatre Company residency at Greenwich Theatre (following on from The Tempest and Lord of the Flies) is a new version of Oscar Wilde’s Salomé.
‘Far from bonzer new musical’: SUMMER STREET – Waterloo East Theatre
An energetic cast and an understated performance from Pogo the Summer Street dog are not enough to save this problematic show at the Waterloo East Theatre.
‘The ideal tonic for our modern world’: MATILDA THE MUSICAL – West End ★★★★★
It’s no wonder Matilda The Musical has managed to stand its ground in the West End; it’s a sheer delight for adults and children alike, brimming with optimism and a clear sense of right and wrong.
‘A fresh perspective’: HENRY V – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★★
A fresh perspective on the classic Henry V, concluding Hal’s journey from errant prince to conquering king – an action-packed end to the trilogy.
‘Echoes through to modern-day instabilities’: HENRY IV PART 1 – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★★
Henry IV Part 1 is a fast-paced, fun production that speaks to our politically unstable times – a great way to start the new season.
‘A worthy showcase of the short play form’: FEAST FROM THE EAST – Tristan Bates Theatre
Feast from the East is a series of eight short plays from INK Festival, showcasing the playwriting talent from East Anglia; they’re on the road and in London.
MISSED THE BOAT: Hadestown
I’m not quite sure how I managed to miss Hadestown at the National Theatre before it transferred to Broadway, where it has picked up 14 Tony Award nominations.
‘The rich score is performed expertly by the cast of actor-musicians’: THE HIRED MAN – Hornchurch & Touring ★★★
A decent production of a slightly bland musical – The Hired Man’s 20-30 year span is over-ambitious for the given running time.