New musical #ZoologicalSociety, written by Vikki Stone and Kate Mulgrew, gets a well-timed concept album release.
Mates blogger: Ian Foster
Ian Foster is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features Ian'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.
Since 2003, Ian Foster has been writing reviews of plays, sometimes with a critical element, on his blog Ought to Be Clowns, which has been listed as one of the UK's Top Ten Theatre Blogs by Lastminute.com, Vuelio and Superbreak. He averages more than 350+ shows a year. He says: "Call me a reviewer, a critic or a blogger, and you will apparently put someone or other's nose out of joint! So take it or leave it, essentially this is my theatrical diary, recording everything I go to see at the theatre in London and beyond, and venturing a little into the worlds of music and film/TV where theatrical connections can be made."
The latest from Ian on MyTheatreMates
‘Big misjudgement. Huge’: PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL – West End
Aimie Atkinson is good but deserves far better than Pretty Woman: the Musical, the blatant cash grab at the Piccadilly Theatre.
‘A refreshing change to the norm’: MACBETH – Greenwich Theatre
Lazarus Theatre’s ensemble-based take on Macbeth at Greenwich Theatre proves thrilling in its stylish directorial vision.
‘Might be in need of a miracle’: THE PRINCE OF EGYPT – West End
In The Prince Of Egypt highly committed cast does their best to ride out inconsistent production choices to deliver work that fills the Dominion well.
‘Properly entertaining & endlessly watchable’: The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen – Vault Festival
I go and see The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen at the VAULT Festival and end up playing a tree with killer leaves.
‘Its vibrant energy is thrilling to behold’: POET IN DA CORNER – Royal Court Theatre & Touring
As rap and spoken word emerge as the primary storytelling modes in Poet in da Corner, along with some evocative dancing, there’s a compelling sense of the potential of what theatre can be.
‘An intriguing start to Bloomer’s tenure’: I WOKE UP FEELING ELECTRIC – Hope Theatre
Jack Robson’s I Woke Up Feeling Electric asks some morally and technologically challenging questions at the Hope Theatre.
‘A truly astonishing piece of acting’: DEATH OF ENGLAND – National Theatre
In Death of England, Rafe Spall delivers the performance of a lifetime in this punchy monologue by Clint Dyer and Roy Williams at the National Theatre.
‘It’s hilarious but also moving’: AFTER(S) – White Bear Theatre
The perils of midweek drinking writ large – After(s) examines what it means to be in your mid-twenties today at the White Bear Theatre in Kennington.
‘You’ll find it hard not to be won over’: THE MISDAVENTURES OF DAVID & SAM – Vault Festival
The Misadventures of David and Sam proves a good-natured and light-hearted piece of fun family theatre at the VAULT Festival.
‘Its power is unmistakeable’: THE SUGAR SYNDROME – Orange Tree Theatre
A fine revival of Lucy Prebble’s first play The Sugar Syndrome features a strong debut performance from Jessica Rhodes at the Orange Tree Theatre.
Twenty shows to look out for at the VAULT Festival 2020
Insofar as it is humanly possible for any one person to know everything that is happening at the VAULT Festival this year, I present a handful of my recommendations for 2020.
‘A triumphant tragicomedy’: UNCLE VANYA – West End
Conor McPherson’s adaptation of Uncle Vanya featuring Toby Jones and Richard Armitage at the Harold Pinter Theatre is so good you can forgive the “wanging on”.
‘A historical epic that demands to be heard’: THE WELKIN – National Theatre
Lucy Kirkwood returns to the National Theatre with The Welkin, starring a brilliant ensemble led by Maxine Peake.
‘Delicate but delicious’: YOU STUPID DARKNESS! – Southwark Playhouse
With its focus on the small things, Sam Steiner’s play You Stupid Darkness! is a delicate but delicious thing at the Southwark Playhouse.
‘Fascinating drama’: THE STORY / HELA – Touring
The Other Room’s The Story and Hela make a delightful and daring double bill of Welsh drama at Theatre503.
‘Bold & striking’: THE PROCESS – Bunker Theatre
BAZ Productions’ The Process proves bold and striking in its use of BSL and spoken English, if a little flawed too, now running at the Bunker Theatre.
‘Playful & intermittently powerful’: TOM BROWN’S SCHOOL DAYS – Union Theatre
A musical adaptation of Tom Brown’s School Days at the Union Theatre has some moments, and performances, to treasure.
‘At the cutting edge of the zeitgeist’: SIX THE MUSICAL – Touring
As well as providing a welcome opportunity for performers to really cut loose, Six also – sadly – remains at the cutting edge of the zeitgeist.
‘Toys interestingly with ideas of representation’: ANTIGONE – New Diorama Theatre
Holy What’s Antigone at the New Diorama shifts the focus of Sophocles’ play onto two young sisters to powerful effect.