The impossible “five years” question is posed to each of the characters in Ben Barrow and Lucy Ireland’s excellent new musical From Here – and each has a different answer.
Mates blogger: Liz Dyer
Liz Dyer is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features Liz'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.
A lifelong fan who's always been far more comfortable watching theatre than making it, Liz Dyer fell into blogging very much by accident after joining the blog team at London Theatre Direct. From there, she began reviewing regularly for LondonTheatre1.com and (fellow Mate) Carn's Theatre Passion, before setting up her own site Theatre Things in 2015 to cover shows across London and Kent. She tweets from her blog at @theatrethingsuk and personally at @lizzid82.
The latest from Liz on MyTheatreMates
‘It’s a lack of action that makes the play interesting’: WOLVES ARE COMING FOR YOU – Jack Studio Theatre
The first in-house production at the Jack Studio since The Invisible Man back in late 2019, Wolves Are Coming From You by Joel Horwood is a story about a small community forced to pull together against an invisible but potentially deadly threat – makin…
‘Truly enchanting’: QUEEN MAB – Actors’ Church
Since last March, going to the theatre – like, actually going to the theatre – has become a rare and magical experience. But even by that standard, there’s something truly enchanting about Queen Mab, the first show in Iris Theatre’s 2021 Summer Festival.
‘Throws us straight into the heart of the story’: DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE – Brighton Fringe (Online review)
Written, rehearsed and filmed in lockdown, Marcia Kelson’s Devil’s Food Cake sensitively shines a light on the impact of an eating disorder on one ordinary family.
‘Powerful, personal & poignant’: TALKING GODS – Arrows & Traps (Online review)
You wait all year for an Arrows & Traps production… and then five come along at once. Unable to return to the stage just yet, Arrows have instead taken to the screen – and given the often cinematic style of writer and director Ross McGregor’s work, it should come as no particular surprise that the transition works pretty seamlessly.
‘A witty, fast-paced musical adventure’: THE LEGEND OF MOBY DICK WHITTINGTON – Sleeping Trees (Online review)
The Sleeping Trees’ The Legend of Moby Dick Whittington is a witty, fast-paced musical adventure that’s full of surprises and will have audiences of all ages joining in from (and possibly on, behind or under) their sofas.
‘Entertaining & polished fictional thriller’: WHAT A CARVE UP! (Online review)
Tamara Harvey’s digital production of What a Carve Up! skilfully builds the suspense, while also systematically taking apart those in power who enjoy all the benefits of their position, while allowing the rest of us to take the hit.
‘The show charts the experience of migration through six phases’: WAITING FOR THE SHIP TO SAIL – Chickenshed Theatre (Online review)
Waiting For The Ship To Sail is a worthwhile reminder that while our minds and our media may currently be focused on one crisis, that doesn’t mean other, equally urgent, issues have gone away.
‘Compelling, provocative drama’: STICKS & STONES – Tristan Bates Theatre
Written by Dameon Garnett in response to the ongoing debate around free speech, Sticks and Stones is a fascinating two-hander that explores how we talk about issues of race, class and privilege in 2020 Britain.
‘Intense & thoughtful’: MEAT – Theatre 503
Meat is an intense and thoughtful play, which doesn’t spoon feed answers to its audience but instead poses a set of questions and leaves us to process them in our own way and within the frame of our own experiences.
‘Powerful & thought-provoking piece of writing’: NETFLIX & CHILL – Drayton Arms Theatre
It’s great to see how Netflix and Chill has grown and the important message that now comes through loud and clear about male mental health and the responsibility we all have to encourage frank and open conversation.
‘Fascinating, entertaining & surprisingly poignant’: CHAPLIN: BIRTH OF A TRAMP – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
If you’ve ever wondered how this particular legend was born, the play Chaplin: Birth of a Tramp offers a fascinating, entertaining and surprisingly poignant way to find out.
‘Potential to spark lively debate’: FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT – Bridewell Theatre
As the Brexit debate continues to rage on, Harry Darell’s timely new play For The Sake of Argument considers the ways in which language can be used for both better and worse,
‘Asks some refreshing questions’: TWELFTH NIGHT – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
As a slightly weary Twelfth Night veteran, personally I enjoyed this more sombre adaptation of the play, which remains accessible to newcomers while offering a fresh perspective to those who’ve seen it before.
‘A tough but fascinating watch’: Lullabies for the Lost & The Delights of Dogs – Old Red Lion Theatre
The content of Lullabies for the Lost and The Delights of Dogs and the Problems of People is intensely real and raw and shines a spotlight on a variety of mental health issues in a very personal but accessible way.
‘Polished & precise production’: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST – Tower Theatre
Pan Productions’ unique and memorable adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic The Importance of Being Earnest is the company’s first production in English, its cast being made up entirely of immigrants whose first languages include French, Turkish and Greek.
‘Guaranteed to warm your heart’: SNOW WHITE – Chickenshed Theatre
As always, Chickenshed’s Christmas show Snow White is a festive treat that’s guaranteed to warm your heart and send you home feeling a little bit better about the world. Who can say no to that?
‘Delivers in style’: WHITE CHRISTMAS – West End
Before long the stage is overflowing with so much joy, romance and goodwill to all that ultimately, much like the snow song, this White Christmas proves impossible to resist.
‘Powerfully written & performed’: POISONED POLLUTED – Old Red Lion Theatre
Kathryn O’Reilly’s second play Poisoned Polluted focuses on the fragmenting relationship between two women – in this case, sisters.
‘Intriguing & full of surprises’: GASLIGHT – Playground Theatre
While this reimagining of Gaslight doesn’t necessarily deliver on all its promises, the production does successfully highlight the continuing relevance of both the story and its core issue.