We’re properly hitting that busy time when new seasons and openings in London and across the UK are being announced left, right and centre, before – wait for it – the build-up to Christmas shows and pantos begins.
So here’s our editor Lisa Martland’s Top Picks from the last week’s productions in the West End, London Fringe and beyond with thanks to the 40-plus affiliated and expert bloggers who regularly contribute to My Theatre Mates.
From musicals Big (literally) to the more intimate Shida, from reinvention (A Doll’s House) to international (The Eyes of the Night).
Big The Musical – Dominion Theatre, London ★★★★
Ben Dowell: “All in all, smashing fun if you can cope with the fact that at the heart of it is a power-relationship dynamic raising slightly awkward questions. But not in a Big way.”
A Doll’s House – Lyric Hammersmith, London
Aleks Sierz: “Tanika Gupta’s excellent reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is not only a hugely enjoyable evening, but also speaks to other similar adaptations.”
Midlife Cowboy – Pleasance Theatre, London
Kirsty Herrington: “It’s always great to see new British musicals and Midlife Cowboy certainly shows promise. It is infectious and entertaining, with a brilliant soundtrack to boot.”
The Permanent Way – The Vaults, London
Ed Whitfield: “Verbatim testimonials constitute this play, now revived in a hollow under Waterloo Station. There you listen to the miserable story unfold in a symbolic dark void beneath overstuffed commuter carriages.”
Amsterdam – Orange Tree Theatre, London ★★★
Carole Woddis: “Yasur takes no prisoners in the adventurous format she’s chosen to explore the appalling extermination of 75% of Amsterdam’s Jewish Dutch citizens during the Second World War.”
The Eyes Of The Night – Cervantes Theatre, London ★★★★
Michael Davis: “The translation of Pedrero’s script fleshes out the subtext of the script, the idiosyncrasies of the Spanish language, and the timeless ‘dance’ between men and women that transcends international boundaries.”
Shida – The Vaults, London ★★★★
Claire Roderick: “Her vocal power and characterisation are simply sublime, in both the softer numbers and those that are belted out with stylish ferocity. The chance to see Jeannette Bayardelle performing in such an intimate theatre is one not to miss.”
An editor, writer and critic, Lisa Martland is the founder of Vuelio top-ranked website Musical Theatre Review which she set up in 2013. She has largely single-handedly developed it into one of the UK’s must-read sites for professionals and expert followers of the sector. In 2018, Lisa also joined the Terri Paddock Group, taking on the role of editor for both MyTheatreMates and our sister musical theatre site Stage Faves. Formerly, she was deputy editor at The Stage Newspaper.
