With the summer holidays just around the corner, the stage adaptation of the Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ picture book What the Ladybird Heard has just flown into the West End for a summer stint ahead of a UK tour.
‘I can’t wait to see & hear the children’s reactions to the play’: Peter Glanville on Polka’s pop up show Maanika & The Wolf
The Polka Theatre’s artistic director chats to Love London Love Culture about the theatre’s pop up performance of Maanika & The Wolf.
‘Smashing piece of family entertainment’: AIDY THE AWESOME – artsdepot (Online review)
Commissioned by Curve Leicester, produced by the Gramophones Theatre Company and directed by Hannah Stone, Aidy the Awesome is currently part-way through a digital tour.
NEWS: Christopher Haydon announces his inaugural season at the Rose Theatre Kingston
Having been appointed Rose Theatre’s artistic director in January 2020, Christopher Haydon was prevented from announcing his inaugural season until now due to Covid-19. With an emphasis on the female voice, the season will include five Rose Original productions – including two world premieres and a new version of an epic Brechtian masterpiece.
‘Funny, moving & thought-provoking’: YOU ARE HERE – Southwark Playhouse
After five long months, theatre buildings are finally back in business for in-person performances, meaning our calendar and credit card statement(!) are starting to look […]
‘Fun & engaging’: DINOSAURS & ALL THAT RUBBISH – Roustabout Theatre (Online review)
Just like Michael Foreman’s classic book Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish, this makes for a piece of work with enduring appeal, rather than a stop-gap solution to not being able to go to the theatre in person.
‘A masterclass in storytelling’: AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN – Barn Theatre (Online review)
An Elephant in the Garden is a poignant production that will unite and delight generations of families as they are drawn into Lizzie’s tale of triumph over adversity.
‘Captivating’: DUST / PARTY – Half Moon Theatre (Online review)
Half Moon Theatre in the east end of London can usually be relied on for quality product and they are just in the middle of streaming a trilogy of filmed plays so I settled down to watch a pair of these.
‘Never flags in its delivery or pace’: WHERE THE BUGABOO LIVES – Little Angel Theatre (Online review)
Where The Bugaboo Lives is the Little Angel’s first Zoom production, performed live. It joins the productions which have been available for free on their YouTube channel during theatre closure.
‘An innovative & imaginative piece’: CURSE OF THE CRACKLES – Shoreditch Town Hall (Online review)
The world premiere of “the great sonic adventure” Curse of the Crackles proves to be 45 minutes of utter fun. Find yourself a dark space or wear an eye mask, plug in your headphones, and interact when you like in this audio experience which brings all kinds of sounds to surround you in your living space.
‘A light touch & a dose of laughter’: FABLES AT THE KITCHEN TABLE – Stute Theatre (Online review)
Soph is a storyteller, sharing tales from Aesop’s Fables to a virtual audience of school groups on Zoom. Fables at the Kitchen Table is the latest show from Stute Theatre, aimed at children aged 3-7, and it is tremendous fun.
NEWS: The Off West End Awards 2021 winners are announced
The winners of the Off West End Awards 2021, encompassing the Offies, OffFest, OnComm and OneOff Awards, have been announced in an online ceremony on 21 February 2021 via Scenesaver.
Theatre tips & treats for families looking for online half term entertainment
After a gruelling half term of home learning, families across the country are gearing up for another half term holiday with nowhere to go. But staying at home doesn’t have to mean having nothing to do, with a wide range of online activities available to entertain children of all ages.
From online festivals to streaming platforms, here’s a digital theatre catch-up to lift your spirits
Welcome to our first 2021 round-up of digital shows available for you to watch in the next few weeks.
From large-scale musicals to Zoom experiences, student showcases to the Bard, film and comedy, children’s theatre to audio pieces, storytelling to…
‘Engaging but not without their darker side’: Paper Aeroplane / Clever Cakes / The Twits (Online review)
Three of London’s most prolific children’s theatres make the OnComm Award finalist’s list.
NEWS: Finalists announced for new online theatre award OnComm
Since the start of the Covid pandemic closures in 2020, many independent, alternative and fringe theatre venues and companies across the UK and beyond responded to the challenges of lockdowns by taking their shows online – and OffWestEnd has responded to this whole new strand of theatre by launching a new award, the OnComm, for the best of this new stream of online theatre.
‘Offers a ray of sunshine’: WHAT A SUPERHERO WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS – Tall Tails Theatre (Online review)
What A Superhero Wants For Christmas, a wonderfully accessible and reassuring piece of children’s theatre, is worth watching if your children are feeling lonely and isolated at the moment.
‘Both mocks & celebrates this most British of theatrical styles’: POTTED PANTO (Online review)
Potted Panto is a quick and jolly canter through Pantoland hosted by a couple of energetic and resourceful performers.
‘An inventive & compelling retelling of a classic’: A CHRISTMAS Carol – Polka Theatre (Online review) ★★★★
An inventive and compelling retelling of a Christmas classic, the Polka Theatre’s A Christmas Carol is a great introduction to the tale of Mr Scrooge for audience members young and old.
‘Age-old tales charmingly done’: A Christmas Carol / The Emperor’s New Clothes (Online review)
The latest account of the Dickens perennial favourite A Christmas Carol comes courtesy of the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield.