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.
‘You feel you have seen an epic’: 8 HOTELS – Chichester ★★★★
Nicholas Wright’s sharp play imagines the US touring production of the first black Othello and its aftermath in the uneasy years of the McCarthyite search for Communist sympathisers.
‘Queer identities couldn’t be explored in a more delicate way’: THE HAPPINESS PROJECT – Edinburgh Fringe
The first thing that strikes about The Happiness Project is the colours. Shocking pink and neon yellow on a plain background and plastic-grass floor.
NEWS: The Good Scout transfers direct from Edinburgh for four-week London run
After ★★★★★ success at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, The Good Scout becomes the latest Glenn Chandler festival hit to transfer directly to London’s Above the Stag Theatre. Time to get booking!
‘Proves that classic mysteries never go out of fashion’: THE LADY VANISHES – Touring
Relatively obscure British crime writer Ethel Lina White’s greatest legacy is her 1936 novel, The Wheel Spins – two years after publication, Alfred Hitchcock directed the film The Lady Vanishes, widely regarded as one of British cinema’s greatest works, based on her book.
‘He’s funniest on the fly’: TOM LENK IS TRASH – Edinburgh Fringe
Tom Lenk is Trash is trash. That’s not even a cruel review, it’s literally what he told me to say. And after seeing the show, I am not going to be so stupid as to say anything he doesn’t want me to.
‘Probably the best climax to any show seen this year’: FISHBOWL – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★★
A sold-out Pleasance Grand suggests that Fishbowl may be one of the hits of the summer.
‘Could be a relevant & illuminating discussion’: CONSPIRACY – Edinburgh Fringe
Three conspiracy theorists have gathered to unpick discrepancies and inconsistencies in the 1932 photograph ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ in Conspiracy.
‘Non-stop laughs, rude & explicit jokes’: JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA – Manchester ★★★★
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Jerry Springer the Opera. It was non-stop laughs, rude and explicit jokes, and I was impressed with all performers. I would definitely go to see this show again and recommend it to friends to go see for themselves.
BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET AUTUMN SEASON
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s autumn season features a fitting balance of classical and contemporary ballet including Giselle and a Mixed Bill including the World Premiere of the latest Ballet Now comm…
‘I knew if she didn’t act or feel like the character Charlotte Brontë created, I’d have failed’: Nick Lane on adapting Jane Eyre for the stage
“Having re-read the book, I was struck by how powerful Jane’s path was – and if it had made me feel that way in the 21st century, the effect on its readers when it was first published must have been seismic!”
‘Impressive melodies delivered with impeccable brio’: LIMBO: CITY OF DREAMS – Edinburgh Fringe
You can’t accuse upcoming composer Finn Anderson of resting on his laurels. His fingerprints are all over this year’s Fringe, from the buzz-worthy Islanders over at Summerhall, to this, Limbo: City Of Dreams.
‘A brilliant concept’: ROCK ‘N’ ROLL GIRLS – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★
What on earth can be the connection between ‘Brown Sugar’ by the Rolling Stones, ‘Lola’ by The Kinks, ‘Eleanor Rigby’ by The Beatles, ‘Roxanne’ by The Police and… Monica? The five characters in Rock ‘n’ Roll Girls explain all.
‘Truly magical’: THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★★
In a world full of fear and worry, we all need a reminder that there’s still hope. Luckily, in The Man Who Planted Trees at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, two storytellers and their puppets are here to give us just that.
‘Some moments that really hit home’: HOT FLUSH – Edinburgh Fringe
Hot Flush is a great idea and there are some moments that really hit home, but while Hot Flush is far from a complete washout, it’s hard to be fully engaged.
‘Fierce, unapologetic, thought-provoking & radical’: EVERYTHING I SEE I SWALLOW – Edinburgh Fringe
Fierce, unapologetic, thought-provoking and radical, Everything I See I Swallow may not the circus show you wanted, but it’s the circus show you needed.
‘Simple yet well executed’: PINK HOUSE – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★
Exploring grief and the impact of trauma on memory and family relationships, Paradigm Lab’s Pink House by Madison Pollack at PQA Venues is somewhat heartbreaking and completely honest.
‘Jet black comedy mixed with just a dash of Dali’: CROCODILE FEVER – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★
Who needs that double espresso shot when shows like Meghan Tyler’s Crocodile Fever exist?
‘A true delight’: Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch – Edinburgh Fringe
Fat Rascal brings its usual comedic flair to this brilliant musical parody that exposes the untold truth of Ursula The Sea Witch of The Little Mermaid fame.
‘Likeable & informative’: THUNDERSTRUCK – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★
Thunderstruck by David Colvin at Assembly Checkpoint is a deeply felt and human tale, whose relationship with its source and inspiration nevertheless makes for some uncertain moments.
New post-show Q&A: Join Terri for Kander & Ebb’s Cabaret, starring John Partridge
As part of her ongoing post-show Q&A series, on Thursday 29 August 2019, Mates co-founder Terri Paddock heads to Bromley for the start of Cabaret’s new tour, starring John Partridge as the emcee. Got any questions?