The second pair of plays from #FinboroughFrontier’s quartet of pieces #VoicesFromUkraine reflecting on the situation in the war torn nation is now available. They join the first couple to form a suite of programmes focusing on life in the country as the inhabitants are invaded by a hostile force and their response to the situation.
‘The chemistry between Condou & Roscoe is fantastic’: THE THRONE – Charing Cross Theatre
Acclaimed screenwriter John Goldsmith brings his first play The Throne to Charing Cross Theatre this summer. It is set in 2002, the year of the Golden Jubilee, and imagines an encounter between a Republican school teacher Derek (Charlie Condou) and Queen Elizabeth II (Mary Roscoe) when they get stuck in a toilet together.
‘The old story echoes as it should’: PARADISE LOST – Touring
Paradise Lost is a curiosity, one of those delightful sproutings now going around after the loss of two Edinburgh Fringes and a lot of lockdown frustration. Ian Sharp’s words and Tim Sutton’s music are applied with merriment – but some decent reverence too – to the great rolling iambics of John Milton.
‘Entertaining & thought-provoking family drama’: FAVOUR – Bush Theatre
Favour is another artistic success from the consistently-innovative Bush Theatre, set within a community and on subject matter rarely shown on stage. It is very well worth going out of the way to watch.
’Heartbreaking story told beautifully’: MOMENT OF GRACE – Hope Theatre
Inspired by the moment in April 1987 when the princess opened Britain’s first HIV/AIDS unit at London’s Middlesex Hospital and challenged public perceptions of the disease by shaking hands with patients, Moment of Grace at the Hope Theatre draws on a number of voices to paint a powerful picture of that day and its far-reaching impact.
‘Refreshing take on a tale as old as time’: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – London Palladium ★★★★
Alan Menken’s classic score for Beauty and the Beast is shown off to its best at the London Palladium in this suitably charming production based on Disney’s animated film.
‘Two spectacular performances’: Switch_MCR Double Bill – Manchester ★★★★★
Switch_MCR are a Manchester-based theatre company creating new and exciting accessible work. The company was founded by Royal Exchange Young Company members and is now one of the biggest independent theatre companies in Manchester. This Double Bill performance was a collection of two new and exciting plays, Lekhani Chirwa’s Senses of Responsibility and Joseph Conway’s Blue Moss.
‘I hope some bigger theatre gets the bottle to pick up this production’: TONY! [THE TONY BLAIR OPERA] – Park Theatre ★★★★★
That Harry Hill is the writer explains the rumbustious irreverence of Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] at the Park Theatre, but Steve Brown’s tunes and lyrics are much of its glory.
‘A show to lift your spirits’: SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN – Touring
Based on the iconic 1952 musical film featuring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor, Singin’ in the Rain has both a great pedigree and a lot to live up to. Now touring after successful runs in Chichester and at Sadler’s Wells, this joyous show taking affectionate aim at the moment the movies learned to talk is both a homage to its source and an entertaining show in its own right.
‘A heartfelt epic play’: THE FELLOWSHIP – Hampstead Theatre
With Windrush Day being 22 June, last week was originally going to be the opening night of Roy Williams’ new Hampstead Theatre play, The Fellowship, until plans had to be changed because Lucy Vandi, who was to play the main character, fell sick and performances were postponed. Cherrelle Skeete bravely takes on this major role and her dynamic stage presence, partly with script in hand on press night, is one of the evening’s highlights.
‘An undeniably fine piece of theatre’: MAD HOUSE – Ambassadors Theatre ★★★★
Theresa Rebeck’s Mad House at the Ambassadors Theatre is a tremendously engrossing and satisfying tragicomedy, given a flawless, blazingly well acted production by Moritz von Stuelpnagel.
‘Gregory Doran doing what he does better than any of his generation’: RICHARD III – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon ★★★★★
Take this as purest Shakespearian tragedy: vigorous but classic, a magnificent magnification of the darkest human and political longing, of affection, terror, defensiveness, hubris and – in the women – a defiant courage that rings down the ages. Don’t miss Richard III at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon.
‘Lovely hybrid between audiobook & theatre experience’: KISSES ON A POSTCARD (Online Show)
Streaming in two versions, a concept album at two hours available for free, and a four hour one for purchase, Kisses on a Postcard is an episodic piece which can be enjoyed in short bursts between 20 and 40 minutes each.
‘The whole thing sings’: CANCELLING SOCRATES – Jermyn Street Theatre
The Jermyn Street Theatre – small as it is – has been rocking Howard Brenton’s latest play Cancelling Socrates, set in Ancient Greece and dealing with the last days and condemnation for sacrilege of the philosopher Socrates.
‘Gripping & insightful piece of theatre’: EVELYN – Southwark Playhouse
Tom Ratcliffe’s compelling play Evelyn at Southwark Playhouse challenges our thoughts and opinions to great effect, while also offering a raw emotional experience.
‘Class, race & past activism haunt this family saga’: THE FELLOWSHIP – Hampstead Theatre
First female friendship is the focus of Roy Williams’ latest play The Fellowship, premiering at the Hampstead Theatre as class, race and past activism haunts this family saga.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: This is Not Who I Am at the Royal Court Theatre
Love London Love Culture’s Emma Clarendon takes a look at what critics have had to say about this new play at London’s Royal Court Theatre.
‘Really gets to grips with the multiple meanings of its title’: MAD HOUSE – Ambassadors Theatre
Ambassadors Theatre, London – until 4 September 2022 For the second time in successive weeks an American family drama opens in the West End and while Jitney may be a less obvious group of characters, the premiere of Theresa Rebeck’s new play Mad House focuses on a more traditional dynamic. US theatre is filled with dysfunctional family dramas and the …
FROM DOWN UNDER: Six in Melbourne
Given its fringe origins, Six is an ideal fit for Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre, flooding the relatively intimate space with throbbing music and rock stadium lighting. The heady combination of mega-talented cast, glittering production and fabulous material conjures an irresistibly electric atmosphere, grabbing the audience by the lapels and not letting go for the breathlessly brisk 75-minute running time.
‘It’s a true crowd pleaser, without the cliches’: MAM I’M ‘ERE – Liverpool
It’s been much, much longer than I thought since I sat down to watch a main stage performance at the Royal Court – and ten years since I caught the first outing of Mam I’m ‘Ere. Days later, I’m still smiling about this brilliant revival. And if the welcome back was warm, the cast was positively on fire.