I doubt I will see another show in 2022 that matches the allure and sense of occasion as Rebecca Frecknall’s much-anticipated production of Cabaret.
News, Reviews and Features
These are all of our in-house news and features as well as syndicated article excerpts from our 45+ theatre bloggers. You can also access All Our Mates' Posts in comprehensive list form and view individual author pages.
‘Dynamic, energetic & paced like an 800m race’: FAIR PLAY – Bush Theatre
Ella Road’s new two-hander is set in the world of track athletics, but the two characters, Ann (NicK King) and Sophie (Charlotte Beaumont) are not just any runners.
‘The chance to play a randy vicar in a farce is not to be sniffed at’: Matthew Cottle on Habeas Corpus
Matthew Cottle is currently starring in Patrick Marber’s revival of Alan Bennett’s classic farce Habeas Corpus, now running at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory until 26 February 2022.
‘A bonkers funfest of innuendo, audience interaction & toe-tapping tunes’: ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Touring
Having seen the show a few times beforem I knew exactly what to expect from the affectionate pastiche of old B-Movies, but my husband (and co-blogger) was a newcomer, having never even seen the film adaptation.
Year in review: My favourite in-person shows 2021
When I had a look through my list of shows, it wasn’t too hard to choose a top 10 – the hardest thing was getting them in the right order
‘Genius programming for winter 2022’: FORCE MAJEURE – Donmar Warehouse ★★★
Inspired programming here. You’d find a decent overlap in any January Venn diagram of regular Donmar audiences and people who wish they were skiing.
‘It’s just too rich a seam for artists to ever tire of exploiting it’: Isobel McArthur on Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of)
‘Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of) an affectionate, faithful re-telling of Jane Austen’s iconic novel – only, told by the servants, with karaoke.’
‘It’s naughty & not always nice’: HABEAS CORPUS – Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★
Joe Orton had been dead six years when Alan Bennett’s 1973 Habeas Corpus made its West End debut in a production starring Sir Alec Guinness.
‘Shades of Scandi humour on the slopes’: FORCE MAJEURE – Donmar Warehouse
The Donmar Warehouse’s stage has been converted into a French ski resort for Force Majeure.
Force Majeur…
‘A celebration of acting & theatre’: David Suchet: Poirot & More, A Retrospective – West End ★★★★
An evening spent in the company of David Suchet is an evening well spent as this fascinating and warm show proves.
New post-show Q&A: Join Terri Paddock for Off-Broadway hit Freud’s Last Session
As part of her resumed post-show talk series, Mates founder Terri Paddock will chair a discussion at Freud’s Last Session at London’s King’s Head Theatre on Tuesday 25 January 2022. Time to get booking!
Year in review: Ian’s 10 favourite shows of 2021
Just a little bit late… Here’s 10 of my favourite shows, both online and onstage but fully acknowledging that I saw a lot less than usual, I might actually have broken the back of this theatre obsession – it just took a global pandemic to do it…!
‘Tamsin Greig is exceptionally funny, candid & cutting in equal measure’: PEGGY FOR YOU – Hampstead Theatre
What is a play? A message to the future, a fart in your face or a pain in the arse?
What is a play? A message to the future, a fart in your face or a pain in the arse? Just a few of the suggestions that the writer clients of agent Peggy Ramsay offer up when a young ingenue asks that fatal question in her office one otherwise ordi…
WATCH NOW: Crossline Theatre’s Friday Night Love Poem streaming via The Space
Friday Night Love Poem, the acclaimed play from female-led Crossline Theatre, is now streaming for a limited season via The Space Arts Centre, on-demand until Saturday 22 January 2022, including a watch-party and post-show Q&A with the creatives on Friday 21 January. Time to get booking!
‘Ruth Wilson is strong casting in the central role’: HEDDA GABLER – National Theatre At Home (Online review)
Ruth Wilson is strong casting in the central role with a, for once, restrained Ivo van Hove directing.
Year in review: Ian’s 10 top theatrical moments of 2021
As distinct from my favourite shows of the year, this list celebrates the fact that sometimes the good and the not-so-good co-exist right next to each – some of my favourite moments.
‘There’s a truthful dramatic core to the whole venture’: FOLK – Hampstead Theatre ★★★★
There’s a lovely serendipity. The main theatre is running Peggy for You while the little downstairs space has Nell Leyshon’s rather lovely new play imagining Cecil Sharp collecting folk-songs in Somerset.
Year in review: Emma’s 7 favourite theatre productions of 2021
Despite everything that has been happening in the world, last year saw some fantastic theatre being produced under difficult circumstances: here are just a few of our favourite productions.
‘A chance to get inside & interact with the Whoniverse’: DOCTOR WHO: Time Fracture – Unit Headquarters ★★★★
Designing an immersive experience for an audience as obsessive as Doctor Who fans would seem almost completely impossible.
‘Plenty of stunning gymnastic-inspired choreography, high levels of energy & joy’: BRING IT ON – Queen Elizabeth Hall then Touring ★★★★
This pom-pom filled musical might be slight in story, but it certainly has much to enjoy thanks to Fabian Aloise’s choreography.