Coming of age biopic Rob Madge: My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) at the Underbelly George Square, Edinburgh is truly a thing of beauty, its life affirming and will leave you crying like a baby. Quite frankly the entire show needs to be shown in schools to educate both the children and the teachers.
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.
‘Timely, enterprising, emotionally shattering, politically shaming’: TWO UKRAINIAN PLAYS – Finborough Theatre
These two Ukrainian Plays at the Finborough Theatre were both both first born at the time of the 2014 conflict in Ukraine, the second particularly in the Donbas where ugly divisions erupted between Russian sympathisers and supporters of the elected and legitimate government in Kyiv.
‘Reclamation of trans people’s othering is joyful & fun’: SOMETHING IN THE WATER – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
In transphobic discourse, trans people are feared and consequently monstered. In these bigots’ brains, they are positioned outside the gender binary and labelled ‘not normal’. Canadian trans nonbinary theatremaker SE Grummett (they/them) first satirises what is considered normal within traditional gender roles, then creates a simple folktale where trans people as superheroes. They uses puppetry, audience interaction and live feed video projection along with monologues to both hilarious and profound effect.
‘Elements of the story connect in ways that surprise’: PATRIOTS – Almeida Theatre
Peter Morgan’s new play Patriots at the Almeida Theatre is a history lesson, filling in the gaps in our understanding of how we ended up where we are now. Specifically, it connects events in Russia after the fall of Communism with the high profile deaths in the UK of Russians who had fallen out with Vladimir Putin and, more implicitly, with the invasion of Ukraine and the state of Russia today.
‘Highlights the heartwarming & empowering messages’: Kinky Boots the Musical in Concert – Theatre Royal Drury Lane ★★★★
Kinky Boots the Musical in Concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane is a fantastic showcase of a great cast as well as the heartwarming story that works surprisingly well in concert form. I can only imagine how great this ensemble would be in a fully staged production with all the glitz and glam the show deserves.
‘Informs, educates & entertains’: ALL OF US – National Theatre
If the plotting is predictable, and the story arc unremarkable, the image of life represented is both strongly compassionate and often very pleasurable. In true welfare state style, comedian Francesca Martinez’s debut play All of Us at the National Theatre not only informs and educates, but also entertains.
‘Compelling, entertaining & thought-provoking’: MADE IN INDIA / BRITAIN – Edinburgh Festival Fringe ★★★★
Rinkoo Barpaga has created a fascinating and unsettling show in Made in India/Britain. An honest and clear-eyed exploration of his own experiences and reactions to navigating life as a deaf person of Indian heritage in modern Britain, it did that rare and precious thing of opening my eyes to a world of which I knew very little.
‘Slick, witty & fun-filled’: HORRIBLE HISTORIES: TERRIBLE TUDORS – Garrick Theatre ★★★★
A series of best-selling series of books and an equally popular television show, Horrible Histories is taking over London this summer. Not only has creator Terry Deary along with the Birmingham Stage Company commandeered the Thames with a boat cruise, they’ve also made the Garrick Theatre their home this summer for live show Horrible Histories – Terrible Tudors.
‘It’s all rather charming, really’: THE LATE HARNESS REBELLION – Edinburgh Festival Fringe (Online Show) ★★★
Tamás Milhofer brings his show The Late Harness Rebellion to the digital strand of the Edinburgh Fringe with the collaboration of Unmuted Participants.
Review Round Up: Peaky Blinders: The Rise at Camden Garrison
Discover what critics have had to say about Peaky Blinders: The Rise at Camden Garrison in Camden Stables Market, the latest immersive show to play in London.
PHOTOS: Sneak a peek into rehearsals for the premiere of Proforca’s Flashbang
It’s just four weeks to go until the world premiere of Proforca Theatre’s latest explosive new play Flashbang, which has a strictly limited run launching the new autumn season at London’s Lion & Unicorn Theatre. Sneak a peek inside the rehearsal room – and then get booking!
‘Reminds you of Shakespeare’s extraordinary moments too easily forgotten’: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING – National Theatre ★★★★
A star danced, and under it was Simon Godwin’s joyful, 1930s Riviera production born. Quite apart from the fact that it is nice to have the earnest NT enjoying two outbreaks of frenetic jitterbug dancing at once – Jack Absolute upstairs at the Olivier, and here Much Ado About Nothing set in the Mediterranean hotel world of Noel Coward – where it feats with unexpected neatness.
‘Inspired & engaging’: ALICE IN WONDERLAND – Colchester ★★★★
Sure to enthral audiences of all ages, Alice in Wonderland at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester is wonderfully wacky and witty and captures the imagination right from the very start. The show runs until the 14 August, so hop to it and grab a ticket – you’d be mad to miss it.
‘What they’ve created is roaring, but delicate, ritualistic & totally unique’: JARMAN – King’s Head Theatre ★★★★★
Pitched somewhere between a celebration, a séance and an unusually engaging piece of performance art, Jarman at the King’s Head Theatre eschews linear storytelling in favour of a sensory assault encompassing spoken word, music and direct audience engagement. Some of Jarman’s iconic film works are referenced – Sebastiane, Caravaggio, Edward II, The Tempest, the heartrending Blue which depicts the artist’s slide into blindness – and settings from Ken Russell’s chaotic movie shoots (Jarman designed several of his films) to Derek’s beloved, wall-less Dungeness garden are vividly evoked.
‘The comedy & cultural references are spot-on’: BAD TEACHER – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Bad Teacher is a new production from Queen of Cups, a young female-led and London-based theatre company. This one-woman play follows young teacher Evie and her particularly bad day at school, from coming in with a hangover to a hectic parent evening.
‘The show is a triumph for the creative & design team’: TOM, DICK & HARRY – Alexandra Palace Theatre
A real life adventure told with wit, flair and some stunning movement sequences
‘Being at the Fringe for us means arriving on the world stage’: Director Mona Zaidi introduces Edinburgh audiences to new play My Own Private Shakespeare
Award-winning Canadian director Mona Zaidi is ready for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022, having staged Justin Hay’s critically acclaimed play My Own Private Shakespeare which continues its run at the Willow Studio, Greenside at Riddle’s Court until 27 August 2022.
‘Brilliantly written & performed’: MONSTER – Park Theatre ★★★★★
There was a point while watching Monster at the Park Theatre when I realised I had my hand over my mouth. What was unfolding on stage was shocking, and I haven’t had a reaction like that to a play for quite a while.
‘Sets the standard against which future productions will be judged’: SOUTH PACIFIC – Sadler’s Wells & Touring
This is a smart and thoughtful interpretation of South Pacific that takes carefully considered approach to some of the problems in the scenario without fully absolving the characters for their behaviour and choices. Managing to balance the sparkle of the big set-pieces and the not so charming effects of military occupation with some serious emotional clout that will leave you wrung through at the end, this sets the standard against which future productions will be judged. With a UK tour running until November, Bali Ha’i is calling you, don’t resist.
‘The sumptuous score is showcased to the highest degree’: CHESS THE MUSICAL IN CONCERT – Theatre Royal Drury Lane ★★★★
After the success earlier in the year of Bonnie and Clyde in Concert, the bar has been set rather high for what concert productions at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane can provide, and Chess the Musical in Concert certainly hits the mark.