Gloria has taken refuge in her attic, distracting herself from the dark winter months and grief by playing punk and dictating entries for her memoir into her laptop.
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.
‘The perfect pick-me-up musical’: DREAMGIRLS – Touring
The show tells the story of three best friends, Effie White, Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson, on their quest to become music stars in 1960s America and what happens to them on their way to phenomenal success.
‘This exhilarating production makes you wonder why the play is often so overlooked’: HENRY VI: REBELLION – Stratford-upon-Avon (RSC)
The story begins with Henry welcoming his new bride, Margaret of Anjou, with a boisterous feast that isn’t exactly suited to his calm and reserved temperament – though Margaret immediately feels at home.
‘A little cheesy, a little heart-rending, a little bit spectacular, but always fun’: BONNIE & CLYDE – Arts Theatre
Composed by Frank Wildhorn with lyrics by Don Black, the story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow’s road to infamy is perhaps best known from Arthur Penn’s classic 1967 film.
Composed by Frank Wildhorn with lyrics by Don Black, the story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow’s road …
‘Portrays the male black British experience with joy as well as pain’: For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy – Royal Court Theatre
Ryan Calais Cameron does it again: he portrays the male black British experience with joy as well as pain.
‘This is Bertie Carvel’s show, his Donald Trump is magnificent’: THE 47th – Old Vic Theatre ★★★★
Bertie Carvel as Donald Trump is magnificent. Eerily so, capturing not only the ex-President’s showmanship, the gestures and unwholesomely needy yet threatening charm, but moving beyond caricature.
‘An intelligent, emotionally astute new production’: RABBIT HOLE – Union Theatre ★★★★
Premiered in New York in 2006, David Lindsay-Abaire’s robust yet delicate piece, which considers the fallout from a child’s death, is a compelling tragicomedy.
‘A dynamic production packed full of colour, texture & noise’: ZORRO – Charing Cross Theatre ★★★★★
Set to a legendary soundtrack by the Gipsy Kings, this sizzling show follows the mysterious masked vigilante El Zorro in his efforts to defend the Pueblo of Los Angeles from a ruthless autocratic leader.
‘Phoebe Marshall & Kieran Dee are a classy double act’: Jo & Sam Find Themselves In Woking – Hen & Chickens Theatre
I’m not sure whether I’ve actually been to Woking. It’s that sort of place – although how I’d know that if I’ve never actually been there, I really couldn’t say. I suppose it’s all because of its association with safe middle-class surburbia.
‘Unrushed & sympathetic performances’: THE RED – Original Theatre (Online show) ★★★★★
Back in 2019 when Marcus Brigstocke premiered The Red at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, I was lucky enough to meet him at one of the food venue vans and was personally flyered by him.
‘Everything is heightened’: ANYONE CAN WHISTLE – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
Even a minor Sondheim has something to recommend it, and ticking this one off leaves just two of his shows left for me to see live.
My knowledge of Anyone Can Whistle was confined to the three numbers included in the Side by Side revue, so clearly …
‘There are so many beautiful moments to be enjoyed’: LES MISERABLES – West End ★★★★★
The music and story soars in this beautiful production that brings Victor Hugo’s original story vividly to life.
‘A thoroughly entertaining night out’: SCHOOL OF ROCK – Touring ★★★★
School of Rock (Tour)New Wimbledon TheatreReviewed on Monday 21st March 2022★★★★★Most people know and love the hit 2003 film School of Rock. With Jack Black’s iconic comedy, incredibly catchy tunes and a true rock soul it became an instant classic. For…
FEATURED SHOW: ★★★★★ Dirty Hearts is ‘an irresistibly sparkling new comedy’. Reviews are in!
Paul Murphy’s new ‘existential comedy for the age of anxiety’ Dirty Hearts, has netted an Offies nomination and a slew of rave reviews at London’s Old Red Lion Theatre, where its limited season must end on 30 April 2022. We’ve rounded up review highlights.
‘Who is the user & who is being used?’: DIRTY HEARTS – Old Red Lion Theatre
Dirty Hearts, a new play by Paul Murphy, looks at relationships, friendships, ethics, secrets and morals close to home.
FROM DOWN UNDER: The Australian tour of Broadway hit An American in Paris
Deliberately marooned in Paris at the end of WWII, ex-serviceman Jerry Mulligan juggles art, romance and music as he makes new friends, attracts the attention of a wealthy benefactress and falls helplessly in love with a mysterious young dancer.
‘Harper Lee’s beloved novel is in the safest of hands’: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD – West End ★★★★★
It is easy to see why this story of racial prejudice in 1930s Alabama made such an impact on Broadway in 2018 when Trump’s presidency swept aside any notions that these attitudes were consigned to history.
‘Sondheim’s songs are the saving grace of this rather purposeless musical’: ANYONE CAN WHISTLE – Southwark Playhouse
One of Sondheim’s earliest works Anyone Can Whistle has just opened at Southwark Playhouse. Notoriously a flop back in 1964, many have tried but few have succeeded in reviving its fortunes.
‘Modern families, money & the morals of genetics’: THE FEVER SYNDROME – Hampstead Theatre ★★★
The family at the centre of the story is that of Richard Myers (Robert Lindsay), an eminent geneticist who now has Parkinson’s Disease.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Black Love at the Kiln Theatre
Emma Clarendon rounds up the reviews for Chinonyerem Odimba’s Black Love, which finishes its limited season at north London’s Kiln Theatre in Kilburn on 23 April 2022.