All’s Well is the definition of a tricky play, with its combination of the fantastical and the emotionally brutal, its historically specific yet confusingly vague setting and its hard-nosed, difficult to love characters. Embracing the oddness is probably the only way to make it work on stage but, despite some promising ideas and strong individual performances, Blanche McIntyre’s production does not feel coherent.
‘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.
‘A gripping account with some knife-edge will-he-won’t-he moments’: THE RED – Original Theatre (Online show)
Having seen Marcus Brigstocke’s name attached to it, I instantly assumed this would be a broadly comic play that was strong on laughs and reasonably light on subject matter.
‘Delves deep into what it truly means to be an addict’: THE RED – Original Theatre (Online show)
This psychological examination of what it means to be an addict is surprisingly moving – but it does feel as though it goes around in circles.
‘A bottle & two men, but also much more’: THE RED – Original Theatre (Online show)
A father and son meet in a wine cellar. The son is a recovering alcoholic, and his dad (a ghost, who left the son a nice bottle of red wine in his will) doesn’t seem to understand the harm a glass of booze will do.
The Red – the newest digital produ…
‘Heavyweight storytelling & punchy performances’: THE SWEET SCIENCE OF BRUISING – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
With a winning combination of heavyweight storytelling and punchy performances, The Sweet Science of Bruising gives a ringside seat not only to the true story of women boxers in the Victorian times but also the era’s fight for female emancipation.
‘Tells a story that is both original & affecting’: THE SWEET SCIENCE OF BRUISING – Southwark Playhouse
Victorian female pugilism drama: thoroughly heartfelt, highly original, very theatrical and completely timely
The post The Sweet Science of Bruising, Southwark Playhouse appeared first on Aleks Sierz.
‘It’s a beautifully crafted play with pace, heart & guts’: Actor Bruce Alexander on being cast in The Sweet Science of Bruising at the Southwark Playhouse
Bruce Alexander spoke to Love London Love Culture’s Emma Clarendon about the history behind The Sweet Science of Bruising, playing at the Southwark Playhouse from 3 October.
PHOTOS: Sneak a peek inside The Sweet Science of Bruising’s boxing ring rehearsals
These rehearsal photos are a knockout! Step into the Victorian boxing ring with the female challengers in the world premiere of Joy Wilkinson’s The Sweet Science of Bruising, coming to London’s Southwark Playhouse next month care of Troupe. Time to get booking!
New post-show Q&A: Join Terri for world premiere of The Sweet Science of Bruising
As part of her ongoing post-show Q&A series, on Saturday 6 October 2018, Mates co-founder Terri Paddock returns to Southwark Playhouse for the world premiere of Victorian female boxing drama The Sweet Science of Bruising. Got any questions?
A VIEW FROM ISLINGTON NORTH – West End
A short evening of satirical swipes at politicians, plotters and prophets is only fitfully funny and occasionally sharp.
A View from Islington North: “It’s not all about deselection”
Hats off to Out of Joint, for bringing politics into the heart of the West End. Political satire is meant to be provocative – and it certainly provoked me!