‘The Case of the Pink Wellington Boots with the Red Hearts’. Not the kind of title you’d expect to spring from Agatha Christie’s pen – instead, an evening of murder mystery hijinks courtesy of Degrees of Error and their show Murder, She Didn’t Write.
‘An explosive, relevant production’: LORD OF THE FLIES – Greenwich Theatre ★★★★
I really can’t overstate how insanely great the choreography is in this production; it is such an incredible bonus that I know if I ever see another performance of Lord of the Flies without it, I will actively mourn its absence.
‘A stellar production of an intriguing play’: THE PRICE – West End ★★★★
The Price is a stellar production of an intriguing play about family tensions – the set is breathtaking and Miller’s insights remain as perceptive as ever.
‘Doesn’t quite live up to its promise’: OTHELLO – Union Theatre ★★★
Closing Phil Willmott’s ‘Enemies of the People’ 2019 Essential Classics season is Shakespeare’s classic Othello, marking the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, with events set in the British Raj.
How the Mates Rate: Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre
It’s fair to say that the immediate future is looking pretty sweet for the Broadway transfer of Sara Bareilles’ Tony-nominated musical Waitress with more tickets released and the show extending its booking period to 19 October 2019 at the Adelphi Theatre. But how did the Mates rate the show: did they want more pie?
‘Full of energy & heart’: SPARKPLUG – Touring ★★★★
“I’ve got two dads.” Playwright, actor and spoken word artist David Judge’s latest play SparkPlug is inspired by autobiographical events: his mother is white, his biological father is black, and the father who raised him is white.
‘Shame to be dropped out of a giggle so fast’: QUEEN C*NT: SACRED OR PROFANE? – Touring ★★★
Queen C*nt: Sacred or Profane? It’s a great, intriguing title, and the strapline promises even more: to let us watch Deborah Ward and China Blue Fish leave their husbands, practice witchcraft, and destroy capitalism.
‘Touches, entertains & teaches’: A HUNDRED WORDS FOR SNOW – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
A Hundred Words for Snow is a perfectly crafted one-woman show that touches, entertains and teaches, as it explores grief and polar exploration – a charming performance from Gemma Barnett.
‘Performed to Star Baker standard’: WAITRESS – West End ★★★★★
Based on the 2007 film of the same name by Adrienne Shelly, the musical adaptation of Waitress made its Broadway debut back in 2016 and has now made the leap across the pond to London’s West End, setting up shop at the Adelphi Theatre.
‘Completely relatable to some and an eye-opener to others’: GOOD DOG – Touring ★★★★★
Arinzé Kene’s one-man show good dog has been brought back by tiata fahodzi for a UK tour, directed by Natalie Ibu and starring RADA graduate Kwaku Mills.
‘Wonderfully provocative while avoiding stereotypes’: LIPSTICK: A FAIRY TALE Of IRAN – Omnibus Theatre ★★★★
Luckily, Sarah Chew – writer and director of Lipstick: A Fairy Tale of Iran – confronts the schism in feminism between the east and west with humour, grace and heart.
‘What it’s really about is the best of humanity’: COME FROM AWAY – West End ★★★★★
Come From Away is a show that needs to run and run; its brilliant music and wealth of humour are enough to keep you coming back for more, and we can never remind ourselves too many times of the good that humanity is capable of when it puts its mind to it.
‘Intriguing & voyeuristic theatrical experience’: GREYSCALE – Vault Festival ★★★★★
For Greyscale, she has teamed up with Joel Samuels to respond to the Aziz Ansari scandal, creating an original theatrical experience for this year’s VAULT Festival with Anonymous Is A Woman Theatre Company.
‘Truly compelling & startling piece’: THE AMERICAN CLOCK – The Old Vic ★★★★
An innovative take on the lesser-known Arthur Miller play The American Clock, bringing the Vaudeville elements to the fore – as startlingly relevant as it ever has been.
‘An essential piece of theatre done stunningly well’: RATTLED – Old Red Lion Theatre ★★★★
Something that always impresses me is when a play manages to get the line between tragedy and comedy exactly right; Rattled is disturbing and gripping, but it’s also very, very funny.
‘Can’t fault the enthusiasm & commitment to the show’: CAN-CAN! – Union Theatre
Continuing Phil Willmott’s ‘Enemies of the People’ Essential Classics season for 2019 is a new musical, Can-Can!, following on from Arthur Miller’s An Enemy of the People.
‘The historic feel adds that extra bit of magic’: DRACULA – London Library ★★★★
This new adaptation of the Dracula hints at a darker future, performed brilliantly by a cast of two – the historic surroundings of the London Library adds an extra bit of magic to proceedings.
‘Quite a breath of fresh air’: AVENUE Q – Touring ★★★★★
Irreverent puppet musical Avenue Q stands the test of time thanks to its outrageous humour and catchy songs – heartily recommended for anyone in need of a laugh!
‘A dynamic production’: THE TEMPEST – Greenwich Theatre
Lazarus Theatre’s The Tempest is a dynamic production of a potentially tedious play, bound together in a stark & bold design – Alexander da Fonseca gives a standout performance.
‘Every aspect is superbly well done’: THE RUFFIAN ON THE STAIR – Hope Theatre ★★★★★
The Ruffian On The Stair is a terrific introduction to Joe Orton with a superbly well done production of a lesser known play – the cast of three are absolutely spot on.