Ever been to a queer club? You know, drag cabaret night at Madame Jojo’s, or the Black Cap or Her Upstairs. No? Well, not to worry — the Royal Court’s latest provides a fabulously extravagant simulation of the experience with its staging of Sound of the Underground, a play written by Travis Alabanza — whose contemporary classic Burgerz is coming to the South Bank’s Purcell Room in March — and directed by his co-creator Debbie Hannan.
‘Open, thought-provoking, funny & heartbreaking’: OVERFLOW – Bush Theatre (Online review)
New play Overflow by Travis Alabanza returns as a digital stream and proves to be an intriguing hour about the politics of women’s bathrooms and who is allowed in them.
‘Plenty here to engage both mind & feelings’: OVERFLOW – Bush Theatre
Travis Alabanza’s play Overflow at the Bush Theatre is both tender in its empathy for the different kinds of trans experience and passionately angry about prejudice.
Visual & audio treats from the Traverse Festival
There is some very promising writing talent on show in the Traverse Festival, and it is done justice both by the standard of performance and production from the venue.
’Leaves audiences with lots to ponder’: LITTLE MISS BURDEN – Bunker Theatre
Little Miss Burden is a heart-warming but simultaneously heart-wrenching play highlighting the reality faced by many people with disabilities.
‘Packed with warmth & humour’: LITTLE MISS BURDEN – Bunker Theatre
Little Miss Burden fizzes with energy and charm. With this powerful piece of new writing, Matilda Ibini fuses the colloquial and poetic, with modern cultural references to create a moving, grounded and honest piece about growing up black, female and with a disability in modern London.
NEWS: Chris Sonnex announces Bunker Theatre autumn season
Following the success of his first season at The Bunker, artistic director Chris Sonnex’s new season cements his vision for the theatre, representing and sharing the stories of its community.
‘The piece’s message is rather fuzzy’: PAH-LA – Royal Court Theatre
Pah-La, a new play about the freedom struggle in Tibet, is a bit too unclear and unfocused for its own good.
‘One of the most captivating productions of the year’: CUCKOO – Soho Theatre
Lisa Carroll’s Papatango shortlisted debut Cuckoo has the subject of identity stamped on its DNA. It raises questions about the value of where you are from and what does moving away from there do to you.
‘Sharp & well-observed debut’: CUCKOO – Soho Theatre
Lisa Carroll’s Cuckoo, her new debut play about Irish teens, has some exciting dialogue but its production doesn’t quite deliver.
A truly contemporary coming of age story’: CUCKOO – Soho Theatre ★★★★
Lisa Carroll’s razor-sharp play Cuckoo is vividly brought to life thanks to Debbie Hannan’s perceptive and emotionally engaging production.
NEWS: Kwame Kwei-Armah announces his inaugural season at the the Young Vic
Kwame Kwei-Armah has announced his first season as the new artistic director of the Young Vic.
THE SESSION – Soho Theatre
This new play about the relationship between a Brit and a Pole has some good moments, but remains undernourishing.