Five Characters In Search Of A Good Night’s Sleep tells you pretty much what you’re going to get as a quintet of older people mull over their lives while courting elusive sleep in a series of monologues ranging from the mundane to the deeply moving.
‘Full of suspense’: THE END OF THE NIGHT – Park Theatre ★★★★★
Based on the incredible true story, The End of the Night takes place in the house of Felix Kirsten (Michael Lumsden), who has invited Nazi Heinrich Himmler (Richard Clothier) to meet with Jewish man Norbert Masur (Ben Caplan) who serves as a representative of the Jewish people.
‘An extra special, female empowering watch’: THE CHER SHOW – Touring ★★★★★
So many female performers and creatives currently at the top of their game in a male-centric world. This makes The Cher Show an extra special, female empowering watch.
‘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.
‘The audience is swept up in a whirlwind of emotional twists & a macabre turn’: A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL – Hope Theatre ★★★★
A group of college friends organise a reunion dinner. So far, so normal. One is busy cooking in the kitchen, three – including the ‘outsider’ Georgia, recently engaged to Chris – are chatting in the dining room, the other is late, not replying to text messages from girlfriend Anna or answering his phone.
‘Great for the whole family, just don’t forget your tissues’: A MONSTER CALLS – Touring ★★★★★
A Monster Calls, which is based on the book of the same name, is an absolutely wonderful play about a boy as he struggles to come to terms with his beliefs about his mother, who is in the late stages of cancer.
‘An evening of escapism, wonder & joy’: HMS PINAFORE – Wilton’s Music Hall ★★★★
It’s not just the nice girls who love a sailor, everybody who has the chance to see this show will fall in love with the ridiculously talented crew of HMS Pinafore
‘Brilliant at representing how 19th-century issues are still relevant today’: PERSUASION – Touring ★★★★★
Adapted by Jeff James to combine 19th-century literature with modern-day music and clothing, this show takes two things that seem like polar opposites and smashes them together, creating a work of art.
‘This show is a true testament to all cast & creatives’: THE BOOK OF MORMON – Touring ★★★★★
We join Elders Price and Cunningham (Robert Colvin and Connor Peirson) as they try to speak to a tribe in Uganda and preach to them the word of God – the Book of Mormon.
‘Part folk tale, part social commentary, completely absorbing’: THE BALLAD OF MARIA MARTEN – Touring ★★★★
The trial and execution of William Corder for the murder of Maria Marten caused a sensation, with thousands showing morbid curiosity.
‘An absolute must-see for anyone over the age of 13’: INSTRUCTIONS FOR A TEENAGE ARMAGEDDON – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★★
Can you imagine how difficult it must be for parents to lose a daughter at the age of 17? It must be absolutely heartbreaking. But what about her little sister?
‘The bunny boiler is still as shocking as ever’: FATAL ATTRACTION – Touring ★★★
In 1987, the film of Fatal Attraction was a shocking, erotic thriller that put “bunny boiler” into our everyday language.
‘A powerful, intense & thought-provoking play of moral uncertainty’: DOUBT – Chichester ★★★★★
The story is told in 90 riveting minutes in conversations between just four actors who portrayed their characters with impeccable dynamism.
‘Some stories shouldn’t be adapted’: THE DA VINCI CODE – Touring ★★
I cannot understand why they decided to try to adapt the story of The Da Vinci Code to the letter. The novel did not fend well as a film and it appears to have suffered the same fate as a live production.
‘Warm, funny & unforgettable’: OPERATION MINCEMEAT – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★★
SpitLip’s comedy musical about one of the most insane World War II operations is a triumph.
‘Breathtaking illusions & special effects’: BEDKNOBS & BROOMSTICKS – Touring ★★★★★
Based on the 1971 Disney movie, with the classic score by the Sherman brothers, Bedknobs and Broomsticks the musical is a captivating story about love and believing in yourself.
‘Captures the spirit of the era with aplomb’: FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE – Upstairs at the Gatehouse ★★★★★
My first thought when I heard that Five Guys Named Moe was coming to the Gatehouse was: how will all that song and dance work in such a small space? I needn’t have worried.
‘Venture into a world of adventure & fantasy’: THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE – Salford ★★★★
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the theatre adaptation of the first in the children’s book series, The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis.
‘Disturbing & darkly funny, with two bravura performances’: CRATCHIT – Park Theatre ★★★★
Alexander Knott’s atmospheric take on A Christmas Carol places Bob Cratchit centre stage as familiar events from Dickens’ story are related to the audience through his eyes.
‘Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale is given a modern environmental twist’: THE SNOW QUEEN – The Albany, Deptford ★★★★
Lumi has asked lots of questions from a very young age, but as she grows older and is more aware of the world, she has questions about global warming and pollution, and decides to be an activist.