Though the design is superb, the kids are both adorable and excellent performers, and McGuiness’s work is solid, the appalling storyline of Big and its tone-deafness can get in the bin.
‘It shows its age’: FAME THE MUSICAL – West End
“Fame!” – we all know the infamous song. The lyrics, “I’m gonna live forever, I’m gonna learn how to fly, HIGH” are not well known just because of the original 1980 film, but because of the subsequent television series, film remake and musicals that followed.
‘Powerful play’: JADE CITY – Bunker Theatre
Jade City is a powerful play confronting the consequences of the UK’s lack of social mobility and opportunity.
‘Well-made family drama’: THE SON – West End
This portrayal of contemporary family life dealing with depression is honest and believable in The Son, yet there’s a cold judgement underpinning it.
‘Individual scenes make for moving set pieces’: WORLD’S END – King’s Head Theatre
Part gay, coming-of-age love story and part historical snapshot, James Corley’s debut play World’s End is a detailed character study but one that isn’t quite sure what it wants to say.
‘He’s funniest on the fly’: TOM LENK IS TRASH – Edinburgh Fringe
Tom Lenk is Trash is trash. That’s not even a cruel review, it’s literally what he told me to say. And after seeing the show, I am not going to be so stupid as to say anything he doesn’t want me to.
‘Could be a relevant & illuminating discussion’: CONSPIRACY – Edinburgh Fringe
Three conspiracy theorists have gathered to unpick discrepancies and inconsistencies in the 1932 photograph ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ in Conspiracy.
‘Some moments that really hit home’: HOT FLUSH – Edinburgh Fringe
Hot Flush is a great idea and there are some moments that really hit home, but while Hot Flush is far from a complete washout, it’s hard to be fully engaged.
‘Beautifully utilises imagery & metaphor’: RIVER IN THE SKY – Hope Theatre
Peter Taylor’s script beautifully utilises imagery and metaphor in River in the Sky at the Hope Theatre and the overarching concept is strong.
‘Charming & sweet’: Lobster – Edinburgh Fringe
Lobster is charming and sweet, if rather naive, making for a refreshing take on the cesspit that is dating by app today.
A Roundabout rundown: Six Paines Plough shows at Edfringe
The Paines Plough Roundabout is the most reliable, new writing venues at the fringe. With a collection of work that represents the width and breadth of the UK both geographically and thematically, this year’s offerings are universally strong.
‘A feat of ingenuity & organisation’: 80 Days: A Real-World Adventure – Underbelly Southbank
Guided by a web app, participants have 80 minutes to earn as much money as possible by answering cryptic puzzles. They must choose what equipment to spend their cash on before returning to the meeting place.
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on Peter Pan, The Worst Witch, Crystal Clear & more
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on Peter Pan, The Worst Witch, Shackleton’s Carpenter & more
‘Reminds us of the importance of activism’: THE TIME OF OUR LIES – Park Theatre
As the world feels like it teeters on the edge of a war what with the rise of fascism and the far right, this collage of extracts from Howard Zinn’s writings, music, and original text in The Time Of Our Lies reminds us of the importance of activism and avoiding war at all costs.
‘Every line is impeccably delivered’: MATING IN CAPTIVITY – King’s Head Theatre
There are moments that are incredibly funny in Mating In Captivity, but this isn’t a play that really digs into the knotty issues the initial set-up exposes.
‘Refreshingly inclusive’: CRYSTAL CLEAR – Old Red Lion Theatre
The performances are the strongest feature of this production of Crystal Clear at the Old Red Lion Theatre, along with its access provisions.
‘Quirky, creepy & colourful’: CHAMBERS – A secret location
Chambers is a truly fantastic night out for anyone who’s brave enough to take the plunge into a new dimension.
‘Searing performances’: LUNATIC 19’S – Finborough Theatre
Tegan McLeod’s script for Lunatic 19’s is a piercing character study using biting dialogue, ruthless violence and deep, emotional excavation.
‘Feels much more in the past than it should’: FIVER – Southwark Playhouse
Musically the show is lovely, but Fiver sadly feels much more in the past than it should, and for a show that is meant to showcase snapshots of all different people’s lives, lacks any significant diversity at all.
‘Psychedelic, fever-dream of an interpretation’: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – Shakespeare’s Globe
Joyful, filthy, modern and messy – A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe will no doubt separate those who like their Shakespeare more reserved from those desperate for fresher takes on these old plays, but this one is fun, vibrant, socially conscious and current, with excellent performances.