Soldier On reminds us that, whilst the memory of those conflicts has faded from the front pages, the price is still being paid, the grief and horror of what occurred made new and raw every day by the re-experiencing nightmare of PTSD.
‘A good romp’: GHOST ABOUT THE HOUSE – King’s Head Theatre ★★★
Ghost About the House at the King’s Head Theatre is a good romp, with pratfalls, slapstick and comic parodies, and loads of sight gags.
‘Leads us down the path taken by a once great nation’: Fear & Misery of theThirdReich – Brockley Jack Theatre ★★★★
With some super performances, smart direction and staging, this is a production that is well worth seeking out.
KING TUT – King’s Head Theatre
Welcome to the Charles Court Christmas party. Their seasonal panto has achieved legendary status in north London over the last 10 or more years, playing to packed houses, both in its original home at the Rosemary Branch and latterly at the Kings Head.
BULLISH – Camden People’s Theatre ★★★★
Rich in comic one-liners, song, dance and movement, the company give a tight and entertaining performance, at times coming close to pastiche, but carrying things off with the brio of the performance.
LOOT – Park Theatre ★★★★
A sparkling new production of Loot – the classic farce, fifty years on. The talented and well-drilled cast tear into this absurdist comedy with a reckless pace and energy.
DANGLING – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
Two parallel narratives, one in Oldham and one in London. Two very different families, both torn apart by loss, suspicion and betrayal.
INTERVIEW: Spotlight On… Re: Production’s Jenna May Hobbs
I know other writers feel like their brains are always buzzing with different plots, but that rarely happens for me so I spend a lot of my time waiting for the muse to strike
KICKED IN THE SH*TTER – The Hope Theatre
Two parallel narratives, set ten years apart, introduce us to the anonymous siblings. We first meet the teenage Her and the ten-year-old Him.
ONE WAS NUDE AND ONE WORE TAILS – Hen and Chickens Theatre
The London premiere of an overlooked gem from the back pages of the playbook of a genius; a Nobel winning, genre defining, mould breaking titan of 20th century drama. One was Nude & One Wore Tails is crafted and delivered with love by a close-knit and dedicated company.
GAZING AT A DISTANT STAR – Greenwich Theatre
Dan and Arun were bright but socially awkward kids in a south London school. They, and their inspirational teacher Jane, provide the common thread to this work.
OUT THERE ON FRIED MEAT RIDGE ROAD – White Bear Theatre
Serial loser Mitch (Robert Moloney) flees his doomed marriage, past the still smouldering wreckage of his car, and takes the Fried Meat Ridge Road. Walking ten miles in the dark; the small ad offering a flat-share being the only shred of hope and light remaining, in the train wreck that is his life.
HE(ART) – Theatre N16
Two boys and two girls, contemporary twenty something Londoners. Window cleaner Rhys is struggling to keep up with his posh girlfriend, art gallery curator Alice. Initially it seems incongruous that she is so determined to make a go of the relationship with her insecure and emotionally unavailable boyfriend.
Year in Review: Caroline Hanks-Farmer & co choose their favourite shows of 2016
2016 has undoubtedly had its highs and lows. I wanted to find out what were my regular reviewers’ two favourite theatrical productions that they had covered for me this year?
PINOCCHIO – King’s Head Theatre
This is the tenth seasonal production of the Charles Court Opera company, and their second at the King’s Head following their migration from the Rosemary Branch for last year’s Mirror, Mirror.
SISTER – Ovalhouse Theatre
The story of this work of art is that of the strength and beauty that lies in the hearts of all female siblings. Women of all backgrounds contribute, their words form the basis of the dialogue, as they spin tales of heartbreak and triumph; salvation and disaster. Around fifty were interviewed, and their words form the raw material for the show.
THE GO-BETWEEN – West End
‘The Go Between’ by Richard Taylor and David Wood Based on a book by L.P. Hartley Apollo Theatre Directed by Roger Haines This was my second visit to this […]