Koko Brown is back with her new show Grey, following on from last year’s hit one-woman play White. This instalment of the Colour Trilogy explores depression and black women’s mental health.
‘Carnival reaches Southwark’: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★
Carnival reaches Southwark in this vibrant new A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with a lively cast &and colourful designs – and don’t get comfortable if you’re a groundling.
‘Consider the history books rewritten’: SIRENS – Touring ★★★★★
Sirens is a rip-roaring show that shares a vital feminist message and champions increased inclusivity in theatre – consider the history books rewritten!
‘A good concept & well-incorporated live music’: THE FLIES – Bunker Theatre
Exchange Theatre returns with its production of Jean-Paul Sartre’s The Flies, running alternately in French and English at The Bunker Theatre for a limited time.
‘Incredibly thought-provoking piece of work’: KILL CLIMATE DENIERS – Pleasance Theatre ★★★★
Kill Climate Deniers is a crazy show that’s surprisingly considered, as well as cathartic, raising big points and big laughs – a vital part of the climate conversation.
‘Highlighting its relevance to the present climate’: HENRY V – Cirencester ★★★★
Henry V at The Barn Theatre, Cirencester is an exceptionally well conceived production, with a clear focus on storytelling and great visuals – a Henry V for our times.
‘Might be the most energetic performance I’ve ever seen’: THE WORST LITTLE WAREHOUSE IN LONDON – Touring ★★★★
The Worst Little Warehouse might be the most energetic performance I’ve ever seen. I genuinely don’t know how Lala Barlow and Robbie Smith do it, pirouetting around the stage while singing, playing keyboard, actually telling the story of their year in the warehouse…
‘The whole company must be applauded’: BEATS ON POINTE – Peacock Theatre ★★★★
Beats on Pointe at the Peacock Theatre is an infectiously enjoyable show that’s at its best when it focuses entirely on the dance – highly recommended.
‘An interestingly conceived production’: SALOMÉ – Greenwich Theatre
“Dance for me, Salome, I beseech you.” The final production in this year’s Lazarus Theatre Company residency at Greenwich Theatre (following on from The Tempest and Lord of the Flies) is a new version of Oscar Wilde’s Salomé.
‘Far from bonzer new musical’: SUMMER STREET – Waterloo East Theatre
An energetic cast and an understated performance from Pogo the Summer Street dog are not enough to save this problematic show at the Waterloo East Theatre.
‘The ideal tonic for our modern world’: MATILDA THE MUSICAL – West End ★★★★★
It’s no wonder Matilda The Musical has managed to stand its ground in the West End; it’s a sheer delight for adults and children alike, brimming with optimism and a clear sense of right and wrong.
‘A fresh perspective’: HENRY V – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★★
A fresh perspective on the classic Henry V, concluding Hal’s journey from errant prince to conquering king – an action-packed end to the trilogy.
‘Echoes through to modern-day instabilities’: HENRY IV PART 1 – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★★
Henry IV Part 1 is a fast-paced, fun production that speaks to our politically unstable times – a great way to start the new season.
‘A worthy showcase of the short play form’: FEAST FROM THE EAST – Tristan Bates Theatre
Feast from the East is a series of eight short plays from INK Festival, showcasing the playwriting talent from East Anglia; they’re on the road and in London.
MISSED THE BOAT: Hadestown
I’m not quite sure how I managed to miss Hadestown at the National Theatre before it transferred to Broadway, where it has picked up 14 Tony Award nominations.
‘The rich score is performed expertly by the cast of actor-musicians’: THE HIRED MAN – Hornchurch & Touring ★★★
A decent production of a slightly bland musical – The Hired Man’s 20-30 year span is over-ambitious for the given running time.
‘An atmospheric production’: UNCLE VANYA – Hope Theatre ★★★
Uncle Vanya at the Hope Theatre is a well designed production, with some strong performances – but its urgency clashes with the tone of the play.
‘A real gem from the Pinter collection’: BETRAYAL – West End ★★★★
Betrayal is a real gem from the Pinter collection, benefiting from the minimalist design and slick direction of this production – Charlie Cox’s performance is a real highlight.
‘Could not be a more apt time to revisit this classic’: THE CRUCIBLE – Yard Theatre ★★★★★
An inspired version of The Crucible as a warning from history and a modern day parable – Caoilfhionn Dunne is outstanding as John Proctor.
‘One of my favourite shows this year so far’: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD LIVE! – Pleasance Theatre ★★★★
Night of the Living Dead is an instantly recognisable title; George Romero basically kick-started the zombie genre in his 1968 flick, though they were just ‘ghouls’ then, a moniker adhered to in this: Night of the Living Dead Live.