White Christmas is an all-singing, all-dancing festive treat, full of showbiz razzmatazz and a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure – though with the memories of war lurking in the background, there is a dark edge that offsets the Technicolor world of the 1950s.
‘Revels in its ridiculousness’: WE WILL ROCK YOU – Touring ★★★★
What can really elevate a show of this nature is the cast, and a remarkably talented set of performers have been assembled for this tour of We Will Rock You.
‘You’re guaranteed to have a good time’: & JULIET – West End ★★★
& Juliet is a camp classic that’s perfect nostalgia hit for the children of the 90s, and a guaranteed hit for fans of the music – this isn’t the Shakespeare you’ll recognise from your schooldays…
‘Sams’ adaptation is excellent’: WHAT’S IN A NAME – Touring ★★★★
What’s In A Name is a comedy-drama that’s packed full of great one-liners while maintaining a dark edge – the cast is uniformly excellent.
‘The cast of five excel themselves’: THE HOUSE OF YES – Hope Theatre ★★★★
Excellent direction combines with all design elements to create a truly atmospheric piece in The House Of Yes at the Hope Theatre, a bold choice of play that serves as a fitting end to Matthew Parker’s tenure.
‘A brilliant way to introduce audiences to (more) opera’: THE ELIXIR OF LOVE – King’s Head Theatre ★★★★★
This rom-com opera, The Elixir of Love is great fun and incredibly engaging – a ray of sunshine on a cold autumn evening.
’True testament to the power of music & storytelling’: WHAT GIRLS ARE MADE OF – Soho Theatre ★★★★★
Loud, bold & full of heart, What Girls Are Made Of is full of dynamic performances – a true testament to the power of music & storytelling.
‘Definitely good for a giggle’: FRIENDSICAL – Edinburgh Fringe & Touring ★★★★
Friendsical is a light-hearted musical take on one of the most popular TV comedies of recent times – good for a laugh for Friends fans.
‘Genre-defining’: ELECTROLYTE – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★
Electrolyte is a special piece of theatre that fuses spoken word with all the key components of a gig – a great way to keep the mental health conversation going.
‘Watch out, because the rhythm will get you!’: ON YOUR FEET! – London Coliseum ★★★★
One test of biography jukebox musicals is how much an uninitiated audience member ends up learning about the artist through the course of the show.
‘Writing a play is cheaper than therapy’: Tom Hartwell’s play Before 30 has a stint at the Edinburgh Fringe
Tom Hartwell’s play Before 30 is now making its way up to Edinburgh for a stint at the Festival Fringe prior to a one-off performance at the United Solo Theatre Festival in New York this November
It’s been a summer of Shakespeare Dreams
“What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?” A plethora of productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, that’s what.
‘An imaginative way to keep the mental health conversation going’: GREY – Ovalhouse ★★★★
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.