Off West End, the agency supporting the work of independent, alternative and fringe theatres in London, has now announced the 89 finalists for 28 of its Offies awards categories. In 2018, Offies assessors were invited to 400 shows across 80 venues across London, resulting in 430 nominations across 28 Offies categories. The Offies panel of assessors and critics have now …
Olivia’s Top 10 Shows of 2018
This year has been a whirlwind year full of amazing theatre. I was lucky enough to see a total of 150 shows so whittling them down to a top 10 was extremely difficult. Although this list is in order, I really loved each of them equally as they all moved me in a particular way and provided some theatrical treats.
Rev Stan’s favourite plays of the year (& first six-star production)
It’s time for Rev Stan’s best plays of 2018 overall, gleaned from everything I’ve seen – large productions and small, commercial theatres, subsidised and fringe.
Mark Shenton offers his Year in Brief: The Best & Worse of 2018 in Review
I finally saw sense — or admitted defeat, depending on how you look at it. After what feels like a lifetime of chasing my tail as I tried to see everything – or at least everything that was hotly tipped and/or well-reviewed — I simply gave up the battle.
What’s Debbie looking forward to in December 2018?
Opening in London this month is the transfer of the NT’s Nine Night (now at Trafalgar Studios), Jailbirds at the Etcetera Theatre, Pinocchio at The Albany, One For The Road at the Rosemary Branch, Orpheus at Battersea Arts Centre and Pinter 5 & 6 will arrive at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
‘As someone who wrestles with depression, I’m heartened to see a show like Dust being so positively embraced’: Is there magic in the water at the Trafalgar Studios?
Trafalgar Studios seems to be mopping up the cream of the crop of smaller space transfers. There is definitely magic in the water there at the moment, as I’m seriously pining to see both of the shows they have on: Dust and Arinze Kene’s Misty.
What’s Debbie looking forward to in October 2018?
It honestly doesn’t let up. At all. After an Edinburgh-focused August, and a ‘keep myself busy at all costs’ September (mostly to avoid the hell that is rush hour transport), October has rolled in, bursting at the seams because there is too much to do.
Mark Shenton views the week of openings, interviews & latest lists… in the West End & on Broadway
News, reviews, interviews and farewells of the week in London, New York and the regions, including social media influencers, Pinter in the West End and more.
‘A visual, aural, emotional & intellectual invigoration’: MISTY – Trafalgar Studios
Arinze Kene’s visceral writing for Misty places us from the offset within the throbbing organ that is London; packed night buses in its veins, we are its cells colliding against each other with our own truths.
‘This show needs to be seen & experienced’: MISTY – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
Misty is an outstanding, relevant, vibrant and moving piece of theatre written and performed by a theatrical genius. Arinzé Kene’s use of spoken word, movement, rhythm and singing is masterful and makes you feel as though you are with him every step of his journey.
Mark Shenton views the latest week of news & openings in the West End, across the UK & in New York
News, reviews, controversies and commentary from the West End and Broadway, including the first West End job share and the re-opening of the Kiln Theatre (formerly the Tricycle).
‘Unlike anything else you’ll see in the West End’: MISTY – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
Arinzé Kene’s play Misty has transferred to the Trafalgar Studios from a sell-out run at the Bush Theatre giving more people the opportunity to see a play that is unlike anything else you’ll see in the West End at the moment.
‘One of the most thrilling nights I’ve spent in the theatre for a long time’: MISTY – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
Sometimes you just know you’ve seen the future. I missed seeing Misty at the Bush. I can only imagine that for once, the transfer has settled it into an even better, more appropriate venue.
What’s Debbie looking forward to in September 2018?
On the broader theatrical landscape, there are plenty of things opening this month! In London Eugenius! returns to The Other Palace, Milly Thomas’ Dust transfers to Trafalgar Studios 2, and Foxfinder opens at the Ambassadors.
‘A show about knowing (or not knowing) who you are’: WHITE – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★★
A show about knowing (or not knowing) who you are, with a focus on growing up mixed race – Koko Brown is an engaging & captivating performer.
NEWS: Additions to Bush Theatre season include Vinay Patel’s An Adventure & gig theatre All We Ever Wanted
The Bush Theatre’s artistic director Madani Younis has announced additions to the venue’s autumn/winter 2018 season. Highlights include six plays to end the theatre’s season – including three new commissions and two world premieres; full cast details for the world premiere of Vinay Patel’s An Adventure; news of Misty by Arinzé Kene transferring to the West End following an extended sell-out season at …
‘An effortlessly entertaining piece about the social issues of our time’: MISTY – Bush Theatre
Arinzé Kene is an exceptional performer, who clearly has the makings of a star. If he can make such an ambitious, complex and individual show work, it will be fascinating to see what he does next. Meanwhile, the Bush Theatre has delivered an original and effortlessly entertaining piece about the social issues of our time, which is pretty much a definition of its purpose.
Text of the Day: Misty
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘As theatre there are several memorable moments’: MISTY – Bush Theatre
At the centre of the show is Arinzé Kene himself. Having just finished his part in Conor McPherson’s Girl from the North Country in the West End, he devotes all of his considerable charisma to this meditation on the race politics of storytelling.
‘A show that needs to be seen, heard & enjoyed’: MISTY – Bush Theatre ★★★★★
Make sure that this masterpiece is seen and heard. Give Misty the visibility that it deserves. Arinzé Kene is a genius, plain and simple.
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