Fear and laughter often go hand-in-hand (you only have to look at work from the likes of Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith to see that), so Tall Stories’ approach to the Oscar Wilde novella The Canterville Ghost is not as bizarre as it may first seem. Their vaudeville stage adaptation is currently playing at Southwark Playhouse, before heading to Bristol and Newcastle.
‘Interesting exploration of relationships’: CLOSER – Lyric Hammersmith ★★★
I liked the tone of this production of Closer at the Lyric Hammersmith and the sense of sadness that underpinned it, even if I was glad to leave the characters behind. It is an interesting exploration of relationships with some nice production touches.
‘A gripping yarn’: BRITANNICUS – Lyric Hammersmith ★★★★
While elements of Britannicus at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith feel like hollow embellishment, as a family drama about a toxic family who happens to be the ruling class it is a gripping yarn.
FEATURED SHOW: ★★★★★ Dirty Hearts is ‘an irresistibly sparkling new comedy’. Reviews are in!
Paul Murphy’s new ‘existential comedy for the age of anxiety’ Dirty Hearts, has netted an Offies nomination and a slew of rave reviews at London’s Old Red Lion Theatre, where its limited season must end on 30 April 2022. We’ve rounded up review highlights.
NEWS: Paul Murphy’s existential comedy Dirty Hearts premieres at Old Red Lion Theatre
Dirty Hearts, written by Theatre503 award-winning Valhalla’s Paul Murphy and billed as “an existential comedy for the age of anxiety”, gets its world premiere next month at London’s Old Red Lion Theatre.
‘A unique blend of spoken word, choral work & music’: QUEENS OF SHEBA – Soho Theatre
This is a triumphant return of Queens of Sheba after a successful run at Soho Theatre in 2021 and Edinburgh Fringe in 2018. Expertly directed, these ladies burst onto the stage with such energy and so many vibes it’s infectious and everyone in the audience feels it.
It’s going to be epic: What are you most looking forward to at the Globe this summer?
It seems like we’ve been made to wait an inordinately long time for this announcement, but it was definitely worth it as far as I’m concerned.
New post-show Q&A: Join Terri Paddock for Off-Broadway hit Freud’s Last Session
As part of her resumed post-show talk series, Mates founder Terri Paddock will chair a discussion at Freud’s Last Session at London’s King’s Head Theatre on Tuesday 25 January 2022. Time to get booking!
‘The performers ring true throughout’: FAIR PLAY – Bush Theatre
Sophie has been running competitively since she was nine. Now on the threshold of adulthood, she’s training hard with an unwavering focused on major international competitions.
‘It’s thrilling to see working-class Bob given some agency’: CRATCHIT – Park Theatre ★★★★
Marley was dead to begin with – and what of it? There’s still work to be done, and Bob Cratchit has to bear the brunt of his remaining master’s foul moods whilst remaining industrious.
‘Surprisingly hilarious about a not-so-hilarious subject’: YELLOWFIN – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
What would you do if all the fish suddenly vanished? It’s a question that would have sounded faintly ridiculous a few years ago, but as climate change grips the world, a mass extinction event doesn’t feel that far off.
‘A wonderful insight into how culturally diverse London is’: A PLACE FOR WE – Park Theatre
Through the decades, three families try to navigate their way through an ever-changing environment for Talawa Theatre in Archie Maddocks’ new play.
‘The cast contrast & balance each other’: SMALL CHANGE – Omnibus Theatre
Both Barrels Theatre’s revival of Peter Gill’s 1976 Small Changes looks back to postwar Cardiff through the eyes of two Catholic, working-class families.
‘Growing up in north London as a Black, gay man’: Behind the scenes of Passion Fruit at The Glory
Despite the best of intentions, working with friends doesn’t always turn out well. It can lead to crossed boundaries, arguments, and environments that make others uncomfortable.
‘It speaks to the parts of us that are hurting’: Director Georgia Harris on premiering A Rat, A Rat at the new Golden Goose Theatre
A Rat, A Rat premieres this month as one of the flagship productions at south London’s new Golden Goose Theatre. We talked to artistic director Georgia Leanne Harris about the play, leading an all-female team and launching a brand-new theatre during a pandemic.
‘Great warmth & moments of searing heartache’: JOHN & JEN – Southwark Playhouse
As much as I was looking for any excuse to return to Southwark Playhouse, it was the show that lured me back. Or to be more precise, Rachel Tucker starring in the show, musical two-hander John & Jen.
NEWS: All-female cast announced for A Rat, A Rat premiere at new Golden Goose Theatre
An all-female cast and creative team bring Chloe Yates’ electric new play A Rat, A Rat to the stage at south London’s new Golden Goose Theatre, in association with mental health theatre company Stepping Out.
NEWS: Lamda lockdown graduates launch Quackpot careers with Meet Cute
Romantic comedy sketch Meet Cute, created by two LAMDA students who graduated into a shuttered theatre industry during lockdown, gets its world premiere at London’s Etcetera Theatre as part of this month’s Camden Fringe.
‘A powerful play from an author we need to hear’: LAVA – Bush Theatre
The lava in the title of Benedict Lombe’s new, fierce, autobiographical play is anger. It flows over the stage, filling the crevasses of the set, and through Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo’s smouldering performance, which soon bursts into flame.
NEWS: Queer musical Fabulett 1933, set in Weimar Berlin, launches at Camden Fringe
Fabulett 1933, a new queer one-person musical set in Weimar Berlin, gets its postponed premiere at Camden Fringe, running at London’s Canal Cafe Theatre from 8 to 14 August 2021.