Children’s TV performer Fred Rogers once said: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping’.” Though horrific events drive Joel Tan’s eon-spanning play No Particular Order celebrates those who get us through the worst of times.
‘There are death-defying close calls’: LA CLIQUE – Underbelly Festival Cavendish Square
Suffice to say, this is probably one of the strongest line-ups in the La Clique show over the last few years, and it is thoroughly enjoyable throughout.
’An engaging premise’: 100 PAINTINGS – The Hope Theatre
What do you do when the artistic muse has deserted you? Or when it has never really arrived?
‘This exhilarating production makes you wonder why the play is often so overlooked’: HENRY VI: REBELLION – Stratford-upon-Avon (RSC)
The story begins with Henry welcoming his new bride, Margaret of Anjou, with a boisterous feast that isn’t exactly suited to his calm and reserved temperament – though Margaret immediately feels at home.
‘The megamix at the end proves an audience favourite’: THE OSMONDS – Touring ★★★
It has been over 50 years since the wholesome, handsome brothers from Utah, The Osmonds, began their career.
‘Ibsen’s play is infused with poetry & poetic technique’: WHEN WE DEAD AWAKEN – Coronet Theatre
Ibsen’s play is infused with poetry and poetic technique. It is a sort of dirge to lives lived as waking death, while still retaining some hope of their resurrection.
‘Sometimes you should just leave things alone’: MOULIN ROUGE! The Musical – West End ★★
If you’ve seen Moulin Rouge! The Musical and loved it, I’d advise you to read no further – this is not going to be pleasant.
‘There is quite a bit going on but it balances perfectly’: HAMLET – Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
As soon as Hamlet was announced as part of the 2021-22 winter season my eyes rolled so hard I nearly saw the inside of my eye sockets. I was desperately disappointed. But then something magical happened: a Hamlet unlike any other.
‘Ruth Wilson is strong casting in the central role’: HEDDA GABLER – National Theatre At Home (Online review)
Ruth Wilson is strong casting in the central role with a, for once, restrained Ivo van Hove directing.
New work, new voices, hybrid approaches: How theatre changed in 2021
It has been another complicated year for theatres with venues unable to welcome in-person audiences for more than five months of 2021 and the tail end of the year returning to enforced closure and performance cancellations.
‘A theatrical experience that you will never forget’: CABARET – West End ★★★★★
A theatrical experience that you will never forget – Eddie Redmayne revels in the role of the Emcee, but Jessie Buckley steals the show in Cabaret.
‘What is unquestionably fabulous is the whole area of design’: DOCTOR WHO: Time Fracture – Unit Headquarters
A full-on immersive event – part play, part museum exhibit, part theme park ride and part party.
‘After The Hairy Ape, I approached this with a degree of trepidation’: ANNA CHRISTIE (Online review)
Anna Christie, which predates The Hairy Ape, won the 1922 Pulitzer prize for drama and therefore had to have something going for it.
‘Each number is sensationally staged’: THE DRIFTERS’ GIRL – West End
The nostalgia musical is back in full force with crowd-pleasing easy listening stories that looks back to the 1950s and 60s for their inspiration.
‘A history lesson you’ll want to revisit time & again’: SIX THE MUSICAL – West End ★★★★★
It’s an 80-minute treat that flies by in a whizz of comedy, vocal excellence, spangly costumes and heart.
‘A fine octet of actors work well as an ensemble’: INTO BATTLE (Online review)
Remembrance Day seemed a perfect moment to review a production set just before and during the First World War, Hugh Salmon’s finely rendered Into Battle.
‘Entertaining, ambitious and educational ‘: TOKYO ROSE — Southwark Playhouse (UK Tour) ★★★★
Burnt Lemon Theatre’s Tokyo Rose shows that you don’t need a big budget to stage a compelling musical.
‘Sombre mood, visual distortions, intense emotions’: THE HAIRY APE — Online
I remember a student I was once trying to get to read more saying “What’s the point, there are just too many books”. Perhaps I’m beginning to have the same reaction to digital theatre – there’s so much more of it out there than I had ever anticipated and although I think I can claim I’ve covered a fair amount of ground there is still plenty to get to grips with.
‘Heartfelt and sincere’: A NEW LIFE (A MINI MUSICAL) — Traverse
A New Life (A Mini Musical) at the Traverse every lunchtime this week is certainly not ‘mini’ in its emotional scope or its ambition.
‘Spine tingling’: CHICAGO – Edinburgh Playhouse (UK Tour) ★★★★
Chicago’s tale of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery whispers back into the Edinburgh Playhouse with a thrum of double bass, a twitching off-beat on the drums and a haunting moan of muted trumpet.