Touching, heart-wrenching and totally original, Islander is the exploration of the turmoil and devastation of small communities in the light of gentrification.
‘A rich tapestry of music brings the story to life’: ISLANDER – Southwark Playhouse
Finn Anderson’s stunning score for Islander at Southwark Playhouse is performed beautifully by Bethany Tennick and Kirsty Findlay who pull off Amy Draper’s ingenious concept & direction seamlessly.
‘Raises the bar for the modern musical’: PRELUDES – Southwark Playhouse
While this may not read like an ordinary review, Preludes is far from an ordinary show. Dave Malloy’s work is a revolutionary piece that tackles the topic of mental health in the arts and poses probing questions about the subjectivity of art and the meaning of success.
‘Slick & authentic production’: DOGFIGHT – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
The British Theatre Academy completes its summer season at the Southwark Playhouse with a heartfelt production of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s musical Dogfight.
‘Enthralling & authentic to watch’: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
The British Theatre Academy’s production of the Caribbean-inspired Little Mermaid adaptation, Once On This Island is an enchanting show with dynamic, heart-wrenching performances, energy in spades and a glorious uptempo score.
‘Wonderfully colourful & lively’: MY SON PINOCCHIO JR – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
Seimi Campell’s production for the British Theatre Academy of My Son Pinocchio Jr is filled with magic – particularly when it comes to being visually creative to keep the children in the audience thoroughly engaged.
‘Feels much more in the past than it should’: FIVER – Southwark Playhouse
Musically the show is lovely, but Fiver sadly feels much more in the past than it should, and for a show that is meant to showcase snapshots of all different people’s lives, lacks any significant diversity at all.
‘Pure delight of a musical’: FIVER – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★★
New British musical by Alex James Ellison and Tom Lees, Fiver follows a humble five pound note as it passes through the hands and pockets of various people in London.
‘Deserves a great future’: FIVER – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
Fiver is a heartwarming new musical that has great potential thanks to its catchy score and wonderfully uplifting spirit.
NEWS: Rachmaninoff musical fantasia Preludes gets UK premiere at Southwark Playhouse
Preludes, the 2015 musical fantasia by American multiple Tony Award nominee Dave Malloy, will get its UK premiere at London’s Southwark Playhouse this autumn. It precedes the premiere in October of Malloy’s Ghost Quartet at Soho’s Boulevard Theatre.
‘Convincing, engaging & committed performances all-round’: THE SANDMAN – Southwark Playhouse
Going to see The Sandman is more than just the chance to see some young superstars in the making. It’s a great show, with a powerful message and some gripping acting performances (and a tap dance).
‘A highly recommended piece of viewing for all’: AFTERGLOW – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
Afterglow is ‘The little play that could’. After its impressive Off-Broadway run of 14 months and 467 performances, it has made its way across the pond to the Southwark Playhouse, a theatre synonymous with fantastic shows.
‘Plenty to recommend it’: AFTERGLOW – Southwark Playhouse ★★★
S. Asher Gelman’s play Afterglow offers an insight into how complicated modern relationships can get – but doesn’t feel as convincing as it could do in this production.
‘Classy but slow production’: AFTERGLOW – Southwark Playhouse ★★★
Afterglow at Southwark Playhouse is a classy production but still slow, and because every scene change is like cleaning up after a particularly acrobatic shag, there are more pauses and longeurs than you might wish.
‘I fervently hope this lovely quirky show goes on & upward’: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Southwark Playhouse
I fervently hope the lovely quirky The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at Southwark Playhouse goes on and upward, and especially on tour.
‘Musical theatre of the highest degree’: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Southwark Playhouse
A sensationally good new British musical that I couldn’t recommend more. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the Southwark Playhouse is something special.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at Southwark Playhouse
Love London Love culture rounds up the reviews for the brand new musical The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Best of the Blogs: Death of a Salesman, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Orpheus Descending & more
As part of a new series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out seven of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (29 April-6 May 2019). Amidst her choices are two more West End productions of classic American drama: Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman at the Young Vic (Emily Garside) and Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending at the Menier Chocolate Factory (Libby Purves).
‘Truly mesmerising’: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★★
It is a rare thing to experience a new musical like this The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. Intimate and lively, it is one that will definitely stay with you long after you have left the theatre
Best of the Blogs: All My Sons, Rosmersholm, Man Of La Mancha, This Is My Family & more
As part of a new series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out seven of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (29 April-6 May 2019), ranging from Johnny Fox’s nostalgic return to see All My Sons and Maryam Philpott’s thoughts on the much-anticipated Rosmersholm starring Tom Burke and Hayley Atwell.