Fanny & Stella is a funny, bawdy, light-hearted musical that provides a very welcome distraction from the seriousness of the world.
What cancer taught me about living with uncertainty
Here I am, a freelancer with no active paid projects at the moment, and a very uncertain pipeline, and I’m feeling happy and grateful with life.
‘Compelling triptych of plays’: Nuclear War / Buried / Graceland – Old Red Lion Theatre
Nuclear War, Buried and Graceland at the Old Red Lion Theatre become a compelling triptych of plays all connected by the themes of love, loss, trauma and existence.
‘It really is beautifully realised’: MEDUSA – Cockpit Theatre
By focusing on her specific story, and unravelling the sense of the universal within it, ‘Medusa’ provides a timely mirror on the world we live in.
‘Keeps you hooked from start to finish’: TELL IT SLANT – Hope Theatre
‘tell it slant’ at the Hope Theatre is a funny and engaging dark comedy that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Best of the Blogs: Upstart Crow, The Prince Of Egypt, Macbeth & more
In our continuing series, editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 1 March 2020), ranging from Love London Love Culture’s thoughts on David Mitchell’s West End debut in the stage adaptation of TV favourite Upstart Crow at the Gielgud Theatre.
‘Brings Christopher Reid’s words to glorious life’: LOVE, LOSS & CHIANTI – Riverside Studios
Love, Loss & Chianti brings together two collected works of poetry by Christopher Reid. First up is Scatterings, a collection he wrote after the death of his wife, which brings to life his grief in heartbreaking detail.
‘The improvisation skills are phenomenal’: CROOKS 1926 – King William IV
There are puzzles, and codes to be cracked, jobs to be planned, people to be hired, revenge to be had & scores to be settled in the fun experience that is Colab Theatre’s Crooks 1926.
‘A timely reminder that we need to be kinder to each other’: NETFLIX & CHILL – Drayton Arms Theatre
All in all, Netflix & Chill is a funny yet powerful play about mental health, self image, lad culture and the importance of human connection.
Best of the Blogs: Leopoldstadt, Far Away, Nora, People Show 137 & more
In our continuing series, editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 16 February 2020) including Maryam Philpott’s thoughts on Tom Stoppard’s new play Leopoldstadt at the Wyndham’s Theatre.
‘The show unfurls in Barber’s expert hands’: MUSIK – Leicester Square Theatre
Written by Jonathan Harvey and the Pet Shop Boys, Musik is a one-woman show that spins off from their 2001 musical Closer to Heaven.
‘A lot of wonderful ingredients’: FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT – Bridewell Theatre
Given the current state of the country, the battle of wits and words, vs the search for real connection with those who disagree with us, For the Sake of Argument is very topical.
Showcases incredible playwriting talent’: THE GLASS WILL SHATTER – Omnibus Theatre
There are no superfluous gimmicks in The Glass Will Shatter, this is a piece where all the creative elements come together to amplify the whole.
‘The cast all give strong performances’: COPS – Southwark Playhouse
Beautifully evoking the late 1950s, there are lots of interesting ingredients in Cops and the successful laugh out loud moments are satisfying.
‘Power to move & inspire’: THE CANARY & THE CROW – Arcola Theatre
The Canary and the Crow is full of humour and warmth and describes the challenging reality of being trained to be the “acceptable” face of Black Britain and how that impacts identify and worth.
‘A comic gem’: JEW…ish – King’s Head Theatre
The shifts in storytelling dynamics in JEW…ish at the King’s Head Theatreare fluidly brought to life, so they never jar, but continue to entertain.
‘Delightfully atmospheric piece of theatre: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Middle Temple Hall
Antic Disposition’s A Christmas Carol is true to both the spirit and detail of the book, while adding its own sense of playfulness that feels fresh and modern.
‘Packed with warmth & humour’: LITTLE MISS BURDEN – Bunker Theatre
Little Miss Burden fizzes with energy and charm. With this powerful piece of new writing, Matilda Ibini fuses the colloquial and poetic, with modern cultural references to create a moving, grounded and honest piece about growing up black, female and with a disability in modern London.
‘Disarming & engaging candour’: MANDY PICKS A HUSBAND – Canal Cafe Theatre
Trauma, comedy and playfully adapted song lyrics are brought together by Amanda Broomell to create Mandy Picks A Husband, her solo show inspired by her own Instagram experiment.
‘Rich & fascinating story’: HOMING BIRDS – Tara Theatre
Homing Birds is a rich and evocative play that is well worth seeing.