by Laura Kressly The disaffected son of a clergyman, Sir Paul Dukes, ran away to Russia to work as a musician. While there, the Russian Revolution started and British intelligence recruited him to work as a secret agent. He was to smuggle prominent people and useful materials across the border to Finland, and otherwise do […]
‘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.
‘A light touch & a dose of laughter’: FABLES AT THE KITCHEN TABLE – Stute Theatre (Online review)
Soph is a storyteller, sharing tales from Aesop’s Fables to a virtual audience of school groups on Zoom. Fables at the Kitchen Table is the latest show from Stute Theatre, aimed at children aged 3-7, and it is tremendous fun.
“Our stories … are what binds us together”: Lizzie Milton tells us about creating folklore-inspired VAULT Festival show Heroine
“Skeletons, peas, lentils, selkies, snail gods, giants, terrible kings, terrible fathers, murder, cunning old women…” Lizzie Milton’s list of what to expect from her new play Heroine is an extensive, intriguing and fantastical shopping list of fun. Read what she told us about her new play, her love of folklore and a very special fish, then book your tickets!
NEWS: Lizzie Milton’s folk tale-inspired Heroine receives world premiere at VAULT Festival
Acclaimed theatre companies Snatchback and Joyous Gard join forces this spring to stage Lizzie Milton’s latest play that explores what it means to be a Heroine. Book your tickets now!
A Roundabout rundown: Six Paines Plough shows at Edfringe
The Paines Plough Roundabout is the most reliable, new writing venues at the fringe. With a collection of work that represents the width and breadth of the UK both geographically and thematically, this year’s offerings are universally strong.
‘A feat of ingenuity & organisation’: 80 Days: A Real-World Adventure – Underbelly Southbank
Guided by a web app, participants have 80 minutes to earn as much money as possible by answering cryptic puzzles. They must choose what equipment to spend their cash on before returning to the meeting place.
‘It feels like an immense effort to even walk’: River in the Sky’s cast, Lindsey Cross & Howard Horner, on grief & stories
As River In The Sky opens at The Hope Theatre for three weeks, Lindsey Cross and Howard Horner, who play Ellie and Jack, talk about their experiences during rehearsals and what it means to show this new play about dealing with grief to an audience. Book your tickets now!
WATCH: Check out the new trailer for tale of grief River in the Sky, PLUS peek at production images
“Do you remember his first monster…” As four star hit River in the Sky prepares to come to The Hope Theatre, check out the emotive new trailer for the tale of a couple struggling with grief. Book your tickets now.
NEWS: Hit tale of grief & storytelling River in the Sky comes to The Hope Theatre
Following a hit run at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre earlier this year, Turn Point Theatre’s acclaimed drama River In The Sky receives an extended run at The Hope Theatre this summer. Book your tickets now.
ONE MILLION TINY PLAYS ABOUT READING – Reading
This charming kaleidoscope takes the model invented by Craig Taylor in his landmark play One Million Tiny Plays About Britain to present a few dozens vignettes about daily life in Reading.
‘It’s impossible to look away’: DRENCHED – Vault Festival
Parody is too broad a stroke to apply to Drenched at the Vault Festival. There is something more intelligent and altogether weird and wonderful at work here.
‘A milestone for women in the arts’: EMILIA – Shakespeare’s Globe
My hope of ever witnessing a true revolution for women in theatre began to disappear over the last year – until Emilia at Shakespeare’s Globe.
‘Reminds us that we can handle our obstacles’: SPARK – Edinburgh Fringe
Using the word ‘strong’ to describe women and girls is redundant. Putting up with all the trash that women have to deal with as a result of their gender, on top of everything else life throws at them, makes them strong by default.
‘Where will all the incels gather without reddit?’ THE ABODE – Edinburgh Fringe
There are great intentions at work here, but the initial concept is flawed – ultimately it undermines the power that the internet and technology gives to the alt-right.
‘The highs & lows are often extreme but convincing’: NO KIDS – Edinburgh Fringe
This intimate, personal production from Theatre Ad Infinitum is an accurate and emotionally charged snapshot of the pervasive conflict between capitalism and the desire for a family.
LOSING MY MINDFULNESS – Edinburgh Fringe
Our company is restructuring and every one of us has to reapply for our jobs. Tensions are running high, but don’t worry! Our caring employers have asked one of the HR team to lead us in a Mindfulness workshop to help us cope.
‘Punchy, highly intelligent & at times laugh out loud funny’: DEVIL WITH THE BLUE DRESS – Bunker Theatre
In his audacious new play Devil With The Blue Dress, Kevin Armento examines five women’s accounts leading up to – and resulting in – President Clinton’s impeachment in 1998.
‘Charming & sweet without being saccharine’: I HAVE A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS – Vault Festival
by Laura Kressly Alice and her husband moved house from a bustling city to sleepy Berkhamsted just 6 weeks ago. She can’t wait to make new friends and get stuck into all that village life offers, even though her new home is hardly trendy like Margate, and none of her friends are willing to visit. […]
‘The tension never sags’: AGAIN – Trafalgar Studios
Stephanie Jacob’s new play Again at the Trafalgar Studios could be a traditional comedy-drama about the trials and tribulations of a family, but the writer employs a clever dramaturgical device as well as using flashbacks in order to tell this story of a family of four.