Written by Dameon Garnett in response to the ongoing debate around free speech, Sticks and Stones is a fascinating two-hander that explores how we talk about issues of race, class and privilege in 2020 Britain.
‘Intense & thoughtful’: MEAT – Theatre 503
Meat is an intense and thoughtful play, which doesn’t spoon feed answers to its audience but instead poses a set of questions and leaves us to process them in our own way and within the frame of our own experiences.
‘Powerful & thought-provoking piece of writing’: NETFLIX & CHILL – Drayton Arms Theatre
It’s great to see how Netflix and Chill has grown and the important message that now comes through loud and clear about male mental health and the responsibility we all have to encourage frank and open conversation.
Best of the Blogs: Death of England, Endgame, Chaplin, The Jury & The Gift
In our continuing series, editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 9 February 2020), including Ian Foster seeing Rafe Spall give a career-defining performance in the National Theatre’s production of Death of England.
‘Fascinating, entertaining & surprisingly poignant’: CHAPLIN: BIRTH OF A TRAMP – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
If you’ve ever wondered how this particular legend was born, the play Chaplin: Birth of a Tramp offers a fascinating, entertaining and surprisingly poignant way to find out.
‘Potential to spark lively debate’: FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT – Bridewell Theatre
As the Brexit debate continues to rage on, Harry Darell’s timely new play For The Sake of Argument considers the ways in which language can be used for both better and worse,
‘Asks some refreshing questions’: TWELFTH NIGHT – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
As a slightly weary Twelfth Night veteran, personally I enjoyed this more sombre adaptation of the play, which remains accessible to newcomers while offering a fresh perspective to those who’ve seen it before.
‘Polished & precise production’: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST – Tower Theatre
Pan Productions’ unique and memorable adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic The Importance of Being Earnest is the company’s first production in English, its cast being made up entirely of immigrants whose first languages include French, Turkish and Greek.
‘Guaranteed to warm your heart’: SNOW WHITE – Chickenshed Theatre
As always, Chickenshed’s Christmas show Snow White is a festive treat that’s guaranteed to warm your heart and send you home feeling a little bit better about the world. Who can say no to that?
‘Delivers in style’: WHITE CHRISTMAS – West End
Before long the stage is overflowing with so much joy, romance and goodwill to all that ultimately, much like the snow song, this White Christmas proves impossible to resist.
‘Powerfully written & performed’: POISONED POLLUTED – Old Red Lion Theatre
Kathryn O’Reilly’s second play Poisoned Polluted focuses on the fragmenting relationship between two women – in this case, sisters.
‘Intriguing & full of surprises’: GASLIGHT – Playground Theatre
While this reimagining of Gaslight doesn’t necessarily deliver on all its promises, the production does successfully highlight the continuing relevance of both the story and its core issue.
‘Horror movie aspect threatens to dominant’: FAST – Park Theatre
Based on a true story, Kate Barton’s play Fast invites its audience into the disturbing world of “Dr” Linda Hazzard (Caroline Lawrie), whose controversial fasting diet method claimed the lives of multiple patients in the early 20th century.
‘Clever & intriguing premise’: THE OPEN – The Space
As with any dystopian drama, the central idea of Florence Bell’s The Open – the GBGC itself – sounds far-fetched, but the foundations on which it’s built aren’t all that implausible.
‘Feels like we’re discovering it for the first time’: THE STRANGE CASE OF JEKYLL & HYDE – Brockley Jack Studio Theatre & Touring
Arrows & Traps’ The Strange Case Of Jekyll & Hyde is one for a new generation: an endlessly thought-provoking, unsettling, enthralling production that’s not to be missed.
‘The storytelling aspect is what makes it unique’: RIVER IN THE SKY – Hope Theatre
Just as much as the emotional impact, though, it’s the unique and original approach to the subject matter that makes this debut production from Turn Point Theatre particularly memorable.
‘A potent reminder of how easily & arbitrarily mental illness can strike’: EQUUS – West End
Touching on themes of religion, sexuality and more than one form of mental illness, the play asks some difficult questions and frequently makes for unsettling viewing, and yet Ned Bennett’s production remains utterly compelling from start to dramatic finish.
‘Quite literally roars on to the stage’: 10 Things I Hate About Taming of the Shrew – Touring
While most of us would probably be willing to admit that Taming of the Shrew is far from Shakespeare’s best, Canadian actor, writer and comedian Gillian English has gone a step further and made a list of everything that’s wrong with it.
‘I think we need to honour & keep revisiting LGBTQ history’: Ben SantaMaria’s Really Want to Hurt Me goes on tour
Writer and director Ben SantaMaria experienced for himself growing up as a gay man in 80s Britain. He wrote the autobiographical show Really Want to Hurt Me as a way to explore what has – and more importantly, hasn’t – changed since his own teenage years.
‘Essential viewing’: LUNATIC 19’S – Finborough Theatre
With immigrants across the USA bracing for planned Ice raids this weekend, Lunatic 19’s, a topical new play by Iowa-based writer Tegan McLeod, shines a spotlight on the soullessness and absurdity of American immigration laws and procedures.