Having been assigned this review and receiving the synopsis my curiosity was further piqued with a seemingly bizarre plot "Staged in a pool of treacle". This bold and messy retelling of Sophocles’ Philoctetes is adapted and directed by Jeff James (One for the Road/Victoria Station, Young Vic) and designed by Alex Lowde (Body of an American, Gate Theatre). The Yard Theatre has been built using recycled and reclaimed materials. This converted warehouse creates a warm and welcoming intimate … [Read more...]
Review of City Stories at St James Theatre Studio
I was promised an evening about tales of love and magic in London and I was not disappointed. St James Theatre Studio is a perfectly formed bijou character filled auditorium, with its bar, tables and upstairs lounge swivel chairs, it created a charismatic setting for this production. So as I took my seat, the scene is set and the ambience created. What followed was a sublime, atmospheric and enchanting cabaret drama, with two hours of love, hope and delight. The evening was divided into five … [Read more...]
5 Star Review of Sunny Afternoon at the Harold Pinter Theatre
I have to confess that I thought I knew very little about The Kinks before the show or should I say their songs - how wrong could I be? I knew every single song and, my goodness, how this excellent cast rose to the challenge of portraying both the atmosphere and personalities of this iconic British band. The show begins with the stage stacked sky high with speakers, and when the riff to 'You Really Got Me' starts, the musical really takes off. The ‘dirty’ sound is achieved when Dave cuts the … [Read more...]
Review of Alan Bennett’s Single Spies Rose Theatre Kingston
Single Spies: The award-winning double bill of An Englishman Abroad and A Question of Attribution. An Englishman Abroad is based on the true story of a chance meeting of an actress, Coral Browne, (Helen Schlesinger) with Guy Burgess, (Alexander Hanson) a member of the Cambridge spy ring who worked for the Soviet Union whilst with MI6. A Question of Attribution is based on Anthony Blunt's (Michael Pennington) role in the Cambridge Spy Ring and, as Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures, personal … [Read more...]
Review of Richard Marsh’s WINGMAN Soho Theatre
Wingman tells the story of a father and son drawn together by the imminent death of Richard's mother. Father and son have been estranged for 20 years and they come together to witness the passing. However due to their endless bickering, comically manage to actually miss the moment of death and so the story continues to unfold with mum controlling the future from her cremated remains from inside her pink urn. Richard tries many times without success to shake off his father's ever annoying … [Read more...]
Review of Tess of The d’Urbervilles at New Wimbledon Studio Theatre
Tess of the d’Urbervilles, tells the demise of a pretty young girl who is manipulated by two very different men, in ways that explores the profound effect of the naivety of women in the 18th century. Alec is the first male that Tess encounters, who initially tries to seduce her and then when this doesn't work manipulates the situation, which changes her life forever. The second male encounter is Angel, who appears aptly named until Tess on her wedding night confesses her previous wrong … [Read more...]