I'm not sure about you, but at this moment in time, I am crying out for light comic relief, and with Stretch Marks and Broken Hearts, currently playing at the Etcetera Theatre, it is exactly that. The piece could be described as a 21st-century take on a kitchen-sink drama - working-class protagonists, living their day to day, nothing extraordinary happening, just life in challenging circumstances, 4 people: 2 couples, living on the bread line, heating costs going through the roof, having to … [Read more...]
The Tiger Lillies’ Christmas Carol at The Southbank Centre
I’d not heard of the Tiger Lillies until I agreed to review their Christmas Show at The South Bank Centre, and, if I’m being completely honest, I wasn’t expecting a huge amount from the show and felt it probably wasn’t going to be to my liking, however, I was wrong. The show was fantastic, it was magical as it was melancholic, I’d happily go again and I am definitely adding the Tiger Lillies to my ones to watch list… and researching their back catalogue. For those of you not in the know, … [Read more...]
Red Riding Hood at Theatre Royal Stratford East
Although named Red Riding Hood the Theatre Royal, Stratford’s seasonal panto offering is not a pure version of the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, it is a homage to the whole world of Fairy Tales combined with a nod to climate change, popular culture including a famous cookery show and an anatomy lesson too! A perfect family treat for the holiday season, without a mention of Christmas in sight! The piece is set in the made-up land of Stratford - on the Down! As we enter the … [Read more...]
Education, Education, Karaoke at Camden People’s Theatre
It’s hard to write a review when the main premise of the show you’re watching is that it will be different every time: A) the performer is different for each show, B) the content is decided in real-time by said performer, C) how the content is delivered to us in spoken word is decided by the performer, and finally D) as an audience member we are integral to the show and can influence the outcome of the piece in real-time. So, let’s talk about the show, what can I share with you that is fixed … [Read more...]
Love Dance at Chiswick Playhouse | Review
Love Dance is currently running at the Chiswick Playhouse. It’s a two-hander performed by Jacoba Williams and Derek Murphy. The story is age-old, girl meets boy, girl hates boy, girl falls in love with boy! Although this time the setting for the story is somewhat farcical, a little too far from realism and a little hard to believe. Although maybe that is what makes this piece a romantic comedy? I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the circumstances in which the play starts and the last … [Read more...]
ARRIVAL at London’s Royal Docks – this is theatre at its most creative
Headlining The Royal Dock's Origin's Festival last week was an immersive theatrical experience called ARRIVAL. Co-directed by Matthew Dunster (West End Director) and Jon Bausor (Paralympic Set Designer), the immersive promenade experience comprised a 90-minute walking tour around Silvertown in East London. Arriving at the Britannia Village Green, in West Silvertown, on a dark and chilly Saturday evening, along with a few hundred people, I put on the headphones that were given to me and took … [Read more...]
Bull and Contractions at The Questors – Judi Dench Playhouse
The Questors' latest offering is a double-bill of Mike Bartlett plays; Bull & Contractions. The plays appear very timely, with the world returning to “normal”, with offices opening and people trying to balance their work and home commitments. Each play is 55 minutes long, and due to the spectacular writing of Mike Bartlett combined with the energy and pace of the pieces the time went superfast. Both pieces were staged on a thrust stage setting, which can be tricky to navigate, … [Read more...]