In a year of unprecedented anxiety and uncertainty, I find it oddly reassuring that Panto is still going ahead. Other, less hardy forms of the arts may lock their doors, turn off all the lights and pretend nobody’s home, but not Panto. No, Panto is the one throwing wide the door, striking a fabulous pose and yelling Ta Daaaa!! And thank goodness. We need a good dose of levity right now, and Red Riding Hood fits the bill nicely. Originally intended to be socially distanced lived performances, … [Read more...]
The Legend Of Moby Dick Whittington from Sleeping Trees | Review
I think it’s fair to say that Christmas is likely to be a bit... unusual this year. Traditions will be changed, albeit temporarily, and celebrations seem set to be rather muted. However, there is one tradition that nobody should have to do without, and that is panto! You can toss the turkey, sling the sprouts and pass on the presents… but to do without a panto? Never. Luckily, the good, brave lads from Sleeping Trees are here to save the day. Jack, John and Josh, along with their producer … [Read more...]
The Tricycle by Fernando Arrabal at Barons Court Theatre
The Tricycle, originally El Triciclo, written in 1952 by Fernando Arrabal, is an absurdist take on the themes of poverty, murder and ethics, exploring the way in which personal situations can affect moral viewpoints. In the guise of a light-hearted black comedy, it holds up a mirror to society, challenging received notions and preconceptions. None of this information is to be found in the brief programme, however. Despite the assertion that Gobo Teatro’s mission is to spread awareness of the … [Read more...]
The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Saint Paul’s Church, Covent Garden
In choosing to perform The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Iris Theatre set themselves two not insignificant challenges. The first - how to turn a tragic tale into a family-friendly night of entertainment. Quite simply, as it turns out, by writing out the more harrowing passages, minimising the grisly deaths and inventing a new ending which is, if not exactly happy, at least less crushingly miserable than Hugo’s vision. Writer Benjamin Polya has also worked hard to play up the comedy moments. … [Read more...]
Review of Improvengers: Pretendgame at the Museum of Comedy
Following their epic success with fantasy show Lord of The Game Of The Ring Of Thrones, Hivemind are back - and this time they’re taking on the high-octane world of Superheroes. The concept remains largely the same; the young cast courageously invite the happy, slightly tipsy audience to suggest a concept, and then, apparently undaunted by some rather unusual demands, they run with it. This, of course, means that each performance is completely original, and you could, if you wanted, go to see … [Read more...]
Flabbergast Theatre’s immersive production of The Swell Mob
An evening spent in the company of a gang of ruthless Victorian cutpurses - what could possibly be better? Sarcasm aside, the answer is - not much. For Flabbergast Theatre’s immersive production of The Swell Mob is so much more than just a play about pick-pockets. To begin with, when they say immersive, they really mean it. This isn’t one of those productions where the company get members of the audience to hold props for them, or shout out suggestions. No, from the minute you step over the … [Read more...]
Review of Class at the Bush Theatre, London
Schools are very evocative places. Walking into a classroom, smelling the chalk dust and PVC glue, seeing the brightly coloured poster paint artworks, hearing the scrape of a small chair being pulled out from under a small desk, most of us would be hit by a powerful wave of memories; some good, some bad. For Brian and Donna, summoned to meet their son’s teacher, Mr McCafferty, the memories are mostly bad. Back in those hallowed, hated halls, their confidence seeps away and they are … [Read more...]