About John OBrien

JOHN O’BRIEN born in London in 1960 is a born and bred Londoner. His mother was an illiterate Irish traveller. His early years were spent in Ladbroke Grove. He was born at number 40 Lancaster Road. In 1967 the family was rehoused in Hackney. He attended Brooke House School for Boys in Clapton, - as did Lord Sugar. He became head boy and was the first person in his family to make it to university, gaining a place at Goldsmiths College in 1978. He took a degree in Sociology and a PGCE . From 1982 until 1993 he taught at schools in Hackney and Richmond. In 1984-85 he attended Bristol University where he gained a Diploma in Social Administration. From 1985 until 1989 he studied part-time in the evenings for a degree in English Literature at Birkbeck College. He stayed on at Birkbeck from 1990-1992 to study for an MA in Modern English Literature. He left teaching in 1993 and has worked as a tutor, researcher, writer and tour guide. He leads bespoke guided tours on London’s history, art , architecture and culture. He has attended numerous courses at Oxford University - Exeter College, Rewley House & Kellogg College. In London, he attends courses at Gresham College, The National Gallery, The British Museum, The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, The British Academy and The Royal Society.

The Recruiting Officer by George Farquhar | Review

November 11, 2018 Last updated: November 11, 2018 11:40 am By John OBrien Leave a Comment

The Recruiting Officer (1706) by the wonderfully named Irish dramatist George Farquhar is a classic of English comic satire so it is most welcome to have the pleasure of seeing Charlie Ryall’s adaptation at the historic Red Lion pub (built in 1415, customers include Hogarth, Dr Jonson, Dickens & … [Read more...]

Melinda Hughes: The Satirical Diva Live At Zedel

November 7, 2018 Last updated: November 7, 2018 2:33 pm By John OBrien Leave a Comment

Melinda Hughes is indubitably the most glamorous goddess of comedic cabaret Britain has produced since Millicent Martin and the legendary That Was The Week That Was back in the 1960s. Relevant and irreverent her every pun packs a punch, her satirical surgical strikes take down the pompous, the … [Read more...]

Semites: Verbatim disclosures from Palestine and Israel

November 1, 2018 Last updated: November 1, 2018 11:35 pm By John OBrien Leave a Comment

In seventy succinct and enthralling minutes, Semites provides the best account of the Palestine/ Israeli conflict you could ever want. By giving us voices from both sides of this conflict Semites encapsulates the essence of the conflict and yet still manages to offer grounds for hope. The evening … [Read more...]

West End Launch of The Simon & Garfunkel Show

October 31, 2018 Last updated: November 1, 2018 11:56 am By John OBrien Leave a Comment

The Art of Paul and Funky Simon is how I responded to a fascinating press preview yesterday afternoon at the Lyric for the forthcoming one week run of the Simon and Garfunkel story at the Vaudeville Theatre on the Strand commencing 12th November. Performed by two wonderfully talented actors, … [Read more...]

Baby at Drayton Arms Theatre, London | Review

October 26, 2018 Last updated: October 30, 2018 12:51 pm By John OBrien

Stephen Sondheim’s Company poses the question: What Do You Want To Get Married For? The current revival at The Gielgud Theatre is playing to sell-out houses. It’s a classic of musical theatre. Baby a new musical takes up the story. Baby has got Sondheim written all over it. Imitation being the … [Read more...]

Fake News at Waterloo East Theatre | Review

October 24, 2018 Last updated: October 25, 2018 12:53 pm By John OBrien

'Fake News' has achieved widespread notoriety as a catchphrase that encapsulates many of the disturbing features of our times. So Osman Baig’s one-man show on this very topic is to be welcomed. Unfortunately, I was not entirely convinced by Baig’s monologue. Clearly very talented Baig has not only … [Read more...]

Mythic a New Musical at Charing Cross Theatre | Review

October 9, 2018 Last updated: October 12, 2018 2:07 pm By John OBrien

Mythic: A New Musical is a well-polished professional production which in a fast-paced 90 minutes (no interval) brings the world of the Greek gods and their rebellious offspring thrilling to life. Witty lyrics are superbly sung (17 musical numbers in 90 minutes that’s impressive) and dance routines … [Read more...]