The blurb for Lullaby of Scavengers didn’t really prepare me for the show, sure it mentioned that there may be some explicit content and there was something about living in a sewer and something more about a fox and a dead squirrel, and I noted that this was a show about ‘human loneliness of longing,’ - but the actual performance is extraordinarily challenging - and I like to be challenged and would fight (nicely) for the right for theatre to be provocative and transgressive, that’s what art is … [Read more...]
Little Women at The Roman Theatre of Verulamium St Albans
As theatre productions go this is a memorable, magical experience filled with heart and love and so many tiny thoughtful details, that I’m not sure a review can do it justice, but I’ll try. The Roman Theatre of Verulamium is an open-air theatre set in fields on the edge of St Albans, and OVO have taken it over for the summer with productions as varied as War of the Worlds, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Rent. Little Women is their penultimate production and it’s a joyful, theatrical … [Read more...]
Peaky Blinders: The Rise at The Camden Garrison
This is one hell of a show, it’s a party, a family gathering, a conspiracy and a whole lot of fun, from the moment you join the queue by the Peaky Blinders caravan in Camden Stables you are gleefully cajoled into another world. It’s steeped in influences from the global sensation that is the TV Series Peaky Blinders, and of course, if you’re a fan of the show then this will be an extra special treat, but it stands as a show even for those who’ve never watched an episode. The main … [Read more...]
La Clique at Underbelly Festival | Review
Now in its 15th year, La Clique have firmly established their place on the world burlesque circuit and this year’s London cast bring their infamous saucy circus to the Underbelly Festival in Cavendish Square, Central London, where the crowds are more than ready for some physical thrills and a fun night out. La Clique doesn’t disappoint, setting the tone for the night very clearly with a bold and beautiful entrance from Burlesque superstar Jolie Papillon, who unashamedly flaunts her peacock … [Read more...]
Middle: a new play by David Eldridge | National Theatre
It’s the middle of the night, in the middle of a marriage for a couple fast approaching middle age, and Maggie (Claire Rushbrook) is about to drop an emotional bombshell on Gary (Daniel Ryan). This is an expertly crafted exploration of the familiarity and drudgery of marriage and parenthood, and although Maggie’s truths may be hard for Gary to hear, they’re not delivered angrily or viciously. This is a woman who wishes she felt differently, has tried for years to feel settled, but is … [Read more...]
Carrying David at Canal Café Theatre | Review
Carrying David is a rare beast of a show, written by established playwright Ed Waugh and performed by the intimidatingly versatile actor Micky Cochrane, it tells the story of boxing hero Glenn McCrory, a working-class lad from Stanley, Country Durham who at 24 became the North East’s first world champion. McCrory’s story is one of legend in the North East, his unexpected win punctuating a decade of devastation and dark times for the region. His victory was a beacon of hope for many and this … [Read more...]
Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me at Kiln Theatre | Review
Amy Trigg is a glorious storyteller and Reasons You Should (n’t) Love Me is an exuberant example of how powerful a one-woman show can be. Trigg plays Juno, and a cast of contributing characters, showcasing her range as an actor and her ability to seduce an audience into investing heavily in their stories. Juno has spina bifida, uses a wheelchair, and from the very beginning of the play she engages us with her charm, warmth and ability to laugh at the world and herself. Juno is … [Read more...]