Unease stirs in the audience as George Orwell’s classic political allegory rings as uncomfortably true as ever. This new adaptation brings life and laughter to an eventually damning tale of political corruption, greed and exploitation. Animal Farm tells the story of a revolution against an oppressive, exploitative farmer to establish a new equal society for the animals on the farm. Over time, the revolution is exploited for personal gain by a few shrewd individuals who use the revolution … [Read more...]

Jules and Juniper are meant to be together, and although they love each other, it's not that simple. In this new transfer from the Vaults Festival, we are taken through the oft' troubled relationship between two young queer women. When Jules and Juniper meet, it is mortifyingly awkward and, at the same time, truly charming. While Juniper has always been queer; the possibility of being queer had never even occurred to Jules. That all changed in a nightclub when the two met and that special … [Read more...]

If Adrian Mole was the amusing touchstone for your youth, you will probably find all the same joys in this new Musical adaptation of the Sue Townsend 80s classic. Adrian’s parents are splitting up, he’s got a crush the size of the spot on his chin, and he's obsessed with being an intellectual but doesn't quite know what that means. It’s all there, from the red-sock rebellion to an utterly abysmal school nativity. Aside from adding some solid tunes, this adaptation is picking up the book … [Read more...]

Alice B. Toklas is getting married, I think, or maybe she isn’t, I think she is. It all depends on the imagination of Gertrude Stein, and who is playing who and what you believe. In this new farce by Edward Einhorn, we meet a litany of Modernists along the journey of a romance that is steeped in queer history. Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein sit at the front of the stage, in white ornate chairs, they tell us that they will be playing each other, playing each other, playing each other. … [Read more...]

Gina Miller takes on Theresa May in this political thriller just like we remember her doing five years ago. With fictional insights (writer) takes us through both sides of the case that shone a light on many ugly truths about politics in this country. The Gina Miller case is unpleasant pretty much however you want to spin it. Granted, it showed a woman of colour sticking up to a government that thought it could do as it pleased, but aside from that, it brought out the worst in our nation. … [Read more...]

Kayode (Fode Simbo) can’t get a job, his wife thinks he’s depressed, his mum thinks it’s a curse. An Unfinished Man tracks the different cultural approaches to life hardships and the stresses it puts on relationships. Unemployment is tough and Kayode can't get a job. He is standing on stage in a paddling pool, a tall woman slinks around the stage watching him, speaking only to him. She appears to be the manifestation of whatever is troubling Kayode. Early on, we meet Pastor Matanmi (Mark … [Read more...]

Sinead is in a tent with her father, she’s asking him about what he did when she was a child, we don’t hear the answer. O’Brien is a charismatic and charming storyteller who walks us through fairy tales and childhood trauma alike, all while holding the audience with affection and warmth. We start by hearing about Sinead’s mother being arrested under the 2001 mental health act. We learn that she ran away from home at 17 and is estranged from her mother. At first, we are given no … [Read more...]