Generally considered William Shakespeare’s last play, The Tempest dates back to 1611. According to the leaflet handed out at the door, London Theatre Workshop's production of The Tempest ‘will explode with vibrancy, visceral and sensory experiences’; the result is, however, less exciting. Given its linear storyline, The Tempest’s modern adaptations must be able to pick upon definite elements, and build the strength of each production accordingly, in order to really captivate the attention and … [Read more...]
London Theatre News - UK Touring Productions News
The First Man by Eugene O’Neill – Review
The UK Premiere of Eugene O’Neill’s The First Man, showing at the Jermyn Street Theatre, and directed by the venue’s Artistic Director Anthony Biggs, is a curious little tale about what it means to be human, and the intricate balance between looking back at the history of humankind, and looking forward to the creation of one’s own legacy over a lifetime. The story concerns Curt, an archaeologist who, on his wife Martha’s 39th birthday, learns that they are expecting a baby. This news is not … [Read more...]
Dark and Lovely by Selina Thompson – Review
Dark and Lovely is part of Ovalhouse's autumn 2015 season FABULUSM, an extraordinary collection of work celebrating the fantastical in the everyday. Dark and Lovely is a piece of immersive theatre created and performed by 25 year old, Leeds' based performance artist Selina Thompson. Selina has previously created bodies of work focused on the politics of identity and how this informed and defines our lives. Dark and Lovely is a short (just over 1 hour) piece exploring what it is to be Black, … [Read more...]
BalletBoyz – Young Men at Sadler’s Wells – Review
With English National Ballet’s superb new works commemorating World War One so fresh in the memory it was impossible not to compare them to the BalletBoyz - Young Men, first seen as Sadler's Wells earlier in the year. Choreographer, Ivan Perez, tells a series of emotive mini stories that hang together to tell the stories of a group of young men on the front line. We see them train, fall, get hurt, fight and more - it’s a vivid and raw portrayal that creates some original moments. However, at … [Read more...]
The Phantom of the Opera celebrates 29th Birthday – London
The West End is home to a great variety of musicals, many of which are only here for a short time. A run that lasts more than a year or so is an achievement in this day and age, and shows such as Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Wicked and Billy Elliot have defied the odds to become long-term residents of the West End. None of those come anywhere close to matching the staying power of The Phantom of the Opera, which is today celebrating its 29th birthday. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical masterpiece … [Read more...]