Patrick Marber’s The Red Lion transfers to Trafalgar Studios

Patrick Marber’s The Red Lion is to transfer to Trafalgar Studios for a limited season from 1 November – 2 December 2017. This powerful, touching locker room drama reaches beyond the beautiful game. It explores contrasting ideas about loyalty, ambition and what it takes to win, from the perspectives of three different generations. Following a sell out run at Live Theatre in Newcastle, Director Max Robert’s new version of the play sees Stephen Tompkinson (Spamalot – West End, DCI Banks; Drop The Dead Donkey), John  Bowler (It Just Stopped – The Orange Tree; Operation Elvis – RSC/Almeida) and Dean Bone (The Terminal Velocity Of Snowflakes and The Savage – Live Theatre) reprise their roles. Through Marber’s own personal experiences with non-league football, The Red Lion goes far beyond the pitch to look at hope, obsessions and the desperation of humanity to be part of something. It is a piece thatresonates … Read more

CRITICS CHOICE: Top 10 New London Plays – September 1, 2015

Briefs at London Wonderground

What play should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Plays which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. Briefs This gender, race and sexual politics canvas stretches across the entire platform of the performances, from the sharp opening patter of Fez Fa’anana which happily offends everyone equally, through the “pretty doesn’t mean dumb” antics of the cheeky Louis Briggs and the vignettes with an increasingly more naked Lucky Charm (Lachy Shelley) to the various satirical and ironic … Read more

Critic’s Choice: London’s 10 Best New Plays 31 July 2015

As Is at Trafalgar Studios

What play should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Plays which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. The Elephant Man At first glance it is a simple historical tale with a couple of central star turns; unremarkable fodder but capable of reaching glitzy heights. Ellis sees beyond that though, and although the casting is undeniably starry, this is a thoughtful, incisive and ultimately shattering meditation on tolerance, convention, acceptance and love. READ OUR REVIEW 2. Richard … Read more