British Theatre

Theatre News & Reviews: 2017

British Theatre articles from 2017 — news, reviews, interviews, and guides from the London theatre scene.

Browse 882 articles published in 2017.

Rhys Ifans to star in Mood Music at Old Vic

News

Rhys Ifans to star in Mood Music at Old Vic

Following his acclaimed performance in A Christmas Carol, Rhys Ifans is to star in the World Premiere of Joe Penhall's play Mood Music at The Old Vic in May.

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Goosed, Royal Vauxhall Tavern ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Goosed, Royal Vauxhall Tavern ✭✭✭✭

Goosed is full of all the broad comedy, saucy innuendo, silliness and audience interaction that families relish in a festive panto but this is definitely not…

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Belleville, Donmar Warehouse ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Belleville, Donmar Warehouse ✭✭✭✭

The Donmar is the perfect venue for a tense thriller like Belleville, a claustrophobic chamber piece of a thriller that delivers on so many levels.

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Pinocchio, National Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Pinocchio, National Theatre ✭✭✭

Full marks to the National for having a jolly good go with this attempt; it may yet be made to work as well as the show clearly intends to. But more work it…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Animus, Laban Theatre

Review

REVIEW: Animus, Laban Theatre

Julian Eaves reviews new musical Animus by Michael Webborn and Daniel Finn performed by students at Trinity Laban.

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Goats, Royal Court Theatre ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Goats, Royal Court Theatre ✭✭

It’s refreshing to go to something without such barefaced moralising but I can’t say I really enjoyed it. No kidding.

Helena Payne

Helena Payne

News & Reviews

Theatre Royal Plymouth brings new plays to London

News

Theatre Royal Plymouth brings new plays to London

A mini-season of plays that had their UK premieres at The Drum at Theatre Royal Plymouth is to run in repertoire at London’s Southwark Playhouse from January.

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

Michael Grandage returns to the West End in 2018

News

Michael Grandage returns to the West End in 2018

The Michael Grandage Company is to return to the West End in 2018 with two new productions – Red by John Logan and The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDo…

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

Palace Theatre Manchester

Misc

Palace Theatre Manchester

The Palace Theatre Manchester is one of the city's foremost entertainment venues. Find out what's on at the Palace Theatre Manchester

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

Dad Wrote A Porno UK Tour - Live On Stage

News

Dad Wrote A Porno UK Tour - Live On Stage

The team behind the smash hit podcast My Dad Wrote A Porno are bringing their hilarious live adaption on tour which visits venues across the UK

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

Mercury Theatre Colchester

Misc

Mercury Theatre Colchester

Just an hour from London and highly accessible, the Mercury Theatre Colchester has stood proudly on its current site since 1972, with the main house and stud…

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

Casting announced for Top Hat at The Gatehouse

News

Casting announced for Top Hat at The Gatehouse

This Christmas Ovation Productions returns to Upstairs At The Gatehouse with Irving Berlin's’ Top Hat from 13 December 2017 – 28 January 2018.

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Rasputin Rocks, Stockwell Playhouse ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Rasputin Rocks, Stockwell Playhouse ✭✭

When you hear that a pair of writers have been working on a show for 10 years before finally bringing it to the stage to find out what it works like in reali…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

More Theatre Podcasts We Listen To

News

More Theatre Podcasts We Listen To

We look at some more great musical theatre podcasts including The Hamilcast, Every Musical Ever and Jimmi and Tomic's Musical Theatre Happy Hour.

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Heather, Bush Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Heather, Bush Theatre ✭✭✭✭

A sharp shot of highly creative storytelling, Heather is well worth a visit to witness just what can be achieved with any limitations

Sophie Adnitt

Sophie Adnitt

News & Reviews

REVIEW: The Exorcist, Phoenix Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: The Exorcist, Phoenix Theatre ✭✭✭

If you go prepared to be scared, like the audience members who got their feet at the curtain call, you will be, and if, like the woman being helped out of th…

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Lord Dismiss Us, Above The Stag ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Lord Dismiss Us, Above The Stag ✭✭✭✭

Lord Dismiss Us is packed choc-full of nifty one-liners and often lovely double-entendres, the occasional song or prayer, a spot of amateur dramatics, and la…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Young Marx, Bridge Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Young Marx, Bridge Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Bean and Coleman don't put a foot wrong. Briskly plotted, dizzily paced with doors flying shut and open with split-second timing, revealing and concealing t…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

Bananaman the musical cast announced

News

Bananaman the musical cast announced

Casting was today announced for Bananaman the musical which is to run at Southwark Playhouse from 15 December 2017.

E

Editorial Staff

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Much Ado About Hero, Theatre N16 ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Much Ado About Hero, Theatre N16 ✭✭✭

This was a memorable debut and I count myself very fortunate to have been present at it. I shall watch out - with great interest - for more work coming from…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: What Shadows, Park Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: What Shadows, Park Theatre ✭✭✭✭

What Shadows is a seriously meaty play, full of challenging ideas, brought to life through a strong cast and Roxana Silbert's well-paced direction.

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Beginning, National Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Beginning, National Theatre ✭✭✭✭

At times very funny, Beginning also has moments of heart-breaking intensity but without becoming sentimental. It is a masterful two-hander that will especia…

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

Small Faces musical finds West End home

News

Small Faces musical finds West End home

All or Nothing – The Mod Musical, based on the story of legendary 1960s rock band Small Faces, is to play a limited West End season after its third sell-out …

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Flashdance the musical, UK Tour ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Flashdance the musical, UK Tour ✭✭✭

What you are left with in Flashdance is a series of great productions numbers that have the audience wanting to have fun but no show to support them.

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons UK Tour

Misc

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons UK Tour

The Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons UK tour 2020 sees Frankie return to London Nottngham and Liverpool. If you loved Jersey Boys book now to see the man t…

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Judith, Mercury Theatre Colchester ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Judith, Mercury Theatre Colchester ✭✭

The actors are given little to develop and work with, and, at fifty minutes, the audience were unsure of the ending- indeed, it felt that there had been very…

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

Does the Circus Still Have a Place in Britain?

Misc

Does the Circus Still Have a Place in Britain?

With so many new themes to explore in this modern world, perhaps circuses really aren’t lost forever to British audiences. Instead, they are taking over our …

E

Editorial Staff

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Lucky Stiff, Union Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Lucky Stiff, Union Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Lucky Stiff is a fun night out, beautifully realised with an original take on a well-worn concept, and with much to bring a smile to the lips.

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: The Fall, Royal Court Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: The Fall, Royal Court Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Every molecule of the space of the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs is packed with the energy, enthusiasm, passion and commitment of the seven strong ensemble.

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

Wicked UK Tour Cast Announced

News

Wicked UK Tour Cast Announced

The producers of the upcoming Wicked UK tour have announced casting for the tour which starts at the Bristol Hippodrome on 31 January 2018.

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

Young Vic announces new artistic director

News

Young Vic announces new artistic director

Leading director and playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah has been announced as the new artistic director of London's Young Vic theatre.

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

FIRST LOOK: Duet For One UK Tour Images

News

FIRST LOOK: Duet For One UK Tour Images

We are pleased to bring you these first look production images for the Duet for One UK Tour which is now playing at Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: The Ladykillers, New Wolsey Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: The Ladykillers, New Wolsey Theatre ✭✭✭

It’s a risk to stage a production of a much loved film, and, overall, the Wolsey manages to pull it off, although the production doesn’t quite reach the come…

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

Sunderland Empire Theatre

Misc

Sunderland Empire Theatre

We look at a brief history of the Sunderland Empire Theatre, from its inception in 1907 to its current day standing as a major UK touring venue.

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Windows, Finborough Theatre ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Windows, Finborough Theatre ✭✭

Overall, however, Windows is a worthy but rather torpid outing for a family who have been ignored professionally for 85 years

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Against, Almeida Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Against, Almeida Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

This is a magnificent, epic, intellectual and heart-felt play in a superb production, full of insight and truth, written with a masterful sense of theatrical…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Evita, Phoenix Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Evita, Phoenix Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Emma Hatton makes every post a winner with an exciting performance of one of the greatest modern stage musical roles for women.

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Pulled, Edinburgh Fringe ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Pulled, Edinburgh Fringe ✭✭✭

Directed by Ita Morrissey, Pulled is a little uneven but offers plenty of broad laughs, lifted by two engaging performers.

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Salad Days, Union Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Salad Days, Union Theatre ✭✭✭✭

When the stage is abuzz with all 14 of the cast, it fairly bristles with an often astonishingly high level of Fifties glamour, making it far and away the mos…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Dust, Underbelly Cowgate ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Dust, Underbelly Cowgate ✭✭✭✭

At times brutally graphic and always gripping, the writing is sharp and honest, confirming this as an impressive piece from someone we are sure to hear more of.

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

Irish comedy heading for Watford Colosseum

News

Irish comedy heading for Watford Colosseum

Tommy Marren’s comedy Nobody’s Talking To Me is to play the Watford Colosseum in Hertfordshire in the one British engagement outside of a tour of Ireland.

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Twilight Song, Park Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Twilight Song, Park Theatre ✭✭✭

While Twilight Song lacks the power of My Night With Reg, it is an enjoyable piece of drama that sharply portrays people – both gay and straight – who feel t…

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Road, Royal Court Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Road, Royal Court Theatre ✭✭✭✭

But there was one thing I had forgotten. It was always there, I had just forgotten it. And that’s how brilliant a writer Cartwright is.

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

REVIEW: I Loved Lucy, Arts Theatre ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: I Loved Lucy, Arts Theatre ✭✭

Dickinson is superb in I Loved Lucy. She gives a masterclass in how to fascinate and compel an audience's avid attention.

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Bodies, Royal Court Theatre ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Bodies, Royal Court Theatre ✭✭

Dominated and ultimately hindered by its unfortunate subtext, Bodies leaves its audience feeling uneasy for all the wrong reasons.

Sophie Adnitt

Sophie Adnitt

News & Reviews

Glorious new role for Simon Shepherd

News

Glorious new role for Simon Shepherd

Simon Shepherd has joined the cast of Frinton Summer Theatre's revival of Peter Quilter's comedy Glorious! about Florence Foster Jenkins.

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

LISTEN: First song from Nativity the musical

News

LISTEN: First song from Nativity the musical

Producers of Nativity the musical released an exclusive track on Elaine Paige's BBC radio programme. Have a listen and let us know what you think.

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: The Mentor, Vaudeville Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: The Mentor, Vaudeville Theatre ✭✭✭

Hampton's translation has a lightness of touch that brings a leisurely flow of laughter making this a pleasant if unexciting 80 minutes of well-made theatre

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

Dance til you drop with No Miracles Here

Misc

Dance til you drop with No Miracles Here

The Letter Room bring No Miracles Here, a live and loud musical tale of a dance marathon with a Northern Soul to this year's Edinburgh Festival.

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Cream, Canal Café Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Cream, Canal Café Theatre ✭✭✭

Yes, this whole show – hastily put together in barely a week - might well shine a bit more with a little more rehearsal and polish, but the ending is full of…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

Cilla The Musical has found its star!

News

Cilla The Musical has found its star!

After auditioning hopefuls during several weeks of open auditions around the UK, producers of Cilla The Musical have found their star!

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Tribe, London Theatre Workshop ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Tribe, London Theatre Workshop ✭✭✭

There is a lot to enjoy here and much to admire in a basically young ensemble putting on a slightly unusual sort of show, fleshed out with some engaging humo…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Ink, Almeida Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Ink, Almeida Theatre ✭✭✭

While everyone should enjoy Ink, I am sure that many people who are more discerning than I am will find it spectacular.

Matthew Lunn

Matthew Lunn

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Blondel, Union Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Blondel, Union Theatre ✭✭✭✭

A thoroughly charming, and fun, experience in musical comedy lies in store for all those who tread the path of the wand’ring minstrel Blondel.

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

The Snowman UK Tour

Misc

The Snowman UK Tour

The Birmingham Repertory Theatre Production of The Snowman UK Tour.

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Holy Crap, Kings Head Theatre ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Holy Crap, Kings Head Theatre ✭✭

There is, I think, somewhere, in the midst of all this nastiness, a rather interesting show struggling to get out, but it ain’t been found yet.

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

Dear Evan Hansen - Music Box Theatre Broadway

Misc

Dear Evan Hansen - Music Box Theatre Broadway

Dear Evan Hansen is one of Broadway's biggest musical theatre hits and is now playing at the Music Box Theatre. Book tickets through BritishTheatre.com. Open…

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Common, National Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Common, National Theatre ✭✭✭

Trimmed down by about 30 minutes since previews began, Common has gained momentum in time for press night although it still feels like it needs more work.

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Killology, The Royal Court ✭✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Killology, The Royal Court ✭✭✭✭✭

Outstanding writing, beautiful acting and strong direction- it feels like it shouldn’t be as simple as that to create theatrical magic. But here the company …

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Judy!, Arts Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Judy!, Arts Theatre ✭✭✭

Julian Eaves reviews Judy! now playing at the Arts Theatre "The proscenium reminds us that this is, more than anything else, a play."

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Tick Tick BOOM!, Park Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Tick Tick BOOM!, Park Theatre ✭✭✭✭

I’m delighted to say that I’m already booked to go back and have another session with Tick Tick BOOM!, and its fascinating aesthetic conundrums, later in the…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

Tony Awards 2017 - The Nominees

News

Tony Awards 2017 - The Nominees

The nominations for the Tony Awards 2017 were announced today with Hello Dolly! and Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 leading the nominations.

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: The Cardinal, Southwark Playhouse ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: The Cardinal, Southwark Playhouse ✭✭✭

Maybe James Shirley isn't one of the greatest playwrights ever to animate the stages of this country, but he's far from the worst, and this is probably his b…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Play Something, Lakeside Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Play Something, Lakeside Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Play Something is a slick, funny, emotional rollercoaster of a ride with some pretty cool tunes to match – and you can’t ask for much more than that in life.

N

Neil D'Arcy-Jones

News & Reviews

Cast to face jury in Lyric's Terror

News

Cast to face jury in Lyric's Terror

Emma Fielding and Forbes Masson are to lead the cast of courtroom drama Terror at the Lyric Hammersmith where the audience decides on the verdict.

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: The Philanthropist, Trafalgar Studios ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: The Philanthropist, Trafalgar Studios ✭✭

A combination of bad casting and lacklustre directing from Simon Callow leads to an ultimately disappointing evening; the greatest act of philanthropy would …

Danny Coleman-Cooke

Danny Coleman-Cooke

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Whisper House, The Other Palace ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Whisper House, The Other Palace ✭✭✭

Overall, Whisper House is an interesting experiment, a novel departure from the 'norms' of musical theatre. If it doesn't quite fulfill its ambitions, well, …

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Natives, Southwark Playhouse ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Natives, Southwark Playhouse ✭✭✭✭

Natives is a sharply written chronicle of coming of age at a time when digital technology presents new challenges for young people but could also provide the…

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

Dreamgirls Cast Album Release Date Announced

News

Dreamgirls Cast Album Release Date Announced

Sonia Friedman Productions has confirmed the Dreamgirls Original London Cast Album will be released on Friday 12 May 201&. Pre-order now!

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

Out of Joint appoints new artistic director

News

Out of Joint appoints new artistic director

Kate Wasserberg, the award-winning founder and artistic director of The Other Room in Cardiff, is to join Max Stafford-Clark and producer Martin Derbyshire t…

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

Moliere play to be staged in French and English

News

Moliere play to be staged in French and English

A production of Molière’s classic comedy, The Misanthrope – performed in English and French – is coming to London’s Drayton Arms Theatre.

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: 46 Beacon, Trafalgar Studios 2 ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: 46 Beacon, Trafalgar Studios 2 ✭✭✭

There is little drama, and no dramatic stakes are raised, and for that reason it may struggle to be remembered in the lexicon of gay drama. However, that is …

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

New London cast for Play That Goes Wrong

News

New London cast for Play That Goes Wrong

A new cast has been announced for the London production of The Play That Goes Wrong as it continues on its path to world domination.

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Miss Nightingale, The Vaults ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Miss Nightingale, The Vaults ✭✭✭

Treading similar terrain as the recently seen 'Mrs Henderson Presents', it has an infectious score, well-written dialogue, and a story that revolves around m…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Caste, Finborough Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Caste, Finborough Theatre ✭✭✭

This is a worthwhile exercise, it is well produced, well acted and well nigh bound to leave you thinking that, as far as the development of nineteenth centur…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Posh, Pleasance Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Posh, Pleasance Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Aside from the device of making it an all-female cast, this is a powerful, enjoyable production. It may lose some of the masculine menace of the original but…

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Tommy, New Wolsey Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Tommy, New Wolsey Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

We are going to have to find a new word for disabled, as this company rubs the President’s face in that word. This is a wonderful production- feel it, hear i…

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Sea Fret, Old Red Lion Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Sea Fret, Old Red Lion Theatre ✭✭✭

Sea Fret captures the human story behind this disintegration of homes and ways of life. While the narrative lacks clarity and drive at some points, the play …

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Honk, Union Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Honk, Union Theatre ✭✭✭✭

With planks and bales of hay as well as more inventive props, the farmyard world has been cleverly conceived by designer Emily Bestow. It all comes together …

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Chinglish, Park Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Chinglish, Park Theatre ✭✭✭✭

With a twisting plot and strong characters, Chinglish leaves you laughing but aware of an inevitable chasm of difference between the two cultures that means …

Mark Ludmon

Mark Ludmon

News & Reviews

REVIEW: The Frogs, Jermyn Street Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: The Frogs, Jermyn Street Theatre ✭✭✭✭

These songs rank amongst Sondheim’s best, and the witty, light-as-air confection of the book is a constant joy, managing to stay always earthy and ‘grounded’…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: The Miser, Garrick Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: The Miser, Garrick Theatre ✭✭✭✭

The laughs come thick and fast through the ensuing chaos, and with some stand out comedic performances, it seems like there’s still plenty of life in Molière…

Sophie Adnitt

Sophie Adnitt

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Mamma Mia! remains an incredibly fun night at the theatre and it's still difficult to believe that the show's score of timeless pop was not purpose written f…

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Bang Bang, Mercury Theatre ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Bang Bang, Mercury Theatre ✭✭

It hasn’t helped this production also that current West End farce mega-hit The Play That Goes Wrong visited this venue just a few weeks ago, underlining furt…

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Othello, Sam Wannamaker Playhouse ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Othello, Sam Wannamaker Playhouse ✭✭✭

Ellen McDougall’s Othello is a very solid production, with excellent performances and a number of intriguing original motifs. Whilst these did not all work f…

Matthew Lunn

Matthew Lunn

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Hamlet, Almeida Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Hamlet, Almeida Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Alas poor Sherlock, we know it well. Even in the opening scenes of this ingenious production, it was clear that Andrew Scott would more than match his TV co-…

Danny Coleman-Cooke

Danny Coleman-Cooke

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Swifties, TheatreN16 ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Swifties, TheatreN16 ✭✭

It's a very clever idea, and writer Tom Stenton is to be congratulated for having formulated it and brought it thus far along the road to taking theatrical s…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Roundelay, Southwark Playhouse ✭

Review

REVIEW: Roundelay, Southwark Playhouse ✭

If you like simple - very simple - soap-operas about nice middle-class people, who drink lots of prosecco and talk at inordinate length and to no great purpo…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: La Poule Plombee, Live At Zedel ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: La Poule Plombee, Live At Zedel ✭✭✭✭

By the time the reprise of the title song reappeared as ‘Your Voice’ and then led us into the finale ultimo of ‘Encore!’, we were ready to leave the cabaret …

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Lizzie, Greenwich Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Lizzie, Greenwich Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

This is the greatest American musical since 'Sweeney Todd'. I have seen it twice this week, in the wonderful production by the American director, Victoria Bu…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: The Girls, Phoenix Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: The Girls, Phoenix Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

I left the theatre teared up with an almighty lump in my throat and the emotion of the show is still with me twenty fours later. The Girls is a superb night …

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Travesties, Apollo Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Travesties, Apollo Theatre ✭✭✭✭

At a time when the role of the arts is as hotly discussed as ever, Stoppard’s play could not be timelier. Travesties both baffles and intrigues; a masterful …

Danny Coleman-Cooke

Danny Coleman-Cooke

News & Reviews

REVIEW: La Ronde, Bunker Theatre ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: La Ronde, Bunker Theatre ✭✭

Whilst this adaptation of La Ronde is a brilliant concept, it is rich in style and yet lacking in substance.

Danny Coleman-Cooke

Danny Coleman-Cooke

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Anyone Can Whistle, Union Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Anyone Can Whistle, Union Theatre ✭✭✭

The musical performances in Anyone Can Whistle will please people who like brilliantly written songs, and they will fire the imagination of anyone who hears …

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Newsies Movie Event ✭✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Newsies Movie Event ✭✭✭✭✭

This will be the first time that Disney has bought one of their live shows to the screen but they have done so in epic style and the result is absolutely exh…

Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Dubailand, Finborough Theatre ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Dubailand, Finborough Theatre ✭✭✭

Dubailand offers a striking portrayal of the titular city, which does great credit to its writer. It is an enjoyable play, characterised by a good cast and a…

Matthew Lunn

Matthew Lunn

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Crocodile, Vault Festival ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Crocodile, Vault Festival ✭✭✭

There are shadows here of ‘The Events’, as well as other absurdist and expressionist drama. I hope we hear more from Mr Eyre very soon.

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Greywing House, Vault Festival ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Greywing House, Vault Festival ✭✭✭

The choice of location assists the grim spectacle no end, with spaces melting away into the dank, shadowy recesses of the apparently never ending cellars ben…

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Henry V, Southwark Cathedral ✭✭✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Henry V, Southwark Cathedral ✭✭✭✭✭

I think Shakespeare would certainly have approved and I couldn't help agreeing that - as a student of mine (who also happened to be there) gushed - “it was b…

Helena Payne

Helena Payne

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Still, Mercury Theatre Colchester ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Still, Mercury Theatre Colchester ✭✭✭

The major problem the production has is the work itself. Each photograph of Maier’s that is projected onto the screens tells a thousand stories, and here is …

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

REVIEW: The Litterati, The Vaults ✭✭✭

Review

REVIEW: The Litterati, The Vaults ✭✭✭

The Litterati is an intriguing deconstruction of life on the margins of society, seen through the eyes of its sheltered protagonist. The play occasionally su…

Matthew Lunn

Matthew Lunn

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Raising Martha, Park Theatre ✭✭

Review

REVIEW: Raising Martha, Park Theatre ✭✭

That sound that you hear in the production is not frogs croaking. It’s the ghost of Joe Orton tutting with boredom that, in fifty years, his anarchic comedy …

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Wish List, The Royal Court ✭✭✭✭

News

REVIEW: Wish List, The Royal Court ✭✭✭✭

Winner of the 2015 Bruntwood Prize, Katherine Soper’s play explores zero contract hours Britain through brother and sister Tamsin and Dean.

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Abigail, The Bunker Theatre ✭✭✭

News

REVIEW: Abigail, The Bunker Theatre ✭✭✭

Ultimately, Abigail comes across as a confused thing, hindered by just too many good ideas in too short a time. Good production helps redeem the play to a de…

Sophie Adnitt

Sophie Adnitt

News & Reviews

REVIEW: BU21, Trafalgar Studios ✭✭✭

News

REVIEW: BU21, Trafalgar Studios ✭✭✭

If the play sounds intense and grim, it’s strength is in its blackest of black humour, making interesting points about how we all think in “media speak”

Paul T Davies

Paul T Davies

News & Reviews

REVIEW: Three Sisters, Union Theatre ✭✭✭

News

REVIEW: Three Sisters, Union Theatre ✭✭✭

Willmott has gathered together a handsome cast of 14 mainly young professionals, admonished with a few seasoned actors, and offers us a new way of using the …

Julian Eaves

Julian Eaves

News & Reviews

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