REVIEW: JACK & I – THE JACK THE RIPPER MUSICAL (Barons Court Theatre)
Jack the Ripper, also known as Leather Apron, murdered at least five prostitutes between 1888 and 1891 and was never identified, let alone brought to justice. His methodology was to slit the unfortunate women’s throats, mutilate their bodies and then, often, remove certain organs. So, is this a documentary?, or perhaps a horror story? No […]
Sondheim Society & Mercury Musicals Developments Student Performer of the Year and Stiles and Drewe Prize
An afternoon listening to some of the most promising young graduates from an array of drama schools, singing Sondheim and songs written by new composers hosted by Clive Rowe with a special performance by the phenomenal Janie Dee. What’s not to like? I think what set my personal favourites apart, was the ease at which […]
REVIEW: ANNIE (Piccadilly Theatre) ★★★★
With a plethora of musicals featuring children currently consuming the bright lights of Theatre Land, Annie joins the ranks following a successful nationwide tour. The show, telling the story of a young redhead New Yorker during the great depression, who takes on the world with nothing more than a positive attitude and the tattered clothes on […]
REVIEW: ALL THAT (Lion and Unicorn Theatre) ★★★★
Taylor and Riley have been together nine years, have bought a house but have fallen upon harder times. When they decide to rent out their spare room to another gay couple, their simple, quiet, happy lives become a little more complicated. All That is a play about sex, relationships and monogamy that makes you think. […]
REVIEW: THE UGLY ONE (Park Theatre) ★★★
The Ugly One by Marius von Mayenburg opens at Park Theatre, directed by Roy Alexander Weise, winner of the JMK Award. The German playwright has had his work translated into over 30 languages and performed worldwide. The Ugly One debuted in London at the Royal Court Theatre in 2007 to rave reviews. The play is […]
REVIEW: TAPE FACE (Garrick Theatre) ★★★★
What was New Zealander Sam Wills thinking about when he created his persona, Tape Face? True Tape Face is clever and definitely charming and yes his act is original for the most part. And funny? Oh yes, very funny. Since reaching the finals of America’s Got Talent, Tape Face has appeared live on American television, […]
REVIEW: THE BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES (National Theatre) ★★★★★
The Barber Shop Chronicles at the National Theatre is an utter gem of a play. Set in seven different barbershops around the world, the play interweaves different views and experiences and presents them in a powerful and punchy piece of theatre. Never preachy, the show delves into different aspects of what it is to be […]
REVIEW: COMMON (National Theatre) ★★★
England, 1809. The country, in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, is in a state of flux and uncertainty. DC Moore’s newest work Common delves into this turmoil, mixing together economic and political struggles with the notions of sin and the supernatural and their impact on the physical world. In the cavernous Olivier Theatre, we […]
REVIEW: COLDER WATER (Theatre N16) ★★★★★
Colder Water and TWIX are two stories written by the brilliant Laurie Ogden. Colder Water tells the story of a group of four young people, (Ellie, Louise, Allie and Allie’s brother James), who enter a restaurant and order two bottles of wine. Wine consumption proves a point of contention within the group because Louise, is pregnant. […]
REVIEW: CHUMMY (White Bear Theatre) ★★★★
BAFTA-winning writer John Foster debuts his neo-noir thriller Chummy at the newly refurbished White Bear Theatre, staged by Encompass productions. Burn-out Jackie Straker resigns herself to the “more settled” life of a small scale private investigator, after eight years of police work and a personal tragedy. Little does she know that she is about to […]