REVIEW: Don Quixote in Algiers (White Bear Theatre) ★★
In Algiers between 1578 and 1580, Miguel de Cervantes (later the author of Don Quixote de La Mancha) was in custody. He had been a soldier who was captured by Barbary pirates and was being held captive in the city of Algiers until a ransom could be raised. Cervantes was not held in a prison […]
REVIEW: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT (Jack Studio Theatre) ★★★★★
Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s infamous tale has been adapted into a straight 90-minute play by Arrow and Traps Theatre, skilfully transferring the novelist’s darkness from the page to the stage and leaving us satisfyingly chilled to the bone. Set in St. Petersburg, Russia, a young, impoverished ex-student by the name of Raskolnikov finds himself contemplating the justification […]
FILM REVIEW: Disney’s NEWSIES the Musical ★★★★★
Imelda Staunton’s terrifying turn in ‘Gypsy’ and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cats’ are among the most memorable recordings of theatre shows in my mind. Along with countless RSC and Opera productions streaming live, theatre has never been more accessible, and now ‘Newsies’ screening on the 19th of February is bringing this hit musical across the Atlantic […]
REVIEW: BEDROOM FARCE (Theatro Technis) ★★★★★
This is true Ayckbourn theatrical farce. Full of misunderstandings, extreme characters and bedrooms. It takes place over one night of mayhem and the following morning of reflection. Marital disharmony, a bad back, pilchards on toast in bed and collapsing flat packed furniture are the stories sub-plots. Told with great humour and style and yes, with […]
REVIEW: THRILLER LIVE (Lyric Theatre) ★★★
Eight years ago last month, Thriller Live opened in London’s West End, celebrating the music of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Less than six months later, the man himself sadly died, making Thriller Live a celebration concert of his life as well as his music. It is undeniably a brilliant dance show with a […]
REVIEW: SPEAKING IN TONGUES (Cockpit Theatre) ★★
Speaking In Tongues, by award winning Australian writer Andrew Bovell, is a two act play that is made up of a web of interconnected narratives concerning the subjects of love, deceit, sex and possibly even murder. The first act is a reasonably straightforward, sometimes humorous story, about infidelity between two attractive young couples. The second […]
REVIEW: The Taming of the Shrew (The Cockpit) ★
After a successful turn at the Camden Fringe Festival, ‘Get Over It Productions’ all female version of ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ transfers to the Cockpit Theatre. Considered one of Shakespeare’s most controversial plays, the story centres on a group of young men competing for the opportunity to woo the charming ‘Bianca’. However, as her […]
REVIEW: STRANGE THE ROAD (Hope Theatre) ★★
A sin city tale of gangsters, honour and love is presented in ‘Strange the Road’ playing at the Hope Theatre. The story revolves around ‘Frenchie’ (Joey Ellis) as he infatuates over a woman he can never have. ‘Verda’ (Andromeda Godfrey) a detached street wise waitress with a smart mouth begins a dangerous turn of events […]
REVIEW: DIRTY GREAT LOVE STORY (Arts Theatre) ★★
Can a one night stand last a lifetime? ‘Dirty Great Love Story’ playing at the Arts Theatre in London’s West End aims to answer that question through the ‘will they/wont they’ story of ‘Richard’ (Felix Scott) and ‘Katie’ (Ayesha Antoine). Presented completely in rhyme, a night of drunken passion blossoms into a bumbling and uncertain […]
REVIEW: BLOOD BROTHERS (The Lighthouse, Poole) ★★★★
Since her musical theatre debut as Mrs Johnstone in 1997, Lyn Paul has regularly reprised the role over the past twenty years. It is worth noting that despite being 67 years of age, she is still light on her feet and as vocally strong as all the the other younger actors onstage. Her slightly advanced […]