Category Archives: Theatre
2020 Vision: Best in Show
You can count on London’s Theatreland to deliver plenty of drama. Judith Schrut samples what’s on offer this year in the West End and beyond. Count on London Theatreland to deliver plenty of drama in 2020. In the West End, … Continue reading
2020 Vision
Contributor Judith Schrut takes us on a brief but spectacular tour of 2020 London’s upcoming top cultural treats. Continue reading
Unmissable Stage Premiere | Small Island at the NT
Leah Harvey & Shiloh Coke in Small Island, photo credit Brinkhoff Moegenburg, courtesy NT Press Office Andrea Levy’s novel about the postwar Caribbean-to-Britain migrant experience has been adapted for the stage. Judith Schrut reviews this powerful, unmissable show, which opened … Continue reading
Dancing Dogs, Flying Plates, Giant Pillows: Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend
Aracaladanza Dance Company, ©Pedro Arnay, photo courtesy Sadlers Wells Media Library Dancing dogs, flying plates and giant pillows took centre stage this Easter at Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend. Judith Schrut and her young companion went to see what it was … Continue reading
Kinky Ping Pong
Dinner and a show with a one-minute stroll? Here’s a great date night idea: dim sum and drinks at Ping Pong Covent Garden followed by catching a performance of Kinky Boots just round the corner at the Adelphi Theatre. Continue reading
Preview: Immerse Erotic Storytelling at House of Kittens’ Menagerie
Immerse erotic theatre company House of Kittens is to host Menagerie, an evening of conceptual vignettes with an aim to “delve into the endless expression of pleasure to engage people in a new liberated theatrical movement.” Continue reading
Graeme of Thrones
Spoiler alert! Graeme of Thrones (a live theatre parody of … well, I’ll let you guess) is a guaranteed guffaw inducing hoot with loads of loving comedy pointed in the direction of its inspiration. Continue reading
Sunset at the Villa Thalia at Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre
Arty, middle class Charlotte (Pippa Nixon) from London and charismatic American – and CIA operative – Harvey (Ben Miles) are frenemies to the highest degree. There’s instant affinity and sometimes even smouldering attraction between them but also deep-seated belief on both sides that one completely misunderstands the other and that the other is absolutely wrong about how the world spins on its geopolitical axis. Continue reading
Send in the London Clown Festival
Hosted at London’s newest Arts Hub, The Omnitorium at Manor House, from 10 to 19 June London Clown Festival is “a festival of physical comedy and clown influenced contemporary performance” exploring “what clown is to the modern performer and their audiences.” Continue reading
Sideways: The Play at St James Theatre
If you loved the movie, to be sure you’ll love the play, adapted for the stage by original Sideways novelist, Rex Pickett and deftly directed David Grindely. Continue reading
Madam Butterfly at ENO
A tearjerker of a show, thanks in large part to a profoundly sympathetic performance of soprano Rena Harms, English National Opera’s staging of Madame Butterfly delights the eyes as much as it moves the hearts of its audience. Continue reading
London Eye Goes Wonka for Easter
The London Eye offers a taste of pure imagination this Easter by partnering with the West End hit musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for an immersive experience for families. Continue reading
The Magic Flute at ENO
Mozart’s fanciful The Magic Flute is on now for a limited run at the London Coliseum with a spectacularly staged production from the English National Opera. I had the pleasure of attending a performance last week and very much enjoyed … Continue reading
Getting to Know Lady Unknown Playwright Lauren Johnson
Lady Unknown is the third production from ensemble group Theatre Untold. As with its two previous productions, the aim of Lady Unknown is to shine a light on a “forgotten historical figure.” This time round that disremembered person is 19th century philanthropist and chum of Charles Dickens, Angela Burdett Coutts. Continue reading
Theatre Review: Sunny Afternoon, Based on the Music by The Kinks
Winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Sunny Afternoon tales the story of London’s best sounding rock ‘n roll catastrophe, The Kinks, and follows the band from its formation in Muswell Hill between brothers Ray and Dave Davies through the many ups and downs on their way to international stardom Continue reading
2015 Edinburgh Fringe: Must See Shows (OneTravel)
For fans of live performance, August in Edinburgh means one thing: Fringe! The largest arts festival in the world, the three-week Scottish shindig brings the opportunity to be entertained by a heaving variety of world class, up-and-coming, and often rather … Continue reading
Twelfth Night | Pell Mell Theatre Company | The Space Theatre, Canary Wharf
Set in Victorian music hall, The Space, and staged with a dark edge and an ‘under the big top’ look and feel, the Pell Mell Theatre Company’s production of Shakespeare’s tale of love, subterfuge and mistaken identity is mesmerising to watch with a strong ensemble of actors. Continue reading
Review: The Motherf**ker with the Hat, National Theatre
American playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis’ award-winning and 100% N-Y-motherf**king-C story of fidelity fraught with fatigue and compulsion proved a hit in the city where it’s set when it premiered on Broadway in 2011. Now the show has crossed the proverbial pond with the promise of wowing London theatregoers from now to the end of August. Continue reading
Untold Theatre Premieres Second Production: The Scar Test
Not only touched by the performance I caught of The Scar Test and glad for the chance to see such compelling live theatre, I am more informed about the plight of refugees seeking safe haven in the UK and more aware of how poorly too many of these individuals are treated. Continue reading
Summer with Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon (OneTravel)
Summertime’s a fine time to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare, with calendar filled with special events and activities for the family. Here’s a look at some of the fun ways to make the most of this beautiful English … Continue reading
Preview: The Goblin King’s Masquerade Ball 2015
The Goblin King’s Annual Masquerade Ball is a themed costumed ball “of mischief and revelry” exploring the darker side of fantasy through promenade theatre, live music and DJs, cabaret, interactive creatures, puppetry, art installations, goblin markets, hot tubs, “hidden experiences” and loads more surprises in “suitable goblin habitable locations.” Continue reading
A Simple Space at Udderbelly Festival: No Frills Just Thrills and Simply Amazing Acrobatic Stunts
Wow! I was blown away at last night’s press preview performance by A Simple Space, a no-frills show direct from Australia which “champions the incredibly artistry of the human body over traditional circus gimmicks.” Continue reading
Catalina by Untold Theatre at Ovalhouse
Unflinching and extremely hilarious, a new interactive ensemble piece by Untold Theatre explores the relationship between Katherine of Aragon and her Moorish servant Catalina. Continue reading
Sponsored Video: ENO does Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro: 16 October to 23 November
The Marriage of Figaro comes to the London stage this month with a highly anticipated return of the English National Opera’s smash-hit production at the London Coliseum for the first time since its hugely well received premiere in 2011. Continue reading