Category Archives: Theatre

2020 Vision: Best in Show

Posted on 2020-01-10 by Judith Schrut

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 →

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2020 Vision

Posted on 2020-01-07 by Judith Schrut

Contributor Judith Schrut takes us on a brief but spectacular tour of 2020 London’s upcoming top cultural treats. Continue reading →

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Unmissable Final Month for Underbelly Festival Southbank

Posted on 2019-08-30 by Judith Schrut

September is the final month for this year’s Underbelly Festival Southbank, but oh what a month! Judith Schrut tells us more. Summer’s nearly over (cue loud wet sobs) but London’s Underbelly Festival still has a jampacked, ubercool month of comedy, … Continue reading →

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Unmissable Stage Premiere | Small Island at the NT

Posted on 2019-05-03 by Judith Schrut

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 →

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Dancing Dogs, Flying Plates, Giant Pillows: Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend

Posted on 2019-04-22 by Judith Schrut

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 →

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Hot Tickets: Choose Laughs Festive Special

Posted on 2018-11-04 by Judith Schrut

On 9 December Help Refugees is hosting a world class night of comedy in London, featuring an astonishing line up of top comedians. Choose Laughs Festive Special will see MC Nish Kumar, Simon Amstell, Katherine Ryan, Stewart Lee and other comedy favourites come together to raise the roof with laughter as well as much needed funds to help refugees across Europe survive the coming winter. Continue reading →

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Review | Born in the USA: Taylor Mac at the Barbican Centre

Posted on 2018-06-30 by Judith Schrut

Live knitters, brass musicians and backing singers stage left. Harp, strings and temperance choir, stage right. The legendary Taylor Mac, aka the gender fluid pronoun ‘judy’, in a multi-coloured explosion of glitter and tinsel, spectacularly centre stage. Continue reading →

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Kinky Ping Pong

Posted on 2018-04-02 by tikichris

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 →

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Preview: Meow Meow and the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Festival Hall

Posted on 2017-11-20 by tikichris

Cabaret sensation Meow Meow returns to Royal Festival Hall for More Pandemonium with the London Philharmonic Orchestra following the success of last year’s one-off performance. Continue reading →

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Preview: Immerse Erotic Storytelling at House of Kittens’ Menagerie

Posted on 2017-11-17 by tikichris

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 →

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Top 10 Choices for Pre and Post Theatre Food and Drink in London (Trainline)

Posted on 2017-11-10 by tikichris

Grabbing drinks or having a meal at the right place and for the right amount of time can help set the tone to commence or end any theatre outing on a delicious note. Continue reading →

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Graeme of Thrones

Posted on 2017-10-09 by tikichris

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 →

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London Clown Festival

Posted on 2016-06-11 by tikichris

As clowning is intended (I suppose), performers allowed themselves to be the butt of their own jokes to reflect the follies and quirks of all of us. I especially loved the sneering, nervous-laughter-inducing improv of The Establishment; the manic miming of Inda Perada; the preposterous gags and observations of Ben Target (pictured above); and the athletic dithering of Helen Duff. Continue reading →

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Sunset at the Villa Thalia at Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre

Posted on 2016-06-07 by tikichris

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 →

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Send in the London Clown Festival

Posted on 2016-06-06 by tikichris

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 →

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Sideways: The Play at St James Theatre

Posted on 2016-06-04 by tikichris

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 →

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Madam Butterfly at ENO

Posted on 2016-06-03 by tikichris

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 →

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London Eye Goes Wonka for Easter

Posted on 2016-03-24 by tikichris

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 →

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The Magic Flute at ENO

Posted on 2016-02-15 by tikichris

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 →

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wonder.land at the National Theatre

Posted on 2016-02-03 by tikichris

wonder.land: it’s a tale we all know well, this time reexamined through the prism of our 21st century addiction to the digital doings on our gadgets’ screens and good old fashioned teenage malaise. Continue reading →

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Getting to Know Lady Unknown Playwright Lauren Johnson

Posted on 2015-11-25 by tikichris

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 →

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Theatre Review: Sunny Afternoon, Based on the Music by The Kinks

Posted on 2015-09-09 by tikichris

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 →

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2015 Edinburgh Fringe: Must See Shows (OneTravel)

Posted on 2015-08-05 by tikichris

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 →

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Twelfth Night | Pell Mell Theatre Company | The Space Theatre, Canary Wharf

Posted on 2015-07-24 by tikichris

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 →

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Review: The Motherf**ker with the Hat, National Theatre

Posted on 2015-07-03 by tikichris

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 →

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Untold Theatre Premieres Second Production: The Scar Test

Posted on 2015-06-27 by tikichris

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 →

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Summer with Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon (OneTravel)

Posted on 2015-06-01 by tikichris

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 →

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Preview: The Goblin King’s Masquerade Ball 2015

Posted on 2015-04-25 by tikichris

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 →

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A Simple Space at Udderbelly Festival: No Frills Just Thrills and Simply Amazing Acrobatic Stunts

Posted on 2015-04-24 by tikichris

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 →

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Catalina by Untold Theatre at Ovalhouse

Posted on 2015-04-03 by tikichris

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 →

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Review: The Curiosity Cabaret at The Old Operating Theatre, London Bridge

Posted on 2014-12-17 by tikichris

Science inspires art in The Curiosity Cabaret, a new limited run production of first ever cabarets in the style of a history of medicine lecture. Founded by medical doctor and circus owner Dr Clive Selwyn, the shows “fuse science and … Continue reading →

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A Night Out at The Hippodrome

Posted on 2014-11-08 by tikichris

I’ve walked by The Hippodrome Casino at Leicester Square a zillion times. Not a gambling man, I never thought there was much inside the large scale and lavish venue for me. However, taking up an invitation to give Hippodrome’s food, booze and entertainment a try, I discovered there’s more to this Central London landmark than gambling. Continue reading →

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The Curiosity Cabaret: Offbeat, Potentially Poignant and Probably Gruesome?

Posted on 2014-11-05 by tikichris

Science inspires art in The Curiosity Cabaret, a new production coming to London for a limited run this December and the first ever cabaret in the style of a history of medicine lecture. Founded by medical doctor and circus owner Dr Clive Selwyn, the show “will fuse science and the arts together to create an entertaining cabaret experience” and will be held at The Old Operating Theatre in London Bridge, an actual operating theatre dating from 1822. Continue reading →

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Sponsored Video: ENO does Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro: 16 October to 23 November

Posted on 2014-10-08 by tikichris

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 →

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Theatre Review: Proud Haddock’s Julius Caesar

Posted on 2014-10-04 by tikichris

A few nights ago, I got to catch newbie production company Proud Haddock’s first ever show, a sold out performance of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at Saatchi Gallery (the only time a play has ever been staged there). That was a one off. However, from early November the play will have a couple of weeks’ run at Chelsea Theatre about a mile or so farther down King’s Road. If the Chelsea Theatre run goes anything like the Saatchi Gallery premiere, audiences are in for a treat. Continue reading →

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