‘Starts strong, dedicated and focused’ It may have bitten off more than it can chew in its themes of pain, lust, longing, comedy, tragedy, horror and humanity, but Sex/ Crime certainly has moments worthy of attention. As “I’m So Excited” thumps overhead, we settle in upstairs at the Soho Theatre for an evening promising pain, lust, longing, comedy, tragedy, horror and humanity. ...
‘A little heavy-handed and gooey’ Jake Brunger’s sexual comedy Four Play returns to the London theatre scene. Snappy, sassy and with a cynical undertow, it is interesting to see how this piece has aged since its 2014 debut, considering the breakneck speed at which the theatre world moves. Focusing on the complications of monogamy within the male gay world, we ...
‘Lavish, beautiful and devilishly funny’ In the mood for a sumptuous ballet? Craving feathers, frolics and frantic movement? How about this year you give the Bolshoi a break and dive into a double Olivier Award-winning show that will make you laugh? Matthew Bourne’s classic The Red Shoes returns to Sadler’s Wells for the third time, and all we can say is thank you. ...
‘Charming, lively evening filled with wine and flavour’ With the guidance of chef/co-owner Brodie Meah, I finally begin to understand the allure and excitement of the natural wine movement. In cosy, candlelit surroundings eight minutes’ walk from Arsenal station, we embark on this exciting journey, which is not for the fainthearted, teetotal or those on a budget. Top Cuvée, which ...
‘Exceptional dance company conjures up myth and magic’ With the swirl of glittering saris and four female musicians crafting a numinous atmosphere, the audience settled down for an evening unlike any other last month. The Darbar Festival celebrated its 14th year, and its third annual residence at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, championing classical Indian dance. The all-male Bharatanatyam ensemble, the Temple ...
‘Irish fine dining delivers clever flavours’ On a clear but chilly night, my partner and I jumped out at Old Street and navigated our way through the throng and skyscrapers of Shoreditch intrigued by the prospect of Irish fine dining. Chef Richard Corrigan’s latest venture, Daffodil Mulligan, has taken over from the much-loved Nuala and promises fresh twists on classics ...
‘Cuban dance troupe at its eclectic best’ Carlos Acosta (CBE don’t you know) and his company Acosta Danza’s meteoric rise from their inception in 2016 is as impressive as it is hard-won. Retuning to Sadlers Wells after a world tour, these four eclectic pieces exhibit the very best the Cuban troupe has to offer. Acosta himself performs in the final ...
‘Experimental dance without the pretension’ Gloriously weird, off-kilter, surprisingly funny, double Bessie Award-winning choreography from Emanuel Gat astounds in this kaleidoscopic collection of pieces. Now I know that contemporary and experimental dance has some folks tied in knots – stony-faced dancers solemnly thrashing around to the sound of heavy machinery in the background. The pretension I think is the main ...
‘Brave but messy reinvention’ “The course of true love never did run smooth” – although from a different play, the line is fitting for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of the bard’s pastoral comedy As You Like It at the Barbican. Despite some exuberant performances – and a giant! – the piece itself takes a less than direct course. The plot centres ...
‘The bones of the show are where the problems lie’ Posed, well-choreographed and chirpy this story delves into the murky depth of the early years of the silver screen but doesn’t manage to clear the waters. Squished into the studio space of The Other Palace Reputation follows ambitious budding writer Michelle Grant as she fights the comically evil plagiariser and ...