Almeida Theatre ‘Out to shock – and shock it does’ One of the bard’s bloodiest and most misery-soaked plays is taken a grisly step forward by director Yaël Farber at the Almeida. The Tragedy of Macbeth is a literal bloodbath of spine-chilling proportions. The rise to power and lust of Lord and Lady M is so invested in modern culture they ...
The Yard Theatre ‘Snappy and violent tale set in the cutthroat world of competitive fencing’ Swords at the ready and proof of Covid tests at the door, an evening of dangerous friendships and safe theatre awaits with Gracie Gardner’s (almost) two-hander, Athena. The Yard is East London’s trendy little minx of a theatre. The intimate space is cocooned by the ...
Shaftesbury Theatre Gala Performance Some would say that throwing a Gala event whilst doing a drastic reconstruction is foolhardy. But “hold my plastic prosecco bottle,” says Shaftesbury theatre! Despite the carnage & Juliet charms & astounds. Rewritten before our very eyes, David West Read’s twist on Romeo & Juliet hits buzzwords a-plenty yet still comes out feeling fresh. Will spear’s ...
Sadler’s Wells ‘Eye-opening glimpse into the pull of the fetish community’ Sometimes a piece of theatre can really blindside you. As Akram Khan’s ballet Creature cavorts through its classically enthused narrative in the main space of Sadler’s Wells, something fascinating is going on at Lilian Baylis Studio. Something new, fresh, and brazen in almost every sense of the word. Dan Daw, artistic ...
Above the Stag Lured in with the promise of an evening of naughtiness under the acacias, Above the Stag’s all-singing all-dancing musical erupts onto the stage. Amidst the petticoats, twiddling mustachios, and frock coats, a missed opportunity lies hidden beneath the foliage. Taking a stroll through the gardens before the show, the change is almost unbelievable. The plain little park ...
Stone Nest Under the cavernous dome of the old Welsh Chapel on Shaftesbury Avenue, we dive into the passion project of Inna Dulerayn. It’s a building that has been chameleonic in its uses during its lifetime. Originally a church, it became a famous 1980s club, then a Walkabout, it is now an artist centre under the guise of Stone Nest. But can ...
Arcola Outside ‘Beauty buried in pain’ Greeted by an IV bag, hospital screens and unbelievably the smell of antiseptic (psychosomatic perhaps?), something hints that Hopes & Fears is not a happy-clappy experience. Death, love, betrayal, family obligation and terminal illness are all explored, yet with a score based on Claude Debussy, beauty is found buried within pain. Two different women’s experiences ...
Almeida Theatre ‘Burning with political astuteness’ Press night is swinging, the prosecco fizzing, the outfits tastefully expensive, but a trap is cleverly being laid. Tempted in with a promise of a dark comedy, we are not ready for the conflicting, complex depths of Once Upon A Time In Nazi Occupied Tunisia, Josh Azouz’s outstanding play. The title rather covers the setting. ...
Sadler’s Wells ‘Hollow aftertaste that even 6,000 litres of water can’t wash away’ Everyone has a little (slightly wet) place in their heart for the 1952 film Singin’ in the Rain. The cast, the music, the rain, it’s movie history! But how does the stage rendition live up to its famous progenitor? The plot centres around the move in the 1920s from ...
Park Theatre ‘Jump scares, bubbling dread, and historical intrigue aplenty’ Beating rain, driving wind, the sense of building unease, and I’m not talking about the shocking excuse for summer that we’ve had in the city this year. No! I am talking about the isolated Channel Islands, the setting for When Darkness Falls – a ghostly evening of bad weather and gifted storytelling. ...