These are all of our in-house news and features as well as syndicated article excerpts from our 45+ theatre bloggers. You can also access All Our Mates' Posts in comprehensive list form and view individual author pages.
In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Louise Penn 30th January 2023 Leave a Comment
Nellie Bly (1864-1922, played by writer/performer Katie Overstall) is set for an adventure, and she doesn't want to be stuck writing on her newspaper's gossip column.
Inspired by the novel Around The World In 80 Days by Jules Verne, she plans to bea…
In Comedy, Features, London theatre, Native, News, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews by Emma Clarendon 30th January 2023 Leave a Comment
Find out what is being said about the 40th anniversary production of Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off at London's Phoenix Theatre with our review round up.
In London theatre, Online shows, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews by John Chapman 29th January 2023 Leave a Comment
Ever since Covid's early days pioneering company Threedumb Theatre has developed and sustained the idea of the one shot livestream; this is unedited and raw but captures much of the spontaneity and edge which comes with live performance. Their latest, Notre Dame, is probably their most ambitious.
In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Libby Purves 29th January 2023 Leave a Comment
HELLMAN'S LESSON IN HUMANITY Theatre can offer few more topical messages for a nation which might hesitate over Ukraine's needs than this neglected one-set domestic play by Lilian Hellman. It is an artfully jolting picture of a comfortable, … Continue reading →
In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by The Family Stage 28th January 2023 Leave a Comment
In a week where a petition to remove LGBTQ+ education from the primary school curriculum has reached the threshold for a parliamentary debate, you will struggle to find a more relevant piece of theatre than The Boys are Kissing, Zak Zarafshan's debut play.
In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Elaine Chapman 28th January 2023 Leave a Comment
Grandeous narcissistic behaviour is central to the performance throughout Picasso, which brings the world renowned artist Pablo Picasso to life in the production currently playing at the Playground Theatre.
In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews by Emma Clarendon 27th January 2023 Leave a Comment
As someone who always wanted to learn to dance (but never have really had the confidence to), Dirty Dancing was always a film that I have particularly enjoyed – mesmerised as much by the fabulous dancing as well as the wonderful chemistry between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Now back in the West End – the musical is just as sexy and enjoyable, faithful to the film but able to find its own way with a couple of additional moments.
In Festivals, London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by laurakressly 27th January 2023 Leave a Comment
Project Atom Boi follows the story of Yuanzi (Xiaonan Wang), a doomer who, pressured by a self-indulgent Filmmaker (Francesca Marcolina), starts re-exploring the memories of her childhood in China. Yuanzi grew up in Factory 404, a Cold War ghost town in the Gansu province that was built in the fifties with the sole purpose of hosting a nuclear weapon. As Yuanzi travels back in time, we also meet her childhood best friend Erdan and her grandfather (both played by Kelvin Chan).
This vibrant, vicious, violent, and vivacious two-hour adaptation by Scott Graham and Simon Hoggett for Frantic Assembly at the Lyric Hammersmith places Othello in a land of gangs, drugs, and booze.
In Comedy, London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Maryam Philpott 26th January 2023 Leave a Comment
Noises Off at the Phoenix Theatre is a fast-paced show that still demands an enormously skilled and precise technical performance from every member of its cast and Lindsay Posner's team makes it look far easier than it really is. 40 years on, Michael Frayn's play has still got it.
'Filled with warmth & passion': LIZA PULMAN: THE HEART OF IT – The Other Palace ★★★★★
In Cabaret, London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews, Uncategorised by Emma Clarendon 25th January 2023 Leave a Comment
Liza Pulman's show is as much a musical education as it is an entertaining and gentle evening of entertainment. Filled with warmth and passion, it is always a treat to listen to Liza Pulman performing. Her precision and deep understanding of the songs that she is performing, combined with the way in which she naturally […]
'It lingers in your mind': THE ELEPHANT SONG – Park Theatre ★★★★
In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Rev Stan 25th January 2023 Leave a Comment
Nicolas Billon's The Elephant Song at the Park Theatre takes us through a game of cat and mouse as Dr Greenberg tries to talk resident Michael into revealing the information he has. Michael, with his toy elephant always in his hand, knows the information he has might give him some leverage. He wants to leave the hospital.
'A rare dark delight': We Didn't Come To Hell For The Croissants – Riverside Studios ★★★★
In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Alun Hood 24th January 2023 Leave a Comment
As it turns out, Jemma Kahn's We Didn't Come To Hell For The Croissants, the South African, multi-authored one woman riff on the Seven Deadly Sins, offers rather more than just a whimsical comic title and a series of outrageous pull quotes.
'Can leave the listener wanting & needing more': OUR VOICES – Small Truth Theatre (Online show)
In Online shows, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by John Chapman 23rd January 2023 Leave a Comment
Small Truth Theatre has commissioned a series of micro plays recorded as part of its Digital Caravan space (their original mini theatre on wheels being decommissioned because of the need for social distancing). About a month ago they put out a new set of material under the umbrella title of Our Voices consisting of four short pieces inspired by interacting with young people in and around the company's north Kensington home.
'You'll be mesmerised from beginning to end': KURIOS – Royal Albert Hall ★★★★★
In Circus, London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews by Caroline Hanks-Farmer 23rd January 2023 Leave a Comment
The best advice I can give you for Cirque Du Soleil's Kurios is, leave all sense of reality, understanding and logical explanation at the entrance of the Royal Albert Hall, for this visual spectacle defies and challenges all aspects of any logic or expectations you have, on every level.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Unfriend at the Criterion Theatre
In Features, London theatre, Native, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Emma Clarendon 23rd January 2023 Leave a Comment
Take a look at what critics have had to say about the West End transfer of Steven Moffat's comedy The Unfriend at the Criterion Theatre.
NEWS: See Kashyap Raja's 'mesmerising & transcendent' Earth – A Children's Story for Adults at the Bridewell Theatre
In Featured Shows, London theatre, Native, News, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Press Releases by Featured Content 23rd January 2023
After creating the "absorbing and provocative" Version 2.0 and the "eminently lovable" Letters, Kashyap Raja returns to London with his new play Earth – A Children's Story for Adults at London's Bridewell Theatre from 31 January to 4 February 2023 (press night is 1 February 2023).
'Extremely moving to watch': ALLEGIANCE – Charing Cross Theatre ★★★★★
In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews by Elaine Chapman 22nd January 2023 Leave a Comment
Allegiance at Charing Cross Theatre will be one of the musicals that leaves a lasting memory for all the right reasons. Running until April 8th there's plenty of time to catch a performance and catch this legendary actor on stage.
'Original & fascinating': HAMLET – Southwark Playhouse
In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Tom Bolton 22nd January 2023 Leave a Comment
Lazarus' production of Hamlet at the Southwark Playhouse (Borough Road branch) strips the older generation from the play, leaving us with only the younger characters. Battered, used and confused, the play reveals how focusing on their experience can show us a familiar text in a new and disturbing light. Hamlet is, among many other things, a tale of an older generation destroying their successors to serve themselves.
'Its heart is in the right place': IN THE NET – Jermyn Street Theatre
In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by Libby Purves 21st January 2023 Leave a Comment
Most dystopian visions set themselves quite far in the future. However, for In The Net at the Jermyn Street Theatre Misha Levkov keeps us in 2025, specifying that productions should always be set a couple of years ahead of real time, and the setting is London – Kentish Town. This does keep it recognisable and clear of sci-fi fantasy, but it also demands that Britain has gone downhill dramatically fast.