Tuesday, December 16

Author: Anisha Pucadyil

Traveling Dancers: Cabaret Show – Kunstraum Gallery
London

Traveling Dancers: Cabaret Show – Kunstraum Gallery

Travelling Dancers: Cabaret Show was a memorable showcase. One could sense the joyous celebration that was deeply meaningful for each of the dancers, some of whom were on stage for the first time. Curated and performed by SWANA artists, the evening had something for everyone. Ana Gabriela Hernández curated the endearing programme featuring her Bellydance Lab group; a percussion duet by Ana and Seda; Juzour Dance Collective; Politika; a work-in-progress by Lucia; and her own character performance, Venus. Following her degree in Dance and Anthropology at the University of Roehampton, Ana self-produced the evening at the cosy Kunstraum Gallery. For those not aware, this unique space supports artists with roots in the African and Caribbean diasporas and people of colour across the world. Ku...
Private View – Soho Theatre
London

Private View – Soho Theatre

Private View is the debut play by playwright Jess Edwards, a vulnerable portrayal of queer love that burns itself by moving too close to the flame, too soon. It is held together by sincere performances from Patricia Allison (Sex Education) and Stefanie Martini (The Gold), who draw you in from the tantalising portrait shots on the show poster to their believable portrayals. Directed by Annie Kershaw, Private View runs at Soho Theatre from 27th November – 20th December. https://sohotheatre.com/events/private-view/ Come for the sizzling chemistry of the hot flush queer romance; stay for the realities of staying in love—true to any relationship. The play captures the essence of the tenderness of attraction. It ruminates on how, in falling in love, we open ourselves to the spotlight, ...
The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs – The Kiln Theatre
London

The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs – The Kiln Theatre

The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs holds counsel for all of us seeking to find our queer foremothers who lived and loved despite the unjust laws of the land that aims to criminalize love. The synergistic partnership between writer Iman Qureshi and director Hannah Hauer-King will be cherished. They have managed to not only centre ‘community building’ on the stage but also brought a nuanced, intersectional perspective to the structural challenges that pose barriers to many from joining and sustaining communities. Supported by an award-winning cast, each of them brings such diversity of perspectives and emotional vulnerability to the portrayal of their roles. Fanta Barrie (Ellie) plays the butch lesbian lover on a journey of self discovery and curiosity, Georgie Henley (Ana) plays the white l...
Application 39 (For The 2048 Gaza Summer Olympics) – Shubbak Festival
London

Application 39 (For The 2048 Gaza Summer Olympics) – Shubbak Festival

Application 39 invites you; to witness, to weep and to hope. Written by Ahmed Masoud supported with an absolutely fabulous cast of Sara Masry, Sama Rantisi, Joe Haddad. With its tightrope balancing act of rooting in reality while developing wings for at least our collective imagination to fly. The punchy dialogue, razor sharp satire and moving light/ sound choices make this a piece of theatre that will stay in the depth of your bones forever. Set in Gaza in 2048, where being herded by flying talking robots is normal, two young IT professionals reformat France’s application to host the olympics and suggest Gaza. What follows is not only reliving of the ghosts of the many buried past, the decisions affecting so many futures. The play is a treatise to the most forgotten collateral damag...
Return to Palestine: Freedom Theatre – Shubbak Festival
London

Return to Palestine: Freedom Theatre – Shubbak Festival

Freedom Theatre’s reputation precedes its arrival in London. Holding a bastion for young adults in the heart of Gaza with theatre tools. It held pastoral care for the young adults and a treatise to the spirit of Gaza. Connected deeply to one’s soil, produce, relationships and people it makes one wonder, about one’s own ‘homecoming’ and deeper connection of belonging to the land one is born in. During the pandemic Playback theatre was a stepping stone for many to find artistry, expression and community as the world shut down. I learnt about the Freedom bus from Ben Rivers, one of the co- founders. I celebrated Freedom Theatre hosting the Feminist Theatre Festival in September 2023 just before all hell broke loose. Return to Palestine is directed by Micaela Miranda and devised together wi...
Little Brother – Jermyn Street Theatre
London

Little Brother – Jermyn Street Theatre

The Jermyn Street Theatre is known for its office winning productions is tucked away in the corner of the prestigious west end boulevard in central London. It has a neat line up of programs like creative associates supporting early career under represented theatre makers and women in Theatre lab. ‘Little Brother’ retraces the steps of adolescent Ibrahima Balde searching for his younger brother in Libya. The book on which the play is based, began with the conversations Ibrahima had with Amets Arzallus Antia, while seeking asylum. Youness Bouzinab, Blair Gyabaah, Whitney Kehinde, Ivan Oyik and Mo Sesay recreate memorable plethora of characters that young 11-year-old meets. Special mention to the innocence, grief and honesty captured by Blair Gyabaah. In his recreation of wide eyed ...
A Practical Guide On How To Save The World When No One F***ing Else Is – Tara Theatre
London

A Practical Guide On How To Save The World When No One F***ing Else Is – Tara Theatre

Tara Theatre’s vision to provide rehearsal space and financial support for 18-25-year-olds to script and develop new theatre is commendable. Over a 4-month programme, the young company works with industry professionals to develop their skills and build their professional networks. The culmination of this mentorship has resulted in the play, ‘A Practical Guide on How to Save the World when no one f***ing else is’. The vision of artistic director, Natasha Kathi-Chandra is to ‘uncover the urgent and current realities of those around you’. Over five weeks, the young team directed by Gavin Joseph rehearsed with provocations around the theme of 'Climate change'. Each actor formed characters through devising exercises, and conversation prompts. Between sessions, playwright Nicole Latchana wrote s...
Rhinoceros – Almeida Theatre
London

Rhinoceros – Almeida Theatre

Deeply relatable, remarkably crafted and rooted in reality. Rhinoceros was originally written by Eugène Ionesco in 1959. Based on his personal experience of dissenting Nazi propaganda and bursting left-wing disbelief of the growth of fascism. The play is already rich with symbolism, metaphors and satire. It makes a mark not just with the doyens of theatre who have come together for this production. Hayley Carmichael, Paul Hunter and Alan Williams bring effortless wit and candour to their roles. Director Omar Elerian walks the tightrope of bringing humour in recreating the everyday. He also brings into sharp focus the political reality in our everyday interactions. The crowd engagement tools offer a live example of how and how much humans are willing to follow. Movement Director: Toby Se...
Mary and Hyenas – Wilton’s Music Hall
London

Mary and Hyenas – Wilton’s Music Hall

‘Mary and Hyenas’ recreates the life and times of trailblazer Mary Wollstonecraft with tongue-in-cheek humour and peppy indie rock music. Written by Maureen Lennon collaborating on original music and lyrics by Billy Nomates and directed by Esther Richardson, it is a sincere adaptation that must not be missed. Laura Elsworthy brings alive Mary’s bold and assertive character. We are moved by her portrayal of the vulnerable child singlehandedly questioning patriarchy to her pining for unrequited love and inspired by her passion to live a life different from the sensibility imposed on her. We resonate with the tiredness and humaneness of a leader who is making mistakes and figuring out her purpose, safety and vocation while battling poor mental health herself and making bold choices like ch...
1984 – Omnibus Theatre
London

1984 – Omnibus Theatre

George Orwell's 1984 is prescribed reading for most schools in Britain, but it is still banned in Russia. To mark the 40th anniversary of Orwell's narrative, inspired by Nick Hern's play, Withintheatre, a London-based collective of professional Slavic performers, has assembled a physical theatre interpretation of the piece. Founded in 2022 by Sofia Barysevich, Withintheatre's performance platforms the play as an act of defiance and activism. The play lasts until 2nd February at the Omnibus Theatre, London, following their sold-out, award-winning run at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe. Recreating moments of violence, subjugation, and interrogation, The play's themes are topical. Observing authoritarian regimes around us twist facts and swoop in to control private lives increasingly. '1984' ser...