Alan Stuart Malin, Author at North West End UK

Women, Beware the Devil – Almeida Theatre

24Feb

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Women, Beware the Devil – Almeida Theatre

‘Women, Beware the Devil’ is a brand-new play by Lulu Raczka, and directed by Rupert Goold that manages to both dazzle and confound in equal measures. It takes place in 17th century England during a time of political turmoil and witch hunts and features a cast of strange and unconventional characters. At the start of the play, the devil himself (Nathan Armarkwei-Laryea) acts as the master of ceremonies, welcoming the audience and guiding them into the intricate and somewhat confusing plotline of the De Clare family. Lady Elizabeth De Clare (Lydia Leonard) is hatching a scheme to cling on to the luxurious family home. She has schemed to arrange a marriage of convenience between her brother Edward (Leo Bill) and Katherine (Ioanna Kimbook), the wealthy daughter of a shipbuilder, in the hop...

12Feb

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Fabulett 1933 – Drayton Arms Theatre

"Fabulett 1933" at the Drayton Arms Theatre presented a thought-provoking and bold take on the impact of the rise of fascism in 1933 Germany on the queer community. Michael Trauffer, who wrote and performed the one-man musical, deserves applause for his ambition in connecting a historical piece to today's world, where many societies are moving to the right. He did a fine job in embodying Felix, the host of Berlin's “most decadent” club, with his portrayal of the flamboyant character, wearing various costumes, including black leather, big skirts, sequined caps and a whip. However, the limited time for plot development and a lack of tension throughout the piece detracted from its overall impact. The inclusion of surprising details, such as the attendance of Nazi officers at the club, of c...

10Feb

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Breathless – Soho Theatre

Laura Horton's "Breathless" is a stunningly crafted and expertly performed play that explores the complexities of self-discovery and the challenges of growth. The play follows the journey of Sophie, a woman in her late-thirties, who opens up to new experiences and begins to delve into long-repressed aspects of herself. With humour and poignancy, Horton delves into the heart of Sophie's struggle as she grapples with the secret of her compulsive hoarding habits and the fear of being discovered for who or what she really is. The play is heart-warming and offers up an incredibly genuine performance by Madeleine Macmahon as Sophie. Her portrayal of the character is both hilarious and touching, capturing the confusion and vulnerability of Sophie's journey with nuance and sensitivity. The w...

<strong>Noises Off – Phoenix Theatre</strong>

27Jan

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Noises Off – Phoenix Theatre

Michael Frayn’s ‘Noises Off’ is 41 years old this year, and yet it still manages to hold the audience in stiches from start to finish. Even after all this time, it remains a highly entertaining and truly hilarious comedy. In the very unlikely event that the reader is unfamiliar with the storyline, it is a farce within a farce, following the comedic and highly energetic mishaps of a small time theatre company as they perform a fictional play, "Nothing On". Frayn’s expertly crafted script, filled with puns, innuendo, snappy one-liners, and physical comedy, keeps the audience in fits of laughter throughout, and this latest version’s pacing is spot-on, with expertly choreographed action, and impeccable timing of jokes, which is a testament to Lindsay Posner’s skilful direction and the brill...

<strong>Jack and the Beanstalk – Lyric Hammersmith Theatre</strong>

27Nov

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Jack and the Beanstalk – Lyric Hammersmith Theatre

Widely acknowledged as a staple part of the festive celebrations, pantomime has a long theatrical history in the UK, performed up and down the country during Christmas and New Year, with the expected, cookie cutter format, with singing, dancing, cross-dressing and slapstick humour, along with a healthy dose of topical references and audience participation. It’s not often you would describe a pantomime as quality theatrical production, they are usually lots of fun, something for the kids to enjoy, and a mixed bag of talent, but the creative team at the Lyric Hammersmith has raised the bar this year with this year's production, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, written by Jude Christian and Sonia Jalaly, and directed by Nicholai La Barrie. The team has kept all of the essential pantomime elements bu...

From Here to Eternity – Charing Cross Theatre

10Nov

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

From Here to Eternity – Charing Cross Theatre

Set on a Hawaiian island, in 1941, in the two weeks prior to the Pearl Harbour attack, ‘From Here to Eternity’, is a new revival of Tim Rice's 2013 musical. With book by Bill Oakes and Donald Rice and based on the James Jones’ novel of the same name, is the first mainstream re-working of the musical since the original West End production which came under criticism for a book and narrative that was unnecessarily complex and drawn out, and that it lacked relevance at the time it was produced. It received mixed reviews, and closed in 2014, after a run of only six and a half months. This much smaller production, offered up by the usually brilliant Aria Entertainment production team, and making maximum use of the compact Charring Cross theatre, with a re-ordering of some of the musical numbe...

<strong>Alexandra Palace Festival of Fireworks</strong>

9Nov

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Alexandra Palace Festival of Fireworks

Billed as the “Glastonbury of Fireworks’, Alexandra Palace’s Festival of Fireworks was back with a BANG this year, to entertain a crowd of thousands, and celebrate Bonfire Night in true London style. In every way captivating, what is now a consistent part of the London Autumn events calendar did not disappoint this year. Set against unrivalled panoramic views over London, this is the hottest ticket in London on Bonfire night, and not just because of the size and ferocity of the bonfire itself! Before the mega fireworks display, general ticket holders were treated to a brilliant line up of live music and world food stalls of every possible description in the ‘StrEATlife village’, which was set up well with plenty of cover from the miserable rainy weather. For those who had purchased a...

<strong>My Neighbour Totoro – Barbican Theatre</strong>

5Nov

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

My Neighbour Totoro – Barbican Theatre

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) latest collaboration with Joe Hisaishi (Composer), Tom Morton-Smith (Adaptor), and Phelim McDermott (Director) who is best known for his work on the Philip Glass operas Akhnaten and Satyagraha, certainly has all the ingredients for that perfect production! The team have adapted one of the world’s most famous animated movies by animator master, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, to create something that is not only entirely fit for the stage, but in doing so have created an act of pure theatrical brilliance. Every minute of the production was magical and at times astonishingly beautiful. For those who are unfamiliar with the 1980’s movie, ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ is set in 1950’s Japan, and features two young sisters, Satsuki (Ami Okumura Jon...

13Oct

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Fame Whore – King’s Head Theatre

‘Fame Whore’, written and directed by Tom Ratcliffe holds up a morality mirror (and light ring) to modern societies desperate desire for attention, relevance, and the ultimate goal, “followers”. It highlights the lengths that people will go to achieve fame, and the pitfalls for some once they achieve this, as well as the ever-evolving cancel (or call-out) culture that is growing within many online communities, that can leave some entirely ostracised from their friends and fans. Part one-man play, part cabaret and part social narrative, ‘Fame Whore’ introduces the world to Becky Biro (Gigi Zahir), a hard-working drag performer, with a modest social media following, but a wild desire to be the next Drag Factor contestant. Beck feels she “deserves” fame, and having been rejected from Drag ...

Only An Octave Apart – Wilton’s Music Hall

3Oct

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Only An Octave Apart – Wilton’s Music Hall

It might sound like an unlikely coupling, a world-famous opera singer and a cabaret legend described as the “the best cabaret artist of [their] generation", but Anthony Roth Costanzo and Justin Vivian Bond really do bring the magic to the stage in their two-person show ‘Only An Octave Apart’, which is currently playing at Wilton’s Music Hall. ‘Only An Octave Apart’ is a juxtaposition of styles in every way possible, vocally, stylistically, and creatively, the pair (with direction by Zack Winokur) have created a fluid and yet genuinely sincere 90-minute musical extravaganza that is truly charming, and that burrows deep to warm the soul. For those unfamiliar with the two performers, Bond, is a pioneer of alternative live performance, a true diva, a legend, with a smoky and inviting ton...