Zain Russell, Author at North West End UK

Julius Caesar – Southwark Playhouse Borough

17Sep

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Julius Caesar – Southwark Playhouse Borough

The Southwark Playhouse Borough’s production of Julius Caesar offers a futuristic reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tale of political intrigue and the lust for power. While the adaptation remains faithful to the original text and preserves the integrity of Shakespearean language, it falters in its execution, particularly in its attempts to merge modern technological elements with a centuries-old script. The integration of futuristic concepts—such as the use of advanced technology, weapons, and projections—initially seems like a bold choice. The clash between the antiquated language and the modernized aesthetic often feels forced, making it challenging for the audience to remain fully immersed in the world of the play. That said, the production’s technical achievements were impress...

17Aug

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Northbound Boy – King’s Head Theatre

Northbound Boy, staged at the King's Head Theatre, stars Neil Ashton as Ken, Sarah Moyle as Aunt Ivy, and Cormac Hyde-Corrin as Rory. The play opens with Rory, a nineteen-year-old hitchhiking his way to Blackpool. It's during this journey that he meets the older Ken, who offers him a ride at a service station. The set design for the production is minimalist, consisting of a simple sofa, chair, and table to represent Ken's living room. Despite the minimalism, the fast-paced dialogue delivered by Neil Ashton and the charm exuded by Cormac Hyde-Corrin quickly draw you into the world of the play, making you forget the simplicity of the surroundings. While the play takes time to reveal its direction, it soon becomes clear that it is an exploration of the different ways homosexuality a...

14Aug

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Farm Hall – Theatre Royal Haymarket

"The world is ugly; the work is beautiful." Farm Hall is an extraordinary production directed by Stephen Unwin in the beautiful historical Theatre Royal Haymarket. The show explores morality and historical events, focusing on the physicists detained at Farm Hall in Cambridgeshire just after World War II. The play opens with all six cast members introducing themselves as they find themselves held at a stately home in Cambridgeshire. The set is minimal, depicting a single room where the men pass their time by chatting, playing games, and enjoying music. In the first act, we see them struggling to fill the long hours with little to do. The arrival of a new piano, for example, provides a brief moment of excitement and distraction. The first act is brisk and fast-paced, filled with di...

Beauty and the Beast – Greenwich Theatre

7Aug

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Beauty and the Beast – Greenwich Theatre

"Beauty and the Beast" is a beloved classic cherished by families across the globe. However, this new adaptation offers plenty of twists, new characters, and fresh plots, taking us on an entirely new spin of the well-known production. The cast was extraordinarily talented, not only acting, singing, and dancing but also providing the melodies for the show using various instruments, from guitars and accordions to even the small triangle. Each cast member's musical contributions enriched the performance, adding a unique charm for this whacky adventure. The story began by immersing us in the familiar tale of Beauty and the Beast. However, the Beast's character development felt lacking. He was immediately kind to Belle and, besides instructing her to clean, did not exhibit the loud or...

Kaleidoscope Festival – Alexandra Palace Park

16Jul

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Kaleidoscope Festival – Alexandra Palace Park

The Kaleidoscope Festival, set in the lush Alexandra Palace Park with stunning views across the London skyline, offered a vibrant array of activities, music, and performances throughout the day. The festival was exceptionally well-organized and maintained, providing ample space for attendees to enjoy the grounds, views, and diverse performances. One of the standout features of the festival was its cleanliness. There were plenty of bins and garbage bags strategically placed around the venue, ensuring that the festival remained mostly clean throughout the day. Additionally, the festival provided a large number of portable toilets, which were sufficient to accommodate the crowd without long queue times. Inside the building, where the Fringe Stage was located, there were also indoor toilets...

I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire – Southwark Playhouse

6Jul

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire – Southwark Playhouse

‘I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire’ takes audiences on a wacky ride, bringing them into the quaint and intimate setting of Southwark Playhouse Borough, which is creatively transformed to resemble a 14-year-old girl’s room. As you might have guessed, this girl is utterly obsessed with Tobey Maguire. Set in 2004, the play is drenched in nostalgia, featuring hit music from the era with songs by Britney Spears, Vanessa Carlton, Natasha Bedingfield, and Avril Lavigne. The story unfolds in Shelby's basement, which she has converted into her personal hub and shrine dedicated to her Tobey Maguire obsession. From the moment the performance begins, Tessa Albertson, playing Shelby, bursts onto the stage with infectious energy. Her portrayal vividly captures the wild infatuation and manic enthus...

28Jun

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

The Marilyn Conspiracy – Park Theatre

Who did it? What caused it? “The Marilyn Conspiracy" is a thought-provoking play that invites the audience to ponder the events leading up to Marilyn Monroe’s death. From the outset, it is clear that extensive research went into creating this magnificent play, which takes you on a journey of what could have happened and the reasons behind it. The play immediately introduces important historical characters who were "friends" of Monroe and perhaps involved in covering up something more sinister. Genevieve Gaunt embodies Monroe, showcasing the strong emotions that Marilyn was feeling on the day she died. Was she depressed, drunk, lonely or perhaps all three? The show highlights these emotions whilst allowing you to draw your own conclusions about what happened that night. The set initia...

Three Men in a Boat – The Mill at Sonning

17Jun

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Three Men in a Boat – The Mill at Sonning

Three Men in a Boat was performed in a delightfully charming theatre nestled by the waters of the Thames, just outside London in Sonning. The theatre itself featured a beautiful mill inside the building, adding to the unique and picturesque atmosphere of the venue. Each theatre ticket included an exemplary two-course meal, with attentive staff who ensured everyone was well looked after. The meal for me was the highlight, offering delicious options that catered to various tastes. The dining experience set a warm and inviting tone for the afternoon, making the audience feel well cared for even before the performance began. The production was set just before the First World War, highlighted by a poignant final image. It followed a trio of friends: Jerome, played by George Watkins; his b...

Black is the Color of My Voice – Stratford East

12Jun

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Black is the Color of My Voice – Stratford East

"Black is the Color of My Voice" is a captivating one-woman theatre production, both written and performed by the incredible Apphia Campbell. The show is inspired by the real life of Nina Simone and the show takes the audience on an emotional journey of reflection and revelation. Entering the performance, I knew little about Nina Simone's life and was only familiar with her famous hit "I Put a Spell on You." The production centers on Simone conversing with her late father, sharing poignant stories from her life and expressing her profound grief. Through these conversations, the audience gains insight into Simone's transformation from a young piano prodigy to a powerful voice in the Civil Rights Movement. The show effectively highlights Simone's impact as an activist, emphasising ...

Diva! Live from Hell! – King’s Head Theatre

8Jun

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Diva! Live from Hell! – King’s Head Theatre

Diva: Live from Hell! is a one-man musical performed by the sensational Luke Bayer. If you're anything like me, you might be sceptical about how one person can pull off a musical solo. Well, brace yourself to be engulfed by the flames of hell as you dive into a story that's unbelievably hot and laugh-out-loud funny. Bayer is an absolute menace on stage, seamlessly shifting between characters and embracing the role of an extravagant diva with exceptional ease, all while belting out great and catchy songs. This show is incredibly camp and nothing short of enjoyable from start to finish. The story starts off with a high school musical vibe, complete with catchy songs and energetic dances. It touches on themes of self-discovery and sexuality before spiralling down a devilish path, where the...