Zain Russell, Author at North West End UK

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story – Alexandra Palace

29Nov

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story – Alexandra Palace

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story is a fresh and compelling retelling of the timeless classic we all know and love. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly, work-obsessed man completely isolated from friends and family, whose life is transformed after the haunting visits from the three spirits of Christmas, Past, Present, and Yet to Come. This production captures the essence of Dickens’ moral tale while adding new layers of theatrical magic. One of the most striking aspects of this performance is its setting. Staged in the historic Alexandra Palace, the venue’s weathered walls and rustic Victorian architecture instantly transport the audience to 19th-century London. The atmospheric surroundings create a sense of being fully immersed in a bygone era, adding an authe...

26Nov

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Murder at Midnight – Churchill Theatre

Murder at Midnight is a new comedic murder-mystery that unfolds over the course of a chaotic New Year’s Eve, inviting the audience to watch the crime unravel in real time. Unlike a traditional “whodunnit,” this production doesn’t rely on keeping you guessing about the killer’s identity. Instead, the fun lies in discovering how everything went wrong, why it happened, and what the increasingly frantic characters will do to cover their tracks. The show stars Max Bowden as Paul, who stumbles onto the stage after a New Year’s Eve party dressed in a priest’s outfit, accompanied by Lisa, played by Iryna Poplavska. Bowden is a comic standout as an undercover cop attempting to infiltrate a drug operation while simultaneously trying to maintain his cover, and charm Lisa. His performance is full o...

15Nov

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

After Sunday – Bush Theatre

After Sunday is an intimate and thought-provoking production set within a secure hospital where the characters join a Caribbean cooking group. Through this unique setting, the play allows us to explore how individuals cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of being in such an environment, especially when their stay has no defined end. The production sensitively portrays the complex emotions of those trying to find meaning and comfort through cooking, an activity that not only passes the time but also becomes a form of therapy. It’s a way to manage trauma, foster control, and help both patients and therapists connect in a more relaxed, human way. The cast delivers exceptional performances throughout, but Corey Weekes as Ty truly stands out. His portrayal is powerful and ...

Here & Now: The Steps Musical – New Wimbledon Theatre

6Nov

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Here & Now: The Steps Musical – New Wimbledon Theatre

Here & Now is a brand-new jukebox musical packed with some of the biggest and most nostalgic hits made famous by Steps. Rather than retelling the pop group’s story, the show cleverly builds an original narrative around the music, focusing on the everyday lives of a group of shop workers at a bargain discount store called Better Best Bargains. It’s an unexpectedly relatable setting from fluorescent lighting to discount bins and it quickly becomes the foundation for a funny, heartfelt story about the friendships and found families we form at work. The plot follows several employees as they navigate their dreams, romantic anxieties and personal ambitions. Through witty dialogue and musical numbers, we watch them confide in each other about everything from love and heartbreak to c...

2Nov

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Shocktober – Tulley’s Farm

Tulley’s Farm in Crawley is well-known for hosting an array of events throughout the year, but when Halloween approaches, the farm truly comes alive with its spectacular Shocktober Fest. This annual event has grown into one of the UK’s most celebrated Halloween attractions, drawing thrill-seekers from far and wide for a night of spine-chilling entertainment, immersive scare mazes, live performances, and an electric festival atmosphere. The main highlight of Shocktober Fest is undoubtedly its collection of scare mazes, each uniquely themed and meticulously designed to deliver heart-pounding scares and unforgettable experiences. One of the standout attractions this year was Doomtown, a masterfully crafted maze that transported guests into a post-apocalyptic town overrun by the undead. The...

31Oct

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

I Screamed a Scream – Phoenix Arts Club

Halloween season is the perfect time to celebrate all things wicked, and I Screamed a Scream embraces that spirit with devilish delight. This cabaret brings together a collection of songs from some of theatre and film’s most iconic villains, alongside a few surprising choices that make you question what really defines a villain in the first place. One of the most unexpected moments of the evening came with the inclusion of Bop to the Top from High School Musical. It’s a fun, upbeat number, but it does make you pause to wonder: are Ryan and Sharpay truly villainous enough to earn their place among such notorious company? Whether or not you think they fit the bill, the song’s addition brought a burst of nostalgia and humour to the night, and that playful unpredictability was part of t...

Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical – New Wimbledon Theatre

30Oct

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical – New Wimbledon Theatre

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical offers a fresh, musical twist on the beloved Percy Jackson books. It tells the nostalgic story of a boy born a half-blood: half human, half god, as he begins to uncover his identity and the challenges that come with it. As Percy searches for the truth about his father, a war between the gods breaks out, and he is faced with the task of proving his innocence in the theft of Zeus’ lightning bolt. The storyline of the musical is fast paced; however, each setback Percy faces seems to be resolved too quickly. There is rarely a sense of real danger, as every problem finds a convenient solution, from his mother’s sudden return to life, to the ease with which Percy and his friends reach the Underworld. These elements make the production feel som...

27Oct

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

The Monkey’s Paw – The Hope Theatre

The Monkey’s Paw, currently haunting the intimate Hope Theatre, is a stage adaptation of the classic supernatural tale of the same name. This version narrows its focus onto a young married couple wrestling with real-world struggles, mounting bills and the deep emotional fallout of a recent miscarriage. The show opens with a beautifully staged movement sequence tracing their relationship from first sparks of romance to marriage, pregnancy, and heartbreak. It’s wordless but full of emotional detail, giving the audience a sense of the life they’ve built, and what they’ve lost, before the supernatural intervenes. When a mysterious talisman, the titular monkey’s paw, enters their lives, it allows them to grant their desperate wish: a child of their own. But as with all good cautionary tal...

24Oct

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

The Wanderers – Marylebone Theatre

The Wanderers is a moving and thought-provoking play inspired by true events. It delves deeply into the complexities of relationships, faith, and family, offering a nuanced exploration of how people navigate love and identity within different cultural frameworks. Set within the Jewish community, the story follows two very different marriages that reflect contrasting worlds. Esther and Schmuli are Orthodox Jews living within the confines of strict religious rules and traditional gender roles. Their lives are guided by faith and duty, highlighting the tension between devotion and personal freedom. In contrast, Sophie and Abe are secular Jews, free to make their own choices, yet still bound by the universal struggles of marriage, expectation, and emotional fulfillment. The narrative cen...

19Oct

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Fanny – King’s Head Theatre

Fanny is a hilarious and clever play that blends fact and fiction to retell the story of Fanny Mendelssohn. Set in the nineteenth century, the play explores the life of Fanny, sister to the famous composer Felix Mendelssohn. While classical music lovers may be familiar with Felix’s work, Fanny’s contributions are often overlooked, despite evidence that she co-composed several of his pieces. The play highlights how Felix discouraged her from publishing her own music, adding a bittersweet edge beneath the comedy. This production offers a brilliantly funny introduction to the Mendelssohn family and the colourful cast of characters surrounding them. The story focuses on Fanny as she’s courted by Wilhelm, played by Riad Richie. Richie’s sharp timing, quick wit, and playful energy delivered s...