London Archives - Page 106 of 157

<strong>Othello – National Theatre</strong>

5Dec

By Khushboo ShahNo Comments

London

Othello – National Theatre

The most common thematic link in Shakespeare’s Othello to the present times has been race and patriarchy. While it would be grossly wrong to say that we are over these issues, the complexities in these two realms in contemporary society have simply multiplied with ever-increasingly polarising viewpoints. Clint Dyer’s Othello brings the production to “2022”’s National Theatre with scenographic brilliance, stellar performances, and contextual relevance. Performed by a powerful cast with Giles Terera as Othella distinguished from an all-white ensemble, Dyer’s Othello not only “cleans up”, both literally and figuratively, as witnessed in the beginning, the preceding production by Laurence Olivier of 1964 but also reinstates the fact that we are still far from a post-racial society. The strong ...

<strong>Mother Goose – Hackney Empire</strong>

2Dec

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Mother Goose – Hackney Empire

Mother Goose feels like that glass of mulled wine on a cold Christmassy evening. It has the rounded flavours, tastiest spices and leaves you smiling. If you want to join festive spirits, this is one celebration you wish to attend. The pantomime pays a fitting tribute to the ongoing 120 years that Hackney Empire came into being. The play brings together the familiar pantomime elements with some spectacular performances. A true testimony to this production's universality is to have younglings, grandparents and a 25-year-old celebrating their birthday in the audience! You will not be disappointed. Mother Goose is bright! Clive Rowe's presence and voice soar to the skies. The set is technicolour rainbow bursts of sunshine, the music lifts spirits while the improvised lyrics make you giggle ...

The Wind in the Wilton’s – Wilton’s Music Hall

1Dec

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

The Wind in the Wilton’s – Wilton’s Music Hall

This enchanting adaptation of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of community with a magical, fantastical element from the talking animal characters. The home of a sheltered mole is destroyed by weasels as they construct a private road to the river. Mole finds companionship in Rat, and she endeavours to help him find a new home. On their journey, they encounter more problems, all of which can be traced back to the weasels. Piers Torday’s script makes a clear allusion to our current social climate with careless, wealthy people in power. The stunning set designed by Tom Piper and Emma Brunton’s movement direction wove the plot together to a symbiotic effect. The scene changes with ropes hinted at manual labour and gave the piece a community/village feel. The story was set in Lond...

<strong>Best of Enemies – Noel Coward Theatre</strong>

1Dec

By Akshay RahejaNo Comments

London

Best of Enemies – Noel Coward Theatre

It is 1968 in the United States of America. The elections are approaching, ABC news trails behind NBC and CBS. To catch up with the competition, they setup an experimental debate between Gore Vidal, a left-wing writer and William Buckley, a pamphleteer for the Conservatives; in one of a kind prime time show. The conflict is simple. Conservatives goes against Libertarianism. (And we can never get enough of it). ‘Which country do you belong to?’ The right or the left? Democratic or Republican? The incorrect question is the backbone of the conflict. It simply assumes the answer has to be an either, or. Throughout the play, one kept wondering what happens if a citizen chooses neither, nor? Or what happens to the subjective benefits and failures that come with choosing one and vice versa. Du...

<strong>Cinderella – Theatre Royal, Stratford East</strong>

27Nov

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Cinderella – Theatre Royal, Stratford East

The festive family shows at Stratford East have been happening for 130 years! It opened in 1884. Nine times performed, Cinderella returns to the stage but with many a twist and twirl. This year's production was a fitting tribute to Jo Melville, known popularly for her role in Eastenders but a mentor for so many in the community with her infectious enthusiasm for the Arts. For the third year in a row, the Stratford East is recording and taking theatre into hospitals to the community who could use a laugh. The play sets Cinderella near the pyramids! With exceptional puppetry skills, Kathryn Bond has you hooked with her all-knowing Sphinx cat. All the talented performers brought new avatars of familiar old characters to life. Gigi Zahir served Cleopatra with Zesty and feisty razzmatazz. Pa...

<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...

<strong>Henry V – Shakespeare’s Globe</strong>

27Nov

By Akshay RahejaNo Comments

London

Henry V – Shakespeare’s Globe

When Henry IV dies, his son takes over the crown. The new king has risen to power in fragile and uncertain times. He is provoked by an insult from the French Prince Louis. His brother and his uncle elicit him to prove himself. Henry V decides to invade France. Henry V has popularly been received as the celebration of an uncompromising nationhood and the eminence of imperial ambitions. But this production seems to offer several counter-narratives that exist within the story. Such as the story of Pistol, Bardolph, Nym and a young Boy, who are all caught up in the patriotic fervour and join Henry's army, hoping to enrich themselves in the chaos of invasion. Their narrative brings to light the indifference of the kings towards their infantry and the unfair imbalance of power structures that...

<strong>Elf the Musical – Dominion Theatre</strong>

25Nov

By Zoё MeeresNo Comments

London

Elf the Musical – Dominion Theatre

Ask anyone what their favourite Christmas films are and Elf will inevitably be up there. Buoyant Will Ferrell, singing and silliness and just the right amount of schmaltz to give you the festive feels - it ticks all the boxes. So as a self-confessed enthusiast for all things Yuletide and a long time musical fan, I was made up at the chance to see Elf the Musical. To say festive cheer has been in scant supply this year would be an understatement, and so with a month to go until the big day I was absolutely ready for Buddy the Elf and friends to send some joy my way. And there was much joy to be had. The staging is top notch; with ever shifting back drops, moving scenery and a sleigh that gives Back to the Future’s Delorian a run for its money, the action shifts seamlessly from Santa’s No...

<strong>Baghdaddy – Royal Court Theatre</strong>

25Nov

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Baghdaddy – Royal Court Theatre

Baghdaddy is a poignant and moving piece that shifts the lens on the indirect survivors of war. The play centres on the daughter-father relationship to provide an unseen perspective on the intergenerational trauma of war. It speaks to many truths - of being mixed heritage/ multilingual, making England home, the immigrant student experience, and witnessing war in one’s home country. The two Qareens and Jinn played by Souad Faress, Hayat Kamille and Noof Ousellam are captivating. Their obtuse costumes, clowning influences and magical aspects create a sanctuary for issues to be dwelled on but not be didactic. The memory of when we are first aware of where we are from. Zeroing on the feeling of a child watching an adult making sense of the war that unfolded kilometres away and bending time ...

<strong>Madame Bovary – Jermyn Street Theatre</strong>

23Nov

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Madame Bovary – Jermyn Street Theatre

If you have read this incredible novel, you’ll perhaps be quite confused why Jermyn Street Theatre has chosen this to be their super cheerful Christmas show. Writer Gustave Flaubert wrote of the mundaneness of the bourgeoisie, the all consuming ambition of Emma Bovary for French luxuries and expensive silks- completely ignoring the whispers from her small community. The tragedy is held in Emma’s ever growing debt following her as she aims to impress her lovers with expensive fabrics grows overwhelming high, so much so that she has completely ruined her family without her husband ever knowing. In result of her decisions, she turns to the pharmacy and eats arsenic leaving her devoted husband and 7-year-old daughter to die in poverty. This adaptation completely flips the table on the t...