London Archives - Page 115 of 148

14May

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Julius Caesar – Shakespeare’s Globe

On the 25th Anniversary of The Shakespeare’s Globe, this strong season shows an incredible round of talent taking us through Henry VIII, Much Ado about Nothing and Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar directed by Diane Page, highlights the passionate love between Brutus and Cassius played by Anna Crichlow and Charlotte Bate who start this journey to overthrow Caesar played by Dickon Tyrrell. Crichlow and Bate portrayed their relationship with such a vulnerability of sisterhood defeating and elevating Brutus to their true position on the pedestal. I thought Charlotte Bate playing Cassius was fantastic, the character was so entrancing with their ability to fall into Cassius’ beliefs and passions that with their inevitable end I was so moved and quite devastated by not seeing them again. Saying th...

12May

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

As You Like It – Wilton’s Music Hall

As You Like It, thought to have been written in 1599, was historically never one of Shakespeare's most popular pieces, his tortured kings and princes apparently preferred by audiences and critics over his frolicksome pastorals. It has come to the fore in more recent years with multiple adaptations on stage, screen and even radio. Northern Broadsides' production focuses on the power of love coupled with the force of nature to change the world. So "All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players". Duke Frederick has exiled his older brother, Duke Senior, to usurp his duchy. Duke Senior's daughter, Rosalind, was permitted to remain in court but is then likewise exiled for reasons which are never entirely clear. She leaves with her cousin, Celia, and they disguise thems...

11May

By Gemma PrinceNo Comments

London

Dreamgirls – New Wimbledon Theatre

Loosely based on the story of The Supremes, the multi–award winning musical Dreamgirls is back with a new UK tour. Dreamgirls tells the story of the fictional pop group Dreametts, a talented trio of black female singers from 1960s Chicago as they navigate fame, fortune, and the ruthless realities of show business, pushing their friendships to the limit. Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, the dancing was certainly a highlight of this show. From the slick quick changes to the non-stop energy of the supporting cast as they jumped and twirled across the stage, the production was extremely fast paced and kept the audience engaged throughout. The set was mostly kept minimal, except for a few changes between scenes, so the real focus was the colourful costumes. Designed by Tim Hatle...

10May

By Stewart Who?No Comments

London

Foxes – Seven Dials Playhouse

The Seven Dials Playhouse is across the street from the much-hyped Chick ‘n’ Sours. We arrived at the theatre early, so it seemed rude not to order some ‘disco wings’ and chips. As 7:30 loomed large, we regretfully cancelled our order, dashed back to the venue, and hungrily took our seats for Foxes. The start time passed. A contingent of punters were still whooping it up at the bar. It’s a small studio with cheek by jowl seats, so those who waited in the auditorium became antsy, confused and very warm on this humid May evening. One audience member stormed out and complained. He was placated and coached back to his seat. People continued to amble in 25 minutes late, clutching cocktails and clambering over strangers’ laps and handbags like a grim game of Twister. It was hard not to ...

9May

By Aditi DalalNo Comments

London

JV2 2022 – Sadler’s Wells

JV2 2022 is a triple bill of poetry in motion, performed by 16 international dancers from Jasmin Vardimon Company’s Professional Development Diploma. The show presents the fantastic talent of the young performers who use physical language to show the complexities of human lives and societies. ‘Can you hear me now?’ by Mafalda Deville, co-created with the performers, starts off the show with a strong political dance theatre presentation. With terms such as ‘freedom’ and ‘power’ written across their bodies in different languages, the dancers move to the moans and sighs of their own voices. The live vocal sounds merge into recorded echoes, creating an eerie soundscape that draws the audience in. The struggle for freedom, especially freedom of speech, is embodied in the strong and energetic...

Illicit Signals Bletchley – Crypt, St Peter’s Church

7May

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

Illicit Signals Bletchley – Crypt, St Peter’s Church

Transported to London in 1941, we find ourselves signing up to join Bletchley Park’s codebreaking team. As is the case with immersive shows, each audience member can have a different experience. Mine began in Dilly Knox’ office, where amidst waffling and mumbling through his pipe, Dilly and Mavis taught us the basics of enciphering and deciphering. The bustling, buzzing feel was immediately established by their rushing and enthusiasm. The atmosphere soon changes when an inspector arrives and begins interrogating the staff. The characters were fleshed out and engaging as they were based on real people and material was devised and improvised by the cast. The 1940’s idioms and accents were particularly impressive in their consistency and the rapport between the cast members created a...

7May

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

24, 23, 22 – Omnibus Theatre

24, 23, 22 presented by Chronic Insanity is a clash of characters, one travelling in reverse whilst the other chronological. Two strangers introduce themselves through abstract writing that occasionally rhymes with an underlying consistent beat from the DJ who stands in the middle narrating the two different lives with different theme music. Previously performed on zoom, the live version was underwhelming and confusing as to what the message of the piece was. From what I believe, we are made to question how often we check up on people with reference to mental health and feeling invisible to the crowds around us. However, once learning that he had seriously injured his ex-girlfriend’s father and attempted to rob the woman next to him I had a lack of sympathy for the choices he was making...

7May

By Zoё MeeresNo Comments

London

Juniper and Jules – Soho Theatre

Last night I experienced the rare treat of thinking I knew the basic outline of a story, and being pretty happy about it, but then watching something that was so much richer and more poignant that I felt annoyed with myself for making any assumptions at the beginning at all. Juniper and Jules meet at a club. They flirt, they leave together, they have sex. But then – shock – we learn that Jules has never had sex with a woman before, in fact has a boyfriend, and is really quite surprised at the revelation that sex with a woman is an option for her. Aha, thought I, slightly cynically. That’s it. That’s the story. Woman discovers woman and grapples with identity. But that’s not the story. Or it is, partly, but it’s so much more than that. Juniper and Jules is a story about identity, about r...

6May

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Uncle Vanya – Old Red Lion

Uncle Vanya is a challenging text for any production company. The audience is thrust immediately into a dysfunctional rural Russian family, whose monotonous and laborious life is disrupted by the arrival of the Professor and his glamorous wife from the city. It is a play which relies on the interaction of complex characters rather than action. Producers Agatha Ezzedine and Clémentine Pinet are therefore to be congratulated for reviving it as a fringe production. Director Kieran Bourne has made a sterling effort to breathe life into the text for a new generation audience. The production was lively and there was an unexpected amount of humour, but the production was marred by some idiosyncratic performances and poor production choices. The characters in this play are worn down with wea...

5May

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

House of Ife – Bush Theatre

House of Ife follows a family repairing from the tragedy of losing a son, as the house reduces from 4 children to 3 the wounds that are desperate to heal remain open from the secrets buried around Ife’s death and the reason for his devastating path. Closing in around them are 4 walls, opened for view with bright saturated colours and a small amount of possessions. Books fill a small shelf although the only book referenced is the Bible, as the children reminisce on growing up with their dad who now lives in Ethiopia with his second wife and second family. We begin at the funeral, decorating the house as three children are set with the task to make it appropriate. Immediately we cut through the tragedy with the lightness and humour of grieving someone they knew would have wanted light and...