London Archives - Page 128 of 147

31Oct

By Gaurav SinghNo Comments

London

Night, Mother – Hampstead Theatre

Marsha Normon’s 1983 Pulitzer-winning drama “‘night, Mother” returns to the Hampstead Theatre after its European premiere at the same venue in 1985. Directed by artistic director Roxana Silbert and designed by Ti Green, this two-hander explores the complicated relationship between a mother and a daughter in what would have otherwise been an ordinary, quiet evening in their isolated house in the rural American hinterlands. Touching upon the themes of suicide, mental health and isolation, the show unfolds as a series of conversations between the two characters about a disturbing decision that awaits them, and us in the audience, at the end of the night. With measured performances by Stockard Channing and Rebecca Night, it is a hauntingly gripping experience that seeks to remind us about the ...

31Oct

By Natalie J RomeoNo Comments

London

Tender Napalm – King’s Head Theatre

No set, no props, no effects except a few subtle lighting changes; just two barefoot actors and a full house. It is shows such as these that remind us, trudging through our day to day reality, of what it is to imagine, and how easy it is, if all the elements are right, to become completely immersed in a scenario totally removed from normality—immersed enough that it makes you squirm. The audience last night was fully immersed in this 10th anniversary in-person production of Tender Napalm, directed by Max Harrison at the King’s Head Theatre, Islington. Trapped on a remote Island—as we are told—a Man and a Woman tell each other stories, passing time, playing much in the way children might. However, there’s an edge to these games. An undercurrent of pain runs through most, of resentm...

28Oct

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Old Bridge – Bush Theatre

Old Bridge by Igor Mimic is a powerful drama about the effects of civil conflict on the lives of ordinary people. Set in the town of Mostar in the former Yugoslavia, it tells the experience of four young people enjoying life in the way all young adults do when the brutal effects of the civil war which broke up that country changed their lives in ways they could never have imagined or wanted. It is told through the eyes of Emina, now in her later years, who was one of a group of four youngsters who lived through these epic events and is in effect a dramatised narrative with her account of events delivered directly to the audience , while the other four actors dramatised scenes interwoven with her storyline. The set design by Oli Townsend was empty of scenery or...

28Oct

By Natalie J RomeoNo Comments

London

The Dresser – Richmond Theatre

The Olivier award-nominated tragicomedy The Dresser, by Ronald Harwood, is poignant, funny and a little heart-breaking. The show at Richmond Theatre last night was emotive enough to draw a tear or two from some in the audience as well as a cacophony of laughs. After it’s run at Richmond, this touring version will surely draw audiences all over the UK. Set in wartime Britain, with the rumble of bombs falling and air raid sirens disturbing the otherwise peaceful dressing room of a revered actor known only as ‘Sir’, the play opens with the dresser himself, Norman, played by Julian Clary, hard at work. Confidant, counsellor and loyal friend, it’s hard to distinguish where Norman’s job ends and where his duties to the man he admires and ultimately loves begin. As Sir struggles to prepare ...

27Oct

By Pooja SivaramanNo Comments

London

Vanara — Hackney Empire

Vanara has all the ingredients to make for an epic musical: an ancient legend, a talented cast, a live orchestra, beautiful costumes, and a community of eager eyes awaiting its release. The show had its world premiere this weekend at the Hackney Empire, a fitting venue for the grandeur the story promises. Vanara is the story of two tribes: the Kogallisk, servants of the moon, and the Pana, servants of the sun. The Kogallisk live on a mountain and hone the power of fire, a secret power which they must protect from the thieving Panas, who according to legend can steal a Kogallisk’s inner fire by looking them straight in the eyes. The Panas do not have access to this fire, and so must hunt and trade to remain alive. What then ensues is a battle between the two tribes, with two star-crossed lo...

25Oct

By Zoё MeeresNo Comments

London

Mum – Soho Theatre

“I’ve just read the synopsis of the play we’re seeing. Bloody hell mate.” “I told you it sounded harrowing. Do you want to give it a miss and we can catch up later?” “No, I’ve picked an outfit now. I’m committed.” Thus was the exchange I had with the friend who agreed to accompany me to Mum, 20 minutes before we were due to meet. We reflected afterwards how glad we were that we’d seen it together and Mum was made all the poignant for me having experienced it with another strong woman that I’m lucky enough to be able to share my secrets and fears with. Mum moves quickly – we meet Nina (Sophie Melville – who I will say up front is exquisite), a new mum who is preparing for her first night off in three months with her friend, Jackie, while her mother-in-law, Pearl, prepares to rel...

24Oct

By Zoё MeeresNo Comments

London

Birdwatching – London Horror Festival

I was pretty excited about the London Horror Festival, because I am a self-confessed horror fanatic. There are various fascinating psychological theories around why people like to feel fear which I’m not qualified to cite here or expand on, but for me it boils down to excitement. Books, plays, films, rollercoasters; it’s all about getting the adrenaline pumping around your body but also knowing that you are, at all times, perfectly safe. Perfectly safe is not how Amy (Karen Barredo), one of the three characters in Birdwatching, would describe her position. An actress of small notoriety having appeared in a few slasher B movies, Amy arrives at a shelter deep in the woods to take on the role of Kate, accompanied by Pete (Arno van Zelst) - cameraman by trade, actor to help a friend – and H...

The Body Remembers – Battersea Arts Centre

24Oct

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

The Body Remembers – Battersea Arts Centre

‘The Body Remembers’ created and performed by Heather Agyepong in collaboration with Fuel, creates a space to view ‘The Mover’ realising and releasing from their trauma. This piece opens a conversation in how the body has memory of trauma where the mind may forget, how the body will create physical responses which may not have any explanation other than the trauma of its experience. Focusing particularly on the experience of Black British women in trauma recovery we watch The Mover express through ‘Authentic Movement’ whilst her shadow follows her lead through a large projector, bold beautiful colours combined with simplistic images and quotes from women playing overhead, which seem planted at just the right moments. Knowing that the Mover is reacting through improvisation seems all the...

One Man Poe Livestream – The Space Online

23Oct

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

London

One Man Poe Livestream – The Space Online

Written in the 1840’s by Edgar Allan Poe, this quartet of short stories and a poem show off to best effect Poe’s interest in the dark side of human nature. Many writers have been inspired by the works of Poe, who pioneered the genre of ‘horror’, and his work is still as popular today. Artistic Director of Threedumb Theatre, Stephen Smith has taken his passion for gothic horror and the original works of Poe and created a one-person show using an unknown narrator to deliver these authentic Poe tales. Smith is directing and performing all the roles himself. First off is ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’, a disturbing look inside the mind of an unnamed narrator who is believed to be insane, but he will try to convince the audience that he is sane, by describing the events that led up to a brutal murder...

The Shark is Broken – Ambassadors Theatre

22Oct

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

The Shark is Broken – Ambassadors Theatre

There are few movies as instantly identifiable by the first few bars of their theme tune. The "Jaws" theme - and the movie - became an iconic hit after the film's release in 1975. The film itself may have been thrilling and horrifying, but the drama that went on behind the scenes was also amazing. Bruce, the titular mechanical star of the film, broke down after salt water corroded his insides. This left the three human stars, Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss, with nothing to do until the production team could get the shark back up and chomping on the people of Amity Island. This slice of real life has been turned into this wonderfully original production that wowed audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019. It's not hard to see why it was such a hit. A...