London Archives - Page 2 of 114

11Dec

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Barbican

In the last four hundred-odd years, since Shakespeare first wrote ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, there have been a myriad of incarnations and reincarnations. Every age injects the words with meaning pertinent to the day. Cue the Royal Shakespeare Company’s director Eleanor Rhode, who brings to the stage possibly the deepest, funniest, most immersive, inventive, creative and multi-layered version of the play, yet. The story is in brief: a comedy chemical romance. Hermia is refusing to marry Demetrius because she is in love with Lysander. If she disobeys her father’s wishes, she will either be put to death or live as a single woman in a nunnery for the rest of her life. Hermia chooses option C - to run away with Lysander so they can escape the rule of Athenian law and be together. Ala...

The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary – Southwark Playhouse

11Dec

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary – Southwark Playhouse

‘The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary’ playing at Southwark Playhouse, attempts a brave, comedic overhaul of Gustave Flaubert's sobering classic, with varying degrees of success. For those of you not familiar with the novel (which is, as pointed out at the start of the show, most of us), the story centres around a woman battling the constraints of the patriarchy. Emma is portrayed as profoundly disenchanted, bored with her uninspiring doctor husband, her mundane provincial village, and her stifling role as a dutiful wife in nineteenth-century France. The character extravagantly spends beyond her resources to flee the dullness and void of provincial existence. This narrative is upended by Ha Hum Ah Productions & Minack Theatre as the audience is ushered into a more modern and rau...

Waiting for Godot – Theatre Royal Haymarket

9Dec

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

London

Waiting for Godot – Theatre Royal Haymarket

Director James MacDonald breathes new life into Samuel Beckett’s absurdist 1953 tragicomedy about two down at heel men waiting for a mysterious figure to appear, with a fresh and engaging interpretation that focuses more on the inherent humour within the play rather than just the disconsolate existentialism with which it is usually associated. Opening to a dystopian landscape bereft of any positive discernible feature other than a leafless tree, we encounter Estragon/Gogo (Lucian Msamati) and Valdimir/Didi (Ben Whishaw), as they wait for Godot. Whilst their connection to each other is unstated, there is an endearing affection between them that pervades their ongoing conversations about something and nothing, which distracts from the obvious bleakness of their everyday lives. The appe...

8Dec

By Klervi GavetNo Comments

London

White Christmas – The Mill at Sonning

Jonathan O’Boyle’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Mill at Sonning offers a delightful escape into festive cheer, perfectly defying the post-lunch slump. The story follows Bob and Phil, two old army buddies and successful performers, who join forces with the charming Haynes Sisters, Betty and Judy, to save a struggling Vermont inn owned by their former General. Together, they plan a spectacular Christmas show to boost the inn’s finances, enlisting their old army division for support. It’s a classic tale of friendship, love, and the magic of the holidays. Gary Lloyd’s choreography truly stands out, featuring a fabulous tap dancing sequence that leaves the audience wanting more and the performers a bit breathless—in the best way possible. Jason Denver’s luscious set d...

8Dec

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

London

The Mousetrap – St Martin’s Theatre

Director Philip Franks wonderfully maintains the suspense of what is the longest running play in the world, which now in its 73rd year, having first opened in London’s West End in 1952, continues to play to packed houses which is a testament to Agatha Christie’s suspenseful writing and the accompanying performances from the cast with the support of an accomplished creative team. Set in early 1950’s England, Mollie Ralston (Lara Lemon) and Giles Ralston (Harry Bradley) have been married for one year and having decided to repurpose her inherited stately home, Monkswell Manor, as a guest house, they nervously await their first guests amidst a snowy blizzard that has just descended. First to arrive is the excitable Christoper Wren (Richard Leeming), an architect no less who loves to coo...

Dick Whittington and His Cat – Hackney Empire

7Dec

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Dick Whittington and His Cat – Hackney Empire

Hackney Empire’s 25th pantomime, ‘Dick Whittington and His Cat’, directed by and starring Clive Rowe, promised festive cheer and nostalgic charm. However, despite flashes of brilliance, this production falls short of being the “must-see” panto in London this year. The script, penned by Will Brenton, lacked substance, relying heavily on recycled gags and predictable puns. The pacing was uneven, with a bloated first act dragging on before a slightly more engaging second act. Even the customary audience participation felt half-hearted, a surprising miss for a genre known for its infectious energy and considering Hackney Empire’s successful track record for pantomimes! Photo: Mark Senior Performances were a mixed bag. Kandaka Moore, as Dick Whittington, showcased a stunning vocal rang...

7Dec

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Hansel and Gretel – Shakespeare’s Globe

A new version of the classic tale ‘Hansel and Gretel’ directed by Nick Bagnall takes us through a journey of abandonment, survival by all means and some slightly odd creatures luring the kids astray along the way. Ned Costello as Hansel has a fiery spirit who uses his intelligence and determination to keep the pair hopeful. Yasemin Özdemir as Gretel is just as powerful in spirit and never shy to show how angry she may feel, staying smiling all through the hardships of finding their way back home. Supported by an incredible cast, narrator Jenni Maitland is cheerful and engaging keeping everyone on their toes for what could possibly happen next. Photo: Ellie Kurttz As to where it goes, it is slightly confusing on what message we can take from this new adaptation by Simon Armitage. A...

7Dec

By Klervi GavetNo Comments

London

Bette and Joan – Park Theatre

Bette and Joan is a lively exploration of the rivalry between two Hollywood legends, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, set against the backdrop of the making of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?. Directed by Sue Jenkins, this production offers a humorous and sharp dissection of their frenemy dynamic, blending biting wit with illuminating glimpses into their shared struggles. Photo: Simon Annand The play thrives on the fiery chemistry between the leads - "two queen bees in one hive” battling for the same crown. Neil Gordon’s masterful set design, paired with gorgeous costumes, features opposing dressing rooms without actual mirrors. The actresses’ reflections are thus projected onto one another, cleverly underscoring how deeply intertwined their lives are. The initial exchange of barbs an...

7Dec

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

London

Bill – Omnibus Theatre

In the age of disinformation, Red Fox Theatre has put together a musical comedy to tell the story of the man who started it all: Milton William ‘Bill’ Cooper. I must admit, I wasn’t actually familiar with Cooper myself before watching Bill, so I was looking forward to learning something new — and about such an incredibly timely subject. Bill isn’t a straightforward autobiographical show. Describing themselves as practitioners of ‘Chaos Theatre’, Red Fox Theatre bring us a suitably bonkers retelling of one of America’s most notorious conspiracy theorists. There’s music, puppetry, physical comedy, parodies and more — it’s a ‘kitchen sink’ style approach to storytelling that I am pretty much always a fan of. Sometimes the chaos can make it tricky to follow the thread of the stor...

6Dec

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Homo Alone – The Other Palace

Homo Alone is an uproariously entertaining musical parody of the beloved Christmas classic Home Alone, but with a twist that injects fresh humour, unexpected plot turns, and a ton of campy fun. From its inventive storyline to its clever performances, the show breathes new life into the familiar tale of Kevin McCallister—a young boy who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on a holiday trip to Paris. While staying true to the core premise of Home Alone, Homo Alone spices things up with a series of delightful additions and twists. The show not only follows Kevin’s mischievous antics but also enriches the narrative with cheeky references to iconic pop culture moments. From nods to The Wizard of Oz and Wicked to Celine Dion tributes, the humour is fresh, sharp, and bursting ...