London Archives - Page 22 of 149

11Jun

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

The Ticking – Drayton Arms Theatre

Brought to the Drayton Arms Theatre by the Cellar Door Theatre Company, The Ticking explores the manic cocktail of emotions, questions and chaos that arises when 4 friends wake up after a night out with a mysterious ticking briefcase in their possession. As I’m sure you can guess, the briefcase contains a bomb. The 70 minutes that follow are just as absurd as the opening premise, and not only allow for some great moments of comedy, but also a discussion of blame, responsibility and climate change. The issue is that while these themes are undeniably important, they’re also well-trodden, and The Ticking does little to explore them from a new angle. We’re presented with a situation, a political message, and characters we’ve all seen before, which consequently makes it hard to emotionally inve...

STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey – Brixton House

11Jun

By Holly SewellNo Comments

London

STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey – Brixton House

STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey fulfils and surpasses every inch of its title. It’s the odyssey of one woman’s life on Earth and her need to go beyond, and encompasses everything from Monday mornings at the laundrette to primordial, ancestral spirits from the stars. It is asintimate as sex and as enormous as the cosmos. It made me feel seen, uplifted and part of something bigger than myself, and I cannot recommend it enough. When her husband dies, Mrs (Debra Michaels) decides to take matters into her own hands and have her first orgasm. She’s not sure where to start, but space travel seems as good a place as any. Woven into the first half of the play is the story of the Nommo, an ancient hermaphroditic people from a star called Sirius B, beautifully illustrated by Candice Purwin. M...

10Jun

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Chicago – New Wimbledon Theatre

This production has Sass, Pizzazz, and whole lot of Jazz. Chicago originated from America and has become one of the most renowned musicals to hit Broadway and the West End; created by Kander and Ebb with the original choreography by the amazing Bob Fosse. The UK tour has begun, and it hit the New Wimbledon theatre with a bang. It showcases Strictly’s Jeanette Manrara as Roxie Hart like you have never seen her before. There is a cast of favourites from screen and theatre Darren Day who plays Billy Flynn and Brenda Edwards as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton. The story of Roxie Hart the devious chorus girl has its origins in the real gangster Chicago of the early 20th Century. When a junior reporter for the Chicago tribune was assigned to cover the trials of women accused of murder. So, it ...

10Jun

By Gemma PrinceNo Comments

London

Our Cosmic Dust – Park Theatre

Written and directed by Michinari Ozawa and translated by Susan Momoko Hingley, the critically acclaimed Our Cosmic Dust tells the story of Shotaro, a young boy who believes his recently deceased father has become a star. Originally a Japanese play performed in Tokyo, Our Cosmic Dust kicks off its UK premier at the Park Theatre in London. The story is an enchanting blend of puppetry, animation and acting, exploring the concept of death and what happens after we die. The play begins with Shotaro running away from his mother, Yoko (Millie Hikasa), in her desperate attempt to find him, she meets some colourful characters along the way. Hikasa does a great job of playing a grieving mother struggling to cope with her recent loss as she feels her quiet son slipping away from her. Pho...

7Jun

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Miss Myrtle’s Garden – Bush Theatre

Miss Myrtle’s Garden is a powerful and moving production that delicately explores the emotional terrain of memory, love, and loss. Centered around Miss Myrtle and the people closest to her, the story subtly but poignantly addresses themes of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Without ever explicitly naming the illness, the play allows the audience to experience the disorientation, warmth, and heartbreak that come with it. Diveen Henry gives a remarkable performance as Miss Myrtle. Her portrayal is layered and deeply human—she shifts effortlessly from moments of sharp wit to bouts of confusion and vulnerability. Her relationship with her late husband Melrose is the emotional core of the play. Mensah Bediako brings grace and gentle charm to the role of Melrose, and his onstage chemistry with H...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Bridge Theatre

6Jun

By Zandra OdetundeNo Comments

London

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Bridge Theatre

If A Midsummer Night’s Dream should leave you feeling as though you’ve wandered through a strange, enchanted world, unsure what was real and what was play, then this immersive production succeeds beautifully. Bold, funny, sometimes outrageous, but always intelligent, it brings Shakespeare’s classic comedy to life with an energy that is both thoroughly modern and deeply respectful of the text’s spirit. Bunny Christie’s design is a triumph, a playful yet atmospheric space in which the audience moves freely as the world of the play shifts around them. The staging, with its moving platforms and layered set-pieces, constantly reshapes your perspective. I was fortunate to experience it from within the pits, which brought an exhilarating intimacy to the action. That said, if you...

6Jun

By Aditi DalalNo Comments

London

So What’s the Plan – The Other Palace

So What’s the Plan is a three-hander performed mostly through song, following three friends in their twenties, trying to build a life in London. It touches on their friendship, the struggle to pay rent, juggling jobs, navigating flat shares and chasing their dreams - all delivered with humour, warmth, and honesty. Written by Harry Gascoigne, and starring himself alongside Lucy Brindle and Sophie Precious Muringu, the show is a fun, engaging watch. It’s especially relatable for anyone in their 20s trying to make it in a big, overwhelming city—and particularly for those hustling in creative industries. The show is told primarily through song, with engaging musical numbers that capture the emotional landscape of early adulthood and artistic ambition. While the songs don’t break new arti...

4Jun

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

Street – Barons Court Theatre

STREET, brought to the Barons Court Theatre by ‘Mos Sans Productions’, follows Miriam and Foster. Both are homeless, neglected and ignored by anyone but each other, and have little to no hope that anything will change. Writer and director Liviu Monsted uses these two compelling characters to explore the realities of living on the street. It’s a strong, moving and effective script, that only gets stronger when Miriam and Foster are joined by Fay and Christian. These newcomers hold up a mirror to those who romanticise homelessness and the ‘freedom’ it brings. Christian, in particular, is convinced that Foster and Miriam are lucky. Lucky that they don’t have a job, lucky that they are ignored by so much of society. It’s a wonderful depiction of the ignorance and privilege of those who view a ...

4Jun

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

Little Women – Richmond Theatre

Louisa May Alcott’s beloved ‘Little Women’ is back, telling the celebrated and heartwarming story of four sisters, their mother and their friends as they navigate the twists and turns of life and what it has to offer. The stage is set as a quaint living room, adorned with a twinkling Christmas tree and centrepiece piano. This set is unobtrusive yet provides a whimsical feel, adding to the theme of the sisters’ hopes and dreams in the first Act of the show. Fitting props and staging create two main scenes – in the first Act, the March’s home and surrounding areas and in the second Act, the addition of bookcases show time has passed and sets the scene for Jo working at the boarding house. Lighting is used beautifully throughout the play, particularly when paired with the fake snow f...

4Jun

By Aditi DalalNo Comments

London

In Praise of Love – Orange Tree Theatre

There’s something truly magnetic about a play that holds you at the edge of your seat, slowly pulling you deeper into its world with every passing moment. In Praise of Love does just that, creating a charged atmosphere where tension builds quietly, but persistently, in the midst of seemingly everyday exchanges. A beautiful balance of humour and heartbreak, this play keeps you engaged from start to finish, delivering its emotional punches with grace. Set in 1970s England, In Praise of Love follows Lydia, an Estonian refugee, and her husband Sebastian, a sharp-tongued literary critic, as they each try to protect the other with carefully kept secrets. Written by Terence Rattigan, the play brings to life four sharply drawn characters, each carrying their own secrets, loyalties, and regrets....