London Archives - Page 26 of 150

The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody – Riverside Studios

6May

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody – Riverside Studios

I am under strict instructions from a fierce Imperial Officer (last night’s host Pete Anderson) not to give too much of the show away here, so I’ll keep this simple. The Empire Strips Back is an absolute joy to watch, and whether you’re a huge Star Wars fan or you just enjoy a comically risqué night out, I highly recommend you go and see it. As the title would suggest, The Empire Strips Back pays tribute to the beloved worlds and characters of Star Wars by reimagining them through a burlesque lens. The results are simultaneously hilarious, seductive and at times jaw-droppingly impressive. Creator Russall S Beattie, producer David J Foster and London director Bec have crafted an intricate production that allows the performers to form a relationship with the audience, flirting and teasing...

Q The Music: James Bond Concert Spectacular – Fairfield Halls, Croydon

6May

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

Q The Music: James Bond Concert Spectacular – Fairfield Halls, Croydon

Warren Ringham, a life-long massive James Bond fan and professional musician, founded Q The Music in 2004 as a unique tribute to the music of the iconic movie series. He has put together and leads a first-class 13-piece orchestra of superbly talented musicians to remind audiences of the important contribution the music of John Barry, David Arnold, Hans Zimmer and others has made to the movies. Three vocalists (Kerry Schultz, Rhiannon Porter and Matt Walker), recreate well-known Bond themes such as You Only Live Twice, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger and the Oscar-winning Skyfall. As well as the themes, Ringham interestingly includes some of the incidental music from the movies, the passages of music that don't usually get much attention outside of the films. Bond films...

6May

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

WEER – Soho Theatre Walthamstow

I was exhausted as I sat down in the newly opened Soho Theatre Walthamstow to watch Natalie Palamides’ WEER. It had been a long day at work and, if I’m honest, I needed a bit of a pick-me-up. Luckily, Palamides more than delivered. I am not exaggerating when I say that WEER was one of, if not the funniest plays I have ever seen. The premise is simple; Palamides’ plays both sides of a couple in turmoil. And I mean that literally. One side of her, ‘Mark’, sports a beard, wig, and stereotypically masculine clothes, whilst the other side, ‘Christina’, wears a dress. At least to start with… the number of costume changes Palamides managed to pull off was something to behold. I was amazed by how distinct Palamides’ portrayals of Mark and Christina were. They each had unique physical mannerisms...

5May

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Romeo & Juliet – Shakespeare’s Globe

The Shakespeare Globe presents as part of the summer season. A new lively production of Romeo and Juliet, a play of young love and tragedy. This is one of Shakespeare’s controversial plays “which the age of a character is overtly stated, Juliet is just thirteen”. Romeo’s age is never mentioned but the sense is he is not much older than his Juliet played by Lola Shalam. It offers Shakespeare style, set within the wild west times of the 19th Century, yes cowboys. Don’t be fooled It has its scenes of tragedy, violence and misfortunate heartache. Set in Verona it revolves around a story of feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulet’s of which Romeo is a Montague and Juliet a Capulate. The two meet for the first time at a ‘coming out’ banquet for Juliet. Romeo with his friends Ben...

Mermaids Have No Tears — Barons Court Theatre

5May

By Zak RosenNo Comments

London

Mermaids Have No Tears — Barons Court Theatre

It can be hard not to fall into despair when contemplating all the different apocalypses we face today — climate change, oligarchic billionaires, social media brain rot, rising authoritarianism, talking to your father about your gender. But Mermaids Have No Tears, written by Ellis Stump and directed by Julia Sopher, manages to take in the overwhelming chaos of life in this moment and explores it with hope, humility, and a whole lot of humour, all through the lens of the fascinating subculture of Mermaiding. Set during the 2024 and 2025 New York Mermaid Conventions and the intervening year, the play follows the intricate and mildly unhinged antics of three twenty-somethings. Fyn (played by Everleigh Brenner) is the environmental activist child of an oil tycoon trying to figure out ho...

Scenes from a Repatriation – Royal Court Theatre

2May

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Scenes from a Repatriation – Royal Court Theatre

Scenes from a Repatriation is a bold and thought-provoking play that centres around a 1,000-year-old statue of Guan Yin, which was taken from China and is now housed in the British Museum. This production offers a rich philosophical exploration of the questions surrounding ownership of cultural artefacts—who has the right to possess them, and what meanings they hold for individuals across time and place. From the outset, the play is an intense, quite disturbing and an unconventional experience. It unfolds through a series of dynamic, often surreal scenes, each presenting a different perspective on the statue’s significance. The statue of Guan Yin becomes more than a historical object; it is a spiritual icon, a political flashpoint, and a symbol of commodification in a world where cultur...

I See Me & Meryl Streep – The Other Palace

30Apr

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

I See Me & Meryl Streep – The Other Palace

This show has had a successful run in Australia and is all about ‘Me’ Meryl performed by actor and comedienne Alexandra Keddie. This sixty-minute tour of her ‘obsession not really’ with Meryl Streep, showcases Keddie’s skill of impersonation. knowledge and comedic portrayal of Streep’s iconic moments from the movies. Films such as the ‘The Deer Hunter’ ‘Devil Wears Prada’ ‘Sophie’s Choice’ and many more. Diane a skit on Diane Keaton Keddie’s ‘sister’ supports her performance with music and sisterly banter. This sixteen-year-old girl for her drama teacher wanted to shine and outperform her fellow classmates with her acting skills and knowledge of Meryl Streep’s meteoric rise to fame and fortunes. Keddie ‘namesake Meryl’ is a young girl finding her way in the world, vulnerable with her ow...

26Apr

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Ben and Imo – Orange Tree Theatre

This is a superb production in all respects. It tells the story of the collaboration between two dominant characters in the world of music in the early 1950s. Benjamin Britten (Ben) at that time the foremost living British composer and Imogen Holst (Imo), the daughter of the renowned composer Gustav Holst. The play started life as a radio play in 2013 and then was adapted by Mark Ravenhill for the RSC premiering at the Swan Theatre in March 2024. It has now transferred to the small, intimate theatre in the round at the Orange Tree in Richmond. Britten has been given the task of composing, in only 9 months, a new opera to be performed at the Coronation Gala of Queen Elizabeth the Second in 1952. He has chosen for his subject the rather unpromising tale of th...

21Apr

By Ben PearsonNo Comments

London

Boxed In – The Old Red Lion

Mental health is a topic very close to my heart, so I was intrigued to watch Boxed In. This debut play written, directed and performed by Rebecca Weston Wright follows a young woman, A, who is trapped inside a featureless prison-like room and forced to confront her demons. These demons are given voice in the form of a small wooden box, which acts as the inner monologue of self-loathing that often accompanies and depression. There are moments of genuine and moving insight in Boxed In. Wright offers a thoughtful and vulnerable commentary on the relentless internal battles faced by those struggling with mental health whilst sprinkling in enough observational humour to stop the experience becoming utterly miserable. A’s impression of a boss demanding she perfectly perform an endless series ...

A Practical Guide On How To Save The World When No One F***ing Else Is – Tara Theatre

21Apr

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

A Practical Guide On How To Save The World When No One F***ing Else Is – Tara Theatre

Tara Theatre’s vision to provide rehearsal space and financial support for 18-25-year-olds to script and develop new theatre is commendable. Over a 4-month programme, the young company works with industry professionals to develop their skills and build their professional networks. The culmination of this mentorship has resulted in the play, ‘A Practical Guide on How to Save the World when no one f***ing else is’. The vision of artistic director, Natasha Kathi-Chandra is to ‘uncover the urgent and current realities of those around you’. Over five weeks, the young team directed by Gavin Joseph rehearsed with provocations around the theme of 'Climate change'. Each actor formed characters through devising exercises, and conversation prompts. Between sessions, playwright Nicole Latchana wrote s...