London Archives - Page 30 of 148

7Mar

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

A Special Relationship – Tabard Theatre

Although described as a transatlantic comedy this new play by Tim Marriott and Jeff Stolzer is not about politics; there is only one joke about Trump! Rather, it explores what it is in language, habits and culture which separate the US and the UK. The setting is the Sussex Garden of Monty, an British colonel, played by Tim Marriott, whose daughter is marrying the son of Pete, an American plumber, played by Brian Dykstra. Initially, the comedy is based upon the differences in linguistic usage between the two countries cupboard/closet, bathroom/ toilet etc. All familiar ground but amusingly delivered. More significant are the attitudes between the uptight British middle-class soldier and the much more laid-back American working man. Although Monty at first seems in control, insisting ...

6Mar

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

12 – Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre

“I’m fine”. ‘12’ is the one-woman show that tells the story of Mel, a woman in her late 20s, trying to navigate the complications of everyday life as well as her OCD and intrusive thoughts. From the moment she starts her day, she is bound by the fact that she must touch everything twelve times to prevent anything bad from happening. The studio is perfect to create the intimate setting required and the limited props and staging allow Catrin Mai Edwards to shine in her portrayal of Mel, using her vocal and acting skills to tell the story of the “quirky” character. Edwards is believable, likeable and depicts a character suffering with OCD well, making the audience want to root for her and her recovery. She blocks the entirety of the space, making dynamic choices in her movements and phy...

6Mar

By Zandra OdetundeNo Comments

London

Macbeth – Lyric Hammersmith

Macbeth at the Lyric Hammersmith was nothing short of mesmerising. The production seamlessly wove the ancient with the avant-garde, a rare and masterful balance that honoured Shakespeare’s original while infusing it with a vibrant contemporary spirit, a feat that should undoubtedly fill the director (Richard Twyman) with pride. The performance of Lois Chimimba as Lady Macbeth was particularly unforgettable. She slipped into the role as if it were an integral thread of her being, delivering an impeccable portrayal that firmly establishes her as one of my favourite incarnations of Lady Macbeth. In a legacy filled with formidable predecessors, her interpretation shone brightly. Equally captivating was Alex Austin in the role of Macbeth. How does one infuse tragedy with moments of levity...

White Rose The Musical – Marylebone Theatre

6Mar

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

White Rose The Musical – Marylebone Theatre

White Rose The Musical is a powerful and moving production set in Nazi Germany, following a group of student activists determined to spread the truth about the atrocities occurring during World War II. Based on the inspiring true story of The White Rose, the musical highlights how even those with small voices can spark change and stand up for their beliefs. The movement was led by siblings Sophie and Hans Scholl, portrayed by Collette Guitart and Tobias Turley. Together, they formed an outstanding duo, bringing depth and sincerity to their roles and embodying the bravery of young people willing to risk everything for what they believed was right. Their chemistry on stage made their relationship feel authentic, reinforcing the emotional weight of their journey. Charley Robbie’s portrayal...

One Day When We Were Young – Park Theatre

4Mar

By Kira DanielsNo Comments

London

One Day When We Were Young – Park Theatre

Opening with a bang (both literally and lasciviously) but ending with a whimper, One Day When We Were Young illustrates a little too effectively that for war’s hollow men, life is very long. The framework of the script is slightly too frail to support both its underwritten characters. Like the Titanic’s infamously splintered door, this play can only hold up one of its young lovers’ character development. Resultantly male lead Barney White gets to cut his teeth on a sturdily written World War II conscript while Cassie Bradley exhausts her jaw attempting to chew through all the scenery provided to the young lover turned middle aged mother turned elderly author who plays second fiddle to him throughout. Designer Pollyanna Elston’s set is surprisingly rich but unfortunately clashes in palet...

3Mar

By Zoё MeeresNo Comments

London

Birdsong – Alexandra Palace

The novel Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks was a popular GCSE text back when I was taking those exams but wasn’t part of the Jane Austen-heavy syllabus followed by my school. Friends at a neighbouring school had studied it though (it was my at-the-time boyfriend’s favourite book) so I went into Rachel Wagstaff’s stage version on Friday night with a vague expectation of a sad World War I love story. The reality is obviously far richer and more complex than that, and I’m still unsure whether having a fuller understanding of what to expect would have made my experience better or worse. At three hours long the production covers a lot of ground, and the three acts divide the action neatly, but for me the first act was quite slow moving and a lot of subtlety was lost in the enormous auditorium. N...

2Mar

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

London

Son of a Bitch – Southwark Playhouse

Ten seconds, seven words. That’s all it takes for Marnie (Anna Morris) to become a viral sensation… for all the wrong reasons. After a stressful long-haul flight in which her husband has ditched her and their son in Economy while he sips champagne in Business, Marnie’s rising frustrations have an almighty climax as she loudly calls her four-year-old a c*nt in front of all the other passengers — including one opportunist filming it on their phone. Soon, Marnie is public enemy number one as she becomes the global poster girl for ‘bad’ motherhood. Some suggest child services need to get involved, some believe she should be sterilised, and #SaveTheSon is the latest trending topic. But in reality, as we discover in time-jumping scenes throughout Son of a Bitch’s 60-minute runtime, Mar...

2Mar

By Klervi GavetNo Comments

London

Where We Meet – The Cockpit

Where We Meet at the Cockpit, produced and presented by Unwired Dance Theatre, is an ambitious interactive and immersive dance theatre performance exploring the nuances of human connexion. Warmly welcomed into a minimalist, darkened space by co-director and Creative Technology Lead Clemence Debaig, participants gather in the center while observers settle along the sides. With an unsettling air of modern anticipation reminiscent of Squid Game and Black Mirror, everyone is equipped with mysterious headsets and pouches. Shortly thereafter, clear instructions are given: these devices will react to the dancers’ proximity, granting telepathic insights into their inner monologues. The dancers—Sara Auguieras, Ryan Naiken, and Livia Massarelli, choreographer and co-director—soon take the ...

28Feb

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

The Score – Theatre Royal Haymarket

Oliver Cotton's new play, The Score, is based on the visit of Johann Sebastian Bach to Frederick the Great at his palace in Potsdam in 1747. During that visit Frederick challenged Bach to improvise a fugue based upon a tune he had written. That led to the creation of Bach’s famous anthology 'The Musical Offering'. Cotton has used his script to explore religious and philosophical themes based upon the supposed conflict between the devout peace-loving musician and the militaristic atheistic political leader. The play is both engaging and humorous and raises important issues. Brian Cox as Bach is the dominant character throughout the play. Cox's gravitas and underlying sympathy make him a great choice to play this role, which he does superbly. He is also supported by an excellent cast. Jam...

28Feb

By Klervi GavetNo Comments

London

Pandora – Coronet Theatre

Under the masterful direction of Riccardo Pippa, PANDORA marks the second coming of the Italian physical theatre company Teatro Dei Gordi at the Coronet, and it’s nothing short of a gem. Set in a public toilet at what’s likely the most transient, eclectic train station in town, the stage transforms into a delightful playground for a colourful parade of modern "stock characters," sharing surprisingly intimate moments. From a clumsy germaphobe facing a grandpa with childlike incontinence, to a failed cook and a struggling office manager finding solace in a quick smoke, ballroom dancers battling stage fright, and my personal favourite, an appalling street performer whose memory and confidence are restored by a caring commuter, each character bursts with quirks and backstories. The shee...