London Archives - Page 42 of 123

Balletboyz: England on Fire – Sadlers Wells

9Nov

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

Balletboyz: England on Fire – Sadlers Wells

Based on the book, England on Fire by Stephen Ellcock and Matt Osman, this sizzling production brings England’s eclectic past and present to life. The show begins with a meditative lighting design (designed by Andrew Ellis) projected on the high side walls. This gives way to a sombre, moody, arboreal setting with freakish animal-hybrid characters extravagantly dressed in black, watching the metaphorical birth/death of our protagonist. A dramatic start. The piece is a curation of different dances, each relating to a segment of the book. The setting explores England through time; from the ancient land to the modern day featuring a sparky Arctic Monkeys-esque band, Gag Salon. It is no surprise that the result is outlandish and stylistically fluid. The main thread is this new-born person we...

9Nov

By Aditi DalalNo Comments

London

Scratches – Arcola Theatre

Self-harm and comedy don’t seem like concepts that sit quite right together; it almost feels like a toxic pair. But Aoife Kennan nails this combination, and with such panache! Kennan starts off on stage with a sex story that seems like a one-woman comedy show, only to be interrupted by her ‘best friend’ played by Zak Ghazi-Torbati. Together, the duo challenge stereotypes, take a dig at how ‘diversity and inclusion’ boxes are commonly ticked, how GPs only focus on handing out medication instead of dealing with the feelings and how they can outdo each other’s stage presence - which is a hard contest because they’re both brilliant performers! In the power packed hour, we are able to gently unpack what goes on in the brain and body of those battling with anxiety and depression, and how t...

9Nov

By Stewart Who?No Comments

London

Beyond Ourselves – Union Theatre

Beyond Ourselves is a new piece of writing, aiming to highlight the challenges for drama graduates and ‘the obstacles they face and the drive and determination to overcome them’. This hopeful premise prompted a personal and emotional response. It’s not just my story, but the woeful narrative of most of my friends. Not only do I have a dog in this fight, my life has been nothing but a canine battle to a symphony of yaps, howls and sighs. Despite heartfelt sympathies and an abundance of experience, my expectations for Beyond Ourselves were low. The thought of giddy drama kids doing high-kicks and forlorn soliloquies sent shivers down my wizened spine. It’s entirely possible that the failures and odd diversions of my own career swayed my judgement. It was a curdled mix of grim curios...

8Nov

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Phantasmagoria – Southwark Playhouse

An activist and politician meet in a forest guest house, here they partake in a closed debate ran by Jai (Antony Bunsee) who wishes to relaunch his career with his new channel following a very anticipated and most likely heated debate between the two. Activist, Mehrosh (Hussina Rama) enters anxiously as she never intended to become as admired as she is and in this has lost control of her security. The politician, Bina (Tania Rodrigues) enters with assistant Scherezade (Ulrika Krishnamurti) confident in her ability to intimidate this young woman until she’s squeezed dry of any lingering confidence she might have left. Bina’s goal is to ‘convert’ Mehrosh from activist to politician through threats to family and the promise of safe security. Mehrosh is disgusted by the fake glamour of politic...

6Nov

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Nutcracker – Tuff Nutt Jazz Club

Drew McOnie's latest choreographic endeavour, ‘Nutcracker’, is a contemporary dance show that breathes new life into the beloved festive classic. In a bold departure from tradition, McOnie's production takes audiences on a wild-spirited adventure that is as delicate and sophisticated as it is daring and mature, offering a fresh perspective on the iconic holiday ballet. This reimagining, staged at the brand-new venue, Tuff Nutt Jazz Club within London's Southbank Centre, is not only a feast for the eyes but a celebration of diversity and self-acceptance that opens the door to those who may have previously felt excluded from the magic of "The Nutcracker." One of the most striking features of McOnie's rendition is its redefined cast of characters. Clara, typically portrayed as an upper-cla...

The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical – Apollo Theatre

4Nov

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical – Apollo Theatre

Based on the internationally best-selling novel, the romantically unconventional story, The Time Traveller’s Wife, opens as a new musical on the West End stage this Autumn. The story follows the life of Clare (Joanna Woodward), a talented artist and sculptor, who meets a remarkable man, Henry (David Hunter), who happens to travel through time, when she is a just a girl. Henry’s extraordinary genetic disorder allows him to pop up through the course of Clare’s life and eventually they fall in love, defying the unavoidable complications that a relationship involving time travel can bring. From the moment the show opens with a bang and strobe lighting, it is clear that the turning set and effects will be a big factor in portraying the magic of this story. Immediately the screen in front of ...

2Nov

By Aditi DalalNo Comments

London

A View from the Bridge – Rose Theatre

The Arthur Miller classic was first staged as a one act production on Broadway in 1955. This latest co-production with Headlong Theatre, Bolton Octagon, Chichester Festival Theatre and the Rose Theatre sees it in its full-length version, with the play's central themes resonating just as powerfully in today's world. Set in a working-class Italian American neighbourhood in Brooklyn, the story revolves around the complex dynamics within the Carbone family. Eddie Carbone (Jonathan Slinger) is a longshoreman who becomes increasingly obsessed with his niece, Catherine (Rachelle Diedericks). Tensions escalate when two Italian immigrants, Marco (Tommy Sim’aan) and Rodolpho (Luke Newberry), move in with the Carbone family, leading to a dramatic confrontation as Eddie's jealousy and cultural clas...

2Nov

By Stewart Who?No Comments

London

The Interview – Park Theatre

An older lady enquired if she was, ‘in the right place for Diana’. This query occurred on the pavement, outside Park Theatre, where The Interview by Jonathan Maitland is currently enjoying its world premiere. It transpired that this woman had booked tickets for the show on the same night as her 36th wedding anniversary. Her husband had been dead many decades. She then told me that from beyond the grave, he had nudged her to choose this significant date, so that she wouldn’t be home alone and grieving. Instead, she would be, ‘on a night out with Diana. He knows how much I love her.’ In many ways, that little vignette sums up the power, legacy and impact that Diana, Princess of Wales continues to hold over the nation. She stirs up sentimentality, paranormal notions and passionate fanatici...

2Nov

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

LIZZIE– Southwark Playhouse

London's Southwark Playhouse is currently playing host to a riveting and unapologetically fierce production of ‘LIZZIE’, the true crime rock punk musical. This fresh and dynamic production of the first UK staging, presented by the accomplished team at Hope Mill Theatre, is edgy, bold, and nothing short of brilliant. It brings a thrilling blend of music, drama, and history to the stage, redefining the boundaries of what a musical can be, and quite frankly goes toe-to-toe with some of the other similar historical productions that are currently playing in the West End and round the globe. Set in the backdrop of the infamous Lizzie Borden murders in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1892, ‘LIZZIE’ weaves a gripping narrative that blends fact, fiction, legend, and female sass, into an intoxicatin...

And Then There Were None – Richmond Theatre

1Nov

By Dave SmithNo Comments

London

And Then There Were None – Richmond Theatre

"And Then There Were None" is one of the best-selling novels of all time with Agatha Christie's sales surpassed only by the Bible and William Shakespeare. The inscription above the stage at Richmond Theatre which reads "To wake the soul by tender strokes of art," seems to contrast starkly with the ruthless and unforgiving nature of events in this play. Eight strangers and two servants receive invitations to stay on Soldier Island, but it quickly becomes evident that they have all been deceived, as connections to their supposed hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Owen, turn out to be shaky or false. The Owen’s never appear, and a storm isolates the group on the island, cutting them off from the mainland. The guests seem to have little in common, and they squabble with each other and with the servants. E...