London Archives - Page 42 of 115

Around the World in 80 Days – Churchill Theatre

20Jul

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Around the World in 80 Days – Churchill Theatre

This Titled Wig Production, originally developed in collaboration with York Theatre Royal, is a romp from beginning to end. It is colourful, energetic and engaging. Based on Jules Verne's famous novel, it creatively combines Verne's narrative of the imaginary journey of Phileas Fogg with that of Nellie Bly, a real life American journalist who circled the world in 72 days in 1890. The stage design by Sara Parks had a circus theme, with a colourful red and white tent-like tower structure with several gangway protrusions. The cast ascended and used these in a number of creative ways as the story progressed. Fogg’s journey was illustrated by means of a revolving banner, wound on by the cast. It gave some problems on press night which the cast imaginatively solved. The five strong e...

19Jul

By Akshay RahejaNo Comments

London

Diana – Soho Theatre

In Diana, a captivating one-person musical, Peter Smith draws inspiration from the enigmatic Diana, the blonde British icon who bared her soul on television. Smith, a renowned figure in the New York cabaret circuit, reveals their fascination with Diana, ignited by watching Martin Bashir's infamous interview. Yet, the show appears more about Smith, frequently delving into anecdotes about family, leaving us perplexed about its true focus. The lack of clarity leaves us yearning for a clearer narrative. Smith excels at crafting sensationalist one-liners, but disappointingly, do not lead anywhere substantial. Instead, it feels like a collection of shallow headlines, akin to tabloid gossip that entices but lacks depth. This alluring yet ultimately open production leaves much to be desired. ...

19Jul

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

The Choir of Man – Arts Theatre

“Cheers, everybody!” This fresh, innovative and hilarious show has launched itself on the West End, promising solid enjoyment which is sure to leave you fully satisfied at last orders. While the story is a tale of a group’s highs and lows, with some rhyming dialogue and narration by poet Michael Hamway, this is not the key aspect of the show. A little unconventional, The Choir of Man allows audience members to grab a pint at the pub on stage before the performance, allowing for the actors to interact with the audience and set the scene and spirit of the show. Audience participation is a focal part of this show, and is one of the more distinctive parts of this production. Tom Carter-Miles performs a comically romantic rendition of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” to a lucky audience membe...

15Jul

By Zoё MeeresNo Comments

London

Disruption – Park Theatre

Artificial Intelligence is having a moment. From ChatGPT and now a Google rival, ‘Bard’, to journalists calmly asking robots with near-human faces if they’re planning a rebellion against us, Andrew Stein’s cautionary tale about AI feels perfectly timed. The stage is set for a reunion dinner. Tech entrepreneur Nick is in town, buoyant from his latest business sale and has arranged to meet up with some old friends; three thirty-something couples who are grappling with the kind of first world problems that plague the middle classes like private school fees, whether to buy a bigger house, which exotic destination would be preferable for a holiday and so on. Enter Nick’s mysterious (unblinking) partner, Raven – together, they have a proposition that could solve all of Nick’s friends’ ...

Run to the Nuns The Musical – Riverside Studios

15Jul

By Stewart Who?No Comments

London

Run to the Nuns The Musical – Riverside Studios

It was a curious, rich and unique evening. The first hiccup to curse Run to the Nuns was a technical hitch, which meant the show opened over 30 minutes late. It was their first night. The upside was that the mysterious delay meant there was ample time for cocktails from the bar. In addition to unruly wires in the theatre, the box office printer broke down. A member of staff wrote out a ticket for me with a biro. It was very analogue. And slightly chaotic. I was into it.We were informed that the performers’ microphones had been abandoned. Instead, they’d be singing without electrical amplification. Tech gremlins were forcing a spontaneous descent into the unplugged old school. Our usher didn’t even check tickets when we finally piled into Studio 3. ‘Just get in and grab a seat,’ she begg...

The Flying Dutchman – The Grand Junction

14Jul

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

The Flying Dutchman – The Grand Junction

Glyn Maxwell and Laura Bowler's reworking of the mythic tale of the seaman condemned to sail the seas unless he finds his true love puts a topical spin on Wagner's 1843 opera, "Der fliegende Holländer". In this version, England's borders are closed to strangers, the vigilante Watch group scan the sea from the cliffs on the look-out for anyone trying to "invade", harsh measures are being implemented to deter those trying to cross the sea. One of the Watch, Starlight, begins to empathise with those seeking refuge and tries to persuade others to have more compassion. Mari, leader of the Watch and the antithesis of Starlight, sees her sympathy as treason. There's also a thread of unrequited love coming into play between Mari and Starlight. Meanwhile, the Mariner, injured and alone on his raft,...

Peter Pan – St. Paul’s Church, Covent Garden

14Jul

By Gonzalo SentanaNo Comments

London

Peter Pan – St. Paul’s Church, Covent Garden

The magic of fairy dust and imagination, the power of flying, and the enchantment of caring. Crocodiles and pirates, mermaids and the Lost Boys. What else could anyone possible want? Slapstick Picnic is presenting J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, a new version of the famous children's story, with a cast of three, in an outdoor stage version. Directed by Nel Crouch, designed by Ella Barraclough, and with movement direction by Jennifer Fletcher, the play is set in a simple stage, designed by Studio Polpo, with a few contraptions that will surprise the audience. However, the piece relies heavily on the acting prowess of the three performers: Charlotte Driessler, as Mr Darling, John, Tinker Bell, Smee, and Tootles; Lucy Green as Wendy, Nana, Hook, and Slightly; and William Ross-Fawcett as Mrs. Darl...

13Jul

By Gonzalo SentanaNo Comments

London

The Wizard of Oz – London Palladium

Life is but a dream on the other side of the rainbow. One that we live vividly and share with others to be better understood. And a yellow brick road through which we hop joyfully, finding others to help along the way. The return of the all-time classic The Wizard of Oz, adapted from the book by L. Frank Baum, with the music of Harold Arlen and Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg and Tim Rice, brings new images to the well-known story of this girl from Kansas and her slightly naughty little dog. This staging has Colin Richmond as the set designer, Shay Barclay as choreographer, George Dyer as musical director, and Nikolai Foster as the director. The story follows Dorothy, played by Georgina Onuorah, who lives in a farm with her uncle Henry, played by Geoffrey Aymer, and her a...

13Jul

By Akshay RahejaNo Comments

London

Cuckoo – Royal Court

Michael Wynne's play delves into the lives of a typical family, examining the profound impact of mobile phones on their relationships. Seventeen-year-old Megyn barricades herself inside her grandmother's bedroom following a heated family discussion, leaving her mother Carmel and sister Sarah deeply concerned. The play explores the isolation caused by these devices, their psychological allure, the troubles they pose for teenagers, and the detachment experienced in online encounters, devoid of genuine emotion. While Carmel's character is well-developed, her dismissal of her sister, mother, and daughter presents subjective and intriguing reactions, leaving the audience yearning for deeper exploration. Under the direction of Vicky Featherstone, the staging of Cuckoo remains straightforward ...

11Jul

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

London

Bones – Park Theatre

Rugby – a physically tough sport, with broken bones, but there is also a camaraderie around playing a team sport that creates a supportive network, all pulling together for ‘the Club.’ The players physical toughness belies the mental wranglings that go on with any team sportsperson before a match – will I be good enough today; I hope that I do not let the team down! Written by Lewis Aaron Wood, Bones delves into the mental health of the rugby player, in particular Ed (Ronan Cullen). Ed is used to being in the thick of the action, in the scrum, fighting for the ball, taking the knocks, beavering away in the background to help his team on to victory. His closest friends Charlie (Samuel Hoult) and Will (Ainsley Fannen) play for the same team, and the play begins with thei...