London Archives - Page 5 of 171

1Aug

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Tao of Glass – Sohoplace Theatre

Philip Glass born in 1937 is “celebrated as one of the most influential and prolific American composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, and he was a pioneer of musical minimalism”. His repetitive musical style is very different. Glass went on to write dozens of operas; such as Satyagraha and Akhnaten, symphonies, concertos, and chamber pieces. Tao of Glass—is the inspiring collaborative work of composer Philip Glass and writer/director Phelim McDermott This production delves deeply into the theatrical artistry of imaginative storytelling and hypnotic concert of musical theatre. With a touch of comedy and paper puppetry, beautifully performed with style and grace. Photo: Johan Persson It touches on an emotional journey through life, reflection and wonder portrayed through the eyes an...

Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical – Evolution London

30Jul

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical – Evolution London

Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical is a hugely entertaining experience that transports audiences straight into the world of Rydell High. Rather than simply watching the story unfold, you become part of it from the moment you arrive. Before entering Rydell High, guests are welcomed by a vibrant funfair set within the beautiful surroundings of Battersea Park. There are classic fairground games, including hook-a-duck and bean bag tosses, alongside rides that can be enjoyed using purchased tokens. It is a fantastic way to set the atmosphere before the performance begins and immediately captures the carefree spirit of Grease. The experience opens with the iconic film introduction projected onto a large screen, allowing audiences to relive Danny and Sandy's unforgettable summer romanc...

23Jul

By Gemma PrinceNo Comments

London

Good For Her! – The Other Palace

Written and performed by Mollie Semple and directed by Kayla Stokes, Good For Her! is a sharp solo show that explores ambition, womanhood and trying to find yourself within a world fuelled by social media comparisons. We follow 28-year-old aspiring actress Iris as she flits between ambition, envy and self-doubt whilst grappling with toxic family and feeling overshadowed by those she stalks on Instagram. Comparison being the thief of joy certainly rings true for Iris’ story, which Semple plays extremely well, as we see her “having it together” persona quickly deteriorate with her incessant need to feel like she is doing better than her peers, shown through her obsessive and constant doom scrolling. Iris’ fractured relationship with her narcissistic mother, whose declining health f...

22Jul

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

Alice in Wonderland – Riverside Studios

Neon-bright, fast-paced and generally faithful to Lewis Carroll's original, Penny Farrow's version of Alice in Wonderland is a joy. It's somehow simultaneously fresh and modern while remaining a classic. There are very convincing puppets for some of the characters (think Avenue Q meets the Muppets) but director Nate Bertone has not been tempted to shoehorn in any of the current theatrical gimmicks like digital screens and steadicams to distract from the action. All the favourite characters of this beloved tale show up, portrayed by a terrifically talented ensemble who give it their all and then some, with on-point comic timing. Bored Alice is feisty, curious and played with the perfect degree of sweetness by Ailsa Erskine. When she chases Clare Brice's energetic ...

The Hidden Dangers of Camping – Theatre Royal, Windsor

22Jul

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

The Hidden Dangers of Camping – Theatre Royal, Windsor

Liesl Wilke’s ‘The Hidden Dangers of Camping’ arrives at Theatre Royal Windsor for its world premiere with an intriguing premise and an impressively large production. The story begins with a family crisis in the present that pulls Casey (Jess Nesling) back into memories of a childhood camping trip, gradually revealing that this apparently idyllic weekend was anything but. The result is an absorbing, visually accomplished drama which examines the damage carried through families and the lasting effects of being exposed to adult behaviour at an impressionable age. Director Bronagh Lagan handles the movement between past and present particularly well. Casey’s therapist (Sandra James-Young) becomes an effective portal into her memories, allowing the play to slip between timelines with clarit...

20Jul

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

London

The Gruffalo – Lyric Theatre

As a child of the early noughties, I remember Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo as a distinctive cultural touchstone of my formative years. A couple of decades later, it’s been a while since I engaged with the classic British tale, so I was very happy to pop along to the Lyric Theatre on a sunny Sunday morning to watch Tall Stories’ musical adaptation in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Our storytellers are Rianna Kellman, Niall Hemingway, and Jordan Cottle, who introduce us to the deep, dark wood – in a beautiful set by Isla Shaw that feels like the perfect homage to Axel Scheffler’s iconic illustrations – where Mouse (Kellman) now resides. On the hunt for the perfect tasty nut, Mouse has to outwit the sneaky Fox, Owl, and Snake (all played by Cottle) before meeting the frightening Gr...

Pup Play: A Queer Pseudo-Lecture (of Sorts) – Barons Court Theatre

20Jul

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Pup Play: A Queer Pseudo-Lecture (of Sorts) – Barons Court Theatre

Part academic presentation, part confessional and part chaotic and confusing cabaret, ‘Pup Play: A Queer Pseudo-Lecture (of Sorts)’ is certainly unlike anything else currently appearing on London’s fringe theatre circuit. Written and performed by Dr. Noah Alfred Pantano, the production explores pup play, BDSM and queer identity through the highly eccentric persona of Professor Handler David. What begins as an enthusiastically delivered lecture soon expands into a deliberately unruly mixture of personal testimony, audience interaction (be prepared to bark like a dog), puppetry, multimedia and punk-infused musical interludes. Pantano’s research forms part of his doctoral work, and the production is most successful when it draws upon that academic foundation. It offers an interestin...

18Jul

By Stewart Who?No Comments

London

Firebird – Southwark Playhouse

My friend Eric, an Egyptian Muslim pulled me aside last week. He dragged me out of earshot from his mother, who eyed us both suspiciously while adjusting her hijab. ‘Can I ask you something?’ Eric whispered, fizzing with anxiety. ‘Is it true what they say about Muslim grooming gangs?’ I sighed, weary at a right-wing narrative that’s now fuelling doubt in the community it seeks to demonise. It’s a live situation, unfolding in real time. ‘Yes, Eric,’ I replied, cautiously. ‘But it’s complex and toxic. Sex offenders of Muslim heritage DO exist, but they get outsize media attention. Waaaaaay more than white British groomers. AND it’s a social media shitstorm for clicks and clout.’ Eric could barely look at me. My careworn brain reeled with grisly memories of drunken, ugly fights wi...

16Jul

By Saloni SanwalkaNo Comments

London

The Oresteia – Bridge Theatre

The Oresteia begins with a 360-degree revolution of its stage—a two-story glass-walled house— and the slow reveal of its inhabitants. It is an arresting sight which instantly fixes the audience to their seats. Over the course of three and a half hours, writer and director Simon Stone brings Aeschylus’ eponymous trilogy to the modern day with a script that is intense and astonishingly funny. Coupled with an award-worthy ensemble performance, The Oresteia more than matches the scale of its ambition. The play centres on a wealthy British family— the Middeltons, standing in for the House of Atreus— and follows their violent unravelling across one decade. While the idea of adapting a story about double matricide to 21st century norms seems absurd, Stone succeeds in the endeavour with marvell...

Ali in Wonder(Eng)Land – Jacksons Lane Theatre

15Jul

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Ali in Wonder(Eng)Land – Jacksons Lane Theatre

This rather clumsily titled play is the “rabbit hole” to a rather fascinating 75 minutes of devised drama by the LegalAliens Theatre’s Tottenham Project which reimagines Lewis Carroll's famous Alice in Wonderland as the experience of an immigrant trying to negotiate the English immigration system and cultures. Directed by Lara Prlmiani the play was first created in 2023 and has now been updated for the current production at the Jacksons Lane Theatre. Each successive cast, all of whom are immigrants from a wide range of countries, bring their own perspectives of their challenges in settling in England to the text. The use of Lewis Carroll's famous story as a template was an inspired idea since nothing could be more English and yet it is very effectively and humorously used to illus...