London Archives - Page 52 of 115

The Woman Who Turned into A Tree – The Omnibus Theatre

7Apr

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

The Woman Who Turned into A Tree – The Omnibus Theatre

Presented by Omnibus Theatre and Collide Theatre, The Woman Who Turned into a Tree is an examination into external validation and the pressures placed on a young woman in today’s age. As a woman rhythmically sways in a dark, grungy club, an identically dressed woman enters the stage and the two watch each other intently. Daphne, as she introduces herself, is an ambitious event organiser fuelled by a need to fulfil this fantastical self-idealisation she constructed. Gradually, a force takes over and guides her towards freedom and finding peace in herself, as she metaphorically transforms into a tree. Her battle between different self-concepts is visually represented through the two versions of Daphne. Bathsheba Piepe conveys Daphne’s wide-eyed furious desperation, sinuously moving betwee...

JV2 Program Premiere – Lilian Bayliss Studio

7Apr

By Marita MatarNo Comments

London

JV2 Program Premiere – Lilian Bayliss Studio

Dancers from the JV2 Professional Development Diploma program presented a dance ensemble of choreographies led and devised by Vinicius Salles for the piece ‘It’s Not Unusual’ and André Rebelo for the piece ‘Mystique’, two associates of the Jasmin Vardiman Company, together with the dancer’s creative input throughout the processes. For several years, the JV2 Professional Development Program led young artists to develop multi-disciplinary skills alongside a rigorous training in technique to train artists and go forward with their careers. ‘It’s Not Unusual’ commences with the dancers entering the space, occupying it one by one with an interesting exposition of masculinity performed by a cast predominantly assigned females. One could easily pinpoint the masculinity investigated; the to...

7Apr

By Gonzalo SentanaNo Comments

London

Electra Untitled – The Cockpit

Bloody your hands if your story is being told without you having a say in it. "Dance, dance, furies, lock your arms!". This rendition of Electra's part of Greek mythology, produced and presented by Vertebra Theatre, explores the story of this controversial character, with the legacy it has had in theatre, through the eyes of four actors and a director, who devised and interpreted it: Alexa Komari, Emilie Largier, Masumi Saito, Elena Stamoulakatou, Mayra Sergiou. Sergiou oversaw the concept, the adaptation and the direction as well. On stage, we also see Gregory Emfietzis, who composed the music and plays the violin, the drum and the electronics. The play introduces us to the pathos of Elektra's story immediately, through the image of four faceless, red-tinted actors, covered in drape...

6Apr

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

Home, I’m Darling – Richmond Theatre

Being a domestic goddess is not as easy as it seems… This new and innovative thought-provoking comedy tells the story of Julia (Jessica Ransom) and her husband Johnny (Neil McDermott) in their quest to becoming the perfect 1950s couple. Set in modern day, Julia and Johnny decide to lean strongly into the idea of being a traditional 50s couple, even refurbishing their home and lifestyle in order to fit into the mould. A voluntary redundancy takes Julia from a modern working professional into a traditional housewife’s role, and what started out as a six-month trial period turned into a three-year ‘experiment’. The intricate, bright and colourful set is a major character of this show, the detail bringing the action on stage to life and allowing the cast to use the entirety of the spa...

6Apr

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Sap – Soho Theatre

Originally performed at Edinburgh Fringe, I was eager to know why this show was a consistent sell out during the festival. Writer, Rafaella Marcus has brought us a retelling of the Greek myth ‘Daphne’ sought after by Apollo and to escape him turns herself into a tree. Often used as a device exploring sexual assault and violence however in this story, Daphne is Bisexual who is desperately ashamed and would much rather lie than confront the people she loves. With one lie, a seed is planted and from that a dark and tragic path is laid out. Only a 70 minute piece and every second completely enchanting to watch, two actors (Jessica Clark and Rebecca Banatvala) swerve through the space like seasoned pros with every click, move and nod perfectly synchronised with the lights and sound. Moving a...

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide – Apollo Theatre

5Apr

By Stewart Who?No Comments

London

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide – Apollo Theatre

The buzz around this play got fizzing when it first landed at the New Diorama Theatre in 2021. By the time it transferred to the Royal Court the following year, it had a grass roots momentum that grew without the help of critics or reviews. It became a sell-out sensation long before the big nods and nominations that are currently adding to the wild applause from enthusiastic audiences. For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets to Heavy by Ryan Calais Cameron has just transferred to the Apollo in the risk-averse and cheesy West End. It’s shaking up the quo and breaking down barriers with dizzying skill and gusto. Before the curtain went up, it was thrilling to note that it felt like an EVENT. The air crackled with excitement and anticipation. This was a largely blac...

2Apr

By Marita MatarNo Comments

London

Astoria – Jack Studio Theatre

‘There is so much we will never know’. Astoria written and directed by Tony Britten tells the story of Jura Soyfer, an Austrian political journalist and cabaret writer. His work was smuggled from Vienna and people worked hard to save it and archive it. The play is also the mouthpiece of this archive made visible in a performance. On stage we saw Jura Soyfer/Paul performed by Joshua Ginsberg, his partner Helli (Helene) Ultmann/Gwendolyn/Rosa (Olivia Benjamin,) as well as the group of actors and writers who were striving to keep the theater alive in a time where Germany is poised to annex Austria, in 1937, Jimmy Berg/Pistoletti/ The Applicant (Sam Denia), John Lehman (Taylor Danson), and Martin Miller/Hupka (Benjamin Chandler). Astoria appeared to be challenging modern ideas of a state...

31Mar

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

You Bury Me – Orange Tree Theatre

‘You Bury Me’ unearths a young woman's longing for hope, her city and love. Don’t miss the show for its heartfelt performance and fantastic script. Ahlam's 'You Bury Me' is a coming-of-age love letter to adolescent curiosity, revolution and cities. Set in Cairo, it captures the life and times of young teenagers a few years after the Arab spring revolution. The Paines Plough co-production, interspersed with vigorous ensemble choreography and pop culture references, realistically brings on stage friends, bloggers, and students' lives, expressing themselves against the backdrop of an almost invisible oppressive regime. Set to the noise and chaos of a bustling city portrayed through its soundscapes and poetry. Cairo is like the character for the author, a muse and a longing. The team's c...

31Mar

By Julia PanovaNo Comments

London

Berlusconi – Southwark Playhouse

Silvio Berlusconi: renowned former Italian prime-minister, celebrated billionaire and the self-proclaimed ‘Jesus Christ of politics.’ But perhaps, that’s just one side to his story... Performed at the Southwark Playhouse, ‘Berlusconi’ is a pop-rock musical communicating to audiences the affects this political leader has had on those close to him in addition to the affects he has caused among the global masses. However, beyond the topic of the property mogul himself, this is a piece of theatre about power. How it’s gained, how it’s misused, how it’s taken advantage of and the devastating consequences of it. What enticed me about this production was how it was framed through the device of media. One of the female leads, Fama who was played Jenny Fitzpatrick, was a news reporter, report...

Gone Too Far! – Theatre Royal Stratford East

31Mar

By Gonzalo SentanaNo Comments

London

Gone Too Far! – Theatre Royal Stratford East

As a young immigrant, seeing one's own problems and conflicts being represented on stage is a strong message of resistance and support. When a text is straightforward and the acting is full of life, nothing can go wrong. Gone Too Far!, written by Bola Agbaje and Directed by Monique Touko, is a clear and dynamic play, being staged again in Theatre Royal Stratford East after premiering in 2007 as a commissioned work for the Royal Court Theatre. Here, problems are faced straight on, without any fears of provoking booing or indignation from the audience. I found myself sighing and sitting on the edge of my seat, uncomfortable with some of the situations that the main characters had to go through. As soon as the piece starts, we are introduced to the two main characters: Yemi, played by J...