London Archives - Page 7 of 174

I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical – Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

5Aug

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

London

I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical – Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

With everyone from Tina Turner to Frank Sinatra getting the jukebox musical biopic treatment as of late, it’s no surprise that “Queen of Funk” Chaka Khan wanted to get in on the action. But what is a surprise, sadly, is how her magnetic star power and iconic discography has been boiled down to such a muddled, lacklustre production as this. After teasing us with a few bars of the title track, the show starts by transporting us to a rehab session for Chaka (Alexandra Burke), attended by her loved ones. Before long, we’re sent back on a whistle-stop of her life and traumas, including her relationship with her heroin-loving father, her Yoruba naming ceremony, her affiliation with Fred Hampton and the Black Panthers, her two failed marriages, and her spiral into drug addiction. The problem i...

5Aug

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Bathroom – Etcetera Theatre

‘Bathroom’ is a beautiful, deeply affecting piece of theatre, defined by vulnerability and an acute understanding of what happens when love is strained by emotional distance, language and cultural difference. Written and directed by Yijing Zou, this intimate two-hander explores the challenges of living and working abroad as a non-native speaker. Its storytelling is compassionate without becoming sentimental, gently confronting racism, the expectations we place upon our partners and the cumulative toll of navigating a multicultural environment. Inspired by Edvard Munch’s 1896 painting “Separations”, the production asks a painful question: “what remains when love can no longer bridge the space between two people?” Jinyu Dan, playing Siwen Yao, and Bowen Sun, as Shiming Liang, are e...

The Alternative to Living – Baron’s Court Theatre

4Aug

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

The Alternative to Living – Baron’s Court Theatre

‘The Alternative to Living’ is an ambitious piece that aims to explore uncomfortable themes through deeply fragmented storytelling and experimental theatre. The central concept has genuine promise, inviting the audience to reflect on their very existence, their digital identity, and the way we construct meaning from fractured modern life experiences, however unfortunately, the execution and underdeveloped script struggle struggles to realise the potential at the heart of the idea. The writing feels intentionally disjointed, with dialogue frequently delivered in half sentences and broken thoughts. While this may have been a deliberate artistic choice from writer Fenn Telfer, it creates a barrier rather than a sense of intrigue. Instead of building tension or emotional depth, the frag...

White Bitch Bingo – Baron’s Court Theatre

4Aug

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

White Bitch Bingo – Baron’s Court Theatre

Caroline Cole's ‘White Bitch Bingo’ is less a stand-up comedy than a warm and fuzzy, confessional storytelling hour, wrapped around a game of bingo and sprinkled with just the right amount of audience interaction. Billed as an exploration of privilege, identity and the contradictions of modern America, it never becomes preachy, instead it relies on Cole's natural warmth and self-deprecating humour to keep the audience firmly on side. The bingo element proves to be the evening's strongest theatrical device, and it gives the audience a genuine sense of participation creates an easy rapport and reminds us that everyone enjoys the simple thrill of winning and walking away with a prize! Those interactive moments inject welcome energy into what is otherwise an extended personal monologue....

3Aug

By Holly SewellNo Comments

London

Ophelia — Etcetera Theatre

Ophelia by TheArchive is, in the company’s own words, not an adaptation; not a rewrite; it’s a reckoning. In Samuel George-Thomas’ new script, co-directed with Ava Benkova, the eponymous tragic heroine is given the opportunity to explain what really went down between her and Hamlet during the collapse of their relationship in Shakespeare’s play. TheArchive’s beautiful production steers clear of the cliché and contrived sass which sometimes accompany feminist retellings of famous stories, and instead leans into the poetry of Shakespeare’s language, the sincerity of Ophelia’s character, and the impossible double-bind of existing as a woman in a man’s world. The action of Ophelia takes place broadly over the same time period as Hamlet, often behind the closed doors of Ophelia’s room. I...

1Aug

By Eleanor HallNo Comments

London

Cleansed – The Almeida

I have heard Cleansed be described as unreviewable. Is this owing to its explicit, horrific imagery? Or its polarisation of audiences into the enthused and the disgusted? Tinkler, a doctor-drug-dealer, acts as puppeteer to lovers Rod and Carl; to siblings-turned lovers Graham and Grace; and to the juvenile Robin. Set in a university - although deeply unclear until spelled out by Dan Rebellato’s poignant programme notes - the trios and pairs of people are stretched to their limit. The initial scenes take on surreal stakes. The smallest of choices bear the greatest of consequences. The question of why these choices are made seem to be the play’s very pulse. The choreography was captivating, unsurprising given it is a recognisable Frecknall feature. Muscular contractions are reminiscent...

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 ...