London Archives - Page 93 of 114

25Nov

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

London

Constellations – Donmar Warehouse

“We’ve effectively asked the same question twice and come up with two completely different answers” says Marianne… and there, in a nutshell, is the essence of this beautiful play by Nick Payne. Constellations tells the journey of a relationship, but it is not told in order from start to finish. Instead, you see multiple possibilities for each conversation as the story unfolds, highlighting the various key points as Roland and Marianne meet and fall in love. Along the way it makes you question life’s purpose, and the control you think you have over your own situation. The writing is clever, and full of nuance; fully realised by the careful direction of Michael Longhurst. It would be easy for a production like this to become repetitive and slow, but the cast and creative teams have wor...

24Nov

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Rumi: The Musical – London Coliseum

Such a spectacular piece can only be matched with the grand space of the London Coliseum; however, I feel this musical may have struggled to reach to the far edges due to its complexity and subtlety. Rumi is a world-famous poet, many know him without knowing they know him, and this piece does an excellent re-telling played by the talented Nadim Naaman who voice, like many of the cast, has no problem with reaching the heights of the theatre. Matched with Ramin Karimloo who plays his guide and equal in learning, with a 28-piece orchestra, this musical experience is no less than magic. The style and intention, however, was quite unclear. Knowing that this is an idea come to life in lockdown and has been a work in progress for a while I feel slightly forgiving to the unclear moments howe...

22Nov

By Gaurav SinghNo Comments

London

Juliet & Romeo – The Chelsea Theatre

One common criticism about Shakespeare’s work (and any attempts stage in today’s day and age) is the inaccessibility of the language as well as the socio-political environment of the Elizabethan era which is harder for contemporary audiences to relate to. Both these concerns are allayed spectacularly in the Intermission Youth Theatre’s (IYT) adaptation of the bard’s Juliet & Romeo (note the change in order) that’s currently playing at the Chelsea Theatre. In an exciting and urgent production directed by IYT Artistic Director Darren Raymond, we witness an ensemble of young actors (some stepping on the stage for the first time) breathe fresh life into words written over 400 years ago and do so in a way that allows them to own the truth of the characters they embody. This is backed by ...

Le Petit Chaperon Rouge – Coronet Theatre

20Nov

By Gaurav SinghNo Comments

London

Le Petit Chaperon Rouge – Coronet Theatre

Adapting a world-renowned children’s tale for the stage is never an easy task, for one must find a judicious balance between the source text’s reliance on the reader’s imagination and the multisensorial viewpoints afforded by live action. For French playwright and director Joël Pommerat, this isn’t a new challenge. His new interpretation of his 2006 play for children ‘Le Petit Chaperon Rouge’ (Little Red Riding Hood) premiered for UK audiences at the Coronet Theatre on 17th November 2021. This was the first in a trilogy of fairy tales that have been adapted by Pommerat for the stage, having previously directed ‘Pinnochio’ in 2008 and ‘Cendrillon’ (Cindrella) in 2011. With minimal stage design and measured performances by the ensemble of performers, Pommerat’s treatment brings forth a darke...

19Nov

By Gemma PrinceNo Comments

London

Little Women The Musical – Park Theatre

Little Women, Louisa May Alcott’s semi-autobiographical tale has been brought to life in this charming musical adaptation. The show first opened on Broadway in 2005, starring Sutton Foster and has been revived by Bronagh Lagan’s adaptation at the Park Theatre in London. The show stays somewhat faithful to the novel, following the lives of the four March sisters, Jo (Lydia White), Meg (Hana Ichijo), Beth (Anastasia Martin) and Amy (Mary Moore) who live in Massachusetts with their mother whilst their father is away as a chaplain during the Civil War. Alcott’s narrative, with all its nuances and details, is quite a difficult story to replicate especially in a musical structure, which emerges in this adaptation. Designed by Nik Corrall, the set was stripped down and simple, yet worked we...

18Nov

By Gaurav SinghNo Comments

London

Holier Than Thou – Canal Cafe Theatre

For many of us, it’s the steadfast faith and belief into something bigger than ourselves is what keeps us grounded. The presence of religion (and associated rituals) in our every day lives cannot be discounted, especially in the UK where the Christian way of life finds itself in conversation one way or the other. For these reasons, the central premise of Freaky Geese Theatre’s new comedy ‘Holier Than Thou’ holds a lot of promise, but it doesn’t offer a substantial dramatic argument beyond a handful of clever one-liners and an intriguing character profile. Directed by Rhys Ashcroft and written by Dan Le Friec, we meet Reverend Keith Lorraine, who is struggling with his faith (and profession) after a series of intriguing encounters that have prompted him to have a ‘chat’ with the big boss...

17Nov

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

London

Lost Origin – Hoxton Docks

Cards on the table: I am a huge fan of immersive theatre. So, when I saw immersive pioneers Factory 42 had teamed up with Almeida Theatre and Sky to create ‘Lost Origin’, I was sold. The mission? In groups of six, participants turn undercover investigators as part of Wing 7 to crack an illegal dark web marketplace. The location of the experience in Hoxton Docks sets the scene. It’s a rundown building on the fringes of East London’s trendy nightlife. Greeted by special ops, you and your group are briefed on the mission and then taken off by Marsha, a crack coder with a slightly unstable personality. The experience fuses technology, performance and incredible set design in a 60-minute journey which sees you immerse yourself in solving the mystery. The different room themes are am...

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike – Charing Cross Theatre

16Nov

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike – Charing Cross Theatre

In rural Pennsylvania, Vanya and his adopted sister Sonia live a quiet life of Chekhovian ennui and bitterness, after having cared for their parents in the family home. Their bickering is interspersed with hankering after a better, more fulfilled life and thoughts of what might have been. Into this pit of despair and coffee comes their hand-grenade of a sister, Masha, an escapee from the countryside who fled to the bright lights of Hollywood, achieving a degree of fame and fortune, and revelling in her perceived superiority. The three siblings seem destined to live out the lives of their namesakes, throwing in references to The Cherry Orchard (not really an orchard) and The Seagull (here a wild turkey), with misery and calamity foretold by Cassandra, their psychic and Voodoo-loving cleaner...

13Nov

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Sessions – Soho Theatre

In a small upstairs theatre, we meet a man- Tunde and he’s about to turn 30. We are welcomed in by him in the small corners of his room, filled with cardboard boxes and an atmosphere consumed with music. We begin as he begins his first therapy session which he thought right to attend so he can start going to the gym again, wanting to look good for his upcoming birthday. However, through the excessive laughter and narration of his running thoughts during these sessions, we hear and see him break down into something a lot more fragile. Within this time, we watch Tunde bounce back and forth through stability and never-ending deep waters, learning a lot more about what he has lost in avoiding the most vulnerable parts of himself. Ifeyinwa Frederick (the writer) has an incredible ability to ...

13Nov

By Zoё MeeresNo Comments

London

Abigail’s Party – Park Theatre

What’s the word for when something just works? When you find a bag that perfectly matches your shoes, or you make every green light on your way to work, or you discover the perfect synergy of someone’s least favourite chocolate being your favourite, and vice versa, meaning that you can get rid of the underwhelming soft centres and enjoy all the toffee-filled goodness your heart desires. Whatever that word is, it’s how I felt about last night’s production of Abigail’s Party at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park. The casting, the performances, the staging, the design – everything just worked, coming together to create a glorious night of theatre. I’d never been to the Park Theatre before but will definitely be back. Last night’s performance took place in the smaller of the spaces there wit...