Drayton Arms Theatre Archives - North West End UK

12Mar

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Birds of Passage – Drayton Arms Theatre

This is a new play with contemporary resonance. It takes place on the fictional Greek island of Zandros, where Emma, Bill and Sandra have been booked in to a beautiful hotel overlooking the sea. They notice a strange-looking concrete building in their sightline, which did not feature in any of the holiday company brochure pictures. It turns out to be a reception/detention centre for refugees who arrive by sea, and it's not long before they come face-to-face with the exacerbated refugee crisis, which upsets their holiday plans and changes their lives. Initially, the play is slow to get going with the characters appearing to be rather one-dimensional, and the dialogue rather stilted. However, as the plot develops it becomes more engaging, with the characters having to react to the develop...

2May

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Constellations – Drayton Arms Theatre

In the extremely intimate space of The Drayton Arms Theatre, Burnt Orange Theatre Company presents Nick Payne's ‘Constellations’ under the masterful direction and production of Rosie Thomas. The play delves into the intricate tapestry of human relationships through the stories of string theorist Marianne and beekeeper Roland, in a way that defies theatrical norms, intertwining multiple alternate narratives and exploring the complexities of love through the lens of quantum physics. Sounds complex, but through this beautiful and heartwarming production, audiences are swept into the lives of various characters as they navigate forwards, backwards and sideways, the vast expanse of human emotions, from profound love to heartbreaking loss. ‘Constellations’ is a truly exceptional piece of ...

29Apr

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

The Tempest – Drayton Arms Theatre

Burnt Orange Theatre Rep Company bring The Tempest to life. In the black box theatre setting, the troupe form a striking ensemble with sizzling choreography as well as impressive individual performances. Such dynamic storytelling with swift transitions made Shakespeare’s language accessible and engaging. The group was cohesive and nimble, heaving to and fro throughout like the waves and the ship, and producing surreal hissing and clicking sound collages. I loved the interpretation of Ariel, with four actors embodying the spirit. They really captured the magic and elemental nature of the play. Ioan Oosthuizen’s fraught Prospero was heavy with responsibility, and it was charming to see his lighter side and fatherly affection around his daughter. As the principal storyteller in the ...

An Absolute Farce of a Murder Mystery – Drayton Arms Theatre

3Mar

By Gonzalo SentanaNo Comments

London

An Absolute Farce of a Murder Mystery – Drayton Arms Theatre

Seeing a play taking on a very well-known genre and trying to reference it, turning it into something different, is an entertaining and educational experience, though things can turn out less interesting than expected, if the intentions are better than the implementation. This show, written by Peter Rae, and directed by Helen Bang, both doubling as actors, is an attempt at making fun of the genre of the Murder Mystery trope. While the intentions are clear from the beginning, the actual running of the show is a hot mess of overly saturated references and misplaced punchlines. The show starts with "Manning – The Butler", portrayed by Christian Ballantyne, who is cleaning some props on stage, and makes the first attempt at getting the audience to laugh, when spitting a candleholder whil...

12Feb

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Fabulett 1933 – Drayton Arms Theatre

"Fabulett 1933" at the Drayton Arms Theatre presented a thought-provoking and bold take on the impact of the rise of fascism in 1933 Germany on the queer community. Michael Trauffer, who wrote and performed the one-man musical, deserves applause for his ambition in connecting a historical piece to today's world, where many societies are moving to the right. He did a fine job in embodying Felix, the host of Berlin's “most decadent” club, with his portrayal of the flamboyant character, wearing various costumes, including black leather, big skirts, sequined caps and a whip. However, the limited time for plot development and a lack of tension throughout the piece detracted from its overall impact. The inclusion of surprising details, such as the attendance of Nazi officers at the club, of c...

30Mar

By Aditi DalalNo Comments

London

The Other – Drayton Arms Theatre

Packing boxes and walls with scribbles draw the audience into a unique house as they enter. A sentence is written on the walls. It is then spoken aloud. The rest of the show then embodies it. Delicately presented with light moments of interaction with the audience, ‘the other’ is explored in its many forms and feelings. Tracing the journey of a family, as witnessed by the walls of the house they lived in, the show explores their relationships with each other and with their home. As they seek to find a new house, we are taken down memory lane of the bitter and sweet happenings over the years. The nuanced direction of Ariella Stoian brilliantly uses everyday objects to make meaning of people and their emotional journeys. The use of chalk, in particular, is a strong motif. It can be eas...