Richmond Theatre Archives - Page 2 of 3

The Beekeeper of Aleppo – Richmond Theatre

3May

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

The Beekeeper of Aleppo – Richmond Theatre

‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’, adapted for the stage by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, is based on Christy Lefteri's bestselling novel. The play follows the story of Nuri, a beekeeper, and his wife Afra as they navigate a dangerous journey from war-torn Syria to the UK. The couple's experiences are shaped by the trauma they faced during the war, and the challenges they encounter as refugees seeking safety and a new home. As Nuri and Afra struggle through Turkey and Greece, leaving behind the shattered remains of their lives, audiences bear witness to their resilience and strength and see the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Lefteri's novel is a powerful story that offers a glimpse into the harsh realities faced by refugees, and the play adaptation seeks to bring th...

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...

Charlotte and Theodore – Richmond Theatre

22Mar

By Marita MatarNo Comments

London

Charlotte and Theodore – Richmond Theatre

‘Is this so bad if they see their mother succeed?’ – Charlotte In the wake of movements related to feminism, LGBTQIA+, disabled bodies, protected groups, hegemonies and systematic inherited structures, Charlotte and Theodore written by Ryan Craig, directed by Terry Johnson, performed by Kris Marshall (Theodore) and Eve Ponsonby (Charlotte) addresses the intricating and the strenuous gaps, that exist between people of different identities and age when talking about inclusivity, gender, pronouns, dilemmas of cancel culture, and dominant groups, etc. The 90 minutes long play proposes solutions, perhaps? Not in the same way Billy Wilder did in Some like it Hot but rather by following the evolution of conversation between two lovers and two professors, at different points in their lives. ...

Pride and Prejudice (*Sort Of) – Richmond Theatre

14Feb

By Zara OdetundeNo Comments

London

Pride and Prejudice (*Sort Of) – Richmond Theatre

After an extremely successful run in the West End, this retelling of Jane Austen’s most famous love story is on tour, and I had the pleasure of viewing their Richmond theatre stop. This is the classic story we all know told through a very different lens. Pride and prejudice (*sort of) is a masterclass in comedic storytelling and audience engagement. The story starts with the servants of Austen’s iconic characters detailing their involvement in making sure these love stories end the way we all know and love. This is one of the funniest plays that I have seen in a while with so many laugh out loud moments, that I think I was laughing for 2 and half hours straight. There were multiple points in the show where the audience burst into spontaneous applause born from the sheer hilarity of t...

<strong>Nerubashenko Ballet presents Swan Lake – Richmond Theatre</strong>

14Jan

By Zoё MeeresNo Comments

London

Nerubashenko Ballet presents Swan Lake – Richmond Theatre

I should start this by qualifying up front that while I enjoy the ballet, I am by no means a seasoned or knowledgeable audience member. I find ballet staggeringly impressive in terms of the talent and physical/athletic demands and beautiful as an art form while still thinking things like “I wonder if her feet hurt” and “I hope he doesn’t drop her”. With that in mind, we continue… The story of Swan Lake is the stuff of fairy tales – prince falls in love with enchanted swan-woman, is tricked by evil magician into falling for an evil look alike; it’s all very Disney. The musical score will be recognisable event to those who have never been to the ballet before, so it’s one of my ‘entry level’ ballet suggestions for people who are keen to go. I’ve always thought of a trip to the ballet a...

<strong>Mrs Warren’s Profession – Richmond Theatre</strong>

23Nov

By Paul AckroydNo Comments

London

Mrs Warren’s Profession – Richmond Theatre

George Bernard Shaw wrote Mrs Warren's profession in 1893. It was immediately banned by the Lord Chamberlain, and it was not until 1925 that it had its first public performance. A lot has changed in the last hundred years, and there is little in the text now which would scandalise. Indeed, given that it is dealing with issues of prostitution it is surprisingly coy in its use of language. The core of the play is the relationship and conflict between Mrs Warren, who has made a prosperous living through her prostitution business, and her daughter, who has benefited, largely unknowingly, from the financial security and educational and economic advantages which her mother's wealth has provided her. In this production, the mother and daughter are played by real mother and daughter Caroline an...

28Sep

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Noughts & Crosses – Richmond Theatre

‘Noughts & Crosses’, adapted for the stage by Sabrina Mahfouz for Pilot Theatre, is based on a series of young adult novels written by critically acclaimed British Author, Malorie Blackman. The series includes six novels and three novellas, all of which take place in an alternative 21st-century Britain, where the Crosses operate complete power over the Noughts, and where inequality and discrimination form the backbone of society, guiding the moral and constitutional compass. In Mahfouz’s adaptation, Sephy (Effie Ansah) is a Cross, she is dark-skinned and part of the elite class. Sephy’s people call the shots. Callum (James Arden) is a Nought, he is light-skinned and lower-class. He and his family are struggling to survive. The pair have been friends for an eternity, and whilst segre...

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Richmond Theatre

30Jun

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Richmond Theatre

‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’ by Jim Cartwright comes to West London’s Richmond Theatre this week as part of a national tour. An award winning, life-affirming play, originally introduced to the stage in 1992, but made famous by the screen adaptation starting Jane Horrocks and Brenda Blethyn. The story of Little Voice (LV) and Mari Hoff, a timeless classic exploring the highs and the lows of small-town dreams, family rivalry and finding your voice in a noisy world. The current production, directed by Bronagh Lagan has so much potential, and promises an uplifting and timeless tale. With a seasoned cast including the brilliant Shobna Gulati (Mari Hoff), Ian Kelsey (Ray Say), and Fiona Mulvaney (Sadie), plus the mega talented international sensation, Christina Bianco in the lead role ...

The Rocky Horror Show – Richmond Theatre

24May

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

The Rocky Horror Show – Richmond Theatre

A spectacular, innovative, and fun rock and roll musical, Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party and enjoyable evening for all. The popular and timeless classic songs are of course featured, including Sweet Transvestite, Damn It Janet, and the entertaining, wacky, and fabulous Time Warp, that is sure to leave audiences feeling overwhelming elation. Before the show begins, you can feel the electric atmosphere in the building. This cult classic, first premiered in 1973, has a huge following of all ages, with many in the audience dressed in cosplay and in the spirit of the characters in the show. There was huge anticipation before the show began, and as soon as the instrumental of Time Warp began, the audience was captivated. The show opened with the character of Bett...

28Mar

By Louise PennNo Comments

London

Dracula – Richmond Theatre

When actor James Gaddas received an offer to work on a television documentary exploring the origins of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, it sent him into an obsessive investigation to discover the truth behind the myth. Such is the premise of this new adaptation, in which Gaddas is not only the writer but performer of fifteen different characters. Bringing Stoker’s novel to life is something many others have done from the days of the silent screen: if you haven’t read the book, you have surely seen one of the film, television or stage adaptations. But what if Stoker had really meant to write a work of non-fiction about vampiric activity, and what if an investigation into his real intentions is cursed? As Gaddas tells the story of his interaction with documentary evidence and a trail which takes...