“Peter Pan Goes Wrong”: The West End’s Spectacular Failure

Fifteen minutes before the show begins, an actor Dennis (Clark Devlin), who is dressed in an oversized pyjama top, scampers into the theatre via the main entrance. The stage manager Trevor (Chris Leask) gives him a massive bollocking. “You’re late!” Trevor bellows, “Your call time was an hour ago!” Peter Pan goes wrong before Peter Pan Goes Wrong. As audiences continue to file into the … Continue reading “Peter Pan Goes Wrong”: The West End’s Spectacular Failure

“Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen” Review

Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen is a phrase that would resonate with probably everyone. With how the world currently is, human civilisation seems on the brink of collapse. Despite its relatable title, Marcelo Dos Santos’ one-man play is actually about a rather unusual and specific situation. The Comedian (Samuel Barnett) talks about his relationship with a man who has cataplexy––simply … Continue reading “Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen” Review

“A Christmas Carol” Review: The Old Vic establishes its own festive tradition.

For the seventh year in a row, The Old Vic presents their classic rendition of the famous Christmas ghost story, A Christmas Carol. Director Matthew Warchus returns to direct this famous ghost story, which remains a timeless lesson in compassion and humanity’s capacity for redemption. Rob Howell’s set and costumes are back once again with Hugh Vanstone’s lighting design, Hugh Simon Bakers’s sound design and … Continue reading “A Christmas Carol” Review: The Old Vic establishes its own festive tradition.

“Nineteen Gardens” Review: Class Disparity, Lust and Blackmail

Nineteen Gardens by Magdalena Miecznicka tackles class disparity and the housing crisis in under an hour, through conversations between ex-lovers. One of them has had her life bent from the breakup, while the other continues on track with his, straight as an arrow.  Despite being staged in an intimate 100-seater studio, the production design somehow creates a clear sense of distance between the audience and … Continue reading “Nineteen Gardens” Review: Class Disparity, Lust and Blackmail

Quick Take! (Lizzie The Musical)

Lizzie The Musical is essentially a punk rock concert with fantastic music written by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, featuring the mind-blowing vocals of Maiya Quansah-Breed, Shekina McFarlane, Ayesha Patel and Emma Louise Hoey. Despite being based on a riveting true crime story, the book by Tim Maner carries a rather thin plot. Director and choreographer William Whelton’s staging choices are rather flat and … Continue reading Quick Take! (Lizzie The Musical)

Feature: Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize 2023

The winners of the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize 2023 are Rachel Walker Mason and Nina Sundstrom for their song ‘Drown Without Water’. This winning number comes from their musical, The Circle, written by Eloise Hodder, which revolves around the lives of five women who have become virtually invisible within the complexity of their roles as mothers, wives, daughters, teachers, and friends. The … Continue reading Feature: Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize 2023

“Passing” Review: Identity and Family Clash in this Family Drama

Dan Sareen’s new play Passing tackles what identity truly means when one grows up biracial. Rachel Singh (Amy-Leigh Hickman) organises her family’s first Diwali, after many years of celebrating Christmas. And no, they are definitely not the same. One might criticise the sheer number of topics Sareen attempts to cram into his script, but fortunately, the dialogue is hilarious and heartfelt, punchy and playful. Passing … Continue reading “Passing” Review: Identity and Family Clash in this Family Drama

Flat and the Curves Review: A Filthy Cabaret of Unbridled Fun

Flat and the Curves promises to bring you a Girls Night Out, and ends up bringing the house down for everyone with 90 minutes of non-stop entertainment. With an original playlist of their “classics” and some brand-new never-performed numbers, Girls Night Out is a filthy cabaret of unbridled fun. Performers Katy Baker, Charlotte Brooke, Issy Wroe Wright and Elle Sutton* dazzle onstage in their sequinned … Continue reading Flat and the Curves Review: A Filthy Cabaret of Unbridled Fun

“The Interview” Review: A Blend of Fact & Speculation

One of the first questions anyone would ask after looking at a poster of Jonathan Maitland’s The Interview, is whether the actor playing Diana, Princess of Wales, will do a proper job of depicting her onstage. In this production, directed by Michael Fentiman, the answer is a clear yes. Without completely impersonating this iconic historical figure, Yolanda Kettle does an incredible job, by highlighting the mannerisms … Continue reading “The Interview” Review: A Blend of Fact & Speculation