A Night with Janis Joplin review: Too loud, but exquisite melancholia August 29, 2024 A Night with Janis Joplin review and star rating: ★★★★ “They said the bad thing about women is that they don’t think before they speak – but that’s the best thing,” says Mary Bridget Davies as Janis Joplin in this musical celebration of the rock ‘n’ roll singer, who died from a heroin dose in [...]
Sad Oompa Loompa actor: I’ve been offered no mental health support since Willy Wonka fiasco in Glasgow August 22, 2024 Vicky Paterson was the ‘sad Oompa Loompa’ in the globally derided Willy Wonka Experience in Glasgow. It has led to a paid acting job at the Fringe in a Willy Wonka parody spin-off, but the viral attention has been exhausting. Adam Bloodworth meets Glasgow’s newest star In what was surely the biggest viral moment of [...]
Shifters play review: Idris Elba is right to back this fresh love story August 21, 2024 Shifters play review and star rating: ★★★ Benedict Lombe’s Shifters is only the third piece ever by a Black female playwright to make it to the West End. If that sounds unbelievable, let it sink in. Execs clearly want to shout about its arrival at the Duke of York’s after a run at the Bush; [...]
The 39 Steps play review: This bonkers show is infectious August 20, 2024 The 39 Steps Play review and star rating: ★★★★ Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of thriller The 39 Steps became the fifth longest-running show in the West End during its last run. It’s easy to understand why: it has a gorgeously imaginative, handmade feel to it that is rare to experience on a major West End stage, [...]
Sh!t Theatre at Edinburgh Fringe review: Raw and uneven comedy about grief August 12, 2024 Sh!t Theatre are the stuff of Fringe folklore – their shows, written and performed by Louise Mothersole and Rebecca Biscuit, sell out and often get a near-perfect scorecard from the critics. Or What’s Left of Us is the duo’s latest collaboration with Soho Theatre and is one of the hottest tickets for the Edinburgh Fringe. Prompted by [...]
Hit musical Hamilton smashes Edinburgh theatres’ box office records July 8, 2024 The operator behind iconic Edinburgh venues including the Festival Theatre and King's Theatre, has continued its post-pandemic comeback as the musical Hamilton smashed the group's box office records.
James Corden is let down by script and direction in The Constituent at the Old Vic – review June 26, 2024 James Corden's return to the London stage doesn't go very well
Why is Oscar Wilde having a revival? He’s the ultimate Gen Z icon June 22, 2024 Oscar Wilde is having a moment on both stage and screen. Little wonder, says Anna Moloney – he would have adored the Instagram age.
The Taming of the Shrew: Weirdness doesn’t solve the problem of misogyny June 19, 2024 Any director bold enough to tackle Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew is faced with a pretty big problem. The plot – and title – depicts a headstrong woman who is “tamed” by a man into submissiveness. Whatever the Bard’s intention, his script plays on the dichotomy between two sisters – one perfectly docile, the [...]
Old Vic Theatre: £20m needed to keep historic London venue running ‘a challenge’ June 12, 2024 The Old Vic Theatre said it faces a challenge to raise the more than £20m needed to keep its historic Waterloo home in working order, as it battles to create a financial model robust enough - despite the success of its record breaking musical Groundhog Day.