Waiting for Godot review: Ben Whishaw finds joy in Samuel Beckett’s wondrous misery September 20, 2024 Waiting for Godot review and star rating: ★★★★ Waiting for Godot has been called ‘the play of the 20th century,’ but that accolade doesn’t make staging Samuel Beckett’s most significant piece easy. The Irish playwright, who died in 1989, banned tampering with the set or script in adaptations. It hampers creativity somewhat, but even so, [...]
Abigail’s Party review: Mike Leigh drama brought sensually to life September 13, 2024 Abigail’s Theatre at Stratford East Theatre – ★★★★☆ In Mike Leigh’s early play Abigail’s Party, almost nothing happens: even the titular shindig takes place next door. Instead, saucy old soak Beverly – impeccably, outrageously played by a sensual and sozzled Tamzin Outhwaite – has gathered a smattering of neighbours for a far more intimate soiree. [...]
Why Am I So Single? review: Six the Musical creators return with the most fun new show in the West End September 13, 2024 Why Am I So Single? review and star rating: ★★★★ “People would say to us, Six is amazing, but when’s the next one coming?” Why Am I So Single? writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss say in a programme note. The new show from the writers of Six, which has one of the most streamed [...]
Bitter Lemons, Park Theatre, review: Gripping exploration of gender politics September 5, 2024 Bitter Lemons at the Park Theatre, review and star rating: ★★★★ Lemons are lively little things, reminiscent of far-flung exotic destinations. And yet in Lucy Hayes’ Bitter Lemons, the citrus dons a more sinister disguise as it becomes a symbol of female frustration and discontentment. Two women, complete strangers, are struggling with pressures of cosmic [...]
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.