Oedipus at the Old Vic review: A freaky fever dream February 6, 2025 You can perform impossible feats, be a wise and respected leader, even solve the riddle of the Sphinx – but if you end up shagging your mum, that’s the only thing people will remember. This delirious reimagining of Sophocles’ tragedy of Oedipus, king of Thebes, is a freaky fever dream, told here from the point [...]
Inside No 9 Stage/Fright review: Fans are served and opportunities are missed January 30, 2025 Inside No 9 – Stage/Fright review | Wyndham’s Theatre | ★★☆☆☆ Inside No 9 is one of the best British comedies of the last 10 years. Finishing a decade-long run last year, the smart, self-contained episodes – all somehow linked to the number nine – riff on everything from grand guignol theatre to kitchen sink [...]
The 25 best things to do in London in 2025, from theatre to films and bonkers events January 6, 2025 Theatre, film, exhibitions, barmy events: here are the best 25 things to do in London in 2025 Another new year and, Dry January aside, there’s plenty to be excited for. Yes, our capital is stepping up to mark a quarter of a century since the millennium bug (feel old yet?) with oodles of brilliant new [...]
Mamma Mia and Hamilton help Cameron Mackintosh’s West End empire towards £200m January 3, 2025 The continued popularity of Les Miserables, Mamma Mia and Hamilton has helped push sales the West End theatre empire run by Sir Cameron Mackintosh to almost £200m. For the year to 31 March, 2024, Sir Cameron’s group has reported a turnover of £199.1m, up from the £185.8m it posted for the prior 12 months. Newly-filed [...]
Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after car hits pedestrians in London’s West End December 25, 2024 A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after pedestrians were hit by a car in London’s West End in the early hours of Christmas Day. The Metropolitan Police said officers were called at 00.45am following reports of a collision and a car driving on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury [...]
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child maker remains in the red amid West End troubles December 20, 2024 The company behind the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child stage play remains in the red amid falling sales and show closures, it has been revealed. The joint venture which produces the show across the world has reported a turnover of £41.3m for the year to 31 March, 2024, down from the £45.2m it achieved [...]
The Importance of Being Earnest at National Theatre review December 4, 2024 Max Webster’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest opens with Ncuti Gatwa’s Algernon swathed in hot pink ballgown and draped over a piano. Start as you mean to go. The play is a luscious, saturated explosion that unfolds like a musical number of carefully choreographed wordplay. It is a celebration of appetite and queerness, [...]
The best pantos in London 2024-2025, from Robin Hood to Aladdin November 27, 2024 We’re well into the festive season now and that means it’s time to book your annual panto – here are the best London has to offer. Robin Hood, Palladium If you see one panto this year – or any year to be quite honest with you – it should be this camp as Christmas extravaganza [...]
‘Tis the season: Festive spending to boost London’s West End October 21, 2024 Festive spending in London's West End is expected to reach £1.7bn, with international tourists set to push sales up by 3.2 per cent in the run up to Christmas.
The Duchess of Malfi review: Jodie Whittaker can’t save this October 17, 2024 Duchess of Malfi review and star rating: ★★ This overstimulating, overstated adaptation of Jacobean tragedy The Duchess of Malfi struggles to find true dramatic depth. Written by English dramatist John Webster around 1612, the revenge tragedy follows the titular Duchess who is widowed but remarries in secret, then has a baby with husband Antonio, who [...]