Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre review Life&Style When is a musical not “just a musical”? How do you review a piece of theatre like Fiddler On the Roof which currents affairs have turned into a lightning rod? Do you avoid the show for fear of offending either side? Or dissect the dancing but ignore the elephant in the room? Fiddler on the Roof is a [...]
A Chorus line at Sadler’s Wells: A wonderful celebration of dance Culture A Chorus Line is a musical about the craft and hardship of dancing for Broadway musicals, and what it takes to get there. It’s also about bullying, domestic violence, plastic surgery, popping pills, having a sideline as a stripper or drag artist to make ends meet, and finding oneself only through dance. Yet, tune out [...]
Carmen is a poisoned chalice and Carlos Acosta drinks deeply Carmen is a heroine who embodies the mid-nineteenth century bourgeois male idea that, left to their primitive, natural state, untouched by either Church or society’s civilising conventions, women are sexually irrepressible, promiscuous, fickle and dishonourable. The only profession they’d be qualified for, her creator (the French novelist Prosper Mérimée) reckons, is rolling cigars in a [...]
Rakugo: Japanese art meets contemporary standup in hit show July 9, 2024 If you're looking for alternatives to stand-up comedy, you'll find Rakugo gentle, refreshing, eye-opening and novel.
Longitude at Upstairs at the Gatehouse is an ace new musical July 8, 2024 Longitude is a little gem of a musical that mixes psychological, scientific and historical elements with excellent lyrics
An olfactory guide to RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival July 8, 2024 RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival delivers pleasures that can be had neither in town nor in cyberspace – and it's great for inspo
Jazz Emu at Soho Theatre: TikTok star is Politely gormless June 10, 2024 Archie Henderson's Jazz Emu is politely gormless when there is so much more he could be. Let's hope for an edgier form of satire.
Gandini Juggling at Sadler’s Wells: Seven ways of smashing crockery June 9, 2024 Gandini Juggling: smashing crockery for our entertainment is a great idea full of promise for further development
Yamato The Drummers of Japan at Peacock Theatre is sensational June 7, 2024 Yamato The Drummers of Japan at The Peacock Theatre is a wonderful, high-energy night out unlike anything you have seen before
The Tailor of Inverness at Finborough Theatre: War, peace and new identities June 3, 2024 The Tailor of Inverness by Matthew Zajac at Finborough Theatre becomes part of the oral and social history of wartime survivors in Europe.
