Pros: The solid sound and lighting design. Cons: This pessimistic portrayal of mental illness doesn’t contribute to fighting the stigma, and risks sending out a discouraging message. The soaring incidence of suicide in British men under 45 has recently become one of the most recurrent topics in fringe theatre. This reflects an attempt to make sense of the phenomenon, raise awareness and, in many cases, try to suggest solutions. Playwright Alex McSweeney’s decision to explore this subject matter came after ...

Pros: A rare opportunity to see some of Italy’s most iconic theatre works. Cons: The language barrier is only partially compensated by the presence of subtitles. Promoted by the Italian Cultural Institute and curated by Monica Capuani, the first edition of the Italian Theatre Festival was hosted at The Coronet, a long-standing arts institution in the heart of Notting Hill. Spread over two days, the event included four plays by some of Italy’s most renowned theatre-makers, as well as a ...

Pros: A virtuoso performance from Milly Thomas both as writer and performer, easily holding the attention with the slightest glance or mannerism. Cons: A dissection of emotional frailties and dysfunctional relationships is often uncomfortable to watch. I had to steel myself reading the programme for this one woman, one act monologue written and performed by the brilliant Milly Thomas. The play begins with a sparse set populated with three mirrors and a long narrow table, which we soon learn is ...

Pros: Great jokes and a wonderful heroine Cons: The bits of slo-mo physical theatre don’t add much The narrative holds few surprises, but Kiss Me is a beautiful chamber piece that draws you in with the warmth and complexity of its two characters, Stephanie and Dennis. Stephanie was a young bride and now, in the aftermath of World War I, is a young widow. With most of the young men gone, she enjoys doing a man’s work, driving a truck, ...

As a piece of entertainment it works just fine, but as a piece of social commentary, Caterpillar lacks the required punch.

A stilted one-hander aims at outlining the highs and lows of millennial culture but misses the target.

Quotes from famous thinkers, Russian Counterbalancing and exceptional acting come together to craft a unique theatrical experience.

King of the Fringe Pip Utton returns to the festival with a moving one-hander about the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease.

Pros: A brave attempt at presenting the correlation between quantum physics and Buddhism. Cons: Unengaging delivery With its 80-minute running time, DNA – Alexandra David-Néel is one of the longest shows at this year’s Fringe festival, where most productions sit within the 60-minute mark. Whoever goes beyond that limit aims at allowing enough time for the narrative to build, but this can’t be said for Mariane Zahar’s work, where the dramatic development is muddled and hard to follow. The French woman Alexandra David-Néel ...

Provoking laughter and tears, storyteller James Rowland shares his intimate revelations on the meaning of life and death.