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Off West End

Ah, the Off West End. For those not familiar with the term, this is where the real magic of the London theatre scene happens. Great shows are born here, in pubs, in 50-seat theatres, in tunnels. Recommended for the adventurous – we can’t get enough of it, and you’ll save a quid or two as well!

Secret Theatre London – Review

Based on the film by Quentin TarantinoDirected by Richard Crawford  ★★★ Pros: Edgy and exciting. Tarantino is a big name to live up to, and this production does him justice. Cons: The quiet cap guns used at the most dangerous and climactic moments were more humorous than murderous. The production has the potential to be more immersive than it is. Our Verdict: An exciting new concept for theatre which is acted brilliantly, but could do more with audience involvement. Courtesy ...

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Passing By, Tristan Bates Theatre – Review

Martin Sherman Directed by Andrew Keates ★★★★ Pros: Wonderfully portrayed story of two men who meet and fall in love while living in New York. Cons: I found myself wishing that the play had lasted for longer than eighty minutes, as I was so caught up in the relationship and storyline. Our Verdict: A fantastic story backed by a great cast. Realistic set, lighting and sound make this a production not to be missed. Courtesy of Arion Productions Currently playing ...

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The Unbuilt Room, Battersea Arts Centre – Review

Seth Kriebel ★★★★ Pros: A wonderful stretching of the imagination. Cons: At 20 minutes long, it will leave you begging for more. Our Verdict: A challenging, creative and vividly wonderful theatre experience. Courtesy of BAC The Unbuilt Room at Battersea Arts Centre has a very challenging premise. It’s a twenty minute long imagined and immersive theatre piece which examines how “places create memories… and how memories create places.” It’s site-specific to the Battersea Arts Centre, a huge, rambling historical treasure-trove ...

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Bluebeard, Soho Theatre – Review

Hattie NaylorDirected by Lee Lyford★★★ Pros: Paul Mundell is a beguiling actor who carries an intense 60 minute monologue with ease. Cons: Some may think the story is overly gratuitous. Rather than challenge the audience, I felt the story almost places Bluebeard on a pedestal. Considering it is a discussion about abusive relationships, it seems irregular that no women are present! Our Verdict: Too gratuitous and one-sided for me, Bluebeard doesn’t quite allow the audience to be challenged in the ...

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Macbeth of Fire and Ice, Arcola Theatre – Review

William Shakespeare Directed by Jon Gunnar Thor ★★★ Pros: An unorthodox approach to the Scottish play. Big on atmosphere. Cons: Stage smoke billowed into the audience in ever-increasing quantities during the latter half of the show! Our Verdict: An interesting curio that doesn’t quite live up to its full potential. Credit: Jon Thorgeir Kristjansson I must confess that I have seen two other productions of Macbeth in the past 12 months, but when I heard of Macbeth of Fire and ...

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Landscape II, Battersea Arts Centre – Review

Written and Performed by Melanie WilsonIn Collaboration with Fuel★★★ Pros: A very delicate work with a stunning audiovisual aspect. Cons: The narration could have been a little more energised and varied. Our Verdict: A nice mix of multimedia and performance, although the delivery and script could have been polished. Courtesy of Battersea Arts Centre Landscape II is a poetic dialogue between different times and locations. It tells the story of a woman, Vivian, alone in a countryside as she delves ...

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LEE HARVEY OSWALD A Far Mean Streak of Independence Brought On By Negleck, Finborough Theatre – Review

Michael Hastings Directed by Alex Thorpe ★★★★ Pros: A well-acted slice of 1960s America. Adam Gillen is wonderful as Lee Harvey Oswald. Cons: This much yelling and violence in a small space can get overwhelming. Our Verdict: Interesting, thought-provoking and darkly entertaining. Courtesy of Finborough Theatre Lee Harvey Oswald (the full title of which is far too long to write out!), is a well written and well acted look into the murder of US President Kennedy, told through the women ...

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Writer’s Block and Misanthropy, Etcetera Theatre – Review

Writer’s BlockWilliam Alexander WoodDirected by William Wood MisanthropyLouise HartDirected by Steve Fitzgerald ★★★ Pros: A strong characterization by Paul Linghorn of the sarcastic and disillusioned writer Leo. Cons: The noise level from the pub was distracting and the sound used for the productions was turned up too high. Our Verdict: Two pieces of new writing that demonstrate the breadth of ideas and concerns of young, contemporary playwrights. Courtesy of Etcetera Theatre On a small stage above a busy Camden pub, ...

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Child Z, Drayton Arms Theatre – Review

Sarah Hehir Directed by Suzette Coon★★★ Pros: Bold choice of subject matter. The story has a good focus and is clear in its delivery. The dialogue is strong and, even within a rehearsed reading, the performances are excellent. Cons: Despite good character development, this play is missing a message and is too sensitive in its approach, leaving little impact on the audience. Furthermore, I felt the narrative verses between the scenes did little to enhance the story. Our Verdict: If ...

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Nineties Woman, Camden People’s Theatre – Review

Written and performed by Rosie Wilby ★★★ Pros: A charming show presenting the soft face of feminism. Cons: It was very light and gentle. It felt as though it could have been more penetrating with more social context. Our Verdict: A very pleasant, one woman performance that is gently entertaining and bemusing with interesting subject matter, although lacked oomph. Courtesy of Camden People’s Theatre Rosie Wilby presents what I can only describe as an oral history of her experiences as part ...

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