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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!

Titus Andronicus, Arcola Theatre – Review

William Shakespeare Directed by Zoé Ford  ★★★★ Pros: A bold production bursting with energy.  Cons: At times, amidst the shouting, the actors’ words were lost. Our Verdict: A visceral experience that will stay with you forever.  Credit: Adam Trigg The play Titus Andronicus hasn’t always been revered by the critics and public. Arguably the first play that Shakespeare wrote, it followed the fashion of the time of revenge plays with violence and high body counts. You could say that Shakespeare ...

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Wuthering Heights, Battersea Arts Centre – Review

Devised by Peter McMaster★★★ Pros: An altruistic exploration of the unlikeable characters of Wuthering Heights. Cons: A confusing start to the show put me on the defensive from the beginning. Our Verdict: Performed by four strong male actors, this ‘adaptation’ of Wuthering Heights is a study of the book and its themes rather than a stage adaptation of the story. Courtesy of the Battersea Arts Centre The Battersea Arts Centre’s mission “to invent the future of theatre” is no fake claim. ...

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Stand and Deliver, The Mitre – Review

Wayne Gumble Directed by Catherine Arekalian★★★ Pros: Bundles of energy and enthusiasm, audience participation and a top selection of cheesy 80’s tracks make this an enjoyable and entertaining show. Cons: Being performed in an empty shopfront provided challenges for the direction and the flow of action is not as tight as it could be. Some of the performances are weak, probably due to casting issues on the day. The band is too loud for the actors’ voices at times as ...

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The Grand Guignol, The Space – Review

Francis KobayashiDirected by Adam Hemming★★ Pros: A healthy serving of black humor and a handful of top-notch performances. Cons: The play is entirely too long and struggles to follow a coherent trajectory. Our Verdict: The Grand Guignol is an intriguing but unfocused work that, despite some biting wit and interesting subject matter, has too many ideas that it fails to see through. Courtesy of The Space Francis Kobayashi penned The Grand Guignol after reading an article about a historical theatre ...

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Gym Party, Battersea Arts Centre – Review

Presented by Made in China ★★★★ Pros: Mixes fun and games with lateral thinking and an acute social commentary. Cons: Although the work makes a lot of intelligent points about our society’s obsession with ‘success’, the audience are not left with an overriding central message to take home with them. Our Verdict: A flamboyant and colourful performance unlike anything you’re likely to see anywhere else. Courtesy of Made In China Meet Chris, Jess and Ira, three winners who will do ...

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On Love, The Bedford, Balham – Review

Mick Gordon Directed by Abigail Pickard Price ★★★★ Pros: Unpredictable and entertaining. Fans of immersive theatre will love it. Cons: The Bedford is a great venue for comedy and music, but the band playing elsewhere in the venue was distracting at times. Our Verdict: A gem of a play. Do try and catch it before its run finishes. Credit: KiteHigh Theatre What does the word ‘love’ mean to you? The topic has been the cornerstone of the arts for millennia ...

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Hotbed Theatre Festival Double-Bill, Theatre 503 – Review

Why Can’t We Live Together? Steve Waters Directed by Paul Bourne  Somniloquy  Craig Baxter, in collaboration with Richard Horner Directed by Paul Bourne How To Begin Hisham Matar, in collaboration with Devorah Baum Directed by Patrick Morris  ★★★★ Pros: Versatile use of space and set design. Three quick-paced witty scripts directed and delivered with energy and style. Cons: The emotional moments of Why We Can’t Live Together? need to settle in. Confident this will happen after a few more performances. ...

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Dorian Gray, CLF Arts Café – Review

Oscar WildeAdapted by Poise Performance★★★ Pros: It looked great. Used dance and movement in a visually arresting way along with projections, music and art. Cons: Casting a woman as Henry Wotton fundamentally changed the nature of the story and the acting wasn’t up to scratch. Our Verdict: This is a new company with a solid foundation that, with careful development, will be one to watch. Courtesy of Poise Performance Taking place in CLF Café/Bussey Building in the middle of trendy ...

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