By Henrik Ibsen Translated and directed by Stephen Urwin ★★★★ Pros: Subtle unraveling of the plot creates intricate relationships. Cons: The interval felt a little oddly placed and disrupted the action. Our Verdict: A piece that all dialogue lovers simply must see. Outstanding script. Credit: Simon Annand Ghosts tells the story of a family, or what’s become of it after the passing of the husband and father. Ten years after his death, a mother and son are reunited in the ...

Thomas Kyd Directed by Ricky Dukes ★★★★ Pros: An easy to understand, highly watchable production of this Elizabethan play edited down to an hour and a half and performed by a highly skilled cast. Cons: Unusual lighting choices, constant smoke and a hot theatre made for a somewhat uncomfortable viewing experience. Our Verdict: The quick pace, use of physical performance, modern costumes and well-crafted performances make this production by one of Shakespeare’s contemporaries a refreshing alternative to typical classical theatre ...

Presented by 17% in association with Canal Café TheatreDirected by Amy Clare Tasker ★★★★ Loosing Light by Whoop ‘n ‘Wail The Audition by Sam Hall The Fourth Circle by Hehir  Pros: Three plays in one, each delightful and mysterious. The pieces are beautifully and intelligently connected by an overarching narrative. Cons: I think this piece could have benefited from more playing space. It could do with a bigger theatre where the central and integral set piece, a green door, could be ...

Hope Murphy-NantonDirected by Hope Murphy-Nanton★★★ Pros: If you like jazz standards played live, you’ll like this show. Cons: Some practical matters, such as sightlines, don’t seem to have been thought out completely. Our Verdict: An interesting, if uneven, love letter to ‘Lady Ella’. Courtesy of The Space Anyone who’s been to Edinburgh will recognise the one man/woman show where the actor addresses the audience. This show’s unique selling point is that the lead character relates how she met and was ...

Written and directed by Dom Riley★ Pros: A bold premise and some nice evocative background shots in between acts. Cons: Poorly staged and lacking any real pace, excitement, or pertinence. Our Verdict: A one-dimensional show that – in part owing to the misgivings of the venue – failed to create a connection with the audience.  Courtesy of Richard Davenport and Waterloo East We’ve all been there: settling down to watch this year’s hottest new film, when BAM! The aggressive music. ...

A mixed evening and probably most appreciated by die-hard musical fans.

by Aorta Theatre Collective & Life ArtCo-directed by Rob Hale & Phan Y’LyScenography by Paul Burgess★★★ Pros: Instant connection with the audience by the performers. Language or culture differences ceased to exist. Cons: The show requires comprehensive effort to enjoy it, due to the different performing techniques employed. Our Verdict: Intuitive and groundbreaking take on social norms and gender exploration. Very moving. Courtesy of Albany Theatre Stranger is a groundbreaking, abstract piece of improvised acting brought to the stage by ...

Tanika Gupta Directed by Kerry Michael ★★★ Pros: Slick, technically excellent and a text-book example of how to present a huge range of characters with very few actors. Cons: Hard to develop an emotional attachment to the piece.  Our Verdict: A gently enjoyable insight into a 35 year-old marriage where one partner makes a radical decision. Quite funny, extremely well executed, but lacking in tension which stops it from being truly engaging. Credit: Robert Day Love N Stuff is a ...

Leave your cynicism at the door and enjoy this fun and heart-warming new musical. It’s a treat the West End can’t match.

Presented by Genesis Cinema★★★ Pros: The opportunity to see and influence the development of plays at their earliest stages. Cons: As there were no posters or anything in the foyer to indicate where the event was taking place, venturing there was initially a trifle unnerving. Our Verdict: A very enjoyable experience. Something to put in your diary each month. Courtesy of Genesis Cinema When I first arrived at the Genesis Cinema to collect the tickets, there were no signs or ...