Everything Theatre Reviews, interviews and news for theatre lovers, London and beyond

A thoroughly British play and production with a charming cast, but the text feels outdated.

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 ...

Luke Owen Directed by Justin Audibert ★★★ Pros: Good acting, a clever set and a memorable look and feel. Cons: Lacked a compelling enough storyline. Our Verdict: A slick and eye-catching production about a sensitive subject, but too predictable in its emotional devices and story arc. Credit: Richard Davenport I watched a film recently where the opening shot is of a pig being led out into a farmyard. It’s squealing as the farmer drags it by the collar. The farmer ...

Anders LustgartenDirected by David Mercatali★★★★  Pros: A powerful and intelligent script, excellent performance, functional and well-designed set. Cons: The play runs a bit short and couple have benefited from an extra scene or two to cinch the potency of the piece. Our Verdict: Black Jesus is a simply fantastic new work in every way and deserves a high place on your must-see list. Courtesy of Finborough Theatre Every time I visit the Finborough Theatre, I’m always shocked at the extent ...

J B PriestleyDirected by Alex Marker★★★★  Pros: The post-apocalyptic British setting is intriguing. Strong character development, interwoven storylines and vivid imagery give the play a lot of interest and energy. The production standard is excellent and the stage direction is fantastic for such a small space. Cons: Written in 1949 and set in 1975, some aspects of the play are a little dated and naïve. Some of the characters are over-romanticised which leaves them a little contrived and insincere. Our ...

by Colleen MurphyDirected by Jennifer Bakst★★★★ Pros: A sweet story with stunning performances from two terrific performers. Cons: The storyline occasionally felt a bit clunky. Our Verdict: A beautifully acted piece which was often very funny in its tragedy. A touching account of friendship and fragility. Courtesy of Finborough Theatre The premise of a world-weary adult who enters into an unlikely friendship with an eternal optimist who inspires them into self-improvement is not especially original. However, Armstrong’s War is sufficiently ...

William M. Hoffman Directed by Andrew Keates ★★★★  Pros: Seamless staging and impassioned acting. Cons: Almost zero, although being ultra-picky, I’ll say there was scope for the emotional scenes to be cranked up even more. Our Verdict: A virtually faultless production, with a gripping and well-structured storyline and exhilarating performances. Courtesy of Finborough Theatre On Wednesday, Stephen Fry published an open letter to David Cameron and the International Olympic Committee, urging them to take action against the violent anti-gay laws of Russia, ...

Emily Pulham Directed by Chris Dunkley ★★★★ Pros: All of the actors are excellent, and convincing. A very minimal set is cleverly utilised to add conviction to the scenes, and the theatre has a great atmosphere. Cons: Some of the more political rants don’t always sound true to the characters who are speaking them, and feel a little preachy (although the rants are not without purpose). Our Verdict: A wonderful piece – well cast, moving, enjoyable, thought provoking and darkly ...

by Pam Gems Directed by Helen Eastman ★★★★★ Pros: A fast-paced, engaging, politically charged show with characters that enter your heart slowly but surely. Powerfully directed and flawlessly executed.  Cons: Some may find the tiny estrogen-filled flat a bit claustrophobic by the end… but this is a 4-woman sitcom show after all! Our Verdict: Another great period show at the Finborough. Head to Earl’s Court before the show sells out!  Courtesy of Jagged Fence Productions “Is Valium habit-forming?” asks Dusa ...

David StoreyDirected by Tim Newns ★★★ Pros: A rarely performed play that carries itself with gentle humour and poise. Cons: The play doesn’t quite pull the heart strings as you would expect about from such a subject. Our Verdict: A poignant tribute to a celebrated novelist and playwright David Storey. Courtesy of the Finborough As the audience sat down, there was an immediate sense of calm and stillness in this small, intimate theatre. The mellow murmuring of the sea permeated the ...