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

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 ...

Doug Lucie Directed by James Hellier★★★★  Pros: An excellent young cast dazzle in this still relevant play about both being in your early twenties and the inequality of modern society. Cons: While the set contributes much to the atmosphere of the play, the actors are still finding their feet with the clutter and consequently it can sometimes act as a barrier rather than a tool. Our Verdict: Once again the Finborough produces great work, with a young cast we should watch ...

David Hutchison Directed by Bruce Guthrie ★★★★ Pros: A terrific script and a few top class performances. Cons: The play lags in places with a number of slightly confusing moments. Our Verdict: Well worth a look. The topic of Scottish independence is very of the moment and you won’t find a more entertaining exploration of it than this. Courtesy of FinboroughTheatre “In 1950’s Scotland, Nationalists were the kind of people who, if they saw a roadside cliff face adorned with ...

Bekah Brunstetter Directed by Max Pappenheim ★★★ Pros: Well-fleshed out drama chronicling the highs and lows of adolescence complimented by a solid cast and highly original staging. Cons: A tad repetitive in places and occasionally suffering from a case of over-inflated teenage angst. Our Verdict: Provocative, snappy dialogue from a bright emerging American playwright who is definitely a talent to keep an eye on. Courtesy of the Finborough Theatre Bekah Brunstetter has a knack for creating the kind of dialogue ...

Sam ThompsonDirected by Emma Faulker★★★★ Pros: The cast worked fantastically together, creating a truly tense and touching dynamic.Cons: A couple of suspect Irish accents occasionally tainted the atmosphere. Our Verdict: A sensational piece of theatre loaded with conviction, commitment and emotion. Courtesy of The Finborough Theatre Before its premier performance in January 1960, Over the Bridge had caused mass controversy amongst the theatre companies of Ulster, the Northern Irish province in which Belfast sits. Its writer, Sam Thompson, was an Irish ...

Caryl ChurchillDirected by Jim Russell★★★★ Pros: Very clever writing which manages to narrate bad actions by characters yet also depicts the reasoning without judgement. Cons: A little too unremitting as an experience and some of the events feel unnecessary. Our Verdict: A very insightful and intriguing play which stimulates interest in how human beings cope in times of war. Courtesy of Finborough Theatre The play is set during the Algerian War and we become the voyeurs of several moments in a ...

Stewart Conn Directed by Lisa Blair ★★★★ Pros: A poetic script, inspired casting and high production values make this show most enjoyable. Cons: The script works well in terms of dialogue, but loses its way as far as the plot is concerned. Our Verdict: This is a heartwarming show with very believable characters and strong direction. Courtesy of the Finborough Theatre I Didn’t Always Live Here is a tale set in Glasgow, focusing mainly on the life of Martha, an ...

Arthur MilnerDirected by Caitlin McLeod★★★★ Pros: A strong and well written script with some great acting. Cons: The beginning of the play throws you in the deep end where you might not understand the history and background of the situation. Our Verdict: A solid script which portrays a complex geopolitical issue with simplicity, strongly supported by a great cast and effective directing. Courtesy of The Finborough Theatre An Israeli interrogation room served as the base for this play, written by ...

Gwenlyn Parry Directed by Aled Pedrick ★★★★ Pros: A unique theatrical experience with a skilled cast and a captivating plot.  Cons: The entire play is in Welsh, and even with the subtitles it can be difficult to follow and demands a lot of attention! Our Verdict: Despite the language barrier, the play is really fun to watch – the cast is excellent, and the “thriller” style of the script will keep you on edge! Courtesy of the Finborough Theatre I ...

John Van Druten Directed by Tricia Thorns ★★★★★ Pros: A sparkling, fast-paced, hilarious and heart-warming show that still manages to get you thinking. Majestically directed and perfectly executed with meticulous attention to detail and splendid period costumes.  Cons: Do let us know if you think of any! Our Verdict: Another triumph from the Finborough. Head to Earl’s Court before you end up having to pay West End prices to see this one! Courtesy of the Finborough Theatre Admittedly, going to ...