Pros: The devil is in the detail: a compassionately crafted show. Cons: Issues with the flow of each segment of the show in to the next. A piece of staging advice on the inside of the playtext of Hole reads ‘The word “Big” can mean any number of things. This might mean people who occupy their bodies in space in a way that feels radical or powerful’. If I was really feeling this Wednesday Humpday, I might leave the review ...

Pros: Excellent performances from all concerned. Cons: The fragmented style of the dialogue.  Ominous music pervades the auditorium as you enter, and the stage is filled by an opaque screen which resembles a giant TV. Shadowy figures walk up to the screen and look out at the audience before disappearing into the murky background. The piece is just over two hours, without interval, consisting of three distinct parts. Part one is a series of vignettes where most of the 16 strong ...

Dazzling effects coupled with a fine cast make this stylish production stand out even more.

Pros: British clichés and drama tropes are nailed, aided by a vast number of fun props and different music styles, from rap to community brass band tunes. The cast is a deliberate cross-section of modern Britain, with some stand-out performances. Cons: At times it feels like the weirdness factor is cranked up just for a reaction, with little relevance to the plot. A seemingly relentless war section labours its writer’s and director’s point. It must be a nightmare to clear ...

An upfront, bleakly funny piece about exploitation and control.

Brian picks runs down his pick of the year and awards the inaugural Reggies.

Eva de Valk runs down the big theatre news of 2017.

Goats starts with a strong premise and some powerful scenes, but a confusing narrative, a muddled set and patchy performances fail to do it justice.

A faultless ensemble brings the recent events surrounding the student movement in Cape Town vividly to life. Minimal set, maximal talents and sharp dialogue make for a captivating experience.

Uncomfortable, intellectually provocative theatre that, whether you enjoy it or not, has thoroughly generous and positive intentions.