Anthony Bull★★★ Pros: A strong cast perform interesting monologues about modern life. Cons: Some parts of the play left me feeling a bit confused. Our Verdict: An enjoyable evening with some very impressive acting. Courtesy of Etcetera Theatre The Random Acts of Strangers is a series of monologues taken from seemingly unrelated modern-day nameless characters. The story begins with ‘Stranger 1’ – a beautiful, middle-class black girl who describes the difficulties she faces in her romantic relationship. She tells us ...
Read More »Monthly Archives: September 2012
Let it Be, Prince of Wales Theatre
A fun night out, and some ear candy.
Read More »Childsplay, Normand Park
This unique theatre experience is enjoyable for adults and older kids alike.
Read More »Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, The Space
Book and Lyrics by Bill RussellMusic by Janet HoodDirected and Choreographed by Joseph C Walsh★★★ Pros: Showcases some strong young and up-and-coming talent. The Space, a converted church with a warm, spiritual interior, nicely augments the memorial and celebratory nature of the piece. Cons: Powerful vocals were occasionally too great for the space. The storyline is slightly overdone, and the running time a bit too long. Our Verdict: A tight-but-slightly-dated production with an important theme and story to tell (the ...
Read More »Confessions of a Butterfly, Lion and Unicorn Theatre
Jonathan SaltDirected by Sam Conway★★★★ Pros: A look at World War Two from a slightly different angle that doesn’t remove any of the awful-ness of period whilst allowing a man’s love and honour to shine through. Cons: Focus is a little broad which left me wanting to know more about the man; technical design not quite level with the artistic performance. Overall: Poignant monologue told through a well-scripted play that attempts to combine the horror of the time with the ...
Read More »Monday, Etcetera Theatre
Gloria WilliamsDirected by Ellie Joseph★★★★ Pros: Consuming, innovative, and lyrical writing delivered by a strong, passionate, and talented performer. Cons: The central conflict wavers toward being cliché; noise from the pub downstairs proved distracting throughout. Our Verdict: A great one-woman show, certainly worth your time and (small amounts) of money! Courtesy of the Etcetera Theatre I should start by saying that I’ve never seen a one-actor production that I enjoyed as much as Freedom Tongues’ Monday at the Etcetera Theatre ...
Read More »Passing By, Finborough Theatre
Martin ShermanDirected by Andrew Keates★★★★ Pros: Top class writing and charming performances make for a very enjoyable evening. Cons: A few rough bits but nothing too bad. Our Verdict: Another great production from the Finborough. Courtesy of the Finborough Theatre We have a certain fondness for the Finborough here at Everything Theatre. It has produced some truly remarkable work in recent years and as a result this cozy fringe venue regularly sells out faster than many big name West End ...
Read More »Love and Information, Royal Court
Caryl ChurchillDirected by James Macdonald★★★★ Pros: Churchill continues the push the boundaries of British dramatic enterprise. Cons: The nature of the piece means some of the scenes leave you wanting more. Our Verdict: A thought-provoking, exhilarating ride through all those scenes you see happening all around you everyday. Courtesy of Alastair Muir for the Telegraph I’ll happily spend hours people-watching. I know very few people who don’t, in fact, and for me some of the best experiences I’ve had in ...
Read More »A Broken Rose, The Cockpit
Sarah Goddard Directed by Phil Willmott ★★★★ Pros: A very clever script with an engrossing tale – you don’t want the story(ies) to stop! Cons: The vocals in the singing components are a little shaky at the beginning, as were the sound cues which didn’t quite do justice to the original score. Our Verdict: This is rich story-telling with a skillful blend of fantasy and reality; well worth seeing. Courtesy of the Cockpit Theatre A Broken Rose doesn’t give much ...
Read More »Hindle Wakes, Finborough Theatre
Stanley HoughtonDirected by Bethan Dear★★★★★ Pros: Expertly produced, expertly performed, expertly designed, and a fantastic script. Cons: I would be clutching at straws if I were to try and formulate any genuine criticism. Our Verdict: If you can get your hands on a ticket, it’s a must. Courtesy of the Finborough Theatre Just to confirm: the Finborough is a truly magical place, an opinion of ours that anyone who has read our reviews before will know. About ten minutes’ walk ...
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