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

Devised by Baz ProductionsDirected by Sarah Bedi★★★★ Pros: An incredibly original and exciting reimagining of Greek mythology. Cons: Sight lines are a little inconvenient and some background information would have been helpful. Our Verdict: A truly engaging revision of classic characters by a great up-and-coming company! Courtesy of Baz Productions As my two favorite productions of 2012 were the Gate’s Trojan Women and Kneehigh’s Midnight’s Pumpkin, it seems Baz Production’s new work was created with tastes like mine in mind. Like ...

Boogaloo Stu Directed by Emma Kilby ★★ Pros: The game show format of this production is a great idea and produces lots of laughs. There are plenty of interesting facts about the political, economic and sexual climate of the 1970s and the audience participation is fun. Cons: It isn’t cohesive and misses a real opportunity to use the concept to maximum effect. After about forty five minutes it is a bit predictable and the humour at times is intentionally cringe ...

Katherine Rodden Directed by Cat Robey ★★★ Pros: A great script, full of big laughs and wonderful slapstick. Cons: The play starts wonderfully but it spirals into a mildly annoying farce. Our Verdict: The script is hilarious and the cast are very talented but the performances need toning down towards the end. It’s meant to be a comedy but it all got a bit too silly in the last scene. Courtesy of Paradigm Theatre I was very excited to review ...

William Shakespeare Directed by Amber Elliott ★★★★ Pros: Intelligent all-round theatre making. Cons: If you sit in the wrong place, you miss a lot of the best action. Our Verdict: A traditional interpretation which uses every element theatre has to offer in perfect harmony to a high standard. Courtesy of Titian Rep Theatre Company Shakespeare is a popular choice – it has familiar style, quality, and narrative. One of the reasons Macbeth is considered the cursed play is because it ...

William Shakespeare Directed by Anthony Green ★★★ Pros: The modernization of this production of Othello makes the verse and story clearer and more comprehensible in its relevancy to current affairs. Cons: The theatre was freezing to the point of distraction. Our Verdict: This is a sharp and sleek production which lends thought to those serving in present day wars. While the performances are, for the most part, impressively robust, the production lacked a certain insight. Courtesy of Othello Peckham A black ...

Presented by Vertical Line Theatre Company ★★★ Pros: An amusing and at times powerful sequence of theatrical shorts made with tremendous enthusiasm and boasting some very decent acting. Cons: Bare scenography and some rushed performances as you would expect from a series of untested new writings. Our Verdict: An enjoyable night out! Recommended if you are not after too many bells and whistles and if you fancy supporting young talent all the way up to Edinburgh. Courtesy of Vertical Line ...

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 ...

Isley Lynn Directed by Chelsea Walker ★★★★ Pros: Brave and faultless performances in a show that addresses a tricky subject, helped by the seemliest script. Cons: None myself, although some may find it difficult to watch the violent scenes at the end of the play. Our Verdict: Look in your diary. Find a spare 90 mins. Get yourself to the Tristan Bates Theatre. A brave and bold script which deserves not to be passed over just because of the subject ...

Pamela Carralero Directed by Zuri Warren  ★★★ Pros: An intelligent script with an interesting look at human rights, environmental issues and the military. Cons: The script is far too large and cinematic to be performed in a freezing shoebox theatre in Hackney. Our Verdict: This clever show felt cramped and stifled by a space which cannot provide the stage, lighting, sound or special effects required to make this truly effective. Credit: Harriet Armstrong for Encompass Productions Situated on Vyner Street, ...