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

mix of song, dance and circus skills, performed with enthusiasm

A morbidly entertaining, and certainly unforgettable, drama

Tony Hawks isn’t usually one to play it safe. After all, this is the man who decided to hitchhike around Ireland with a fridge. So Midlife Cowboy is another endeavour in a line of risk taking. And whilst you have to admire the efforts of what is so clearly a labour of love to him, it all unfortunately feels just a little flat. Maybe taking the roles of lead actor, director and producer means that Hawks couldn’t critically evaluate the ...

A script that blends historical periods, throws in some original songs, and is set mid-podcast recording session is pretty bold for a Fringe playwriting debut. However, Anguis is all about strong women, and writer and actress Sheila Atim has created something special on both the page and stage. Her story centres around scientist Dr. Kate Williams (Janet Kumah), a podcast host with a range of important questions to ask. Her guest is none other than Cleopatra (Paksie Vernon) – yes, ...

Good theatre is as addictive as a brightly-coloured packet full of E-numbers

this novel interpretation of The Crucible has enough going on to hold the interest.

A brilliantly observed script, faultlessly played by Miles Jupp

Championing new work from under-represented voices is surely now standard for all right-thinking theatre makers. Perhaps also a key responsibility is the task of revisiting under-represented work from the past. Coastal weekly rep company Frinton Summer Theatre and The Park, who co-produce here, deserve recognition therefore for this revival of Lesley Storm’s work. Black Chiffon, written in 1949, was a hit by any measure, easily equal to the work of her male contemporaries – 400 West End performances, no less, ...

Whether you enjoy this play – or indeed whether you should risk giving it a go at all – will depend greatly on your taste in theatre. Do you feel a thrill in your bones when an old story is told in a new and “experimental” way? Or do you prefer to lurk instead in the comfortable familiarity of more conventional drama? You know: rounded characters, emotional connection – old-fashioned stuff like that. In Amsterdam, four actors create a story. ...

It’s not to be missed.