Everything Theatre Reviews, interviews and news for theatre lovers, London and beyond
Rob Warren rounds her his year reviewing with Everything Theatre
Writing for Everything Theatre is both a joy and a privilege. It’s not just about the chance to see as much theatre as you could possibly hope for, it’s about being able to take a risk or two in picking shows that you might otherwise not consider spending your hard earned cash on. For me, it’s also about being able to support many young and emerging artists with words of encouragement and advice, something that over my years of writing as part of the ET team I’ve always tried to do, and I hope has been appreciated by the creatives I’ve championed along the way.
So, with that in mind, what stood out for me in 2024, a year that saw me put pen to paper for 54 shows?
Just my second review of 2024 was for Water Party at Union Theatre. It would prove to be the first of many shows I saw this year from Bespoke Plays, a company that started in America but under the guiding hand of Mimi Collins has now set up a second home in London. Mimi has really added something wonderful to our landscape, helped no doubt by those American links. I’m fairly certain my relationship with Bespoke will continue well into 2025, and I’m really looking forward to seeing if The Water Party is given a fresh outing, hopefully with a revised ending!
Camden Fringe always proves a wonderful hunting ground for the weird and wonderful, and this year it felt even more vibrant than ever. Two such shows were Whiplash, with its unique perspective on the misunderstood world of strip clubs and Sacred Bath, which was one of those productions where I had no idea quite what was going on, but that left me feeling at peace with the world come the end. There’s a special mention as well for Anna Krauze’s We Can Be Heroes, a show that hit me hard for very personal reasons, something that fringe theatre does so well and at the most unexpected times. There is something amazing about seeing a performance that makes you realise you are not alone in how you feel about yourself and your life.
I’m a big fan of a bit of horror on stage, so was delighted to see Old Red Lion putting on GrimFest again this year. Almost the Birthday Party didn’t actually quite have the horror that I crave, but was a delightfully funny piece of theatre and utterly different to anything I’d usually go and see. The Blair Bitch Project did, though, provide adequate horror. It left me eager to tell writer/ performer Finella Waddilove that as much as I loved it, there was so much more scope to turn it into something even more horrific. I’m hoping this is another show that will re-emerge in 2025 – to see if Finella has taken up my challenge to do just that.
Either because I’m very tight with my stars, or because much of what I’ve seen this year still feels like it is in its infancy (something that comes with spending so many nights in the tiniest of our fringe theatres), I only gave out a solitary 5 star rating in all those 50+ reviews. And that was more than deserving for Fred Deakin’s Club Life, a show that is one of the most unique takes on theatre I’ve ever seen, encouraging the audience to join the performers on stage throughout to just dance with the cast as if no one is watching! It felt amazing to be surrounded by complete strangers all lost in the moment and in the music: a reminder of both the power of great theatre and brilliant music. It’s a show that will surely go on tour in 2025 and find new audiences in every town and city it visits.
But perhaps the most amazing thing this year was not just the shows watched, it was the camaraderie felt in these little venues; the chance to share a drink and a chat in the bar afterwards with so many writers, performers and directors, discussing their work and vision, something that really is unique to our strange little world of fringe theatre. I’ve offered countless words of support over the years and it’s something special to see those recipients taking their work to new levels, perhaps partly due to mine, and ET’s, support along the way.
Want the chance to see 54 shows in 2025? We always have way more invites than we can ever get to review, so are always looking for new reviewers to join our team. You don’t need lots of experience, just a simple love of theatre and the ability to put your thoughts into 600 words. Interested? Then you can find out more about what’s involved and how to apply here.
