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

Sleepwalk Collective Directed by Sammy Metcalfe ★★★ Pros: An unrelenting journey of sound that unsettles your senses. Cons: Narrative and the audience’s position are too confusing to follow. Verdict: An interesting example of immersive theatre with well-researched and effective sensory illusions. There is clear vision, but unfortunately it just doesn’t fulfil it. Courtesy of BAC Amusements is the hardest kind of performance to write about because it is designed to be experienced as an individual. Ushered in to the space ...

In a guest blog for Everything Theatre, we hear about the BBC’s Performing Arts Fund in 2013. Applications have recently opened, and this year a series of schemes focussed on theatre have been launched. Since it was established in 2003, the BBC Performing Arts Fund (BBC PAF) has supported and awarded grants to 1,250 individuals and 237 community groups from across the UK. We receive our income from voting lines on BBC One entertainment programmes, such as The Voice. This ...

Aeschylus, translated by Paul Elmer More Directed by Cieranne Kennedy Bell  ★★★ Pros: An ancient and powerful story that is rarely performed, with strong actors and an unusual and intriguing method of storytelling. Cons: At times difficult to follow, and many aspects of the performance are overcompensation for the lack of action.  Our Verdict: Emotionally charged and engaging. This brutal tale will appeal more to those with an interest in Greek mythology, but still has a powerful connection with a ...

Christopher Marlowe Directed by Ricky Dukes ★★★ Pros: The puppetry was wonderfully executed and gave the play a strong sense of ingenuity. Cons: A lot of long speeches were delivered standing on the spot, so it was easy to lose interest after a little while. Our Verdict: A bold depiction of Marlowe’s tragedy holding an enticing taste of creative originality which, with a more visually stimulating set and pattern of movement, could well be fulfilled. Courtesy of Lazarus Theatre Company ...

Sarah Page Directed by Kevin Williams ★★★★ Pros: A play about a recent event is always interesting, and tying it in with a smaller, personal story is a masterstroke. Cons: It could be argued that at one point in the play, things are overwrought, but then again with a lot of families, life can be like that – and then some! Our Verdict: A strong play that has well-rounded characters that are emotionally engaging. Time zips by! Credit: Dan Barry ...

David Hutchison Directed by Bruce Guthrie ★★★★ Pros: A terrific script and a few top class performances. Cons: The play lags in places with a number of slightly confusing moments. Our Verdict: Well worth a look. The topic of Scottish independence is very of the moment and you won’t find a more entertaining exploration of it than this. Courtesy of FinboroughTheatre “In 1950’s Scotland, Nationalists were the kind of people who, if they saw a roadside cliff face adorned with ...

Anne Gehring & Vera Ketelaars Directed by Marjolein Frijling ★★★ Pros: A very relatable, poignant story with recognisable characters. Wonderful weird writing. Cons: A strange and rather awkward watch and not to everyone’s taste. Perhaps not the best choice for a family outing or a first date. Our Verdict: At times hilarious, at times tragic, this is a brilliant look at the desire to run away from your life. Experimental theatre at its best. Courtesy of Battersea Arts Centre Performed in a ...

Jane Montgomery Griffiths Directed by Jessica Ruano ★★★ Pros: A five star execution by actress Victoria Grove, who performs with both vigour and grace. Cons: Difficult to follow without any background knowledge. You quickly find yourself playing catch-up as you try and dissect each scene.  Our Verdict: An enchanting and apt venue, with the play set in the archaeological ruins of The Rose Theatre. To truly enjoy and understand the play, some reading about the life of the ancient Greek ...

David Henry Hwang Directed by Alex Sims ★★★★★ Pros: Delves into a very complex and hard-to-communicate idea with a perfect balance of levity through humour. Cons: The last 5 minutes. Our Verdict: An intensely engrossing play. Creates plenty of laughter and leaves you with a greater understanding of the issues surrounding cultural identity and prejudice. Courtesy of Evening Standard Cats and wool. It’s hard to believe that these two things didn’t evolve at the same time in the same environment. ...

Eugene Ionesco Directed by Moji Kareem ★★★ Pros: Both well-designed and well-acted, with an intriguing and thought provoking concept.Cons: Lofty subject matter and repetition made it a bit pretentious and at times hard to swallow.Our Verdict: Well-conceived and produced. Delightfully absurd at times, but perhaps an overly intellectual examination of theatre. Courtesy of Rob Sloetry Covell Eugene Ionesco is the king of avant-garde and absurdist theatre. With this production, Utopia Theatre tackles his apparently quite personal struggle with the place ...