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

Lisa Gifford Directed by Paul Linghorn ★★★ Pros: An interesting script with some very funny moments and a top performance from Lisa Gifford. Cons: Some of the actors appeared to be playing for laughs every now and again, which got irritating. Our Verdict: This show isn’t ground-breaking but it is lots of fun with enough plot twists to keep you engaged till the end. Courtesy of Capital City Entertainment This is not my first time seeing Lisa Gifford’s sassy, modern play about ...

Nikolai Erdman Directed by Adam Hemming ★★ Pros: An unexpectedly funny script and a full cast with great comic timing and energy. Cons: The performance was shallow overall, relying totally on comic delivery. Moments which weren’t funny but had true potential to be meaningful were rushed through and caused confusion later. Our Verdict: A valiant but ultimately ineffective effort to make this 20th century Russian play refreshing for new audiences. Courtesy of The Space Arts Centre Space Productions’ current show ...

Tom H C Holloway Directed by Becky Catlin ★★★ Pros: The characters are very well developed and observed. Some strong dialogue and dynamic action on stage and the scenes where time is passing are clever and well performed. Credible acting gives this performance a little sparkle. Cons: The plot isn’t strong enough to sustain interest throughout. It feels more like an illustration than a story and the writing could focus more on the audience and what they take away. Our Verdict: There ...

This is a riotously fun show filled with huge energy, great gags and painfully funny performances.

Moira BuffiniDirected by Jonathan Bradshaw★★★ Pros: Meaty on content and message – a strong mix of darkness, comedy and grit. Cons: This is a long evening (almost three hours including an interval) and while the production is well crafted and well performed, the writing lacks consistency and balance. Our Verdict: An interesting look into the fate of women in the Dark Ages raising thought-provoking questions on identity, sexuality and gender in an exciting and chilling tale. ‘Women are strongest in ...

Luke BarnesDirected by Steven Atkinson★★★★ Pros: An incredibly powerful script delivered by a dynamic and talented performer. Cons: A lacklustre epilogue was a disappointing close to an otherwise completely engaging production. Our Verdict: A great piece of new writing and a shining example of what solo performances should strive for. Courtesy of Watford Palace Theatre Bottleneck, a product of HighTide Fesitval Theatre, wrapped up in London last week with a one-off performance at the Watford Palace Theatre after a brief ...

La JohnJoseph Directed by Sarah Chew ★★★★★ Pros: A fun riot of a show with an intelligent core and an impressive insight into an unusual life. Cons: If you’re not interested in 20th Century philosophy, this may not be for you. Our Verdict: An emboldening story which grabs the audience attention and refuses to let it go. Courtesy of Battersea Arts Centre Boy in a Dress is both entertaining and fun which is quite remarkable considering it is a story ...

This review is for a preview performance that took place on 14th March 2013. John Logan Directed by Michael Grandage ★★★★★ Pros: Dame Judi Dench and Ben Wishaw directed by Michael Grandage; what more could you want? And let’s not forget author John Logan, whose special gift is to talk to the heart of the audience by portraying the essence of human frailty. Cons: I was so immersed in the story, I would have liked a little more about the ...

Alan Ayckbourn Directed by Lucy Bull ★★ Pros: A really enjoyable performance by Nicola Bland brings life to this performance of Ayckbourn’s black comedy. There is some clever use of the simple set. Cons: There is a lack of comic timing, the laughs are sporadic and the action can be a little forced. Some weak performances leave the production feeling flat. Our Verdict: Black comedy relies on crisp delivery of one liners, puns and visual humour to bring enjoyable laughs ...

Jean-Baptiste PoquelinTranslated by Neil Bartlett Directed by Jenny Eastop ★★★★ Pros: A wonderfully entertaining and witty adaptation of Moliere’s famous play. Tom Barratt’s indefatigable performance is not to be missed. Cons: Too few to mention. Our Verdict: A simply wonderful version of a classic French farce. Nothing is lost in translation in this production. 80 minutes of pure entertainment. Courtesy of Mercurius Theatre Company Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (better known by his stage name Moliere) was a master of comedy in 17th ...