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

Caryl ChurchillDirected by James Macdonald★★★★ Pros: Churchill continues the push the boundaries of British dramatic enterprise. Cons: The nature of the piece means some of the scenes leave you wanting more. Our Verdict: A thought-provoking, exhilarating ride through all those scenes you see happening all around you everyday. Courtesy of Alastair Muir for the Telegraph I’ll happily spend hours people-watching. I know very few people who don’t, in fact, and for me some of the best experiences I’ve had in ...

Sarah Goddard Directed by Phil Willmott ★★★★ Pros: A very clever script with an engrossing tale – you don’t want the story(ies) to stop! Cons: The vocals in the singing components are a little shaky at the beginning, as were the sound cues which didn’t quite do justice to the original score. Our Verdict: This is rich story-telling with a skillful blend of fantasy and reality; well worth seeing. Courtesy of the Cockpit Theatre A Broken Rose doesn’t give much ...

Stanley HoughtonDirected by Bethan Dear★★★★★ Pros: Expertly produced, expertly performed, expertly designed, and a fantastic script. Cons: I would be clutching at straws if I were to try and formulate any genuine criticism. Our Verdict: If you can get your hands on a ticket, it’s a must. Courtesy of the Finborough Theatre Just to confirm: the Finborough is a truly magical place, an opinion of ours that anyone who has read our reviews before will know. About ten minutes’ walk ...

everything theatre originally reviewed this production in the Hampstead Theatre. It will transfer to the Duke of York’s Theatre from 9th January 2013, where it is currently booking until 6th April 2013: http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-judas-kiss/duke-of-yorks/David HareDirected by Neil Armfield★★★ Pros: Good leads, an important message and beautiful lighting. Cons: The script leaves much to be desired, despite the aforementioned important messaging. Our Verdict: Not the best script, but good performances pull up what could otherwise be a poor show. Courtesy of Alastair Muir ...

Fat-Git Theatre, adapted from the novella by Peter MortimerDirected by Josh Roche★★★ Pros: Dark, quirky comedy, well acted, smooth and simple design. Cons: Sometimes hard to follow. Thought provoking, but ultimately unrewarding. Our Verdict: An equally entertaining and unsettling piece inviting questions about the safety and dangers of solitude, but failing to create a completely connected story line. Courtesy of Fat-Git Theatre It’s not an uncommon trope in modern theatre to have actors, like scenery, preset onstage as the audience ...

The MatchmakersPaula Fleming YolkNatalie Cheary Directed by Ng Choon Ping★★★ Pros: Interesting new writing, not far off being very good; committed performances. Cons: Slightly more development needed by both the script and the acting in places, felt slightly like a first draft of something excellent. Our Verdict: An enjoyable showcase of two shows and two writers with real potential that isn’t fully realised on this occasion. Credit: Jon Cartwright This visit to the RADA Studios was a first for Everything ...

Presented by MayDay Theatre ★★ Pros: A funny, talented all-female cast with lots of great humour. Cons: A lot of it just didn’t make much sense and the show had very little depth given the subject matter. Our Verdict: Nice comedic performances from an undoubtedly talented cast, but ultimately let down by an undeserving script. Courtesy of Oxford House Theatre The 21st December 2012 is thought to be the final date on the 5,125-year-long Mayan calendar. There are currently hundreds ...

A very enjoyable, well executed performance, highly recommended if you are looking for a good laugh. If you haven't been to an opera before, this is a great one to start with.

John Van DrutenDirected by Anthony Lau ★★★★★ Pros: Great writing, great acting, great direction, great music, great costumes, great set design (I could go on!). Cons: I know I have to write something here but I’m struggling to think of anything. The herbal cigarettes were a bit stinky, I guess. Our Verdict: A fantastic evening with stunning performances. Hilarious, devastating and thought-provoking. “I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking.” Credit: Nicolai Kornum I Am A ...

Tarell Alvin McCraneyDirected by Dominic Cooke★★★★ Pros: Fantastic set design, excellent performances and truly stunning musical interludes. Cons: If there has to be one, I would say the characters are a little stereotyped, but only a little. Our Verdict: A wonderful, unique and high quality production at an intimate venue. Courtesy of the Royal Court Theatre I was wowed the minute I walked into the 80-seat Jerwood Theatre Upstairs. It never ceases to impress me how versatile and creative the ...