Fringe/ OffWestEnd
We could argue for hours what makes a fringe theatre venue, and even then we doubt we’d come to a satisfactory definition. So to keep it simple, fringe here simply means the wonderful little venues, generally less than 100 seats, often located above or below or next to pubs, and very much at the heart of our theatre world, where all the magic usually starts.
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Review: The Dance Plague of 1518, New Wimbledon Theatre Studio
An inventive musical that fills historical gaps.
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Review: Sighted in Port Talbot, Old Red Lion Playhouse
A novel and clever take on the werewolf genre, using it to explore a relationship built on co-dependency. It just needs an injection of adrenaline to help keep it moving.
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Review: Rosa Garland: Primal Bog, Soho Theatre
A hilariously captivating combination of clowning and live art, Primal Bog disgustingly and joyously explores taboo and desire, pushing the boundaries of theatre to its limits.
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Review: Flying Ant Day, Union Theatre
A dysfunctional family finds their way towards reuniting in the midst of loss in this enjoyable, funny and thought-provoking play.
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Review: The Red Prince, Lion and Unicorn Theatre
Well-crafted contemporary political commentary delivered with real power, precision and punch.
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Review: Brazen Hodgepodge, Drayton Arms Theatre
A wonderfully silly show that will have you giggling all the way to the Tube.
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Review: Blink, King’s Head Theatre
‘This is a true story,’ Jonah (Joe Pitts) tells us. ‘This is a love story. This is our love story.’ And so it is, but it’s a far from conventional one. Jonah was brought up on a farm – or,…
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Review: Bird Grove, Hampstead Theatre
Much is left unsaid in this frustrating back story of author George Elliot’s life
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Review: Grindr Mom, Waterloo East Theatre
Through a sea of ‘headless torsos’, this comic Mormon mommy monologue proves bears and otters aren’t only to be found in an Attenborough documentary.
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Review: Swans Are F****** Arseholes, Canal Café Theatre
A muddle of a play that abandons its timely AI revenge-porn premise for incoherent plotting and erratic characters — redeemed a little by fleeting flashes of sharp, comic writing.