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: Churchill’s Urinal, King’s Head Theatre
A culture-war checklist masquerading as political satire.
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Review: Nonsense and Sensibility, Etcetera Theatre
Two actors fall out and then must stage Jane Austen’s classic novel entirely on their own, in a hilarious, slapstick adaptation.
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Review: The Infinite Colours on the Drinks Aisle, Theatre Peckham
Timely and tense, Infinite Colours transforms today’s headlines into gripping theatre
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Review: Retrospective, Barons Court Theatre
A clever blend of deep thinking on the meaning of life mixed with plenty of silliness makes this a great transfer from across the Pond.
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Review: Assata Taught Me, Riverside Studios
Compelling depiction of a memorable woman - Assata Olugbala Shakur (1947-2026)
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Review: The Last Man, Southwark Playhouse
A well-intentioned production that never quite empowers the audience to empathise with important underlying themes.
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Review: Drunk Girls Cry Here, The Hope Theatre
This comedy drama promises to show what really takes place in female facilities.
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Review: Visite, Coronet Theatre
A gloriously entertaining wordless work that captures the universality of life.
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Review: Five, Lion and Unicorn Theatre
A play about our obsessions with true crime podcasts has plenty of promise, but falls on its lack of realism in important moments.
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Review: Party Favour, Etcetera Theatre
A superbly acted solo piece that handles a number of intriguing themes.