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 of Death, The Libra Theatre Café
An empathic and tortuous placeholder of relationships, aspirations and deceptions in the confined times of Covid 19.
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Review: Mothers’ Day/Fathers’ Day, Drayton Arms Theatre
A duo of very different tales about two individuals facing inner struggles in attempts to not only be someone their parents can be proud of, but to have pride in themselves.
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Review: Open Source Intelligence and Counterinsurgency for the Jobbing Hater, The Space
Chinese actor Lili stalks another actor who is the same casting type, in this funny and poignant industry satire that dives into issues of rage, self-hatred and intergenerational trauma
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Review: Toxic and Hermione’s Dinner, White Bear Theatre
Two topics, both alike in interest, in fair Kennington, where we lay our scene. Alright, no more mangled quotes but Golden Age Theatre’s double-bill on contemporary themes at The White Bear has mixed results
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Review: 50 Ways To Kill A Slug, Soho Theatre
This is the most difficult review I’ve ever had to write, but that has nothing to do with the content of the show or the two performers (Dre Spisto and Joana Nastari) who created it. The problem is that it…
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Review: Union Shorts, Union Theatre
A potpourri of plays showcasing the best of fringe theatre.
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Review: Sweetheart, Lion and Unicorn Theatre
A superb 1960s tale of domestic bliss and mindless murder, all with a rather unexpected twist that turns everything on its head in sublime style.
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Review: H to He (I’m turning into a Man), Finborough Theatre
An energetic, self-deprecating, and vividly convincing depiction of the journey of transitioning from female to male, played throughout with humour.
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Review: Attempts on her Life, Hen and Chickens Theatre
A fascinating and ambitious take on Martin Crimp’s 1997 play, that at times thrills but risks overloading the senses.
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Review: See Primark and Die, Finborough Theatre
A passionate, unpredictable, but slightly patchy take on “no-buy” culture.