Off West End
Much like fringe theatre, trying to define what Off-WestEnd venue really means is a debate that would take us long into the night. So for our own sanity, we define it as those venues that are slightly bigger than the fringe venues (so roughly 100+ seats), but not the big West End or similar venues that form part of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). Like fringe venues, Off-WestEnd are eligible for consideration for awards via the Fringe Theatre Awards.
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Albion, Almeida Theatre – Review
This funny, moving and powerful production is effortless in its execution.
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The End of Hope – Soho Theatre – Review
Pros: A hilarious, touching, emotional ride through contemporary social and sexual mores Cons: None A bare, carpeted stage with a circular bed dead centre. As the lights go up, a couple are having energetic, enthusiastic sex beneath a pink satin…
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Bayadère: The Ninth Life, Sadler’s Wells – Review
An intellectually curious show stumbles over its own cleverness, but is mesmerising nonetheless.
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The Secret Keeper, The Ovalhouse – Review
The Secret Keeper is worth your while, it is just such a shame that the dark and gothic isn’t given centre stage enough to make it something brilliant.
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Hair The Musical, The Vaults – Review
A joyous, colourful and exuberant 60s ‘happening’. You will be humming the music to yourself for some time afterwards.
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Kings, New Diorama Theatre – Review
A truly captivating and powerful new work that explores the plight of the capital’s homeless.
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Stardust, Southwark Playhouse – Review
A heartfelt and uncompromising confrontation of the multi-headed beast that is the global cocaine trade, which avoids patronisation and remains entertaining.
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All The Little Lights, Arcola Theatre – Review
A moving presentation of an expertly written and directed piece of new theatre on a very challenging topic.
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The Busy World is Hushed, Finborough Theatre – Review
A fantastic, perpetually pertinent play that wrangles with faith, agnosticism and disbelief in the space of a city apartment.
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Hansel and Gretel, V&A Museum of Childhood – Review
A beautifully-staged version of a classic fairytale that deserves to win new admirers.