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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Lady Macbeth: Unsex Me Here, Dance Base – Review
A sophisticated piece of psychological dance theatre performed with real excellence.
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Kin, Underbelly Circus Hub – Review
Hugely entertaining and superbly performed, this piece thoughtfully and poetically translates universal themes into the visual language of contemporary circus.
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Replay, Pleasance Courtyard – Review
Pros: The topic, the text, the direction, the acting, the sound and lighting. Everything in this production is a delight. Cons: There was a bit of noise coming from the adjacent rooms. Laughter and tears chase each other in this intimate drama…
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A Charlie Montague Mystery: The Game’s a Foot, Try the Fish/The Man with the Twisted Hip, theSpace @ Surgeons Hall – Review
Two self-aware murder mysteries crammed with puns and clever dialogue. A must for fans of Agatha Christie, P.G. Wodehouse and Dorothy L. Sayers.
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Mental, Assembly Roxy – Review
Pros: Excellent songs, use of sound clips and lights make this play stand out. Kane Power is a confident performer who balances the light and shade of the piece. Cons: As the volume is turned up to 11, the lights…
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Prom Kween, Underbelly Cowgate – Review
A riotously fun crowd-pleaser which wraps glitter and fluff around an intelligent and utterly convincing message.
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Scribble, Assembly Roxy – Review
An admirable OCD awareness agenda and an enthusiastic team is hampered by a guest acting challenge and a patchy story.
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Our Man in Havana, Pleasance Courtyard – Review
Pros: A perfectly executed adaptation of Graham Greene’s novel, with endlessly inventive choreography and the best use of a vacuum cleaner you’ll ever see on stage. Cons: None – it’s a solid all-rounder. Have you ever seen a vacuum cleaner…
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Dates – at the Speed of Sound, Summerhall – Review
Pros: Quirky characterisation of four daters, and fair scrutiny of the modern dating scene. Cons: Audience numbers and logistics affect the speed dating process, which feels slightly disjointed from the plays. The Finnish connection isn’t obvious, either. This show belongs…
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Out – Underbelly @ Edinburgh Fringe – Review
Pros: Great music and sound, riveting movement, a lot of vitamin C Cons: More guidance about context before the show would have enhanced the experience. We filed into the space as two performers (one male, one female) danced beside each…