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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Macbeth, Jack Studio Theatre – Review
A bit of Shakespeare that is well worth a watch, even if just to hear the verse in Scottish. (Note: not all cast use a Scottish accent)
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Posh, Pleasance Theatre – Review
A depressingly spot-on portrayal of the workings of the British establishment.
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Tejas Verdes, Ugly Duck – Review
A simple yet thought-provoking promenade drama about the brutal dictatorship of General Pinochet in Chile.
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Honk!, Union Theatre – Review
A joyful family musical with a simple aesthetic that cannot disguise its high production values.
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Chinglish at Park Theatre – Review
This show will transport you to China and make you fall in love with every single character.
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Custody, Ovalhouse – Review
A raw, visceral and, above all, human show. Powerful poetry in play form. Everything theatre should be.
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Incident at Vichy, Finborough Theatre – Review
This Holocaust drama is powerful in its message and delivery, while maintaining a subtlety and elegance in its execution.
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Adam & Eve… and Steve, King’s Head Theatre – Review
The script never quite matches the promise of the plot and lacks real belly laughs, but a bright and talented cast sees it through to a satisfactory conclusion.
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The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Greenwich Theatre – Review
Pros: Interesting staging, combined with well-rehearsed choreography and movement. Cons: A tad confusing at times and doesn’t work hard enough to fulfil Brecht’s wish of making the audience think. Brechtian theatre is difficult, both in meaning and in staging, so any…
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Escape the Scaffold, Theatre 503 – Review
An ambitious, if occasionally incoherent, production.