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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Peter Pan: A New Adventure, Greenwich Theatre – Review
The best night out at the theatre you will have all year!
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Underneath, Soho Theatre – Review
Funny and intense, but uneven in tone.
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Before It Starts, Mirth Marvel and Maud – Review
Pros: Some graceful physical theatre in a vivacious 30’s venue. Cons: A confusing mix of themes and impersonal performances across the board. Some 13 years after the EMD Granada cinema closed to the public it has finally reopened, giving the…
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A Girl & A Gun, Pleasance Theatre – Review
Pros: A powerful, charged work featuring a strong central character Cons: The second performer appears awkward, never having seen the script before; neither actor produces emotional engagement A man and a woman stand in front of microphones on a largely…
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Baddies: The Musical, Unicorn Theatre – Review
Pros: An enjoyable, fun show. Excellent cast and venue. Cons: Will not work if you are not familiar with the original Fairy Tales. The problem with seeing a family show on press night is that the ratio of adults to…
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The Rising Cost of Cabbage, Soho Theatre – Review
A relaxing evening of storytelling for grown-ups. Entertaining but bland.
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Dido & Aeneas: Remixed, Redbridge Drama Centre – Review
Perfect theatre for those who enjoy hauntingly beautiful love stories.
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Quint-Essential, Peacock Theatre – Review
Pros: Striking design, beautiful dancing and a focus on building new audiences Cons: Sometimes felt more like a PR stunt than it should have done The New English Ballet Theatre is a young ‘neoclassical’ ballet company whose (admirable) mission is…
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Princess, Lost Theatre – Review
Pros: Well-executed choreography Cons: The ‘princess’ failed to connect with the audience Do not be fooled by the title – Stuart Saint’s Princess is an unconventional tale of feminism expressed through movement and an electro-pop soundtrack. Not expecting a dance…
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Rumpy Pumpy, Union Theatre – Review
Pros: A high-energy cast kept up the pace with talent and panache. Cons: The syrupy storyline oversimplified the serious and difficult subject matter. Rumpy Pumpy takes its inspiration from the true story of Jean Johnson and Shirley Landels, two women…