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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Metamorphosing, Central Saint Martins – Review
A good R&D performance which could make for a promising finished piece.
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Rough for Opera, The Cockpit – Review
Opera as it should be: new vibrant ideas in a free and encouraging setting, a wonderful experience.
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Fiji Land, Southwark Playhouse – Review
Despite its powerful visuals and intriguing premise, this allegory of a pot plant nursery as a concentration camp fails to engage or provoke.
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New Beginnings, The Horse & Stables Theatre – Review
A good showcase for new talent but could do with more cohesion.
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Flight, Brockley Jack Studio Theatre – Review
A melancholic and vivid representation of complex characters and situations. Visually and emotionally stunning, the performances were fantastic (Michael Edwards as Army official Khludov was my favourite).
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Othello, Riverside Studios – Review
Lush, lascivious and lamentable. Othello is a tale of passion and pessimism which Orangutan productions relishes to its full extent. A strong cast and intelligent direction revives this Shakespeare in a vivid way.
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The Pardoner’s Tale, Unicorn Theatre – Review
A delightful interpretation of Chaucer for all ages.
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RETOLD: A Fairytale Festival… without the ‘happily ever after’, The Space – Review
While the concept of the show is promising and some interesting topics are explored, the production failed to engage me.
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Dick Backard: Private Eye, The Bedford – Review
A nostalgic treat on the doorstep of SW12.
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Oedipus Retold, Tristan Bates Theatre – Review
Despite the disparity between the two pieces, overall a thought-provoking production with enough intelligent humour to make a heavy subject digestible.