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.
-
Fatherland , Battersea Arts Centre – Review
Nic Green ★★★★ Pros: Nic Green’s absolute vivacity; a ferocious performer, sparkling with creativity and life. Cons: On a practical level, having a group of audience members reading previously unseen lines in unison meant that the words were sometimes unclear,…
-
Olives and Blood, Brixton East – Review
Michael Bradford Directed by Prav MJ★★★ Pros: A cleverly constructed play in a great venue that may have you longing to visit Spain to soak up some history and culture. Cons: I would have liked more detail and depth in…
-
Coward, White Bear Theatre – Review
James Martin CharltonDirected by Terence Mann★★★★ Pros: An enthralling and colourful look into the private life of one of the most well-known and celebrated actor/playwrights of the 20th century. Excellent characterisation by all three actors, particularly of Noël Coward himself…
-
The Many Apologies of Pecos Bill, Battersea Arts Centre
A very impressive one-man show that is funny, smart, and moving.
-
Titus Andronicus, Arcola Theatre – Review
William Shakespeare Directed by Zoé Ford ★★★★ Pros: A bold production bursting with energy. Cons: At times, amidst the shouting, the actors’ words were lost. Our Verdict: A visceral experience that will stay with you forever. Credit: Adam Trigg The…
-
Wuthering Heights, Battersea Arts Centre – Review
Devised by Peter McMaster★★★ Pros: An altruistic exploration of the unlikeable characters of Wuthering Heights. Cons: A confusing start to the show put me on the defensive from the beginning. Our Verdict: Performed by four strong male actors, this ‘adaptation’ of…
-
Cobra, Lion and Unicorn Theatre – Review
A talented cast of actors and actresses but the scene changes felt long and unrehearsed.
-
Stand and Deliver, The Mitre – Review
Wayne Gumble Directed by Catherine Arekalian★★★ Pros: Bundles of energy and enthusiasm, audience participation and a top selection of cheesy 80’s tracks make this an enjoyable and entertaining show. Cons: Being performed in an empty shopfront provided challenges for the…
-
The Grand Guignol, The Space – Review
Francis KobayashiDirected by Adam Hemming★★ Pros: A healthy serving of black humor and a handful of top-notch performances. Cons: The play is entirely too long and struggles to follow a coherent trajectory. Our Verdict: The Grand Guignol is an intriguing…