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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Our Friends, The Enemy, Theatre 503
Alex GwytherDirected by Tom O’Brien★★★★ Pros: A strong performance and script from Gwyther, even-handed direction from O’Brien, and a timeless, deeply human message. Cons: The diffusion of narrative focus devalues the stories of the two characters who underpin the text; several…
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Crashed, Lowerwood Court Car Park
by Immercity Theatre CompanyDirected by Rosanna Mallinson★★★ Pros: Another well thought out production by Immercity which provides many of the components for brilliant immersive theatre. Cons: If you haven’t done the research, I don’t think this works quite so well.…
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Erich McElroy is Presidential, Slug and Lettuce Southbank
Written and Performed by Erich McElroy★★★ Pros: Crammed with interesting facts, amusing comparisons and bawdy humour. Very well woven together. Cons: Light on his own content while relying too heavily on asides about the media. Our Verdict: An entertaining show…
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Genesis New Writing Night, Genesis Cinema
Presented by Genesis Cinema Directed by William Walsh ★★★★ Pros: A chance to witness some early work from up-and-coming playwrights. Cons: Some plays need quite a bit of rewriting. Our Verdict: A fun night out and a chance to mingle with the…
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Treatment, Drayton Arms Theatre
Written & Directed by Raymond-Kym Suttle ★★★★ Pros: A well developed storyline that touches nerves in everyone’s lives – delivered with passion by the whole cast. Very emotionally engaging. Cons: Some may find the themes cliché and the acting soapy.…
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Skin Tight, Park Theatre
Gary Henderson Directed by Jemma Gross ★★★★ Pros: Stand out performances and well-written dialogue that really hits home. Cons: I would have liked a little more detail on the story of their family, but it’s a really minor quibble considering…
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Macbeth, Lion and Unicorn Theatre
William Shakespeare Presented by Wyrd Sisters Theatre ★★★ Pros: Beautifully performed by each and every cast member. Cons: The immense heat came close to ruining the experience. Our Verdict: A fantastic rendition of this Shakespearean classic, but bring a fan!…
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Glasshouse, The Battersea Arts Centre
The Honest Crowd★★ Pros: It’s unique and quite funny at times. The performers show excellent composure in the face of adversity. Cons: A little repetitive in the early stages and fairly unpleasant to watch at times. Not for those…
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The Precariat, Finborough Theatre
Emily Pulham Directed by Chris Dunkley ★★★★ Pros: All of the actors are excellent, and convincing. A very minimal set is cleverly utilised to add conviction to the scenes, and the theatre has a great atmosphere. Cons: Some of the…
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In Cahoots, Hen and Chickens
Paul Raymond & Luke ManningDirected by Paul Raymond and Luke Manning★★★ Pros: Fresh, energetic and original. In Cahoots show a lot of promise and works the audience well, especially in such a small venue. Their improvisation is very strong and…