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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Rope, Brockley Jack Studio Theatre
Patrick Hamilton Directed by John Fricker ★★★★ Pros: Absolutely superb acting – you’d never want to see this play cast differently! Cons: Needless break and clumsy sound effects. Our Verdict: A very entertaining night out – even for die hard…
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Take a Deep Breath and Breathe, Ovalhouse Theatre
Bola AgbajeDirected by Toby Clarke★★★ Pros: An electric display of young acting talent with moving performances from all cast members. Cons: Sexism seems to be engrained in the script and is never challenged – I came away hating both men…
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Between Ten and Six, Leicester Square Theatre
Chris Mayo with additional material by Owen LlewelynDirected by Garrett Millerick★★★ Pros: Mostly confident and nuanced performances with a set that perfectly augments the creepy atmosphere of an odd ball’s flat. Cons: Whether this was the tale of a psychopath, a…
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It Never Rains, White Bear Theatre
Presented as part of AXIS Emerging Artists Festival Written and Directed by Shaun Kitchener★★★ Pros: Great atmosphere with laugh out loud moments thanks to some fantastic writing. Cons: Some of the dialogue was lost on delivery leading to some awkward…
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L’elisir d’amore, Blacks in Soho (site-specific in various locations)
On my way home I bought and downloaded a copy of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. How’s that for a recommendation?
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Love vs Hate, Tristan Bates Theatre
Wounds Chantelle Dusette Directed by Zoe Ford To The End Of Love Edwin Preece Directed by Sean Turner ★★★ Pros: Two plays for the price of one. Well-crafted, well-produced performances set in an intimate space. Cons: The individual character storylines…
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Shaw Thing: Two one act plays, The Poor School
George Bernard Shaw Directed by Paul Caister ★★★ Pros: You can’t beat George Bernard Shaw for witty, digestible period drama with a twist in the tale. The cast do a good job of delivering an enjoyable performance and provide plenty…
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Tartuffe, Canal Café Theatre
Molière, adapted by Sarah E. Pitard Directed by Cat Robey ★★ Pros: Great choice of era (1920s) to set this 17th century French classic. The lavish and indulgent background feeds perfectly into the title character’s greed and his champion’s blind…
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Trash, White Bear Theatre
Tom HuntDirected by Timothy J Howe★★★ Pros: A wonderful atmosphere and a few laughs. Cons: Lack of development or evolution of the characters. Our Verdict: Light and amusing, but it could be more engaging. Courtesy of LittleBerry Productions With curtain…
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Jumpers for Goalposts, Watford Palace Theatre
Tom Wells Directed by James Grieve ★★★★ Pros: A superbly well-written, well-acted, and well-designed production. Cons: While charming, the script occasionally borders on cliché. Our Verdict: A truly outstanding production with a fine balance of humour and heart. Courtesy of…