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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Unwrap Your Candy, White Bear Theatre
Doug Wright Directed by Nick Bradford ★★ Pros: Good framework and interesting choices, some very funny moments. Cons: The three pieces were bizarre, but not always in a good way: they didn’t match in tone, and all were quite anti-climactic.…
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Open Doors, The Troubadour
Presented by Stay on the Bus Productions ★★★ Pros: Some terrific script-writing, lovely acting and lots of laughs. Cons: The venue was over-crowded and unbearably hot, though this was most likely due to it being a busy press night. Our…
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Over the Bridge, Finborough theatre
Sam ThompsonDirected by Emma Faulker★★★★ Pros: The cast worked fantastically together, creating a truly tense and touching dynamic.Cons: A couple of suspect Irish accents occasionally tainted the atmosphere. Our Verdict: A sensational piece of theatre loaded with conviction, commitment and…
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Tea with Mamgu, The London Welsh Centre
Written and directed by David J. Evans ★★★ Pros: An interesting approach to the very difficult subject of succumbing to dementia. Funny at times and moving at others. Enjoyable elements of Welsh culture and some very good acting.Cons: Slightly static…
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Ocelot: Resurrection, The Last Refuge
The Brothers KaufmanDirected by Jonathan Kaufman★★★ Pros: Hilarious short pieces and a wildly funny, engaged cast. Cons: Inclusion of light and set design would have bumped the presentation up a notch. Our Verdict: Though it could have been easier on…
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The Seagull, Watford Palace Theatre
Anton Chekhov, in a new version by John Donnelly Directed by Blanche McIntyre ★★★★ Pros: A modern script that pulls Chekhov into the 21st century, with some fantastic, natural performances and a great set. Cons: Still a little hard to follow…
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Singin’ I’m No a Billy He’s a Tim, The Cockpit
Written and directed by Des Dillon ★★★ Pros: A great script. Funny and poignant with strong themes, cleverly delivered in a very credible setting. The cast are fantastic and deliver wonderful comic timing. Cons: Although pacey and energetic, it is…
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Around the House, Ovalhouse Theatre
Presented by the Ovalhouse Theatre Part of 33% London ★★ Pros: An ideal platform for showcasing young talent. Cons: The site specific setup was clumsy and contributed little to the production. Our Verdict: A good idea for a production, but…
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Publius Horatius, White Bear Theatre
Presented as part of the AXIS Emerging Artists Festival alongside Vesta Created and directed by Menelaos Karantzas ★★ Pros: A clever set for a black box venue with some lovely direction and staging. Cons: Quite slow which made it hard to…