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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The Thrill of Love, St James Theatre
Amanda Whittington Directed by James Dacre ★★★★ Pros: A wonderful collection of exceptional actors have been brought together in this brilliant production. Cons: Not many. It is only 90 minutes long; personally I prefer that, but some may see it…
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The Hospital at the Time of the Revolution, Finborough Theatre
Caryl ChurchillDirected by Jim Russell★★★★ Pros: Very clever writing which manages to narrate bad actions by characters yet also depicts the reasoning without judgement. Cons: A little too unremitting as an experience and some of the events feel unnecessary. Our Verdict:…
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Molly Sweeney, The Print Room
Brian Friel Directed by Abigail Graham ★★★★★ Pros: An excellent venue, compelling script and note-perfect performances. Cons: Nothing worth mentioning. Our Verdict: This production breathes new life into Brian Friel’s poetic work. Astounding all round. Credit: Tristram Kenton The Print…
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Gibraltar, Arcola Theatre
Alastair Brett and Sian Evans Directed by James Robert Carson ★★★ Pros: A brave and ambitious attempt at tackling a contentious and complex subject, with a delightful performance by Karina Fernandez as the astute Rosa. Cons: At the end of…
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The Early Bird, Lion and Unicorn Theatre
Leo Butler Directed by Zoe Thomas-Webb ★★ Pros: Strong, intense performances from a small cast; a minimal but thoughtful set design. Cons: An incredibly confusing script made the show nearly impossible to follow. Our Verdict: Despite a true effort, the…
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Peanuts, The Last Refuge
Ashleigh Packham Directed by Adam Reeves ★★★ Pros: A very enjoyable journey following a delightfully quirky character. Cons: The scatty nature of the protagonist is just as prevalent in the play as a whole. Our Verdict: Very enjoyable and worth…
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I Didn’t Always Live Here, Finborough Theatre
Stewart Conn Directed by Lisa Blair ★★★★ Pros: A poetic script, inspired casting and high production values make this show most enjoyable. Cons: The script works well in terms of dialogue, but loses its way as far as the plot…
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Sing Something Simple, The Cockpit
Written and directed by Vanessa Brooks ★★★★ Pros: Beautifully written and very well performed with a great design and excellent music. Cons: I can’t think of any real drawbacks. There is a very clichéd plot twist at one point but…
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No Man’s Land, Blue Elephant Theatre
Presented by Glass-eye Theatre ★★★ Pros: A wonderful story line full of humanity and imagination. Cons: Alexandra Krassa’s depiction of ten year old Ailsa Thomas was unconvincing at times, preventing much of an attachment to the character. Our Verdict: A…
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Rutherford and Son, Watford Palace Theatre
KG SowerbyDirected by Jonathan Miller★★★★ Pros: An important play, powerfully directed by Jonathan Miller, with excellent dramatic leads. Cons: Some of the secondary male characters seemed far too shallow – but then in many ways this adds to the anger…