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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GamePlan, Hen and Chickens Theatre
Alan Ayckbourn Directed by Lucy Bull ★★ Pros: A really enjoyable performance by Nicola Bland brings life to this performance of Ayckbourn’s black comedy. There is some clever use of the simple set. Cons: There is a lack of comic…
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Ring, Battersea Arts Centre
Glen NeathDirected by David Rosenberg ★★★★ Pros: A profoundly creative, unique and deeply immersive show which will have you on the edge of your seat. Cons: I got a bit spooked a few times but as long as you don’t…
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Lysistrata, Riverside Studios
Aristophanes, adapted by Theatre Lab Company Directed by Anastasia Revi ★★★★ Pros: An explosively relevant and hilarious adaptation, with clean design, a multi-talented cast, and great original music. Cons: Elements of the re-imagining seemed slightly out of place, and some…
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Hot Dog, The Last Refuge
Sarah KosarDirected by Faye Merralls ★★★ Pros: Simultaneously funny and thought provoking, this show will stay with you long into the evening. Cons: The venue was freezing, the performance space in particular. This did distract a lot of attention from…
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Never Rains but it Pours, Theatre 503
Alison CarrDirected by Tom Latter★★★★ Pros: Three excellent performances from a very talented cast. Cons: It would have been nice to see a better resolution to the story – an additional ten minutes would have only pushed the show over the…
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Globaleyes 2013, Chickenshed Theatre
Presented by the Chickenshed Theatre Directed by Christine Niering ★★★★ Pros: A very committed group of performers put on a great spectacle of dance and movement. There were many disturbing facts about the effects of globalisation. Cons: At times it…
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Nights of Enchantment, Etcetera Theatre
Gillian Pencavel (based on 1001 Arabian Nights)Directed by Alice Sillett★★★★ Pros: Impressively passionate and physical with excellent use of masks and puppets. Fun and moving at the same time. Cons: The use of several characters per actor without clear signposting…
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A Time to Reap, Royal Court
Anna WakulikDirected by Caroline Steinbeis★★★★ Pros: This is a sensitive, honest story about a woman, her friend, his father and the impact of the changing political landscape of Poland through the nineties. Cons: The play deals with issues involving Catholicism and abortion which…
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Making Dickie Happy, Tristan Bates Theatre
Jeremy KingstonDirected by Robert Gillespie★★★★ Pros: Some fantastic performances and a sharp, witty script. Cons: The beginning of the second act lagged a bit but got back on track by the end. Our Verdict: A really excellent new work with…