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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Crimplene Millionaire, Ovalhouse Theatre
Boogaloo Stu Directed by Emma Kilby ★★ Pros: The game show format of this production is a great idea and produces lots of laughs. There are plenty of interesting facts about the political, economic and sexual climate of the 1970s…
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A Woman of No Importance… Or Somewhat Little Importance Anyhow, Hen and Chickens Theatre
Katherine Rodden Directed by Cat Robey ★★★ Pros: A great script, full of big laughs and wonderful slapstick. Cons: The play starts wonderfully but it spirals into a mildly annoying farce. Our Verdict: The script is hilarious and the cast…
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Macbeth, Camden People’s Theatre
William Shakespeare Directed by Amber Elliott ★★★★ Pros: Intelligent all-round theatre making. Cons: If you sit in the wrong place, you miss a lot of the best action. Our Verdict: A traditional interpretation which uses every element theatre has to…
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Othello, The CLF Art Café
William Shakespeare Directed by Anthony Green ★★★ Pros: The modernization of this production of Othello makes the verse and story clearer and more comprehensible in its relevancy to current affairs. Cons: The theatre was freezing to the point of distraction. Our…
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LineUp, Greenwich Theatre
Presented by Vertical Line Theatre Company ★★★ Pros: An amusing and at times powerful sequence of theatrical shorts made with tremendous enthusiasm and boasting some very decent acting. Cons: Bare scenography and some rushed performances as you would expect from…
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Saer Doliau, Finborough Theatre
Gwenlyn Parry Directed by Aled Pedrick ★★★★ Pros: A unique theatrical experience with a skilled cast and a captivating plot. Cons: The entire play is in Welsh, and even with the subtitles it can be difficult to follow and demands…
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London Wall, Finborough Theatre
John Van Druten Directed by Tricia Thorns ★★★★★ Pros: A sparkling, fast-paced, hilarious and heart-warming show that still manages to get you thinking. Majestically directed and perfectly executed with meticulous attention to detail and splendid period costumes. Cons: Do let…
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Lean, Tristan Bates Theatre
Isley Lynn Directed by Chelsea Walker ★★★★ Pros: Brave and faultless performances in a show that addresses a tricky subject, helped by the seemliest script. Cons: None myself, although some may find it difficult to watch the violent scenes at…
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Who is Moloch?, Press Play House
Pamela Carralero Directed by Zuri Warren ★★★ Pros: An intelligent script with an interesting look at human rights, environmental issues and the military. Cons: The script is far too large and cinematic to be performed in a freezing shoebox theatre…
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Sour Lips, Ovalhouse Theatre
Omar El-Khairy Directed by Carissa Hope Lynch ★★★★ Pros: A story delivered in a mesmerising social media context with a wonderful twist. The strong central performances are enjoyable and the discussion of sexuality, religion and politics is gently confrontational. Cons:…