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.
-
Job Seekers Anonymous, Etcetera Theatre
Written and Performed by Louise Mothersole and Rebecca Biscuit (AKA Booise) ★★★ Pros: Fun, fast paced, topical and true. Uses slapstick to wonderful and meaningful effect. Cons: No clear message. Mainly focussed on the frustration of navigating the current benefits system rather…
-
The Future Show, Battersea Arts Centre
Written and Performed by Deborah Pearson ★★★ Pros: The performance uses an interesting topic – the passage of time – to explore humanity. Cons: I felt it was an underdeveloped idea, and there was something missing. Hard to put a…
-
The Way You Tell Them, Camden People’s Theatre
Written and Performed by Rachel Mars Part of the Beyond the Joke Festival ★★★ Pros: Thoughtful and relevant subject matter delivered by a charming performer. Cons: Not all elements come together well, and several moments feel forced or contrived. Our…
-
So Great a Crime, Finborough Theatre
Written and Directed by David Gooderson★★★ Pros: Solid performances from the cast, especially from Stuart McGugan in the lead role of Hector MacDonald. Cons: The objective of the play is a little unclear, although the script is good overall. Our…
-
Top Story, Old Vic Tunnels
Sebastian Michael Directed by Adam Berzsenyi Bellaagh ★★ Pros: A cast of talented actors deliver strong, impressive performances. Cons: The script drags for the most part and a lot of the scenes don’t serve the storyline. Our Verdict: The 2012…
-
Somersaults, Finborough Theatre
Iain Finlay MacleodDirected by Russell Bolam★★★ Pros: Great movement and high production values throughout.Cons: The show is a little disjointed to begin with and doesn’t quite challenge the audience enough. Our Verdict: This is a play which goes some distance…
-
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lion and Unicorn Theatre
William Shakespeare Presented by the Grassroots Shakespeare Company London ★★★★ Pros: Tremendously funny, great use of language and an engaging, vibrant cast. Cons: Despite cuts, it’s still a bit long. Our Verdict: An incredibly approachable, tasteful, and uproarious Shakespeare production.…
-
Seasonal, Old Red Lion Theatre
Presented by BackHere! Theatre Company★★★ Pros: A really diverse mix of Christmas stories with a lot of interest and cleverly written twists. Excellent stage direction and use of the space and minimal set throughout, with some notably good performances. Cons:…
-
The Tempest, Lion and Unicorn Theatre
William Shakespeare Presented by the Grassroots Shakespeare Company London★★★★ Pros: A wonderfully modern, high energy production filled with great jokes, lovely acting and lots of amusing pop culture references. Cons: If you’re a serious Shakespearean scholar you might find this…