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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Butterfly Power, Rosemary Branch Theatre – Review
“Cigarette, dear?”“No thank you, dear.”“I think I might have a cigarette, dear.”“No you won’t, dear.”“Very well, dear.” And so the scene is set: in two inflatable armchairs, presided over by a goldfish on a gold pedestal, sit Mr and Mrs…
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Scary Bikers, Trafalgar Studios 2 – Review
I volunteered to cover this without knowing anything about it, and when I had a quick look at some blurb claiming that it was yet another Brexit-themed piece I admit my heart sank a little. Fear not. Yes, Brexit is…
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Killymuck / Box Clever Double bill, The Bunker – Review
Social inequality is the theme that binds Killymuck and Box Clever together, a double bill of one woman shows at The Bunker. But there is so much else that links these shows. Both have powerful performances from their sole actor,…
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Wolfie, Theatre503 – Review
Wolfie is a play that is surely destined for a longer life than its few weeks at Theatre503
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The Project, White Bear Theatre – Review
It’s 1942 in a transit camp in Holland. Four Jewish detainees make up the camp’s concert party: impresario Victor (Lloyd Morris), dancer Anna (Faye Maghan), her sister Millie (Eloise Jones) and Anna’s lover Peter (Nick Devallé). When Millie discovers that…
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Lipstick: A Fairy Tale of Iran, Omnibus Theatre – Review
Drag theatre is an increasingly broad church and here it is used to serious political effect at Omnibus Theatre’s 96 Festival of queer theatre, which celebrates the iconic 1996 Pride party on nearby Clapham Common. The drag, for fans, delivers.…
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There Is A Field, Theatre503 – Review
Mark (Sam Frenchum) is from a typical East End family, working class to the core. Except Mark has gone off the rails with too many drugs, and has been kicked out of the family home. After the death of his…
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The Problem With Fletcher Mott, Drayton Arms Theatre – Review
There is something exhilarating about seeing a work in progress, especially when it’s from a team surely only just out of their teens! There’s an energy created you just don’t get at normal press nights. Ok, so that’s because the…
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Bodies, Southwark Playhouse – Review
Playwright James Saunders presents us with a classic scenario. A younger couple and an older couple gather together in a living-room, having not seen each other for nine years. Each spouse has cheated with the spouse of the other, and…
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Bottled, Vault Festival – Review
Like the abusive marriage that it describes, Bottled starts off deceptively sweet. It is Katy’s 15th birthday, and she’s celebrating at home with family and her mum’s boyfriend, some shiny balloons and a violently pink cake. As she talks us…