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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In The Heights, Stockwell Playhouse – Review
Pros: The main characters were phenomenal, especially for being ages 16-21. Not a note, dance move or line out of place. Truly professionals. Cons: The band was way too loud and drowned out the performers. In The Heights, the popular musical by Lin…
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The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Park Theatre – Review
Pros: A brilliant cast and a magnificently scripted story provide the perfect combination. Cons: The musical interludes are all too brief, and annoyingly clipped to make way for more detail in the script. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice was…
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Much Ado About Nothing, Gray’s Inn Hall – Review
Pros: A silent but expressive, accordion-toting Verges Cons: Too many cicadas It’s common these days to watch ‘high’ culture in a ‘low’ setting: Mayerling at the local multiplex, Hamlet on catch-up, in PJs. Watching Antic Disposition’s Much Ado About Nothing…
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Homos, or Everyone in America, Finborough Theatre – Review
Engaging snapshot of the 21st century New York gay scene.
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Around The World In 80 Days @ Union Theatre – Review
Pros: Soaring harmonies, immersive set design, and some truly terrific choreography throughout Cons: Several questionable directorial decisions plague the production Based on the novel by Jules Verne, Phil Willmott’s adaptation brings a musical theatre version of the Victorian classic to…
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There But For The Grace Of God (Go I), Soho Theatre – Review
Pros: A moving and well-constructed piece of storytelling, with the most unexpectedly beautiful ending. Cons: There were issues of visibility when Welsh performed at ground level. Adam Welsh thinks his dad is disappointed in him, and it’s easy to see why…
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BLUE HEART @ C Venues, C Too Ed Fringe Review
Pro’s: Two exceptional Caryl Churchill scripts Con’s: Committed but inexperienced actors With thousands of shows competing to make an impact in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, it’s a bold move for a student ensemble to dive into the fray, pitching their…
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Dead Quiet – Kensington Central Library, Review
Pros: An immersive theatre show in which you get to challenge the actors in your quest to reveal the truth Cons: The cramped library setting sometimes makes it hard to witness all the events It’s 1962, and Kensington Central Library…
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For Reasons That Remain Unclear, King’s Head Theatre – Review
Pros: A strong script with equally striking performances from the cast. Cons: The over-estimated running time stretches the story too much. A cosy pub theatre isn’t necessarily the place to be in the hottest summer since 1976. Thankfully, every fan…
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Mowgli, Brunel Museum – Review
Pros: Set and costumes are the most inspired outcome of the company’s joint effort. Cons: An overstretched, overlong production which should shed a third of its weight to hold audience engagement. Taken from his family when he was a toddler, Mowgli (Nnamdi…