Pros: Brilliant and politically sensitive script, fantastic cast and great direction Cons: Nothing to report A joint research report from Community Care and UNISON from 2016 found that social workers are suffering increasing emotional distress and verbal abuse in their routine work as a consequence of staff shortages and budget cuts. According to the paper the vast majority (80%) reported that during a typical working day they suffered emotional distress, while 40% also described being verbally abused. These numbers represented an increase on ...

Pros: Subtle shifts in tone and mood lace a darkly disturbing atmosphere through a beautifully crafted performance. Cons: Less is definitely more, but I would have relished the tension being cranked up even more! Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper happens to be my favourite short story, so Another Soup’s production at the rustic Omnibus Theatre had high expectations to meet. It did not disappoint. From the start, Gemma Yates-Round’s charming portrayal of Alice has the audience wrapped around her ...

A wonderfully acted two-hander with expansive dialogue allowing the characters to develop and flourish.

Baffling play that attempts to link affairs in two time periods.

Two enjoyable short plays highlighting the difficulties encountered by people who are different from the majority. Both need refining and a bit more development to explore fully the many questions raised.

The play will transport you into a world you didn’t even realise existed, whilst spray painting London in colour.

Pros: Strong performances from Sarah Malin and Chris Polik. Cons:  The hard benches…OK for an hour though. The End of History was developed following an invitation by the Rector of St Giles’ who wanted to illuminate the past and present of the church and its local neighbourhood.  This is done via the two characters, Wendy (Sarah Malin) and Paul (Chris Polik), who reveal their back stories and current circumstances by way of narrative and songs.  They are both Londoners, either ...

This bold, nuanced and highly engaging one-man show from the multi-talented Paterson Joseph uncovers a black British trailblazer who should be remembered in mainstream history.

Pros: The beautifully written script and the performances of Sinead Cusack and Michael Cardone, closely followed by the remainder of the cast. Cons: Very, very occasionally, there was a slight tendency towards Porridge like characterisation. Calling herself a ‘Victorian do-gooder’, Lady Anne Tree conducted a long campaign to be allowed to teach prisoners skills through which they could have paid work whilst in prison and improved prospects upon their release.  Her proposal was approved as late as 1992, and the ...

Witty play with an absurdist influence which leaves the door open to multiple interpretations about work and labour relations.