Pros: As a piece of theatre, this will entertain many. Cons: As a piece about anxiety, it seems at times almost to send up the subject matter. Cards on the table: I suffer from anxiety. It controls my whole life in ways most people will never realise, and what people see as unsociable is in fact me avoiding anything that could heighten my anxiety. Even reviewing can trigger it. I might seem confident and relaxed, but what people don’t see ...

Cathartic show in which professional performers work with a group of people who have suffered a stroke.

Despite praiseworthy efforts, rather than challenging the stigma associated with this personality disorder the play only bolsters it.

A daring, innovative new play offering a frightening glimpse into the potential of robots.

Pros: Thought-provoking storytelling from an excellent cast. Cons: The phlegmatic British attitude in the telling of the story left me a bit cold, but then I think that was the point. Fans of Mike Bartlett’s previous work (Dr Foster, King Charles III, Earthquakes in London) might be drawn to the Arcola Theatre in the hope of enjoying more of his writing, and they won’t be disappointed. Originally performed as a BBC radio play Not Talking now takes its stage premiere, and the text ...

An engaging but somewhat confused evening of boundary-pushing performance.

An intensely physical and high octane journey through bigorexia and body dismorphia that could do with an emotional punch.

A disturbing, though thoroughly absorbing study of gang culture and knife crime in London.

Pros: Identity and the self are touchingly portrayed by a cracking cast of fabulous actors. Cons: The whole show felt a touch too long, especially in the baking hot Old Red Lion! I had no idea what to expect upon entering the wonderful, but none too fancy Old Red Lion Theatre for Response 3: Reality & Quarry. The press release gave nothing away for the first three shorts, Reality, Tourmaline and Dry Feet, while Quarry was introduced with an amusing, yet bemusing, synopsis, along the lines ...

A moving play about two strangers united by the loss of a loved one during the Orlando terror attack.