Fringe/ OffWestEnd
We could argue for hours what makes a fringe theatre venue, and even then we doubt we’d come to a satisfactory definition. So to keep it simple, fringe here simply means the wonderful little venues, generally less than 100 seats, often located above or below or next to pubs, and very much at the heart of our theatre world, where all the magic usually starts.
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Review: TR[IA]L, White Bear Theatre
A timely sci-fi thriller with a clever twist and sharp design, though the show occasionally prioritises atmosphere for character development
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Review: Steel Magnolias, OSO Arts Centre
This textbook rendition of an eighties classic charms and engages even if it does not offer anything new.
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Review: Time Sliders, New Diorama Theatre
An action-packed race across time to understand what’s really precious, with challenging themes that are sensitively managed.
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Review: Boiler Room Six: A Titanic Story, Pleasance Theatre
A standout (dare I say titanic?) performance in a sharp script, supported by excellent sound and lighting.
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Review: Love Letters to Stalin, Golden Goose Theatre
Despite a fascinating historical setup, this production fails to find its heart, resulting in a repetitive, humdrum tale
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Review: My Uncle Is Not Pablo Escobar, Brixton House
An interesting start soon becomes a mash-up of styles, and the show fails to live up to its early promise.
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Review: Knocked Conscious, Riverside Studios
Viscerally talented sketch comedy
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Review: I Was a Teenage She-Devil, The Other Palace
A cartoonish rock musical with more volume than heart
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Review: Stuck in Transit, Old Red Lion Theatre
An interesting story demonstrating two very different halves of society, hampered by an uneven pace between them.
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Review: Dear Jack, Dear Louise, Arcola TheatreÂ
A gentle, uplifting wartime love story told through letters, filled with humour, heart, and hope. A beautifully staged reminder that even in dark times, human connection still shines.