Nikki SchreiberDirected by Dan Barnard & Rachel Briscoe★★★★ Pros: A quirky play within a play that offers lots of laughs, gags and good humour, as well as a serious and meaningful contemplation of the causes and consequences of the economic collapse. Cons: Despite being told in allegorical form and presenting several perspectives, the message and tone of the production did feel overtly didactic at times. Verdict: Cheese offers a unique experience in more ways than one. A sharp dissection of ...

James SaundersDirected by Matthew Parker★★★★ Pros: The tone of the mid twentieth century was conveyed and performed beautifully. Cons: The show moved too quickly in the beginning, making it a bit hard to follow. Our Verdict: The trinkets of anguish in Zoe’s life are bought together fantastically by DogOrange theatre company, examining the true pitfalls of heartbreak. The audience is taken back to a recent but long-forgotten past. Courtesy of Brockley Jack Studio Theatre I always look forward to shows at the intimate ...

J B PriestleyDirected by Alex Marker★★★★  Pros: The post-apocalyptic British setting is intriguing. Strong character development, interwoven storylines and vivid imagery give the play a lot of interest and energy. The production standard is excellent and the stage direction is fantastic for such a small space. Cons: Written in 1949 and set in 1975, some aspects of the play are a little dated and naïve. Some of the characters are over-romanticised which leaves them a little contrived and insincere. Our ...

William Shakespeare Directed by Scott Ellis ★★★ Pros: A mesmerising performance from Simon Grujich in the title role, a fast-paced evening, and a refreshingly clear and back-to-basics approach to the most well-known play in the English language. Cons: I felt that the final scene was not as moving as it should have been and that the supporting cast were outshone by Grujich’s performance.  Our Verdict: This is a solid production that uses simple and effective staging to foreground Shakespeare’s text, ...

Simon Vinnicombe Presented by The Orange Line Collective ★★★★ Pros: Funny, truthful and touching. Cons: Perhaps at times the pace of the dialogue was a little frenetic. I was little disappointed by the lack of London imagery in the stage design. Our Verdict: An intelligently put together, poignant exploration of modern London-based love. Credit: Sam Swainsbury City Love, by emerging writer, Simon Vinnicombe expertly explores modern relationships. It tells the story of Lucy and Jim. They are alone in London; both ...

Presented by Dirty Market Theatre★★★ Pros: Original, brilliantly funny, macabre, dark, bizarre, fantastical – get the idea? Cons: The plot is difficult to follow in parts but just go with the flow; you’re in other-worldly realms here in Hoxton. Our Verdict: Imagine Tim Burton directing an episode of Emmerdale whilst on an acid trip. Just go along with an open mind and let Dirty Market create their wonderful havoc.  Credit: Jemima Yong This Dirty Market production is in association with Camden ...

Colman DomingoDirected by Titas Halder★★★★★ Pros: Colman Domingo’s endless energy is contagious in this fun yet emotional piece. Cons: The concept is not original and the show doesn’t experiment with new ideas or new types of theatre. Our Verdict: A thoroughly enjoyable show which will get your feet tapping to some awesome tunes. You’ll leave with a smile on your face. Courtesy of tricycle.co.uk The basic premise of A Boy and his Soul has been seen on stage many times: ...

Alfred de Musset Translation by Peter Meyer Directed by: Martin Parr ★★★★ Pros: Wonderfully witty dialogue and brilliant performances. Cons: The punctuation of brief operatic interludes seemed a little out of place. Our Verdict: Great entertainment in an unusual setting makes for a special evening of theatre. Courtesy of The Osbourne Studio Gallery I was intrigued by the prospect of attending this show given that it is being staged in an art gallery in Belgravia rather than an auditorium. We ...

Maureen ChadwickDirected by Simon Evans★★★★ Pros: Creative, hilarious and unique, with a seasoned cast and great set. Cons: The plot arc felt quite abrupt, characters didn’t seem fully formed. Our Verdict: An innovative and thoughtful story of lost love as well as a relevant reflection on what it means to be a lesbian, a mother and a woman. It’s well worth your time! Credit: Catherine Ashmore Riverside Studios has a penchant for hosting excellent and varied new work, recently having ...

Written and performed by Phoebe Waller-BridgeDirected by Vicky Jones★★★★ Pros: An absolutely hilarious comedy which will have you laughing out loud. Waller-Bridge manages to captivate the audience’s attention for the duration of the story. Cons: If rude sex-related jokes don’t appeal to you then this production is most definitely not for you. Our Verdict: People with an open sense of humour will fast become fans of this production and I can’t wait to see what else Waller-Bridge has up her ...