by Ann Henning JocelynDirected by Alex Dmitriev ★★★★  Pros: Play offers an insight into a little-known time in poet Ted Hughes’ life. Cons: Would have been nice to have a longer show! Our Verdict: A one-act play that packs an emotional punch. Courtesy of Jermyn Street Theatre Doonreagan takes place a few years after the death of Sylvia Plath – the famous American poet who committed suicide in the 60’s. Her husband, fellow poet Ted Hughes, has moved his children ...

by Oscar WildePresented by The Alchemic Order★★★ Pros: The combination of promenade theatre and “Dorian Gray’s private home” gives this piece something quite special. Cons: Conversations felt slow, the pauses between lines sometimes dragged. However this might have been because of last-minute-casting. Our Verdict: A different evening that will transport into the debauched upper echelons of Victorian society, albeit it is a little rough around the edges. Courtesy of Sebastian Lister and The Alchemic Order What do you do when ...

by Louise BrealeyDirected by Paul Hart★★★★ Pros: Everything about this piece is good – the writing, the acting, the setting, the lighting – it all works. Sophia Crawford’s performance is a highlight. Cons: Although atmospheric, church acoustics make voices echo so some dialogue is hard to catch. Our Verdict: This is wonderful theatre. It builds slowly, but provides a thoughtful look into an often-debated subject in history that still has relevance and shock value in today’s society. Courtesy of National Youth Theatre Given ...

by Ayndrilla SingharayDirected by Lucy Allan★★★★ Pros: Intense plot and acting filled with emotion and surprises, with an overwhelming ending. Cons: The slight over-acting made the scenes look too staged at times. Our Verdict: A gripping and haunting story about love and family, fantastic script and setting. I highly recommend it! Courtesy of Rosemary Branch Theatre Unsung is writer Ayndrilla Singharay’s reinterpretation of a short story by Rabindranath Tagore called Punishment. The original piece is set in a little village ...

Howard ColyerDirected by Sarah Marr and Scott Le Crass★★★★ Pros: Produced perfectly, performed fantastically, written engagingly. Cons: I did not really understand the point of the final play, Nothing Else Ever. Our Verdict: An enjoyable evening where I inhaled the riveting performances. Judging by the quality of these shows, Ballast Theatre is a company to watch out for. Courtesy of Brockley Jack Studio Theatre Although entitled Never Have I Seen Mount Fuji, this show was actually made up of three ...

Joe White Directed by Josh Roche ★★★★ Pros: A beautiful piece of theatre. Thoughtful and creatively presented. Cons: Not enough Shubham Saraf! Our Verdict: One of the most interesting and original new plays at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013 – now in London. Courtesy of Fat Git Theatre Specie is the latest offering from Fat Git Theatre, a company that aims to challenge contemporary perceptions of ugliness. The show is a meaningful contribution to the debate, full of verve and ...

Go and see this if you like the utterly bizarre. It wonderfully meanders round a residential area and makes it magical, but I found that there was too little narrative for me to make sense of it.

Part of the Camden Fringe 2013 Created by Plumpkin Theatre Company ★★★ Pros: A different kind of theatrical experience that combines mime and clowning to create a fresh new plot. Cons: Some of the scenes dragged a bit at times. Our Verdict: An unusual and enjoyable evening. Courtesy of Camden Fringe In Two Heads Are Better Than One, performers Anna Haskell-Thomas and Verity Hicks lead us into a story where spoken language is made redundant. Through theatrical clowning the troupe portray what happens when two different ...

Part of the Camden Fringe 2013 Written and performed by Not The Brontës★★★ Pros: Not the Brontës create a very relaxed and easy-going atmosphere. The performance makes you feel right at home in the theatre. Cons: Working on the interpretation of the stories would have engaged the audience more. Our Verdict: The stories were interesting and fun cleverly combined with live music and some northern humor. Courtesy of Not The Brontës Truly, Madly, Keighley is composed of a selection of ...

Part of the Camden Fringe 2013Maria Figgins and Adam CourtingDirected by Maria Figgins and Adam Courting★★★ Pros: Short sketches that are far from formulaic and keep you guessing. Cons: Some people may not readily understand the surreal and dark subject matter. Our Verdict: A talented team with chemistry and an unconventional imagination. Courtesy of Merlot Merlot Theatrical duo Merlot Merlot (Adam Courting and Maria Figgins) write and perform their own material. For the Camden Fringe, they have produced a series ...