Home » Reviews » Off West End (page 47)

Off West End

Ah, the Off West End. For those not familiar with the term, this is where the real magic of the London theatre scene happens. Great shows are born here, in pubs, in 50-seat theatres, in tunnels. Recommended for the adventurous – we can’t get enough of it, and you’ll save a quid or two as well!

Kiss Me, The Other Palace – Review

Pros: Great jokes and a wonderful heroine Cons: The bits of slo-mo physical theatre don’t add much The narrative holds few surprises, but Kiss Me is a beautiful chamber piece that draws you in with the warmth and complexity of its two characters, Stephanie and Dennis. Stephanie was a young bride and now, in the aftermath of World War I, is a young widow. With most of the young men gone, she enjoys doing a man’s work, driving a truck, ...

Read More »

Guy: A New Musical, Kings Head Theatre – Review

Pros: An original and ambitious new musical showcasing new writers and songwriters that makes for a fun, fast-paced night out with friends Cons: The script is corny at times, with a few plot holes. The songwriter could have done with cramming fewer words into some of the songs as they were hard to follow in places Guy: A New Musical is an original play which showcases new writers and songwriters. It brings the narrative of young gay men navigating the often ...

Read More »

In The Heights, Stockwell Playhouse – Review

Pros: The main characters were phenomenal, especially for being ages 16-21. Not a note, dance move or line out of place. Truly professionals. Cons: The band was way too loud and drowned out the performers. In The Heights, the popular musical by Lin Manuel Miranda, has been chosen by RicNic Theatre Company for their summer show. It tells the story of a group of Latinos living in Washington Heights, New York and the journey they all take, learning about themselves, each other and their ...

Read More »

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Park Theatre – Review

Pros: A brilliant cast and a magnificently scripted story provide the perfect combination. Cons: The musical interludes are all too brief, and annoyingly clipped to make way for more detail in the script. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice was released as a film in 1997 and featured a starry cast including Michael Caine and Brenda Blethyn, with Jane Horrocks in the title role. There’s always a dilemma seeing the stage version after you’ve seen the film: you naturally miss the  expansive ...

Read More »

Much Ado About Nothing, Gray’s Inn Hall – Review

Pros: A silent but expressive, accordion-toting Verges Cons: Too many cicadas It’s common these days to watch ‘high’ culture in a ‘low’ setting: Mayerling at the local multiplex, Hamlet on catch-up, in PJs. Watching Antic Disposition’s Much Ado About Nothing is the opposite experience. It’s a sort of cheesy sitcom (with shades of honour killing), in the pannelled and stained-glassed splendour of Gray’s Inn Hall. This cheesy sitcom is set in France, 1945. There are pretty girls in tea dresses ...

Read More »

Around The World In 80 Days @ Union Theatre – Review

Pros: Soaring harmonies, immersive set design, and some truly terrific choreography throughout Cons: Several questionable directorial decisions plague the production Based on the novel by Jules Verne, Phil Willmott’s adaptation brings a musical theatre version of the Victorian classic to Union Theatre – sewn together by the talent of a young and aspiring cast. This reworking, which sees the addition of a variety of song and dance numbers to keep things interesting, stays true to the original in other respects, ...

Read More »

There But For The Grace Of God (Go I), Soho Theatre – Review

Pros: A moving and well-constructed piece of storytelling, with the most unexpectedly beautiful  ending. Cons:  There were issues of visibility when Welsh performed at ground level. Adam Welsh thinks his dad is disappointed in him, and it’s easy to see why he thinks he might not have lived up to his dad’s high hopes.  A quick Google search of his name demonstrates that maybe he hasn’t been as successful as his dad would have hoped. In fact Google brings up endless results for ...

Read More »

BLUE HEART @ C Venues, C Too Ed Fringe Review

Pro’s: Two exceptional Caryl Churchill scripts Con’s: Committed but inexperienced actors With thousands of shows competing to make an impact in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, it’s a bold move for a student ensemble to dive into the fray, pitching their production up against veterans and professionals. The young players of the University of Greenwich’s Bathway Theatre Company deserve kudos for taking the plunge with a pair of challenging Caryl Churchill plays. They realise this project with no shortage of commitment ...

Read More »