Oliver GoldsmithDirected by Jamie Lloyd★★★★ Pros: A delightful variety of hilarious characters and a brilliant plot. Cons: I honestly don’t think anyone stopped laughing for long enough to think of any. Our Verdict: If you’ve been fortunate enough to catch it, you are to be congratulated, and if not don’t be too harsh on yourself – just know that you have made a grave mistake. Courtesy of Alastair Muir for the Daily Telegraph In an unforgivable act of negligence, we ...

Written & Directed by David Byrne ★★★★ Pros: An excellent adaptation, some great performances and fantastic direction make this a cohesive and slick piece of work. Cons: Slightly variable individual performances in places, but this is a minor gripe. Our Verdict: A fantastic show from a superb creative team. Definitely worth seeking out, better than many things on the West End and cheaper by miles. Courtesy of Richard Davenport After the success of our last outing to the New Diorama ...

Jon CooperDirected by Samantha German ★★★ Pros: Fantastic performances, great performance venue and good to see daring pieces of writing being aired. Cons: The script is rather indulgent and it’s a bit too long.  Our Verdict: A very good production of a script that needs a bit more work. Courtesy of Sheer Drop Theatre Company Over the last few months we’ve started to properly branch out into the world of fringe theatre. As a result we’ve discovered some absolute gems, ...

Charlotte CoatesDirected by Tom Latter★★★ Pros: Some great performances, and some interesting situations. Will not leave you bored.  Cons: Tries to be too many things at once. Endearing? Shocking? Leaves you wondering.  Our Verdict: Certainly not a boring production, but lacks focus.  Courtesy of Sheer Drop Theatre The Tristan Bates Theatre, just around the corner from the Cambridge Theatre and slap bang in the middle of Covent Garden, describes itself as ‘the thorn in the side of the West End’. It ...

David SeidlerDirected by Adrian Noble★★★★ Pros: Flawless performances, clever set and great script. Will keep you riveted from start to finish. Cons: Sticks too closely to the film version. Our Verdict: A production destined for success, overall an excellent piece of theatre. Not to be missed. Courtesy of Tristram Kenton for The Guardian The film of The King’s Speech was one of 2010’s most successful movies, drawing widespread critical acclaim and no less than twelve Academy Award nominations, four of which ...

Libretto by Hugh Wheeler, based on the play by Christopher BondMusic & Lyrics by Stephen SondheimDirected by Jonathan Kent★★★★ Pros: Musicals as they should be; fantastic lead performances, great music and no overbearing set or special effects.  Cons: A couple of less engaging performances from the supporting cast.  Our Verdict: An excellent musical, even we were satisfied!  Courtesy of Tristram Kenton for the Guardian I think you probably know us well enough by now to have realised that musicals are ...

Edward BondDirected by Angus Jackson★★★ Pros: Patrick Stewart gives one of several great performances in this beautifully designed play.  Cons: Edward Bond’s self-righteous play borders on dull.  Our Verdict: One for the big time Stewart fans, or those who like Bond, but don’t expect a rollercoaster of a ride!  Courtesy of Tristram Kenton for the Guardian Chichester Festival Theatre is on a bit of a run, churning out some brilliant productions perfect for transfer to the West End. Sweeney Todd, ...

Written and Directed by Ben Webb ★★★★ Pros: Strong stylistic staging, excellent movement sequences. Cons: Overly lengthy at times, contains its fair share of stereotypes. Our Verdict: Enjoyable for people of all walks of life – gay or straight, a piece worth seeing. Courtesy of Risking Enchantment The Ovalhouse is a theatrical space in south London which strives to host ‘theatre for people with something to say’, and this is particularly the case for their latest season, entitled if only… ...

Richard BeanDirected by Nicholas Hytner★★★★★ Pros: Easily the funniest show in town, different-in-a-good-way to the original, Owain Arthur is ridiculously good, The Craze are still playing the music. Cons: None. Except for the fact that it gets out at the same time as Phantom of the Opera, forcing you to share limited pavement space with so-called ‘Phans’! Our Verdict: Still at the top of it’s game, it remains the must-see show in London. Courtesy of Alistair Muir for the Daily ...

Ryan Craig, David Greig, Zinnie Harris, Diana Son and Colin Teevan Directed by Nicolas Kent ★★★ Pros: A fascinating commentary on the influences and dangers of nuclear weapons in the modern world. Cons: A shame it is truncated into two productions – it seems bizarre not to present the origins of the bomb alongside its consequences. Sometimes feels like too much of a geopolitics lecture.  Our Verdict: An urgent and interesting production overall, and a fitting swansong for Nicolas Kent.  ...