West End/ SOLT venues
We’ve expanded our definition of West End to include those big venues that whilst not physically in the West End, budget wise are very similar. Think of places like Southbank Centre or Royal Albert Hall. Generally these are the venues that are members of the Society of London Theatre and eligible for all the big award ceremonies. Whilst we don’t attend lots of these shows, now and again it’s fun to savour the glitz and glamour they can offer.
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Birthday, Royal Court
Joe PenhallDirected by Roger Michell★★★ Pros: Trustworthy actors perform a compact piece with big laughs at the expense of gender stereotypes. Cons: Slightly unclear what Penhall’s point (if there is one) is! Our Verdict: A play which hopes to question…
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Timon of Athens, National Theatre
William ShakespeareDirected by Nicholas Hytner★★★★ Pros: Simon Russell-Beale’s superb performance in a superbly adapted play. Cons: Hardly any, slightly dragged towards the end of the second half. Our Verdict: Top-notch stuff from the National, and definitely worth seeing despite the…
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Posh, Duke of York’s Theatre
Laura WadeDirected by Lyndsey Turner★★★ Pros: Funny, angry and well performed. Audience unlikely to be populated by Tories… Cons: Don’t feel it is entirely sure what it is trying to say in places… Our Verdict: A fun production, especially for…
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The Last of the Haussmans, National Theatre
Stephen BeresfordDirected by Howard Davies★★★ Pros: A cast that makes you go ‘wow’, a stunning set, and some wonderful individual performances. Cons: Some conversations didn’t seem quite real, despite it being a naturalistic production. Our Verdict: This play will do…
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Antigone, National Theatre
Sophocles, in a new version by Don TaylorDirected by Polly Findlay★★★★ Pros: great performances, short, snappy staging. Cons: Greek tragedies aren’t everyone’s cup of tea – they are by definition depressing! Our Verdict: an engaging and worthwhile rendition of a…
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Misterman, National Theatre
Written and Directed by Enda Walsh★★★★ Pros: Powerful acting supports a complex, beautiful and well-constructed story in a intricately devised setting. Cons: Desperately sad. Our Verdict: An unsettling experience but an incredible night of theatre. Courtesy of the Daily Telegraph There…
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Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, National Theatre
Errol JohnDirected by Michael Buffong★★★★ Pros: Strong performances, great script, funny and moving. Cons: The Cottesloe is an amazing space where designers can run wild… perhaps more could have been made of this. Our Verdict: A great night of quality…
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She Stoops to Conquer, National Theatre
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…
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One Man, Two Guvnors, Theatre Royal Haymarket
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…