Everything Theatre Reviews, interviews and news for theatre lovers, London and beyond

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 theatre. Courtesy of Tristram Kenton for the Guardian If there is one thing I hate, it’s a badly behaved audience member. For those who have had the pleasure of never encountering such beasts, let me give you a brief overview. ...

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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

Richard NelsonDirected by Roger Michell★★★★ Pros: Fantastic cast who work excellently together and ticket prices for the Hampstead Theatre are brilliant. Cons: Underdeveloped ideas leave the audience wanting a bit more from the characters and the play. Our Verdict: Well worth a trip up to Swiss Cottage, ticket prices are very worthy for these top performances. Courtesy of Tristram Kenton for the Guardian Deep in the heart of North London lies the Hampstead Theatre. It is a modern and comfortable ...

Francis Beckett Directed by Christine Kimberley ★★★★ Pros: A thought-provoking production with an intelligent and layered new script. Cons: The action comes across a little cliché at times. Our Verdict: Not for the politically apathetic. For anyone else, don’t miss out on this fascinating insight into recent world politics. Courtesy of Etcetera Theatre The Arab Spring was a movement which no-one expected. It all started with the self-immolation of a young, unemployed Tunisian graduate. Just 15 months later, no less ...

Absolutely worth going to if you fancy challenging yourself and broadening your horizons - we genuinely enjoyed it and we know nothing about dance or sculpture.

Oscar WildeDirected by Henry Filloux-Bennett★★★ Pros: A fun and novel staging of an excellent play. Cons: Some of the comedy in this fringe production’s transfer is lost in the bigger space. Our Verdict: A good production worth seeing, although it drags a little in places. Courtesy of London Theatreland The Importance of Being Earnest, subtitled ‘A Trivial Play For Serious People’ is almost certainly Oscar Wilde’s most famous play. Its opening night was the climax of his career, but also the ...

Alexander WrightDirected by Dominic Allen★★★★  Pros: A thoroughly engaging performance by Jethro Compton. Cons: Not the best from Belt Up and may have lost some audience members along the way. Our Verdict: An intimate and moving evening of theatre, offering something entirely different from the norm. Courtesy of Belt Up Theatre Sat on a sofa in a dimly lit study, watching two characters struggle with each other as one tries to have sex with the other, it occurred to me ...