William M. Hoffman Directed by Andrew Keates ★★★★  Pros: Seamless staging and impassioned acting. Cons: Almost zero, although being ultra-picky, I’ll say there was scope for the emotional scenes to be cranked up even more. Our Verdict: A virtually faultless production, with a gripping and well-structured storyline and exhilarating performances. Courtesy of Finborough Theatre On Wednesday, Stephen Fry published an open letter to David Cameron and the International Olympic Committee, urging them to take action against the violent anti-gay laws of Russia, ...

Emily Pulham Directed by Chris Dunkley ★★★★ Pros: All of the actors are excellent, and convincing. A very minimal set is cleverly utilised to add conviction to the scenes, and the theatre has a great atmosphere. Cons: Some of the more political rants don’t always sound true to the characters who are speaking them, and feel a little preachy (although the rants are not without purpose). Our Verdict: A wonderful piece – well cast, moving, enjoyable, thought provoking and darkly ...

by Pam Gems Directed by Helen Eastman ★★★★★ Pros: A fast-paced, engaging, politically charged show with characters that enter your heart slowly but surely. Powerfully directed and flawlessly executed.  Cons: Some may find the tiny estrogen-filled flat a bit claustrophobic by the end… but this is a 4-woman sitcom show after all! Our Verdict: Another great period show at the Finborough. Head to Earl’s Court before the show sells out!  Courtesy of Jagged Fence Productions “Is Valium habit-forming?” asks Dusa ...

David StoreyDirected by Tim Newns ★★★ Pros: A rarely performed play that carries itself with gentle humour and poise. Cons: The play doesn’t quite pull the heart strings as you would expect about from such a subject. Our Verdict: A poignant tribute to a celebrated novelist and playwright David Storey. Courtesy of the Finborough As the audience sat down, there was an immediate sense of calm and stillness in this small, intimate theatre. The mellow murmuring of the sea permeated the ...

Doug Lucie Directed by James Hellier★★★★  Pros: An excellent young cast dazzle in this still relevant play about both being in your early twenties and the inequality of modern society. Cons: While the set contributes much to the atmosphere of the play, the actors are still finding their feet with the clutter and consequently it can sometimes act as a barrier rather than a tool. Our Verdict: Once again the Finborough produces great work, with a young cast we should watch ...

David Hutchison Directed by Bruce Guthrie ★★★★ Pros: A terrific script and a few top class performances. Cons: The play lags in places with a number of slightly confusing moments. Our Verdict: Well worth a look. The topic of Scottish independence is very of the moment and you won’t find a more entertaining exploration of it than this. Courtesy of FinboroughTheatre “In 1950’s Scotland, Nationalists were the kind of people who, if they saw a roadside cliff face adorned with ...

Bekah Brunstetter Directed by Max Pappenheim ★★★ Pros: Well-fleshed out drama chronicling the highs and lows of adolescence complimented by a solid cast and highly original staging. Cons: A tad repetitive in places and occasionally suffering from a case of over-inflated teenage angst. Our Verdict: Provocative, snappy dialogue from a bright emerging American playwright who is definitely a talent to keep an eye on. Courtesy of the Finborough Theatre Bekah Brunstetter has a knack for creating the kind of dialogue ...

Sam ThompsonDirected by Emma Faulker★★★★ Pros: The cast worked fantastically together, creating a truly tense and touching dynamic.Cons: A couple of suspect Irish accents occasionally tainted the atmosphere. Our Verdict: A sensational piece of theatre loaded with conviction, commitment and emotion. Courtesy of The Finborough Theatre Before its premier performance in January 1960, Over the Bridge had caused mass controversy amongst the theatre companies of Ulster, the Northern Irish province in which Belfast sits. Its writer, Sam Thompson, was an Irish ...

Caryl ChurchillDirected by Jim Russell★★★★ Pros: Very clever writing which manages to narrate bad actions by characters yet also depicts the reasoning without judgement. Cons: A little too unremitting as an experience and some of the events feel unnecessary. Our Verdict: A very insightful and intriguing play which stimulates interest in how human beings cope in times of war. Courtesy of Finborough Theatre The play is set during the Algerian War and we become the voyeurs of several moments in a ...

Stewart Conn Directed by Lisa Blair ★★★★ Pros: A poetic script, inspired casting and high production values make this show most enjoyable. Cons: The script works well in terms of dialogue, but loses its way as far as the plot is concerned. Our Verdict: This is a heartwarming show with very believable characters and strong direction. Courtesy of the Finborough Theatre I Didn’t Always Live Here is a tale set in Glasgow, focusing mainly on the life of Martha, an ...