A Masterclass with Cumley St. Claire was a show I was sad to miss during its Camden Fringe run, because who doesn't love flowers and a brightly coloured poster? Fortunately I was given another chance thanks to their short run at the Bread and Roses as part of the Clapham Fringe. On arrival at the … Continue reading A Masterclass with Cumley St. Claire at the Bread and Roses Theatre (Clapham Fringe)
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Rat King at The Hope Theatre
rat king is a beautifully written two-hander by Bram Davidovich about the relationship between new runaway Kelly and homeless Jacko. There is an appealing lyricism to the piece that doesn't detract from the sense of realness in the story being told. Davidovich's writing has an exquisite richness and poetry that I really loved. Melker Nilsson … Continue reading Rat King at The Hope Theatre
Snowflakes at the Old Red Lion
Photo credit: Charles Flint Photography. Robert Boulton, Niamh Finlay and Henry Davis pictured (from L-R) Originally due to run in 2020, Snowflakes finally opened at the Old Red Lion this week, where it will be running until 16th October. I was really surprised when I discovered this is Robert Boulton's debut play as a playwright, … Continue reading Snowflakes at the Old Red Lion
Tokyo Rose at the Southwark Playhouse
Photo credit: Steven Gregson Burnt Lemon Theatre's Tokyo Rose shows that you don't need a big budget to stage a compelling musical. Written by Maryhee Yoon and Cara Baldwin (with additional book by William Patrick Harrison, Hannah Benson and Jonathan Man), and composed by William Patrick Harrison, Tokyo Rose tells the true story of Iva … Continue reading Tokyo Rose at the Southwark Playhouse
Jam Tart/Lemon Kurd at Bread and Roses (Clapham Fringe)
Running as part of the 2021 Clapham Fringe festival Jam Tart/Lemon Kurd is made up of two 30-minute monologues told from the perspective of two different women. Jam Tart written by Rhiannon Owens, stars Katy Maw as Claire, a 54 year old wife and mother who has the sudden realisation that she has lived a … Continue reading Jam Tart/Lemon Kurd at Bread and Roses (Clapham Fringe)
Deciphering at the New Diorama
(c) Alex Brenner Deciphering is billed as "an inter-continental journey to the origins of human creativity" and it certainly lives up to this epic ambition. Inspired by the recent (2021) discovery of geometric symbols dating back c37,500 years on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island, this show involved an international collaboration between Curious Directive (a science-led theatre company) … Continue reading Deciphering at the New Diorama
Raise Your Hand If You Want Dad To Die at Theatre 503
With a short 2 night run (17-18th September 2021) at Theatre 503, Raise Your Hand If You Want Dad To Die looks at the chaos that might ensue should the technology be developed to allow for death-swapping. I loved this concept so was interested to see what playwright Clare O'Flaherty would do with it, but … Continue reading Raise Your Hand If You Want Dad To Die at Theatre 503
Belly Up at the Turbine Theatre
Fanta Barrie and Julia Grogan pictured in Belly Up which runs at the Turbine Theatre 15-18th September Written by Julia Grogan and Lydia Higman, Belly Up was first performed as part of the 2020 Vaults Festival. This Turbine Theatre version is an evolution and expansion of the 2020 show, and clearly takes on board learnings … Continue reading Belly Up at the Turbine Theatre
Catching Comets at The Pleasance
Catching Comets at The Pleasance (London), running 14th-19th September 2021. Photo credit: Sophie Giddens. Alastair Michael pictured Following a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival in 2019, Ransack Theatre's Catching Comets has finally made it to The Pleasance London for a short run, as part of a small tour (which includes Royal Exchange Theatre … Continue reading Catching Comets at The Pleasance
Clapham Fringe 2021 Launch at Bread & Roses
On Saturday (11th Sept) I was invited to the Bread and Roses in Clapham to celebrate the upcoming 2021 Clapham Fringe Festival. Many of the artists involved were gathered, and there was a wonderful energy as we chatted away in the pub's beer garden. It is such a joy to see fringe theatre bursting with … Continue reading Clapham Fringe 2021 Launch at Bread & Roses