Reading Time: 2 minutesGreg Hicks stuns in The Dream of a Ridiculous Man. Based on the myth of Utopia and the downfall of mankind, this tale explores human suffering, salvation, corruption, and the purpose of life.
Reading Time: 2 minutesAt the Aviva Studio, under the direction of Robert Wilson and accompanied by CocoRosie's music, "The Jungle Book" emerges as an avant-garde interpretation of the beloved tale, ostensibly crafted for children but delving into experimental theater realms.
Reading Time: 2 minutesBlackeyed Theatre’s latest endeavour Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear has made its way to Southwark Playhouse Borough.
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhat happens when a queer theatre group gets their hands on the story of an insurgent lady pirate whose story is lost to 18th century history? The answer: an hour of non-stop, high-energy comedy, embellished with original songs, flashy choreography, and enough genderbending to make your head spin.
Reading Time: 2 minutesDon’t. Make. Tea. is a darkly funny performance, which pinpoints with ominous insight the attitudes of the state and society towards disabled people, and their experiences in trying to survive in the face of what often seems to be a heartless, anonymous bureaucracy.
Reading Time: 3 minutesHandel's Semele performed by Edinburgh Studio Opera with Edinburgh University Chamber Orchestra at the Pleasance Theatre is a captivating baroque opera where the divine and human realms become exquisitely interwoven.
Reading Time: 3 minutesJohan Inger’s Carmen is performed with impeccable technique and phenomenal energy by English National Ballet.
Reading Time: 3 minutesAtri Banerjee’s acclaimed production of Tennessee Williams’ semi-autobiographical masterpiece The Glass Menagerie, first seen at the Royal Exchange Theatre, returns to UK stages, starring Geraldine Somerville (Gosford Park) as Amanda. Currently showing at Malvern Theatres, The Glass Menagerie will be showing in London at the Rose Theatre from April 17th.
Reading Time: 3 minutesGuileless Omar (Lucca Chadwick-Patel), a British-Pakistani teen, lives with his father in London during the Thatcher years. Palmed off to work for his rich Uncle Nasser to get him off the dole, Omar ends up taking on a barely-functioning laundrette. Living amidst the myriad tensions of England in the '80s, Omar manages to halt a would-be gang attack on him and his Uncle's right-hand man (the aforementioned pink-suited Salim, played by Hareet Deol), because he knows one of the gang members: Johnny, an old childhood friend, played by turns damaged and sweet by Sam Mitchell. The two are spotlit for this encounter, with Johnny atop the scaffolding and Omar looking up at him, a visual unavoidably reminiscent of Shakespeare's famous balcony scene. Omar manages to recruit Johnny to work at the laundrette with him, and so begins their love story.
Reading Time: 2 minutesStrategically placed cardboard boxes set up along with desks, are used to not only create the outlines of an office but as usable objects within the characters' space. This flexible set is cleverly worked into character movements and scene changes. Bright coloured lighting and pop cultured music really work well and bring the play to life. The performers are dressed in modern and at times stereotypical clothing but with the cast playing different characters it works. A packed theatre and a real buzz from the audience helped to elevate the play’s comedy.