Reading Time: 2 minutesBased on the book written by Dominique Morisseau, Ain’t So Proud- the musical captures the life journey of the famous Black American band, The Temptations, from the streets of Detroit to one of the most successful bands of their time. It recounts the struggles and victories the performers overcame throughout their careers, including interpersonal problems, the civil rights movement, and the shifting face of the music business.
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe heart and humour of Michael Wynne’s dark comedy about a multi-generational Scouse family tearing at the seams is undeniable, which makes it all the most frustrating when its ending leaves the family’s unresolved issues scattered across the stage.
Reading Time: 2 minutesNoah's Flood was similar to the biblical myth: through it, Benjamin Britten, the composer returned to a purer form of art, similar to the Chester Miracle plays from the 14th century when ordinary, untrained performers put together a show for their besotted ones. But the production, similar to the catastrophic event, suffered from a watery chaos of uninspired choices.
Reading Time: 2 minutesThey, written by Kay Dick and adapted and co-created by Maxine Peake, Sarah Frankcom, and Imogen Knight, is an intriguing collection of 9 vignettes set in both the past and the future. In this world, where "no singles were speared" and "there's always danger in livings," artists and free-spirited individuals face constant danger. Violent vigilantes roam about, destroying anything that is aesthetically pleasing, cultivates sensibilities, or is poetry. They blind, mutilate, and even kill artists.
Reading Time: 3 minutes"How very" of a show was Heathers at Liverpool Empire. I was welcomed with open arms to Westerberg High. Full of dry humour, savageness, pure camp and a lot of energy, the production is a worthy adaptation of the 80s high-school cult classic – be it, a more sanitised one.
Reading Time: 2 minutesOnce upon a time in Hammersmith, Riverside Studios presents Tarantino Live: Fox Force Five & The Tyranny of Evil. At first glance, It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what this experience is designed to be. Tarantino the musical? The concert? The cabaret? In truth, probably a combination of all three. In short, It’s a fast-paced theatrical extravaganza, focusing less on a poignant plot and more on a roller coaster recreation of Tarantino’s most famous scenes live on stage. All this is stitched together with infamous characters breaking into classic Hollywood songs, much like you’d expect to find within a West-End musical.
Reading Time: 3 minutesJali is a one man show, written, performed, and directed by Oliver Twist. A refugee from Rwanda who ends up resettling in Australia and gaining Australian citizenship. The show was first performed in Australia and was nominated for a number of awards including “Best Newcomer” and “Best Independent Production” at the Sydney Theatre Awards and also received rave reviews with 5 stars from OUT in Perth and 4 stars from the Sydney Morning herald. I am not one to be contrarian for the sake of it, but I did not leave this show with such a positive opinion.
Reading Time: 3 minutesFollowing successful runs in America, and one UK run in Manchester last year, the show is based on the hit 1993 film of the same name. Produced by Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson, it is a hilarious and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds.
Reading Time: 2 minutesIn a mesmerising triumph of storytelling, All of It at the Royal Court captivates audiences with its fearless exploration of the human experience. Alistair McDowall's poetic triptych, directed by Vicky Featherstone and Sam Pritchard, weaves together themes as vast as love, family, mortality, and memory in a production that is both intimate and theatrical.
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe premise is intriguing: a young woman, Maria, enters a nail salon that serves alcohol where she drinks and drinks until there are disastrous consequences. With a playful structure and style, Edie Walwyn’s writing is one of the most gripping aspects of the production.