review
After an acclaimed run at the Almeida, Robert Icke (of Oresteia fame) brings his tempestuous production of Mary Stuart to the Duke of York's Theatre. First staged in 1800, he has rewired Frederick Schiller's political saga into a contemporary drama with two fierce leading women that electrify the...
La Soirée review
After several successful stints off-West End, circus extravaganza La Soirée finds a home in the refurbished Aldwych Theatre. It's an odd environment for the usually intimate experience, and it does lose the heady atmosphere of the Spiegeltent. However, the show quickly reminds us of its draw with...
Everybody's Talking About Jamie review
There's a new kid on the block, and he comes in the shape of a sensational new pop musical, fresh from the hands of Tom MacRae and The Feeling's Dan Gillespie-Sells. Everybody's Talking About Jamie is the Sheffield-born project, based on the 2011 BBC documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16. It's a...
Glengarry Glen Ross review
Glengarry Glen Ross is set over an intense 48 hours in the world of a group of Chicago salesmen who are thrown into a ruthless high-stakes competition against each other. It has been over a decade since its previous West End revival, and David Mamet’s critically acclaimed play returns to the...
Annie review
Annie is one of the great classic musical films. Who didn't grow up watching the feisty red-haired orphan battle against the evil Miss Hannigan who runs the orphanage with an iron first, only for Annie to be whisked away by billionaire Oliver Warbucks to live a privileged life she could've never...
Venus in Fur review
David Ives' dark comedy Venus in Fur premiered way back in 2010, before opening to sizzling reviews on Broadway. This revival, directed by Patrick Marber, is incredibly sexy, with an electrifying leading lady at the helm. At a base level, it's a kink-filled comedy, but amidst the current news the...
Wicked review
After recently celebrating 11 years on stage, there's a reason why Stephen Schwartz's musical Wicked remains as one of the West End long-runners. A dazzling, glittering affair, it waves the flag as one of the traditional, big-belter Broadway musicals, featuring a mesmerising score that has been...
The Toxic Avenger review
After the recent revivals of Half a Sixpence and 42nd Street, the West End’s musical options all seem a bit too safe and a bit too polished. That is, until Joe DiPietro and David Bryan's hulk of a musical The Toxic Avenger smashed into London, at the perfectly shabby Arts Theatre, bringing...
Ink review
Younger generations may only know The Sun for its Page 3 controversy a few years ago, but there is a riveting backstory to this British newspaper growing from underdog to populist tabloid under the helm of Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch and editor Larry Lamb. Writer James Graham and director...
Matilda the Musical review
As Matilda the Musical approaches its seventh year in the West End, and a new adult cast has had a couple of weeks to bed in, what better time to revisit this most delightful of shows. Dennis Kelly's adaptation of Road Dahl's novel remains the perfect interpretation of the slightly surreal nature...
