Review: The Fix at the Union Theatre

The Fix
Union Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 15th July 2016
★★

John Dempsey and Dana P Rowe's musical The Fix is the first show to run in the Union Theatre's new home in Union St (directly opposite the much loved former' venue). Having premiered at the Donmar Warehouse in 1997, The Fix centres around a fictional U.S. politician who finds himself caught up with the Mafia. You would think certain themes could seem relevant today, but sadly The Fix falls flat in 2016 and is an underwhelming piece.

Review: The Stripper at the St James Studio

The Stripper 
St James Studio
Reviewed on Monday 11th July 2016
★★

Carter Brown, Richard Hartley and Richard O'Brien's musical The Stripper is a crazy show bound to raise a few eyebrows. Benji Sperring's production transforms the intimate St James into Club Extravaganza; the stage has been slightly reconfigured whilst for the first time in the studio, audience seating is allocated.

Review: Michael Crawford stars in The Go-Between at the Apollo Theatre

The Go-Between
Apollo Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 8th June 2016
★★

Michael Crawford has returned to the West End in Richard Taylor and David Wood's musical version of L.P. Hartley's novel The Go-Between. Crawford plays an older version of the central character Leo Colston who retells the story of when he was acting as the go-between messenger for Marian and the local farmer Ted who were having a passionate affair, despite Marian being engaged.

Review: A Story Of Tom Jones (UK tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

A Story Of Tom Jones (UK tour) 
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 5th April 2016
★★

Who can resist a bit of Tom Jones? Whilst his music still fills dance floors, jukebox musical A Story Of Tom Jones is a little rough around the edges. The show begins when Jones was an undiscovered boy with a big talent, and follows his story to cracking the music industry.

Review: Beyond The Fence at the Arts Theatre

Beyond The Fence 
Arts Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 26th February 2016
★★

If we knew the secret formula to staging a blockbuster hit musical then we'd all be billionaires; sadly scientists are no closer to cracking the code. Marking the world's first computer generated musical, Beyond The Fence has opened at the Arts Theatre as part of the current Sky Arts TV series Computer Says Show.

Review: 4000 Days at the Park Theatre

4000 Days
Park Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 22nd January 2016
★★

The concept behind Peter Quilter's new play 4000 Days is very powerful; whilst Michael lies in a coma, his stressed boyfriend and disapproving mother wait by his side at each other's throats. After regaining consciousness, it becomes clear Michael is suffering from memory loss and is left piecing together the last decade of his life. 

Panto Review: Rapunzel at the Park Theatre

Rapunzel
Park Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 11th December 2015
★★

Once again the award for most bizarre panto of the year goes to the Park Theatre for their production of Rapunzel. I do respect Jez Bond and Mark Cameron for tearing up more and more of the panto rule book each year, but must also admit that for two hours I wondered if I had eaten one mince pie too many and fallen into some sort of weird panto nightmare.

Review: The Illusionists at the Shaftesbury Theatre

The Illusionists
Shaftesbury Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 16th November 2015
★★

Having played in 71 cities across 17 countries, The Illusionists has opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre to play its fifth West End engagement. The show brings together seven magicians from across the globe who each take to the stage a couple of times throughout the evening.

Review: Elf The Musical at the Dominion Theatre

Elf The Musical
Dominion Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 5th November 2015
★★

Having premiered on Broadway in 2010, Elf The Musical has found its way to London with an all-new production directed and choreographed by Morgan Young. Based on the 2003 movie, the musical follows a thirty-year-old elf named Buddy who - after discovering he is actually human - leaves Santa and the North Pole behind to travel to New York in search of his family.

Review: Pig Farm at the St James Theatre

Pig Farm
St James Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 28th October 2015
★★

Pig Farm by Greg Kotis is a peculiar play set on an American farm. With pig prices falling, an inspection from the Federal Protection Agency looming and his marriage hitting the rocks, farmer Tom (Dan Fredenburgh) reaches breaking point. 

Review: The White Feather at the Union Theatre

The White Feather 
The Union Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 18th September 2015
★★

Set during the First World War, in new British musical The White Feather we meet innocent Harry who, despite being a little too young, heads off to war. After suffering from shell shock, Harry is executed for cowardice. The spotlight is then shone on his sister, Georgina, who is determined to keep her head held high. 

EdFringe Review: A+E at the Pleasance Courtyard

A+E
Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) ​
12:15 / 1 hour
Reviewed on Friday 7th August 2015
★★

Inspired by a true story, Lottie Finklaire's play A+E cleverly juxtaposes the build up and aftermath of a terrible accident. The piece delves into the intensity of friendship and the complications of love, whilst touching on the fear and impact of loss.

Review: Letter to Larry at the Jermyn Street Theatre

Letter to Larry

Jermyn Street Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 4th August 2015

★★

The year is 1960. Vivien Leigh is starring in Duel of Angels at New York City's Helen Hayes Theatre, and in a fitful state retires to her dressing room to confront the long postponed task of responding to a letter from her beloved Laurence Olivier, expressing to her his desire for divorce. This is the situation that playwright Donald Macdonald uses to conjure a portrait of the tortured actress, projecting herself backwards and forwards in time, reliving her triumphs and tribulations with the undulating emotions of a raft tossed on the sea. Under the guise of actress Susie Lindeman, we are asked to scrutinise Leigh, and find the pain behind the obsessive relationship with Olivier and her own insecurities, both professional and personal. 

Review: The Who's Tommy at the Greenwich Theatre

The Who's Tommy
Greenwich Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 31st July 2015
★★

Adapted from The Who's 1969 rock opera double-album, this was my first time seeing Tommy which many know as the 1975 film directed by Ken Russell. The title character is "traumatized into catatonia" after witnessing his father murdering his mother's partner and embarks on a journey to rediscover his spirit. 

Review: The Mentalists at the Wyndham's Theatre starring Stephen Merchant & Steffan Rhodri

The Mentalists 
Wyndham's Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 10th July 2015
★★

Stephen Merchant makes his West End debut alongside Steffan Rhodri in Richard Bean's two-hander. First staged in 2002, The Mentalists has been revived by Abbey Wright with a top notch cast.

Review: There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis
Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Reviewed on Tuesday 2nd June 2015
★★

Funnily enough I actually already knew that the only time Elvis Presley set foot in the UK was in 1960 when his plane had to briefly stop off at Prestwick airport. It is this brief moment which has inspired John Plews and Jennifer Selway's new play with music.

Review: Beyond Bollywood at the London Palladium

Beyond Bollywood
London Palladium
Reviewed on Monday 18th May 2015
★★

Guiding audiences on a journey through India, Beyond Bollywood has transferred to London for sixty performances direct from its one-night-only premiere in Mumbai. 

Review: Godspell in Concert (UK Tour) at the Hackney Empire

Godspell in Concert (UK Tour) 
Hackney Empire
Reviewed on Sunday 5th April 2015
★★

This was my first time seeing a production of Godspell which is touring the UK following a one-off West End staging last year. Bringing together a series of gospel parables, Stephen Schwartz's weird and wonderful musical features an exhilarating score.

Review: Molly Wobbly at the Leicester Square Theatre

Molly Wobbly

Leicester Square Theatre (The Lounge)

Reviewed on Friday 30th January 2015

★★

What to say about Molly Wobbly? It's quite possibly one of the most bizarre and absurd evenings I have spent in a theatre. Reading the programme notes by Paul Boyd, the writer/director, it's clear that the late Christopher Malcolm (the original Brad in The Rocky Horror Show) has had a hand in the nurturing and development of this show: unsurprising as this show has 'cult' written all over it and echoes of that show resound strongly throughout this piece.

Panto Review: Jack and the Beanstalk at the Park Theatre

Jack and the Beanstalk 
Park Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 5th December 2014
★★

A pantomime like no other, once again the Park Theatre have staged their own unique take on a classic panto story, Jack and the Beanstalk. Jez Bond and Mark Cameron have torn up the panto rule book, delivering an alternative family friendly pantomime experience.