Review: No Man's Land starring Ian McKellen & Patrick Stewart at the Wyndham’s Theatre

No Man's Land 
Wyndham’s Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 16th September 2016
★★★★

Harold Pinter's 1975 play No Man's Land is gloriously mystifying. Sean Mathias' production, which was previously seen on Broadway and recently embarked on a short UK tour prior to opening in the West End, is well paced and cleverly focused.

Review: Breakfast at Tiffany's starring Pixie Lott at the Theatre Royal Haymarket

Breakfast at Tiffany's 
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Reviewed on Tuesday 26th July 2016
★

Adapted from Truman Capote’s classic novella, which was famously turned into a successful film, a new stage adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany's has opened at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Following a six month tour and four weeks of West End previews you would think Breakfast at Tiffany's would by now be a well oiled, fine-tuned piece of theatre. Think again. 

Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts 1&2)
Palace Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 27th July 2016
★★★★★

Fans had every right to be sceptical when it was announced that J. K. Rowling would tell the eighth Harry Potter story in a new West End play. The project could have gone either way but some wise choices have been made, making Harry Potter and the Cursed Child an unforgettable theatrical event.

Review: American Idiot returns to the Arts Theatre starring Newton Faulkner

American Idiot

Arts Theatre 

Reviewed on Wednesday 13th July 2016
★★★

Following its 2015 West End run and a UK tour, Racky Plews’ production of American Idiot has returned to London's Arts Theatre. The show features the hits of Green Day from their album (you guessed it) American Idiot.

Review: 1984 at the Playhouse Theatre

1984 

Playhouse Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 30th June 2016
★★★★

Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan’s stage adaptation of 1984 has had a remarkably long life. It was first presented at Nottingham Playhouse way back in September 2013, before touring the UK, playing stints at the Almeida and in the West End, and travelling to both Australia and America. Now it’s back for another run in the West End, and has evidently lost none of its power after three years on the road.

Review: The Truth at the Wyndham's Theatre

The Truth

Wyndham's Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 27th June 2016

★★★★

Following its sell out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Florian Zeller's wickedly funny play The Truth has transferred to the Wyndham's Theatre. Lindsay Posner's production plays with its audience - it's a smart piece with more to it than first meets the eye.

Review: Hobson's Choice at the Vaudeville Theatre

Hobson's Choice 

Vaudeville Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 15th June 2016

★★★★

Two years since it was last seen in London at the Open Air Theatre, Hobson's Choice has opened at the Vaudeville Theatre. Jonathan Church's production, which ran in Bath earlier this year, stars Martin Shaw who gives a stellar performance as boot-shop owner Henry Hobson. 

Review: Disney's Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre

Disney's Aladdin
Prince Edward Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 13th June 2016

★★★

Disney's blockbuster musical adaptation of Aladdin has crossed the pond, two years after opening on Broadway. It's a huge show with a multi-talented cast and big design elements. Similarly to The Lion King, the musical is very similar to the 1992 Disney film it's based on. The show also features some numbers that were cut from the film - most notably 'Proud Of Your Boy' - as well as a few new compositions. 

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: The Spoils at Trafalgar Studios

The Spoils
Trafalgar Studios
Reviewed on Thursday 2nd June 2016
★★★

Jesse Eisenberg is a man of many talents - it's quite something to make your West End debut in the European premiere of your hit off-Broadway play. The Spoils centres around Eisenberg's character Ben who, despite having had a lot handed to him on a plate, is deeply unhappy with his life. 

He treats his roommate/best friend Kalyan poorly, constantly battles with Kalyan's partner and reaches new lows when he tries to win over his now-engaged school crush. The piece takes a long time to set up and establish itself; I found the first two (of three) scenes in the first act slow paced and a little tiresome. However, as a dinner party erupts at the end of the first act things get a little more exciting.

Eisenberg gives a strong performance. He provides a real insight into Ben's twisted mind - he's a fascinating character. The entire ensemble are on top form; original U.S. cast members Annapurna Sriram and Kunal Nayyar bring an exciting spark to the stage, Alfie Allen proves himself as a capable character actor with good comic timing and Katie Brayben reminds us just how versatile she is. 

Review: Romeo and Juliet at the Garrick Theatre

Romeo and Juliet 
Garrick Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 25th May 2016
★★★

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet continues the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's Plays at the Garrick season, reuniting Branagh with Lily James and Richard Madden who he previously directed in Disney's live action remake of Cinderella. 

Review: Show Boat at the New London Theatre

Show Boat

New London Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 27th April 2016

★★★★

Fresh from its run at the Sheffield Crucible, Daniel Evans' revival of Show Boat has sailed into the West End's New London Theatre. Not only is Show Boat an important part of theatrical history, but it features a beautifully timeless score that continues to charm in 2016.

Review: Doctor Faustus starring Kit Harington at the Duke of York's Theatre

Doctor Faustus 
Duke of York's Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 22nd April 2016
★★★

Breaking away from their usual home of Trafalgar Studios, the Jamie Lloyd Company have taken over the Duke of York's Theatre with their production of Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus (using Using Colin Teevan's adaptation). In true Jamie Lloyd style some courageous ideas have been thrown into the mix, with the exploration of celebrity culture providing the evening's most compelling moments.

Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington takes on the title role, giving a sturdy performance. There was talk in the interval of some girls almost passing out when Harington took his clothes off; but there's more to Harington than his six pack - he's at ease on stage and throws himself into Faustus' complex mindset, performing intensely gory scene after intensely gory scene.

Harington stars opposite the sensational Jenna Russell as Mephistopheles - I couldn't take my eyes off Russell, once again she gives a faultless performance in an entirely different role. There truly is nothing she cannot do. The ensemble are in sync, performing Polly Bennett's eerie movement direction.

Review: The Comedy About A Bank Robbery at the Criterion Theatre

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery
Criterion Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 21st April 2016
★★★★

With The Play That Goes Wrong continuing to play to sold out houses at the Duchess and Peter Pan Goes Wrong set to return to the Apollo this Christmas, Mischief Theatre have premiered their new show The Comedy About A Bank Robbery at the West End's Criterion Theatre.

Review: Sheridan Smith stars in Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre

Funny Girl 

Savoy Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 20th April 2016
★★★★★

Following its sold out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Funny Girl has transferred to the West End where it hasn't been seen since Barbra Streisand starred as Fanny Brice in 1966. Juxtaposing Fanny Brice's rise to stardom with the downfall of her marriage to Nick Arnstein, Funny Girl is a heartfelt musical about fame, love and what really goes on behind closed doors.

I thought Michael Mayer's production was sensational at the Chocolate Factory, but it's even better at the Savoy. Both the cast and set have been expanded to give the show more glitz and glamour. The performance numbers fill the stage gloriously (there's some brilliant choreography by Lynne Page) whilst the more sincere scenes still feel intimate and detailed. Jule Styne's music is more charming than ever. 

I cannot find the words to express how phenomenal Sheridan Smith is as Fanny Brice. Smith nails every scene; she comes into her own during the song and dance numbers, showcasing impeccable comic timing and leading the cast with tremendous spirit. Her portrayal of offstage Fanny is equally as masterful; Smith can play things up with a twinkle in her eye without losing the character's sincerity. She performs the heartfelt moments with genuine emotion, it really is quite moving.

Review: Glenn Close stars in Sunset Boulevard at the ENO London Coliseum

Sunset Boulevard 
ENO London Coliseum
Reviewed on Monday 4th April 2016
★★★★

Marking one of the biggest theatrical events of the year so far, Glenn Close is making her West End debut in Sunset Boulevard. Close first took on the role of Norma Desmond in the 1993 LA production of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's musical before originating the part on Broadway the following year. 

Review: How the Other Half Loves at the Theatre Royal Haymarket

How the Other Half Loves
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Reviewed on Friday 1st March 2016
★★★★

Nothing beats a good Alan Ayckbourn play; marking its return to the West End, How the Other Half Loves provides several hours of fun, fluffy escapism. 

Review: The Painkiller at the Garrick Theatre

The Painkiller
Garrick Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 17th March 2016
★★★★

Marking the fifth show in Kenneth Branagh's season at the Garrick Theatre, The Painkiller is a slick new comedy. Set in a hotel, Branagh takes to the stage as a hitman on a mission who is staying next door to a Swindon newspaper photographer, played by Rob Brydon, struggling to cope with separating from his wife (and of course there's an adjoining door between their rooms).

Review: Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre

Motown The Musical 
Shaftesbury Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 9th March 2016
★★★

Having premiered on Broadway three years ago, Motown The Musical has found its way to London's West End. The musical features a whopping fifty Motown songs, a glorious orchestra and a hard working ensemble of performers.

Review: The Maids at Trafalgar Studios

The Maids 

Trafalgar Studios

Reviewed on Monday 29th March 2016

★★★★

There's no stopping Jamie Lloyd who has staged yet another unbearably intense production at Trafalgar Studios. With petals covering the stage, Jean Genet's play centres around two maids who truly have no boundaries as they fantasise about violently murdering their mistress.