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Review: FRANK'S CLOSET at the Arts Theatre

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  Date: 17th November 2024 Seat: K6 Tickets: Gifted Stars: 4 Frank’s Closet is the kind of show that embraces its campy, feel-good vibe and runs with it, feather boas and all – it’s fun, it’s flamboyant, and it’s got heart in spades. A show about love, identity, and letting go of the past (or, in this case, a closet full of iconic diva dresses), it mixes plenty of laughs with some genuinely touching moments. And yes, the costumes are as fabulous as you’d hope.  Frank, played brilliantly by Andy Moss, is the beating heart of this show. He’s getting ready to marry his fiancé, Alan, and part of that process involves giving up his beloved collection of diva dresses – dresses that represent more than just fashion. They’re tied to his identity, his memories, and his past, and watching him try to let go is both hilarious and heartfelt.  Andy Moss has a wonderful stage presence. He knows how to play up Frank’s over-the-top persona without making it feel forced; you’ll laugh at his witty o
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Review: WAITING FOR GODOT at the Theatre Royal Haymarket

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  Photo credit: Marc Brenner Date: 19th September 2024  Seat: E5 Tickets: Gifts Stars: 5 When you hear the words Waiting for Godot , you might think ‘abstract’, ‘absurd’, maybe even ‘intimidating’. But walking out of the Theatre Royal Haymarket’s latest production, we were left feeling something entirely different – strangely moved, unexpectedly emotional, and quietly in awe. This isn’t just theatre that makes you think; it’s theatre that makes you feel, deeply, about things you didn't even realise you needed to.  The heart of the production really lies with the performances, and Ben Wishaw (Vladimir) and Lucian Msamati (Estragon) take Beckett’s iconic characters and breathe so much humanity into them that you almost forget they’re stuck in a loop of endless waiting. Their relationship on stage is something truly special; you really do feel like you’re watching two old friends who’ve been through the wringer but can’t imagine life without each other; it’s equal parts comedy duo a
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Review: ABIGAIL'S PARTY at Stratford East Theatre

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Photo credit: Mark Senior Date: 12th September 2024  Seat: E5 Tickets: Gifted Rating: 5 Stars  Stratford East’s revival of Abigail’s Party is a horribly familiar and dazzlingly uncomfortable affair, like a comfort blanket full of nails – and that’s just how we like it; this is where Mike Leigh’s suburban satire gets a fresh, sharp-witted twist, making the audience squirm and laugh in equal measure.  It’s hard to know just what makes Abigail’s Party so fantastic (as Beverly herself would say), but the characters are definitely a big part of why this play has endured for almost 50 years, and Tamzin Outhwaite steals the show as Beverly, a force of nature who bludgeons her guests with charm and alcohol. She’s the queen of passive-aggressive hosting, and when she talks there’s a delicious undercurrent of menace in the sweetness. But there’s a sad kind of desperation too; the way her face lights up when Ange says she wants to see the ‘pornographic’ picture hanging in the bedroom is heartbr
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Review: WHY AM I SO SINGLE? at The Garrick Theatre

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Photo credit: Danny Kaan  Date: 11th September 2024 Rating: 4 Stars  There’s a bee, there’s a bee… Yes, ‘Interlude in B Minor’, the act one closer from new musical Why Am I So Single? has been stuck in my head since I saw the show, and no, I’m not mad about it. In fact, it’s great to have something different, funny, fascinating, and chaotic to enjoy – and if that doesn’t sum this show (written by creators of Six , Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss) up, I don’t know what does.  The show is an unapologetic celebration of the chaos that is modern dating and Jo Foster and Leesa Tulley, playing two best friends caught in a never-ending cycle of bad dates and existential questions, bring a warmth and authenticity to the stage that’s both hilarious and touching. They’re not just characters; they’re the friends you’ve confided in after a disastrous Tinder match, and you’ll find yourself rooting for them to find love – or at least some peace – along the way.  The ensemble is a scene-stealer, quite
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Review: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG at The Hawth, Crawley

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  Date: 20th August 2024 Seat: R15 Tickets: Gifted Rating: 4 Stars  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is something we’ve all grown up with; it’s just always been there, reliable and faithful as the car itself, so what would it be like on stage? Could it be just as heart-warming and nostalgia-inducing? The answer is yes – the show is full of charm, energy, and just the right amount of nostalgia. If you love the film, you’ll love the show; there are even some extra song and dance numbers thrown in.  One of the things that really makes a show like Chitty , much like the film itself, is the cast, and this cast is an exceptional one. Adam Garcia shone as Caractacus Potts, bringing warmth and charisma to the role, and his performance of “Hushabye Mountain” was beautifully heartfelt, and his playful banter with Ellie Nunn’s Truly Scrumptious was spot-on. She’s a modern-day Truly, trousers and all, and it works for a modern-day audience without taking away anything that makes the character special.  Ph
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Review: THE 39 STEPS at Trafalgar Theatre, London

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  Photo credit: Mark Senior Date: 19th August 2024 Seat: N10 Tickets: Gifted Rating: 3 Stars  If you're in the mood for a night of silliness, dashing derring-do, and enough theatrical tomfoolery to make your head spin, then make a beeline to the Trafalgar Theatre. The 39 Steps has stormed back into London with all its madcap energy, and it’s going to make you smile.   The issue is that it might not make you laugh out loud. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad show (it’s not, it’s great), and it doesn’t mean it’s not worth watching (it is – I absolutely recommend it), but it might not be the side-splitting humour you’re looking for. On the plus side, this ingenious production, where four fearless actors play an astonishing 139 roles, is a masterclass in how to turn the serious business of a classic Hitchcock spy thriller into a gleeful, giggling romp. Tom Byrne, as our pencil-moustachioed hero Richard Hannay, is the epitome of stiff-upper-lipped charm, dashing about with a mix of clu
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Review: WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU at Park Theatre, London

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  Photo credit: Mark Douet Date: 6th August 2024 Seat: F1 Tickets: Gifted Rating: 4 Stars Like all the best plays, When It Happens To You seems simple at first – the sparse set, the lack of props, the small cast… it all adds up to a quick (the entire run-time is only 85 minutes without any interval) story told well.  However, like all the best plays, that’s just the surface level. There’s so much more underneath, and writer Tawni O’Dell has packed a huge amount into her autobiographical play that’s a harrowing but also profoundly moving and perhaps even uplifting exploration of the aftermath of sexual assault.  There might not be much in the way of set – although a soothing blue cityscape does tower over everyone and everything – but that’s the point; this is a story about people, not things and, even though specific cities are involved, not really places either. The entire point is that this can happen to you, no matter who you are or where you are. It can happen to someone you k
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