These Theatre Thoughts

  Tickets: Gifted Date: 30th May 2023  Seat: B22 (Circle) Star Rating: 3 Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHxx-M3cWrY Step into the eerie world of Wish You Were Dead , a theatrical adaptation of Peter James' novel, brought to life by adaptor Shaun McKenna and director Jonathan O’Boyle. With a highly watchable cast led by George Rainsford as the ever-anxious Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, Katie McGlynn as Cleo, his loving wife, and Clive Mantle as the enigmatic and villainous Curtis, this play promises a suspenseful journey through a gothic mansion filled with dark secrets and nail-biting moments. However, while the set design and sound create an immersive atmosphere, and the actors deliver enjoyable performances, the story unfortunately struggles to fully captivate and reward the audience.   Joining Roy and Cleo, their son, Noah, and their nanny, Kaitlynn, on their ill-fated holiday, we find ourselves trapped within the walls of a foreboding French ...

Credit: Pamela Raith Tickets: Paid for / Gifted Date: 23rd May 2023  Seat: F1 (Stalls) Star Rating: 5 Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUco8XjgTvg Heathers is not just any musical; it is a cultural phenomenon that has captured the hearts of a devoted fan base. This show has amassed a cult following over the years, with audiences dressing up in their best 80's garb and cheering along with iconic lines. And it’s no surprise why – this show has everything from catchy tunes to unbelievable plot twists that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The performances in Heathers are exceptional, with each member of the cast bringing their own unique energy to the show. Jenna Innes, in particular, delivers a standout performance as the conflicted Veronica Sawyer, showcasing both her impressive vocal range and her dramatic acting chops.  Verity Thompson as Heather Chandler, the ‘mythic bitch’ herself, was every inch the Heather you would want; part comedian, part bully...

  My review of   Dancing at Lughnasa  at The National Theatre, London, on behalf of The Indiependent:  Dancing at Lughnasa, currently playing at the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre, is a stunning production that showcases the power of storytelling and the magic of theatre. Written by Brian Friel, the play is a heartfelt exploration of family, community, and the ties that bind us all together. Read more at:  https://www.indiependent.co.uk/community-and-change-dancing-at-lughnasa-review/

  My review of   The Dumb Waiter and A Slight Ache  at The Greenwich Theatre, London, on behalf of West End Best Friend:  The Dumb Waiter and A Slight Ache are two one-act plays by Harold Pinter that have been connected together by director James Haddrell to create one evening of solid theatrical entertainment, with some interesting threads linking the two initially unrelated-seeming stories.  Read more at:  https://www.westendbestfriend.co.uk/news/review-the-dumb-waiter-and-a-slight-ache-greenwich-theatre

My review of   Choose Your Fighter  at Camden People's Theatre, London, on behalf of Everything Theatre:  Choose Your Fighter presents an intriguing idea of four people, Dee (Miguel Barralus), Freya (Georgia Koronka), Craig (Daniel Luiz), and Amber (Jess Pentney), all living together in one relationship. They swap partners, they all sleep together, and they generally seem to be happy enough. However, underneath that top layer of living in a ‘queer utopia’, something is wrong. It all started with a party a year ago, and things just haven’t been the same since.  Read more at:  https://everything-theatre.co.uk/2023/05/review-choose-your-fighter-camden-peoples-theatre/

  My review of   Body 115 at The Hope Theatre, Islington, on behalf of Reviews Hub:  Jan Noble's Body 115 is a powerful one-man poetry performance that takes audiences on a journey of discovery and recovery, exploring themes of decay, gentrification, rebellion, and the need to escape. The play is an explicit homage to Dante's Divine Comedy, with "Body 115" – the long-unidentified victim of the 1987 King’s Cross Station fire – acting as a guide through the rain-washed streets of London, Calais, Paris, and Milan. Read more at:  https://www.thereviewshub.com/body-115-hope-theatre-london/

My review of  The Circle at The Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, on behalf of Theatre Weekly:  The Circle, a classic 1921 play by Somerset Maugham, is an elegant exploration of social conventions and hidden passions. Under the skilful direction of Tom Littler, this production brings to life the intriguing world of the British upper class in the early 20th century. Lady Kitty (Jane Asher) ran away to Italy with her lover, Lord Porteous (Nicholas Le Prevost), thirty years ago, leaving behind Kitty’s husband, Clive (Clive Francis) and son, Arnold (Pete Ashmore). Now they are back for their first visit since leaving, Clive has also dropped in unexpectedly, and Arnold’s wife, Elizabeth (Olivia Vinall) and her ‘friend’, Teddy (Chirag Benedict Lobo), are getting closer all the time. What could possibly go wrong?  Read more at:  https://theatreweekly.com/review-the-circle-at-the-orange-tree-theatre/ Image by: Ellie Kurttz

Tickets: Paid for  Date: 1st May 2023  Seat: F1 (Stalls) Star Rating: 5 Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyDCAUuWlP0 It might be a hard knock life for the orphans at the New York Municipal Orphanage, but it’s certainly no hardship for the audience to enjoy this magnificent version of the all-time classic, Annie .  Annie , starring Craig Revell-Horwood as the dastardly Miss Hannigan, is an absolute delight from start to finish. This beloved musical, which has been entertaining audiences for over four decades, is given new life in this stunning production. The story of Annie is a timeless classic that has touched the hearts of generations, and this particular version is no exception.  One of the many wonderful aspects of Annie is its incredible score. The show features a number of iconic songs, including "Tomorrow," "Hard Knock Life," and "Little Girls," which are all performed with gusto by the talented cast. The music is infectious, and it...