These Theatre Thoughts

  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 co...

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 bedr...

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 i...