These Theatre Thoughts

  Date: 29th January 2025  Seat: Unallocated Stars: 4 Haunted Shadows at the White Bear Theatre takes a bold and minimalist approach to the ghost story genre, trading spectacle for quiet tension. It’s adapted from Edith Nesbit’s collection of ghost stories (she didn’t just write for children), and this one-woman show offers moments of genuine unease, which isn’t always an easy thing to do – it’s the central performance and Jonathan Rigby’s understated direction that does it. There’s something uniquely unsettling about a ghost story that isn’t trying to shock you with jump scares – Haunted Shadows takes its time, lulling you in slowly but surely before hitting you with the full weight of its eerie twists. The piece is beautifully subtle – there’s no gimmicky sound design or overly elaborate set pieces, just a simple, intimate stage and an actress – Claire Louise Amias – who knows how to make your imagination do the rest, and that simplicity is what makes the experience so g...

  Date: 4th January 2025  Seat: Balcony A20 Tickets: Paid for  Stars: 3.5 When you hear that Sigourney Weaver is making her West End debut as Prospero in The Tempest , it’s impossible not to feel a buzz of excitement. Alien queen turned Shakespearean sorcerer? Sign me up. Throw in Jamie Lloyd’s signature sleek direction and a stage as grand as Drury Lane, and you’ve got a recipe for something unforgettable - or at least, that’s the hope. But while this production delivers moments of pure magic, it doesn’t always cast the spell you’re hoping for. Let’s tackle the big one first: Sigourney Weaver. There’s no denying her star power - just her name on the poster makes you want to grab a ticket (it worked for me, anyway). But here’s the thing: her Prospero feels oddly distant. Weaver has a calm, almost understated presence, which works in moments of quiet introspection but leaves you wanting more fire in the belly during the play’s most intense scenes. Her delivery is measured...

  Date: 21st December 2024 Seat: Unallocated Tickets: Paid for  Stars: 4 The revival of Bette & Joan at Park Theatre is the perfect antidote for those yearning for some old-school Hollywood drama with a deliciously sharp edge. Based on the legendary real-life rivalry between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford during the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? , this production takes audiences backstage into a world of razor-sharp wit, bruised egos, and a whole lot of glamour.  This play isn’t just about two stars; it’s about two giants. Emmy award-winner Greta Scacchi reprises her role as Bette Davis, and it feels like she was born to play her. Scacchi nails the larger-than-life persona of Davis, blending her iconic acid tongue with a surprising vulnerability. Felicity Dean steps into the shoes of Joan Crawford she shines. She perfectly captures the grace and tightly wound control that defined Crawford’s public persona, while slowly peeling back the layers to show a...

  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 ...

  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...