For the Sake of Argument forces its audience to consider the relationship between words and war, from Eleanor Hickock’s (Ashleigh Cole) argument at the weekly pub debates that causes conflict between the group, to her opinionated writings and their impact upon the ideological thinking of late soldier Mark (Georgie Farmer), to Mark’s monologues such as that... Continue Reading →
Happy New Year! A fresh decade has begun, and a lot of new features are being planned for the site, so stay tuned! Make sure you're following The Theatre Reviewer on Twitter to keep up-to-date with posts and reviews: @T_Reviewer And remember that you can also sign up for e-notifications, meaning that you'll be sent... Continue Reading →
John O’Connor performs Charles Dickens’s original text of A Christmas Carol in a touring one-man show directed by Peter Craze. This review will consider the performance of the 23rd at the Greenwich Theatre. This is not a particularly captivating performance, though it does certainly have its areas of interest. I shall start with these. Though... Continue Reading →
Written by Niamh de Valera, The Christmas Quest is a delightful performance for families and children. It is currently performing at the Blue Elephant Theatre. This performance really works the imagination of its young audience, from the usual Christmas tales to magical devices, talking teddies and enchanted worlds. Not only is the content very fruitful... Continue Reading →
I have seen quite a few shows produced by Theatre Peckham and its young actor-training programme, and I must admit that this performance was rather disappointing, knowing what is usually achieved. I shall start with what is first presented to the audience: set. Set was definitely very wild in its design, and this was not... Continue Reading →
Clouds, created by Time & Again Theatre Company, is a most unique performance in both the content it presents and the energy it presents it with. It is rare on today’s stage to find a period performance like this which retains such a high level of dynamism, intrigue, depth and relatability. Clouds is most certainly... Continue Reading →
This review will consider Bedlam, a play written and directed by Tom Hodson and staged at the CLF Art Cafe. This is a very good performance, from its thorough and impressive aesthetic to its engaging concept, writing and execution. As the audience come in, they are greeted by complete silence and dim lighting. There is... Continue Reading →
Essentially, this performance divides itself into three sections, the first and second alternating between one another before moving on to the third. The first sees the two characters (played by Rachel Mars and Greg Wohead) address plot-holes in various movies; then, the second, using narration and literal storytelling, imagines scenarios which decode and demystify these... Continue Reading →
On entering the house, the atmosphere is solemn and cold. The set, its furnishings, suggest that this is the house of an upperclass and affluent family. This is further accentuated by an interaction between a reluctant servant, Nancy (Grace Howard), slumped in an armchair — most symbolically, the Mistress’s armchair — and her boss, Elizabeth... Continue Reading →
Weight/Wait is a very enjoyable performance, offering in its particularity both lighthearted comedy and a certain soreness. Depicting an individual’s struggles with anxiety, this play provides a sense of respite and solidarity but also a unique depiction of a widespread yet vastly misunderstood mental disorder. Babbling and uttering nonsensical phrases, incessantly shadowing Karen (Katharine Richardson),... Continue Reading →
Making use of very current sociopolitical themes, A New Dawn is a very entertaining play which follows the story of fictional politician Emma, her love life, political fame and scandal. It is definitely, as promoted, a play which toys with trust, creating not only distrust between the three characters, Emma (Sue Appleby), Lucy (Sarah Leigh)... Continue Reading →
I shall start by saying that this is not the strongest performance, but it certainly has budding potential. There is a lot to be reworked, rethought and refined, and there is a huge issue with naturalism and focus, yet, once pace has picked up and style has improved, the denouement is, indeed, rather robust and... Continue Reading →
