A disturbing view of an urban landscape scarred by knife crime and an increasingly disaffected youth; a message we ignore at our peril. We can barely turn a page or watch a news bulletin without reference to another young life extinguished in a knife attack. Whatever the cause, whether it be a perceived slight orContinue reading “Review – 4**** Dismissed – Soho Theatre”
Author Archives: Playhouse Pickings
Review – 5***** Betty Blue Eyes – Union Theatre
One of the great comedy films of the 80s is transformed as a high stepping musical with great songs and sparkling dialogue. A Private Function was a rare bird in the film world even when it was released in 1984. Financed with British money via George Harrison’s Handmade Films; co-written by the incomparable Alan BennettContinue reading “Review – 5***** Betty Blue Eyes – Union Theatre”
Review – 4**** Only Fools and Horses – Theatre Royal Haymarket
Been down in the dumps lately, feeling a touch of executive stress as a certain Peckham resident might say? Well check this out; a classic TV sitcom gets a new lease of life on stage as a bright and breezy musical. As a proud Londoner I have often railed against the portrayal of Cockneys bothContinue reading “Review – 4**** Only Fools and Horses – Theatre Royal Haymarket”
Review: 5* Screamworks Bloodbath – The Immersive Experience. Secret Location near Bethnal Green
Not for the faint hearted but what a fabulously frightening, gloriously grotesque and strangely sexy evening. A thank you letter to Jack – our host. Dear Jack, Despite not knowing what has happened to you since I left your house, when one is invited to a party, it is only polite and correct to sendContinue reading “Review: 5* Screamworks Bloodbath – The Immersive Experience. Secret Location near Bethnal Green”
Review – 5***** To Kill a Mockingbird – The Gielgud Theatre
A classic of modern literature brought to life on stage with an excellent cast led by the peerless Matthew Modine. Those with a passion for literature would almost certainly have read To Kill a Mockingbird at some point in their lives. It might even have been required reading or a set book for ‘O’ LevelContinue reading “Review – 5***** To Kill a Mockingbird – The Gielgud Theatre”
Review – 4**** The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore – Charing Cross Theatre
A previously hidden gem from one of America’s greatest playwrights crackles with tension and atmosphere. Amongst the pantheon of great American playwrights Tennessee Williams mingles with the very best. So it’s difficult to imagine the creator of a ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ and ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ having anything resembling a flop. But that’sContinue reading “Review – 4**** The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore – Charing Cross Theatre“
Review – 3*** Ghosts on a Wire – Union Theatre
A tale of people meeting the modern world with ghostly spirits providing the inspiration in an inventive new piece of theatre. Electricity is something we used to take for granted; in this current climate it feels something of a precious commodity; even a luxury as economic realities bite into increasingly finite resources. But few wouldContinue reading “Review – 3*** Ghosts on a Wire – Union Theatre“
Review – 3*** Help! We Are Still Alive – Seven Dials Playhouse
One man, one woman and a reptile called Brian Eno in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Survival of the fittest pulling Darwinian principles in a new direction! Such is the pace of change, I thought the Seven Dials Playhouse was a new theatre that escaped my beady eye. But it is actually the new moniker for theContinue reading “Review – 3*** Help! We Are Still Alive – Seven Dials Playhouse“
Review – 4****Tasting Notes: Southwark Playhouse
Think of the sitcom ‘Cheers’ set to music; and then imagine we could see inside the minds of weird and wonderful characters that inhabit a wine bar called ‘LJ’s’. The result is this new musical bursting with potential. There is a world of difference between what we think and say. Our deepest thoughts will stayContinue reading “Review – 4****Tasting Notes: Southwark Playhouse”
Review – 4****The Lion: Southwark Playhouse
A Man with five guitars and a microphone weaves a touching story of overriding optimism with a mixture of songs and dialogue. It’s a brave person who stands up in front of a live audience and delivers a performance that is convincing, engaging and above all entertaining. Imagine the degree of difficulty when that personContinue reading “Review – 4****The Lion: Southwark Playhouse”
Playhouse Pickings 