Reviews

Thursday February 13th 2025
The Lonely Londoners - Kiln Theatre

Uplifting re-imaging of Sam Selvon’s iconic novel about the experience of the Windrush generation. Set in late 50’s London it centres around the experience of four characters; those already settled and the new arrived. With music, dance and superb ensemble acting, a vivid and emotional portrayal.

• Pete - 8.5

• Kate - 8.5

Tuesday December 10th 2024
Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf - Leicester Square Theatre

First night of a new show by the ‘desperately unfunny’ comedian Stewart Lee. Sharp, insightful and clever - still the best there is at what he does. A masterclass in comedy content and delivery.

• Pete - 9.0

Saturday 30th November 2024
The Unseen - Riverside Studios

Intense psycological drama set in a totalitarian state of an unnamed country featuring two prisoners left to their fate at the hands of their captor. Dark and at times uncomfortable viewing but with strong performances, set design and visuals.

• Pete - 8.0

• Kate - 8.0

Wednesday 27th November 2024
Parlour Song - Golden Goose Theatre

Low-key, darkly comic suburban play by Jez Butterworth staged in a back-room of a Camberwell pub. Amusing, intriguing 3-hander with little or no props or staging but decent performances.

• Pete - 7.5

• Kate - 6.5

Thursday 14th November 2024
Juno & The Paycock - Geilguld Theatre

Starry production (Mark Rylance, J Smith Cameron) of Sean O’Casey Irish Civil War tragicomedy. Good central performances and enjoyable ‘Oirish’ shenanigans but difficult to follow making it hard to discern the political and historical message.

• Pete - 7.5

• Kate - 6.5

Wednesday 6th November 2024
Alan Sparhawk & Jessica Pratt - Barbican

Poignant return of Alan Sparhawk to the Barbican together with his son on bass performing tracks from his latest album of pulsing electronic beats and vocoder vocals. In turns astonishing, cathartic and melancholy. Followed by Jessica Pratt, a low-key Burt Bacharach meets Bebel Gilberto set which quite suited the post-US election mood.

• Pete - AS - 8.5 - JP - 7.5

Thursday 31st October 2024
Dr Strangelove - Noel Coward Theatre

Stage production of the classic Stanley Kubrick film with Steve Coogan in the title role and playing 3 other lead characters. A faithful recreation of the original but less dark, more comical. Coogan good but otherwise felt a little dated and lightweight.

• Pete - 7.5

• Kate - 7.5

Friday 25th October 2024
New Dawn Fades - Bloomsbury Theatre

Biopic play about Joy Division and Manchester history. Enjoyable trip down memory lane with good performances but very slight production.

• Pete - 7.0

• Kate - 7.0

Wednesday 16th October 2024
Bill Ryder Jones - Barbican Theatre

Full album playback of Iechyd Da with string quartet and full band. Epic yet intimate, a short set marred only by some indistinct vocals.

• Pete - 8.5

Tuesday 14th October 2024
White Rabbit Red Rabbit = Soho Place Theatre

Experimental one-man show with Alan Davies - interesting, enjoyable but ultimately slight production based on the concept of acting out unseen material with audience participation.

• Pete - 6.0

• Kate - 7.5

Wednesday 11th September 2024
The Hot Wing King - Dorfman Theatre

Joyous production mixing comedy, drama (and the odd Luther Vandross number) about preparations in a Memphis kitchen for an upcoming Hot Wing cooking competition. Some wandering accents and earnest delivery only minor negatives.

• Pete - 8.0

• Kate - 8.5

Thursday 8th August
The Constituent - Old Vic

Contemporary political commentary with James Corden and Anna Maxwell Martin in the main roles as an ex-serviceman and local MP respectively. Tight drama, simple staging and good music (The Smiths, Billy Bragg).

• Pete - 7.5

• Kate - 6.5

Thursday 18th July
Boys from the Blackstuff - Garrick Theatre

New interpretation of this 80’s classic by man of the moment James Graham. Strong performances from lead actors and clever set design, theatre sadly less than half full on our visit.

• Pete - 8.0

• Kate - 8.0

Friday May 17th
Carmen - Royal Opera House

Spectacular contemporary production of Bizet’s classic opera. Stunning venue, extraordinary in every way.

• Pete - 9.5

Thursday 18th April
A Picture of Dorian Grey - Theatre Royal Haymarket

Ingenious reworking of the Oscar Wilde book with Sarah Snook playing all characters. Very clever interaction with live and recorded sequences via multiple on-stage screens.

• Pete - 8.5

• Kate - 9.5

Friday 12th April
Nye - National Theatre

The life of Nye Bevin with Micheal Sheen, centred around the political and personal struggle surrounding the creation of the NHS. Magnificent.

• Pete - 9.0

• Kate - 9.0

Friday 22nd March
Just For One Day - Old Vic

Dramatisation of the Live Aid concert, some spirited and enjoyable performances but a little underwhelming overall

• Pete - 6.5

• Kate - 7.0

Thursday 29th February
Hills of California - Harold Pinter Theatre

A new play from Jez Butterworth set in Blackpool during the 1976 heatwave and centring on the lives of a boarding house owner and her 3 daughters dreaming of fame and fortune. Superb.

• Pete - 9.0

• Kate - 9.0

Wednesday 14th February
When you pass over my tomb - Arcola Theatre Dalston

Intriguing, disturbing and darkly-comic meditation on how we live and how we die. Challenging but rewarding.

• Pete - 7.5

• Kate - 7.0

Friday 2nd February
Adonai - Riverside Studios

A short play written and directed by our friend Roger Francis.

• Pete - 8.0

• Kate - 8.0