[Review] VAULT Festival 2017: Dark Testament and Sketchy Santas (23/2/17)

We start off this week’s coverage of the VAULT Festival with two starkly different plays, both of which take deliciously dark turns really quickly: Testament by Old Sole Theatre Company and The Grot In The Grotto by acclaimed and award-winning sketch comedy team Casual Violence. Testament by Old Sole Theatre Company For anyone who’s grown up reading the Bible or has some knowledge of its … Continue reading [Review] VAULT Festival 2017: Dark Testament and Sketchy Santas (23/2/17)

Review: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Harold Pinter Theatre

Director James McDonald brings a stunning all-star production of Edward Albee’s most famous play to the West End. Brash, riveting and destructive, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? made waves when it first premiered, nabbing the Tony Award for Best Play and was even adapted into Oscar-winning film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. In this new production, the award-winning cast consists Imelda Staunton and Conleth Hill (best … Continue reading Review: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Harold Pinter Theatre

VAULT Festival 2017: Previews 22-25 Feb (Part 2)

In Part 2 of our previews for this week’s VAULT Festival picks, we check out contemporary dance, a play about gentrification, and alien comedy! The End of Dance by Yann Allsopp In 2017, the Government will make dance illegal. Colin, Joan and Nigella, your local MPs, are here to fight back. Created by Yann Allsopp, who despite having absolutely no dance training whatsoever, has managed … Continue reading VAULT Festival 2017: Previews 22-25 Feb (Part 2)

VAULT Festival 2017: Previews 22-26 Feb (Part 1)

We’re entering Week 5 of the VAULT Festival, the penultimate week! And there’s comedy abound with our picks of the week this time around, along with some darker material: Testament by Old Sole Theatre Company Award winning writer and performer Tristan Bernays presents Testament, a reimagination of the stories of four overlooked Biblical characters set in modern day America. Consisting of a ragtag group of women, children, … Continue reading VAULT Festival 2017: Previews 22-26 Feb (Part 1)

Preview: Hampstead Theatre 2017 Season

Hampstead Theatre has a penchant for premiering exciting new scripts like 2016’s Firebird and Labyrinth, as well as award winning ones (Rabbit Hole in 2016). 2017 as always, is set to be yet another exciting year for their lineup, with two world premieres of brand new scripts and the UK premiere of a Pulitzer Prize winning one. Here’s a brief description of their upcoming season: Filthy … Continue reading Preview: Hampstead Theatre 2017 Season

Review: The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York’s Theatre

Directed by John Tiffany (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), the Tony nominated and critically acclaimed play finally makes its transfer from Broadway to London’s West End. One of Tennessee William’s first breakthrough plays, The Glass Menagerie is loosely autobiographical and follows a somewhat dysfunctional family living in St Louis in the late 30s. Playing our frustrated narrator Tom is Michael Esper, a warehouse worker by day, … Continue reading Review: The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York’s Theatre

Review: The Boys In The Band at Vaudeville Theatre

The Boys In The Band brings Mart Crowley’s seminal play back to life on the West End. Starring TV’s Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) and his husband Ian Hallard, along with a capable cast of seven others, the script, although dated, remains razor sharp, and an interesting time capsule of the past, commenting on LGBT relations in the 60s. Michael (Ian Hallard) throws a party for middle aged … Continue reading Review: The Boys In The Band at Vaudeville Theatre

[Review] VAULT Festival 2017: Creative Cabaret, Naughty Puppets and Android DJs (16/2/17)

In the second half of our reviews for the VAULT Festival this week, we check out some non-traditional performances with the clever, sultry House of Burlesque led by Tempest Rose, irreverent adult puppet humour in Cicada Studios’ Blood & Bone, and a Daft Punk-style visual music experience from Sartory with her performance of ANDRODES. House of Burlesque 2.0 by The ProducersUK and Tempest Rose for House … Continue reading [Review] VAULT Festival 2017: Creative Cabaret, Naughty Puppets and Android DJs (16/2/17)

[Review] VAULT Festival 2017: Adventures in Space, Deathly Beaches and Extreme Women (15/2/17)

Week 4 of the VAULT Festival begins in earnest, and this week, we’re checking out a couple of shows with truly unique concepts. There’s the sci-fi  musical Summer Nights in Space, creative but heartfelt musing on death On The Crest of A Wave and comedienne extraordinaire Eleanor Conway telling tales of her rather insane life: Summer Nights in Space by Henry Carpenter, Presented by Hannah … Continue reading [Review] VAULT Festival 2017: Adventures in Space, Deathly Beaches and Extreme Women (15/2/17)

[Preview] VAULT Festival 2017: Previews 15-19 Feb (Part 2)

Here’s part 2 of our picks of the week for the 4th exciting week of the biggest arts festival in London! This time around, we have unusual burlesque, naughty puppets and an immersive, electronic experience. House of Burlesque 2.0 by The ProducersUK and Tempest Rose for House of Burlesque One of the hottest burlesque acts comes to town this week for a night of the … Continue reading [Preview] VAULT Festival 2017: Previews 15-19 Feb (Part 2)