Mack and Mabel - review

Written by: Anna "Spanner" Jones (@Now4567Anna)

Southwark Playhouse, London
*****

With collectively brilliant performances, a sharp newly revised script (Francine Pascal) and score, Mack and Mabel at the Southwark Playhouse proves that this production is one of Jerry Herman’s best works and deserves a higher place in the Musical Theatre hall of fame. Directed with superb intelligence by Thom Sutherland who in his directors note confesses to “falling in love” with the piece long ago, Mack and Mabel proves to be a tragic, passionate, funny, poignant musical with lots of heart and an involving, extremely moving plot.

Vera, Vera, Vera - review

Written by: The Insider

Theatre Local, Peckham
****

Vera, Vera, Vera is the debut play from young actress Hayley Squires, and is one of only two plays to be specially selected by the Royal Court to be part of the third season of its Theatre Local project, a scheme which aims to bring new and challenging theatre to outlying parts of London that are not normally known for their cultural excellence.  Vera is being staged in the Bussey Building, a former munitions and cricket bat factory opposite Peckham train station.

Yes, Prime Minister - review

Written by: Peeny (@AdamPeeny)


Where's Peen been? 
Trafalgar Studios, London
Was Peen keen? 
****

Everything works out for Jim Hacker (Robert Daws), the Prime Minister at Chequers, because three call girls from Soho can save the world. This refreshed political satire, brought up to speed by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, should not be one that passes you by.

Detroit - review

Written by: Wendy (@Wendyfer1)

National Theatre, London
****

The title of this play immediately flags up expectations for the content. The city of Detroit in the state of Michigan, U.S., was the home of the revolutionary Ford vehicle production line. It has always been the hub of the American car industry which in recent years, unexpectedly collapsed. Financial events such as these are never simple, but some attribute the industry’s failure to their refusal to invest in newer, greener technology. The consequences have been drastic: Detroit is now mostly an industrial wasteland, abandoned by its inhabitants and left stewing in the remnants of its regional pride.

Char's Stars: While The Sun Shines

Written by: Char (@charlypies)

Lion and Unicorn Pub, Kentish Town

There is nothing more satisfying as a theatre lover than to see clear-cut evidence that good writing really does stand the test of time. First performed in 1943, While The Sun Shines is a gloriously quick-witted and funny play. Filled with mishaps, misunderstandings and miscommunications the piece allows us as audience members to be the only ones blessed with an unmuddled perception of occurrences.

Something Good - review

Written by: Dombo (@DomOJFryer)

Where's Dom gone?

The Firestation, Windsor

Was Dom fond? 

*** 

Something Good descended on Windsor – and it wasn't Eurovision. Promising young playwright Georgia Coles-Riley brings the lives of four university housemates into the spotlight as they attempt to stay up through the night, until their 9 AM lecture. The events that follow are amusing and at times incredibly compelling. As you walk into the dimly lit basement of the converted Firestation, you are greeted by a view which is, to me at least, all too familiar; a mess. However, unlike the mess in my bedroom, this one is pre-meditated and well conceived (also, this mess would be there only for one night, and smells fine). Every pizza box and empty bottle is meticulously placed; make no mistake, any student would feel at home on this stage. Lauren Buckley, in her role of set designer, is to be thanked for this.

Char's Stars: BABEL

Written by: Char (@charlypies)

So, BABEL round two…did Char’s Stars keep up the fight?

Talking to people about this show, I’ve repeated myself whilst sticking to my original view of the preview: the volunteers and actors make the show what it is. With the walkway leading into the park riddled with characters such as a cheeky accordion player, a stood up date and vast numbers of mac-clad beret-sporting “grinners”, one immediately recognises the bubbling themes of the piece - the individual vs the collective.

Reach Out and Touch Me - review

Written by: Wendy (@Wendyfer1)

Shoreditch Town Hall, London
*****

‘Wait up here and they’ll come and collect you and take you down to the basement’ are my first instructions from the gentlemen in the foyer. Shoreditch Town Hall has the appearance of a dying museum, standing out in its surroundings like Prince Charles in a chippy. Aspiring now to become a local cultural hub, the location is lending itself to arts projects such as Reach Out and Touch Me by Outbox LGB Theatre Company.