Othello - review

Written by: Woods (@Thomas_E_Woods)

Where did Woods watch it?
Jack Studio Theatre, Brockley 
Was Woods won over?
****

Given that most English A-Level students in the country have written about how Shakespeare’s themes are ‘timeless’ at least once, it is very welcome when a production really gets a modern adaptation so right.  Whereas so many adaptations offer two hours of convoluted and ham fisted attempts to shoehorn the most recent modern conflict into Anthony and Cleopatra, or awkwardly justify Elsinore as a police state gripped by terrorism threats, Culturcated Theatre company pulls off a stunning performance of Othello that works so well in a South East London Council estate that it almost feels like it was written for it.

Qudz - review

Written by: Peeny (@AdamPeeny)

Where's Peen been?
The Yard, London
Was Peen keen?
***

In an understated way that The Yard is perfectly suited to, this is one of the great 2012 theatrical productions. A mixture of live music, shadow performance and infliction of sensual material upon the audience comes together to make a truly moving production, written and directed by the Associate Artistic Director of the venue. It presents the opposition of Bush and Saddam from a perspective that a lot of London audiences will be oblivious to, making it something well worth seeing.

55 Days - review

Written by: Stephen St Clement

Hampstead Theatre, London

****

Howard Brenton’s new play charting the 55 days leading up to the execution of King Charles I is a slow-burning drama that more than makes up for in intensity what it occasionally lacks in dynamism. England is undergoing seismic change, where the absolute power of the monarchy is about to be challenged like never before. As Douglas Henshall’s Oliver Cromwell explains prophetically: “We are not just trying a tyrant, we are inventing a country.”

You Can Still Make a Killing - review

Written by: Alex Hiscocks (@alexislawl)

Southwark Playhouse, London
****







You Can Still Make a Killing is possibly the most superbly written and relevant piece of new writing this year, with dialogue so electric and a story so gripping, that the audience’s heads snap left to right in eager anticipation of the next volley of dialogue. I’ll summarise briefly: while the subject matter is still fresh in the minds of Britain, you owe it to yourself to see this play.

The President and the Pakistani - review

Written by: Lils (@LilyKG)

Waterloo East Theatre, London
***

With approximately a fortnight to go, the world is currently waiting with baited breath as Barrack Obama and Mitt Romney go head-to-head in the US presidential election. But take a trip to Waterloo East Theatre before November 4^th and you’ll be transported to a flat in Harlem in the early 80s; there to meet ‘Barry’ Obama, a hopeful, young graduate from Columbia University, whose dreams of presidency were not even fully realised yet.

Drowning Rock- review

Written by: Stanley Eldridge (@StanleyEldridge)

Camden People's Theatre
**

Camden People’s Theatre describes Drowning Rock as ‘‘The Woman in Black meets Jaws’’. I can’t help thinking of this idea being spawned from Michael Bay’s laboratory of failed Hollywood ideas. I half expected Will Smith to play the Victorian fisherman who defeats the ghostly lace doily sharks by blowing them up with a trout bomb. Munch munch, popcorn popcorn. Ambitious, eh?  

Timon of Athens - review

Written by: Stephen St Clement

National Theatre (Olivier), London

****

Inspired by the economic recession and last year’s London riots, this production of Timon of Athens is able to bring relevance and immediacy to one of Shakespeare’s most difficult plays.

RENT - review

Written by: Ryan J. Brown (@freakyriddles)

Cockpit Theatre, London

***

Interval Productions decided they should follow up their hugely successful After the Turn, praised by The Stage newspaper as the “British equivalent to RENT”, with the challenge of developing Jonathan Larson’s brave and heartrending musical game changer.