Cindy Marcolina - Page 14

Philip Ridley writes an atomic bomb of a play and keeps his finger on the release button until Sasha explodes in an earth-shaking climax. Social niceties and typically British politeness masquerade a coarse, brash internal monologue whose quick quips are absolutely annihilating and, frankly, indecently amusing.

Phil Bartlett presents the British première with a sinister wink and eerie humour, but the text is a mismatch of gothic tropes and too unsure of its identity for the production to come together well. It's astonishing how the narrative lack of focus is as prominent as the precision of the direction and technical side of the show is.

Tom Ratcliffe writes and directs a bleak drag comedy on the trappings of modern fame, exploring online relevance, performative activism, and authenticity. He introduces a contemporary anti-hero who quickly learns that audience is currency and who's ready to do what it takes to become viral. Fame Whore is a clever, hilarious play full of personality, populated by pop culture references, and lined with solid social commentary.

The moments of brilliance in the piece are, unfortunately, overshadowed by its nature and the current commodification of trauma portrayals. We rapidly understand what’s going on, but there’s litte appeal and no hook. We keep watching because we want to know how wrong it will go and how hurt she’ll be - which is alarmingly sadistic.

The Theatre Café has been a staple in the West End for years. Theatre memorabilia plaster the walls, musical theatre tunes fill the air, and you can find everything from Phantom Of The Mocha and Defying Gravi-Tea to Putting On The Aperol Spritz and Sir Cameron Macchiato-sh. It’s become the mecca of musical theatre fans. Now, the same team is expanding into a themed diner with singing waiters, new cleverly named cocktails, and a menu that will tickle enthusiasts young and old.

Longurst directs with refreshing accuracy and delicate sophistication, creating visual dynamics that make the space feel immense. It’s simply sublime, mandatory viewing for a lesson on empathy, kindness, and the power of music.

Narratively, the story isn’t anything revolutionary, but Burns’s approach is rich with emotional intelligence and clinical precision. She takes on a crumbling, unfeeling practice ruled by waiting lists and a scorecard, exploring how destructive a lack of (financial, yes, but also psychological) support can be for those for whom support is a profession. It’s a striking debut.

Simon Russell Beale takes on the disgraced mogul, Nicholas Hytner directs. Anna Fleischle designs the show. It’s a winning team, but the piece leaves the audience as cold as a Norwegian winter.

In a society riddled with fake news, that bends over backwards to regulate a woman's body, justifying its laws with a magical book, The Crucible is frighteningly relevant.

Commissioned by Southwark Council, Linda Wilkinson writes a historically accurate account laden with fiction to explore the strings attached to progress. Author Mary Shelley and human rights activist Octavia Hill coexist in this tonally odd piece, playing ghosts in each other’s lives.

Audra McDonald’s name sits right at the centre of the Broadway firmament. A record-breaking performer among the queens of musicals, her cup of talent certainly runneth over.

Addictive Beats is a missed opportunity to attract a younger generation to explore mental health. Sure, the music is crazy cool and the show promises a great vibe, but, as it is, it’s a production that only scrapes the top of its themes but saved a lot of money on seat rental.

Tyler’s trying to get his driver’s licence. Six years after his first attempt, he’s enlisted Max as an instructor. With a reputation as the best in Birmingham and dozens of successful candidates to prove it, he has quite a dictatorial attitude to his lessons. Locked in the cockpit, their initially scratchy exchanges grow into an earnest bond.

The Prince is a weird concept. With a flurry of gender theory and top-notch queerness enveloped by sword fights and iambic pentameter, it’s a refreshingly sacrilegious approach to Shakespeare.

After a virtual ceremony in 2020 and a pandemic-induced silence in 2021, The Stage Debut Awards have finally returned in all their glitz and glamour the day before the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Stage veterans and shooting starlets gathered to celebrate their debuts and, after a nationwide minute of silence at eight sharp, Susan Wokoma kicked off the festivities.

The new company brings new energy to Matthew Dunster’s production, but the core of the show remains a smashing success.

As directed by Littler, it’s deceivingly traditional on the surface. The staging is rather conventional with its 30s sitting rooms, period furniture, and interwar fashion tying the subject matter to its temporal setting and social class.

Directed by Ricky Dukes, Lazarus Theatre offer a take on Christopher Marlowe’s demonic tale that defies all genres, spanning everything from farce to gore in 95 minutes of esoteric intrigue. Historically controversial, Marlowe’s play had its first outing at the end of the 16th Century, but stays relevant. After all, has there ever been a time when the hunger for fame and thirst for wisdom haven’t ruled mankind?

A Different Stage contextualises the Gary Barlow the tabloids know, giving him the chance to be at the forefront of his own version of the story whilst reconfirming him as an exceptional entertainer. Sure, it’s biased and obviously made to make him look good, but it’s heartfelt and authentic. Mostly, it’s a bloody great show that will appease the superfans and mellow the sceptics. 

Still, Ride is an impressive feat in both material and execution. It delves into female entrepreneurship at the turn of the century in the face of dire necessity. It introduces an extraordinary woman gifted with cunning enterprise and - whether true or not - it tells a marvellous story.