Cindy Marcolina - Page 46

While Romeo and Juliet have charmed and stirred audiences for over five centuries, another unofficial couple from Shakespeare’s tragedy has instilled doubt and curiosity. Mercutio and Tybalt, sworn foes, are tied together by an invisible string of admiration and attraction.

Socrates: enigmatic Greek philosopher and generator of many a good quote. Accused of sacrilege and corrupting the young minds of Athens, he was sentenced to death by forced poisoning. He might be revered as the founding father of Western philosophy, but he was a dangerous presence back in Attic times.

It’s been a while since Mark Ravenhill’s had a show on in London. After The Cane premiered to stellar reviews at the Royal Court in 2018 and the musical adaptation of The Boy in the Dress (for which Ravenhill wrote the book) opened in Stratford-upon-Avon the year after, The Haunting of Susan A is somewhat of a comeback for the playwright.

Whether it’s all a big scheme to get bums on seats or these actors are all of a sudden genuinely interested in being in plays, it’s working. The West End is swarming with film and tv stars at the minute and patrons are flocking to see them. Read our BWW critic's review.

See what our critic thought of seeing the popular film accompanied by a big orchestra.

The Greeks seem to be trending at the moment. Last year TikTok went mad for Madeline Miller’s book Song of Achilles, Ivo van Hove brought his mash-up of myths to the Barbican at the start of the month, and the Almeida’s latest project is being compared to a Greek masterpiece. London seems to be in a blood-thirsty mood these days and now the Kiln joins in.

When Legally Blonde came out in 2001, its main character Elle Woods became an instant icon. Witty comebacks in hot pink stilettos, she tore down stereotypes and validated blondes across the world. She probably also inspired generations to pursue a law degree and not be intimidated to hide the multi-faceted human beings they can be. Read our critic's review.

Life has a funny way of happening. We have all these preconceptions around what it should be and what’s successfully worth living that we forget that we are experiencing one. Jane (Grace Collett) is struggling with that.

According to Google, an artist is “a person who creates paintings or drawings as a profession (or hobby)”. It’s hard to be one on a creative level, but it’s even harder when your livelihood strictly depends on your ability to create. Inspiration needs to take a backseat and discipline take over.

Same household, five decades. Starting from 1965, playwright Beth Steel accompanies the Websters as they live and die in a Britain that’s not on their side. From Harold Wilson’s Labour all the way across Thatcher’s Tories to Brexit, the Websters see their Nottinghamshire home turn to ruins.

“According to my mum, I’m always doing something wrong and giving the wrong impression” we meet a quiet, lonely young woman. Except when she drinks and Maggie comes out. Her circumstantial friendship with Trixie has become co-dependency, and she’s been seeking refuge in the alcoholic numbness and social ecstasy she finds when they go out together.

Rakes never go out of style. They are especially in fashion these days, with the likes of “capital R rake” Anthony Bridgerton being the latest gateway fantasy of millions across the world. Now, one of the most famous libertines has taken up debauched shop at The Vaults

“He who robs us of our dreams robs us of our life” writes Virginia Woolf in her novel Orlando: A Biography. The fictional life of her gender non-conforming hero has been hailed as a feminist masterpiece, a subversive classic, and an impressive love letter.

Joe Stilgoe’s new album is an ode to theatre itself. After an overture worthy of the most exquisite Golden Age musical, the jazz wizard goes into a warm, rich love letter to show business. Read our BWW critic's review.

She charmed Daniel Craig’s pants off in Spectre, was rather bored in the Matrix, and accompanied Christ to the cross in The Passion Of The Christ. A sex symbol in the 90s and noughties, now she is Maria Callas in her one-night-only West End debut. An icon plays an icon, both with colossal reputations they can’t shake.

“Leave it vague leave it dark” says Samuel Beckett’s character Pim in How It Is. Now, after two years of delay and Zoom rehearsals, Irish theatre company Gare St Lazare bring Part 2 to the Coronet Theatre accompanied by the Irish Gamelan Orchestra. 

Young people all over the country are fighting an enduring battle against circumstances they aren’t equipped to change. Created following a meticulous research into the dedication of youth workers in Leeds and London, The Sh*t highlights the efforts of all those who dedicate their lives to keep others off the streets and out of the grave.

The world is isolating. While everyone is panic-buying loo roll, students have gone back to their accommodations with the promise of an uninterrupted education. Overnight, a fence goes up right outside a flat that’s more like a microcosmos.

Stop the press! The most renowned victims of the romanticisation of violence have taken up residence in London. The Arts theatre - former home of the worldwide hit Six - is now housing the West End debut of Bonnie and Clyde.

And then there were three. The last Mike Bartlett-penned show has opened in London. Scandaltown joins Marianne Elliott’s revival of Cock and the Trumpian drama The 47th spearheaded by Bertie Carvel under Ruper Goold. Directed by Rachel O’Riordan, this one’s a cheeky, boisterous contemporary comedy of manners. Read our critic's review.