Our UK / West End Critics
View All »
Aliya Al-Hassan
Critic
Amber-Rae Stobbs
Critic
Caroline Cronin
Critic
Cheryl Markosky
Critic
Cindy Marcolina
Critic
Debbie Gilpin
Critic
Donald Hutera
Critic
Franco Milazzo
Critic
Gary Naylor
Critic
Guest Author
Critic
Kat Mokrynski
Critic
Matthew Paluch
Critic
Mica Blackwell
Critic
Michael Higgs
Critic
Vikki Jane Vile
Critic
Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, The Old Vic Theatre
There are surely few less festive places to be than The Old Vic Theatre while Jack Thorne's A Christmas Carol is being staged. From mince pies and satsumas for the audience, Victorian bell ringing, snow falling and turkeys flying from the rafters, is it joyfully reassuring and supremely comforting....
Review: SARAH, The Coronet Theatre
Oliver Reese, artistic director of the Berliner Ensemble, translates the tale for the stage transforming it into a one-man-show led by Jonathan Slinger. But do we need another white man’s poor-me point of view in 2022? The book has its merits, as does the play, but what is this show trying to say?...
Review: PINOCCHIO, Unicorn Theatre
The Unicorn Theatre’s Xmas pantomime has been dazzling audiences for years. Bright colours, holiday cheer and a well-known tale turned on their head are regular features here; and this time it’s the turn of the famous wooden chap, Pinocchio, to get their moment in the spotlight. They’ve had th...
Review: THE MASSIVE TRAGEDY OF MADAME BOVARY!, Jermyn Street Theatre
Nicholson writes a deliciously entertaining adaptation of the novel, while Marieke Audsley has it jump off the page of a storybook....
Review: THE SNOWMAN, Peacock Theatre
The Snowman and Christmas go together like bad weather and TfL apologies so it's unsurprising that this adaption by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre of Raymond Brigg's seminal 1978 graphic novel is returning to Sadler's Wells' Peacock Theatre. ...
Review: DINNER WITH GROUCHO, Arcola Theatre
Frank McGuinness's new play puts two giants of 20th century culture together but fails to ignite a spark between them...
Review: DIANA: THE UNTOLD AND UNTRUE STORY, The Pleasance Theatre
Peering through a queer lens with cabaret stylings, Linus Karp brings Diana’s herstory to life through puppets, video and some very spot-on outfits....
Review: THE CRITIC, The Calder Bookshop and Theatre
John Hill's play touches on a range of interesting themes, but its narrative meanders and its tension falls away...
Review: SPECTRE IN CONCERT, Royal Albert Hall
“The dead are alive.” Even the film’s title is redolent of a haunting presence - although hardened Bond fans will know the true significance of this word....
Review: PERFECT SHOW FOR RACHEL, Barbican Theatre
This is a theatrical experience unlike any other, crafted with accessibility at the helm. The framework of each unique production is built around empowering disabled people’s autonomy; Rachel has every freedom available to her as both cast and audience await her next creative decision....
Review: SKYFALL IN CONCERT, Royal Albert Hall
It’s remarkable how permeating Thomas Newman’s score is. It becomes evident in such a context, where the music is given the place of honour as it soaringly comes alive....
Review: PICKLE, Park Theatre
What did our critic think of PICKLE at Park Theatre?...
Review: CASINO ROYALE IN CONCERT, Royal Albert Hall
As the rain pours and the Chancellor’s statement rings in our ears, escapism is what we all need and James Bond always fits the bill. To continue the celebrations of 60 years of James Bond at the Royal Albert Hall, the venue is showing some of the most recent films in concert and last night Casino...
Review: HEAR MYSELF THINK Podcast, Series 2
During lockdown, Hear Myself Think's mini audio-theatre podcasts exploring mental health offered solace to listeners in more than 25 countries. Coming from diverse perspectives, they're aimed at communities less likely to get support for mental health issues....
Review: ANYTHING WITH A PULSE, Park Theatre
While ostensibly in the same bailiwick as Constellations and Lungs, Anything With A Pulse is far more of a white-knuckle ride into the heart of a modern source of darkness....
Review: THE LAST LAUGH, Tabard Theatre
Brimming with ideas, Richard Harris's play never forgets that its first obligation is to entertain...
Review: LA CLIQUE, Leicester Square Spiegeltent
When it comes to London Christmas stage institutions, there’s an argument for saying that La Clique now deserves a place alongside Handel’s Messiah, A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker and Mother Goose.
...
Review: HERE, Southwark Playhouse
It all sounds quite dramatic on paper, but the piece becomes a relentless plod-along. It’s plotless and paceless. The characters are irredeemably broken and unchanged by their time on stage. Monica is an alcoholic, Jess is having an existential crisis, Jeff is a church-going gambler, and Matt’s ...
Review: THE SEX PARTY, Menier Chocolate Factory
Terry Johnson’s new play,The Sex Party, has many ingredients for success; an intriguing idea, an excellent cast and a beautiful set, but is let down with a sledgehammer script and meandering message that goes nowhere. There’s a lot happening at once, but the entire play is as shallow as a puddle...
Review: THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA, Royal Opera House
There is a growing trend of operas drawing inspiration from and working alongside the contemporary theatre world. Whether it is collaborations or borrowing ideas, in these tempestuous times for the performing arts our artistic ecosystem inevitably grows richer as a result....
Review: RICHARD THE SECOND, Omnibus Theatre
One of Shakespeare's most political plays is on the nose for our times, but this production doesn't quite have the courage of its aesthetic convictions...
Review: BLACKOUT SONGS, Hampstead Theatre
A tender study into the blurred boundaries between desire and addiction...
Review: EK/FORSYTHE/QUAGEBEUR, Sadler's Wells
Time for the annual treat that is an ENB mixed bill at Sadler’s Wells, on this occasion featuring a couple of lockdown greatest hits, and a bold new production of The Rite of Spring. ...
Review: IKARIA, Old Red Lion Theatre
Devastating production showcases outstanding writing, directing and acting to create a production that will live long in the memory...
Review: THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, Battersea Arts Centre
Javaad Alipoor’s new show is hard to categorise. Part lecture, part poetry-slam, part abstract Wikipedia game and part lesson on colonialism. It acts as a provocative and creative way to pass on a message about the realities of our modern knowledge under the auspices of investigating a cold-case m...
Videos
TICKET CENTRAL
Buy Tickets
Tickets From $59
Tickets From $133
Tickets From $101
