UK / WEST END THEATER REVIEWS

The 2004 prize-winning novel by Andrea Levy, who sadly passed away earlier this year, has been beautifully translated to stage by adaptor Helen Edmundson and NT head honcho Rufus Norris, using thrilling theatrical solutions to honour Levy's epic - and still urgent - tale....

When a young love is re-lit when both parties are past their late 30s, a woman's objectives shift towards previously unexplored horizons. Her newborn desire to have a child nearly takes over her life. Written by novelist, screenwriter, and director Julia Leigh, Avalanche: A Love Story is directly in...

Shadowlands can feel a little outdated, but it wins you over with the warmth and wit of the characters and two wonderful performances from Hugh Bonneville and Liz White....

Opera isn't dead. In fact, it's alive and kicking off thanks to Kneehigh's reimagining of John Gay's The Beggars Opera, which takes on the new and riotous form of Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs)....

Ell and Mary are best friends, and also ex-girlfriends. When Mary came over to Ell in the pub two years ago, asking her to make a show, the pair didn't know each other. Now, they seem to understand every part of one another; their chemistry on stage is delicious and the spark between them is undenia...

Mike Poulton's new version of Ibsen's Ghosts will play on your nerves and force you to confront some dark truths....

It's 1937, the largest cut diamond is being transported by train from London to the French town of Murder amidst a crowd of socialites and odd characters who are travelling to the town in the south of Franch for different reasons. Suddenly, the jewel disappears from its stand and an investigation ki...

Demi is the bastard son of a Nigerian woman and the Greek god Zeus. Half mortal, he has strong elemental power, but also possesses an insane talent in playing basketball. Spanning through Greek and Yoruba mythology, Inua Ellam's magical poem takes you back to the roots of performance....

Michael Ball is touring his new album 'Coming Home To You', which he proudly announces is his first number one selling album for 27 years. From the opening song, people were on their feet dancing. The atmosphere in the Palladium is excellent as his fans are so adoring!...

Edmond Rostand is a broke poet who's going through a seemingly endless writer's block. His plays are critical flops, his investors don't have any more patience nor money to waste on him, and his wife needs him to provide for their family. In an attempt to help his actor friend Leon charm young Jeann...

The omens were good for the Orange Tree Theatre's new production, Out Of Water. Writer Zoe Cooper created the beautiful Jess and Joe Forever back in 2016 and Guy Jones directed the heartbreaking Mayfly last year. The result is a smart, inventive and moving play with a huge heart....

Ben Alderton takes swipes at every stripe in the political rainbow, but lacks the precision required to bring a plague on all their houses....

In an ordinary part of the north, Hope and Katie work at their local corner shop. Life is pretty good for them; they know their routine and are happy with it. For Katie, the shop is a safe place for her to be herself; for her to be open with her love for Hope, away from judgement and other people's ...

Miriam Gould's portrait of herself and her parents is as personal as one would expect, but its also beautifully judged and accessible, weaving music in and out of its narrative to great effect....

Jermyn Street Theatre's latest co-production with Keswick's Theatre by the Lake is a new version of August Strindberg's Creditors directed by the theatre's own Tom Littler....

The London Coliseum has established a run of successes with some excellent revivals of almost-forgotten musicals in recent years. It now turns to Man of La Mancha in the hope of a new box office smash. The choice is an interesting one; few people have seen or even heard of it and it is over 50 ye...

In a minimalist setting, Benjamin Britten's 20th-century reflections on Herman Melville's novel are deftly captured musically and visually....

West End Eurovision does exactly what it says on the tin: casts of West End musicals compete by performing past Eurovision songs to win over juries of their peers and the live audience. But despite it being a one night only event, this isn't throwaway, or thrown together......

Based on his 1997 smash hit film and adapted for the stage by Oscar-winning writer Simon Beaufoy, The Full Monty is the bittersweet story of a group of unemployed Sheffield steelworkers who, inspired by a local Chippendale show, turn to stripping to raise some much-needed money....

Stupendous singing from a group of students battled old professionals who didn't dare reward risks....

At the beginning of the performance of Mitten wir im Leben sind/Bach6Cellosuiten, choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker (she's also one of the five dancers) comes right to the front of the stage and holds up what appears to be a peremptory finger as if to silence the welcoming applause....

Market Boy takes us back to the days of George and Andrew with plenty of bad boys in Romford. And it tells us a fair bit about 2019 en route....

In their venture rediscovering lost classic, Finborough Theatre brings back to the stage St John Ervine's Jane Clegg. The piece was first seen at the Gaiety Theatre in Manchester in 1913 and David Gilmore's new production in London is the first in 75 years....

Ain't Misbehavin' crashes through the gloom of Brexity Britain with bangin' tunes and bubbly bantz. Looks good, sounds good and makes you feel good....

Cecilia Gragnani moved to London from Milan ten years ago with stars in her eyes, anticipating the vibrant world that would be spreading out in front of her once in the city. She was fascinated by the neatness of row after row of Victorian houses lining the streets and excited to start her new life ...