#aperformances

Notes on Reviews During the Pandemic…

For reviews published during the pandemic, it should be noted [that]: I will not be travelling to physical sites to review theatre and performances until the pandemic is entirely over, as per commonly known UK law and concerns for personal risk. All reviews will consider virtual performances only — i.e. live performances streamed and/or pre-recorded and broadcast via the internet.Virtual theatre…

As readers may know, I usually only review performances which take place in London. However, given that all performances are currently virtual and streamed online, the issue of distance no longer exists. Therefore, during the pandemic, I am accepting review requests from all over the UK, as opposed to just London. All reviews will be published 2-4 days after the signalled performance date,…

After a pandemic-driven hiatus, The Theatre Reviewer is finally BACK to review all performance types across the UK! To request a review for your performance, please send a press release to [email protected] ! All current pending requests will be responded to shortly! For more information on requesting reviews at this time, please click here. And for information on formatting and…

[Review:] THE DIRTY THIRTY: INTERNATIONAL WOMXN’S DAY, Rosemary Branch Theatre, London. “A clever, politically-charged performance with a most unique premise, envisaging great social change.” 4 ★

Degenerate Fox perform The Dirty Thirty, a compilation of thirty micro-plays, weekly at the Rosemary Branch Theatre. No two performances are ever the same, as this compilation is edited every single time, with five plays deemed the weakest, or those that have been running for too long, being removed and replaced every week, meaning that this theatre company dedicatedly refine and contemporise…

[Review:] V&V, The Vaults Studio, London. “A certainly enjoyable performance but one which suffers from significant inarticulacy.” 2 ★ @sprezzaturapro1 @VAULTFestival #VVplay

This review will consider V&V, written and directed by Misha Pinnington and currently performing at The Vaults Studio, London, as part of The VAULT Festival.

I have mixed feelings about this performance, mainly because this performance itself offers two very different stories with their unique readings. Whilst both study the romantic correspondences between a pair of women, the two remain…

[Review:] FRILLS AND SPILLS, Camden People’s Theatre, London. “A stupendous and inspired piece of theatre; an absolute must-see!” 4.5 ★

I have seen theatre quite literally every day for many years, and I can honestly say that this is one of the best performances — if not the best — that I have seen in a long time. Grace Church (playing Frills) and Chloe Young (playing Spills) are comedy geniuses, sharp, bold and spirited, and their work here is intelligent, exhilarating and inspired.

The characters of Frills and Spills satirise…

[Review:] BEIGE, The Vaults Studio, London. “A compelling and emotional performance but one in need of a certain tidying.” 3.5 ★

Written by Anna Wheatley and directed by Jessica Daniels, Beige is a most heartwarming and cogent performance, representing the queer experience, for the most part, with clarity and precision. The play remains both emotional and encouraging, informative and entertaining. A good play, indeed.

There do remain, however, many areas of this play that require further attention and refinement. One of…

[Review:] HOW TO SAVE A ROCK, The Vaults, London. “A highly inarticulate, unintelligent and questionable piece of theatre.” 1 ★

Unfortunately, I must start by saying that this is not a strong performance at all. It remains convoluted, chaotic and disorderly, sometimes decidedly and other times involuntarily.

As the audience enter, they are playfully accosted by an accordionist, ushers and three babbling scientists, one (Will Stevens) obsessed with his complex machines (two bicycles with one wheel suspended which, when…