Untrue Diana by Linus Karp at The Pleasance Theatre

After his cabaret success A Jellicle Life (a Power-Point ode to the musical film flop Cats) and a trip to the hairdresser Linus Karp is back: The best and bravest prop for his next car crash of fandom celebration (pun not initially intentional) is his Princess Diana’s hairstyle – the one from the era when most boomers wanted Meg Ryan’s hair gel-supported crops. Dare requesting … Continue reading Untrue Diana by Linus Karp at The Pleasance Theatre

Oh my Oz – Wicked in Hamburg

After having seen Wicked in London’s Apollo Theatre three times, I have been more than excited about the new staging which premiered in Germany’s musical capital Hamburg this September. The trailer already gave away that this dramatisation dares to be different and presented an unusual mix of dieselpunk, vapour wave and 90s revival, spiced with … Continue reading Oh my Oz – Wicked in Hamburg

Missed opportunities: The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh at Caterham’s Miller Centre

My theatre seat bum has not been to an actual theatre since early 2020, just after I moved to Surrey. With all due respect, it is itching to be back in the audience. After a disastrous first attempt, I am not happy to get on London’s underground too soon again, and instead aim to check … Continue reading Missed opportunities: The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh at Caterham’s Miller Centre

Mike Bartlett’s Love, Love, Love at the Hammersmith Lyric – for your ears only

The audio recording of Love, Love, Love begins with a warning of strong language and explicit sexual scenes, then a collage of news footage of the UK’s chaotic lockdown start in March follows, especially difficult for theatres suddenly hanging in limbo: The government did not close them but advised their guests not to go. “Missed … Continue reading Mike Bartlett’s Love, Love, Love at the Hammersmith Lyric – for your ears only

Standing ovations for Syndrome at the Tristan Bates Theatre

Back at the Actor’s Centre at the Tristan Bates Theatre I am invited to the opening night of Syndrome, a new play by Tina Jay and directing debut of Jack Brett Anderson. Admittedly I know little about the Gulf War of the early 1990s and always thought of all soldiers’ trauma as terribly tragic, unjust … Continue reading Standing ovations for Syndrome at the Tristan Bates Theatre

Hakuna Matata at the Lyceum Theatre – The Lion King is still stunning

It’s an amazing feeling to buy musical tickets for someone to see a show with when this very someone has taken you to the cinema years ago to watch the film this show is based on. The massive impact of The Lion King was even felt by my primary school self in late 1994 while … Continue reading Hakuna Matata at the Lyceum Theatre – The Lion King is still stunning

Please believe the hype, this play is important: Kill Climate Deniers at The Pleasance

Kill Climate Deniers deserves its hype for sure: Following the Australian Environment Minister and her PR advisor to a Fleetwood Mac concert at which the audience is being taken hostage by a group of radical climate activists is sharp, witty and scarily relevant for obvious reasons. I received the full script when I arrived - … Continue reading Please believe the hype, this play is important: Kill Climate Deniers at The Pleasance

Bringing Australian sunshine to London: Summer Street at the Waterloo East Theatre

It is high time to kick off the sunny season and because summer is a mindset, I smilingly agreed to see Summer Street, a musical parody of Australian soap operas, at the Waterloo East Theatre. It is a new off-west end venue for me and given I spent over five years commuting almost every day … Continue reading Bringing Australian sunshine to London: Summer Street at the Waterloo East Theatre

Thalia Vista Social Club – a local institution in Hamburg’s Thalia Theater

For the first time after leaving college I am back in Hamburg’s Thalia Theater. Founded in 1843 you can spot a real Hamburg citizen by the way the first syllable of Thalia is emphasized. I cannot remember seeing a single play here which I did not like – with productions chosen close to the curriculum … Continue reading Thalia Vista Social Club – a local institution in Hamburg’s Thalia Theater

The Brighton Academy’s Sister Act in Clermont Hall, East Sussex

On what seems to be the rainiest weekend this season in London a friend has come to visit from Hamburg. In advance we agreed that I’ll show her Brighton (I have never been during Christmas time) but before we head there I cannot see us drinking cocktails in a beer garden under a patio heater … Continue reading The Brighton Academy’s Sister Act in Clermont Hall, East Sussex