REVIEWS Archives - Page 2 of 433

Demi Adejuyigbe is Going To Do One (1) Backflip – Soho Theatre

30Jan

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

London

Demi Adejuyigbe is Going To Do One (1) Backflip – Soho Theatre

Demi Adejuyigbe is Going To Do One (1) Backflip. That’s both the title of the show and the UK-born American comedian’s very literal mission statement for his kooky comedy hour. Having previously earned him a Best Newcomer Nominee at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2024 for its fringe run, Adejuyigbe’s zany show has arrived at Soho Theatre. A true comedian of the internet age, Adejuyigbe packs the show with powerpoint presentations, songs, a one-man musical in which he threatens to do a Lin-Manuel Miranda-esque rap, and plenty more bits for one sole purpose: to impress his crush. As he builds up to performing his promised singular backflip—because it’s the ultimate way to woo a woman, supposedly—Adejuyigbe goes on to explain his six-part method for winning over a crush, from deliverin...

30Jan

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Moments – The Studio

In the classic time-loop film Groundhog Day, tv reporter, Phil (Bill Murray) attempts over and over again to create the perfect day, a series of carefully choreographed ‘moments’, with his attractive producer Rita (Andie MacDowell), in an attempt to win her heart. Only to be thwarted, often at the last moment, hilariously, time and time again. Some fans calculate the time-loop at 12,403 days! Theatre Re bring their own, thankfully shorter, time-loop to The Studio tonight to wordlessly consider, and reconsider, the powerful bond between a father and a son, and the ‘casting off’ which marks the end of one generation and the beginning of the next. Twelve and a half years after Theatre Re, premiered their particular brand of thoughtful and thought provoking theatre at Pleasance Dome...

29Jan

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Chicago – Sheffield Lyceum

Flawless flirtatious perfection! The Sheffield Lyceum hosts one of the biggest musical triumphs of all time, over 50 international awards – Grammy, Olivier, Tony, the longest running American Musical. We are greeted by a bare stage except a spot lit single chair and a Bowler hat, enter one performer, sassy, sexy, seductive, sensual, sinuous, sophisticated and slinky and so it begins… ‘Murder, Greed, Corruption, Exploitation, Adultery, Treachery… all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts… Thank you’. It could only be Kander and Ebb’s Chicago. Originally directed and choreographed by the legendary Bob Fosse in 1975, this UK touring production stays true to his genius giving us the instantly recognisable, classic tone and style. Based on the true story as reported in the C...

29Jan

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

1984 – Omnibus Theatre

George Orwell's 1984 is prescribed reading for most schools in Britain, but it is still banned in Russia. To mark the 40th anniversary of Orwell's narrative, inspired by Nick Hern's play, Withintheatre, a London-based collective of professional Slavic performers, has assembled a physical theatre interpretation of the piece. Founded in 2022 by Sofia Barysevich, Withintheatre's performance platforms the play as an act of defiance and activism. The play lasts until 2nd February at the Omnibus Theatre, London, following their sold-out, award-winning run at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe. Recreating moments of violence, subjugation, and interrogation, The play's themes are topical. Observing authoritarian regimes around us twist facts and swoop in to control private lives increasingly. '1984' ser...

Now That’s What I Call A Musical – Opera House

29Jan

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Now That’s What I Call A Musical – Opera House

A new musical comedy hits UK theatres and transports its audiences back to the 80’s with pop-tastic hits, flashy routines and an empowering story of love and friendship. Two high school friends dream of their futures, April wants to take Hollywood by storm, Gemma is quite content in Birmingham, but nothing is going to come between them. Fast forward twenty years to the high school reunion and the girls are confronted with their decisions, their love-lives and their futures ahead. Is their friendship going to conquer all? Or have they grown up and, ultimately, grown apart? Now… isn’t anything ground-breaking, in fact it’s very familiar. It’s a story of every-day people, with songs we all know and love performed with gusto by a brilliant cast who represent a typical British city (kudos...

Pretty Vacant: The Story of Punk and New Wave – Usher Hall

29Jan

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

Pretty Vacant: The Story of Punk and New Wave – Usher Hall

Punk was never about perfection, and Pretty Vacant – The Story of Punk and New Wave definitely stuck to that ethos. Hitting the stage at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on the 28th of January, the show set out to celebrate one of the most rebellious, game-changing movements in music history. And while the music absolutely delivered, the rest of the production felt a little basic—fun, but not quite as explosive as it could have been. The best thing about the night was, hands down, the setlist. From The Sex Pistols and The Clash to Blondie and The Ramones, the show was packed with classics. Hearing God Save the Queen and London Calling live—well, as live as a tribute show gets—still gave me chills. And when they launched into Blondie’s Heart of Glass, it was a perfect shift into the smoother, more...

Amy Gledhill: Make Me Look Fit on the Poster – Soho Theatre

29Jan

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

London

Amy Gledhill: Make Me Look Fit on the Poster – Soho Theatre

As a quadruple Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee with appearances on TV shows such as Live At The Apollo and Would I Lie To You? under her belt, Amy Gledhill has been dubbed one of comedy’s brightest new stars. In her solo show Make Me Look Fit on the Poster, now playing at Soho Theatre, she proves why. The Soho crowd don’t need much warming up (impressive, given it was 9pm on a Tuesday), but Gledhill still kicks things off with brash energy by asking us all to take off our knickers and throw them at her in appreciation. Realising the logistical challenges of her request, she gives us a hand by opening up a box of underwear and chucking them into the audience for us to shower back down on her. Photo: Paul Gilbey This perfectly kicks off a fun and cheeky hour of comedy where Gledhill ...

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals – AO Arena

29Jan

By Abigail PendleburyNo Comments

North West

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals – AO Arena

On 27th January the AO Arena in Manchester welcomed back The National Lottery's Big Night of Musicals. Celebrating 30 years of National Lottery funding for theatre and performing arts across the UK, the event brought together an impressive lineup of West End and touring productions, as well as special guests, offering a night of unforgettable performances. Hosted by the comedic charm that is Jason Manford, the evening featured a series of show-stopping numbers that highlighted the diversity and vibrancy of contemporary musical theatre. The event opened with a ‘Supercalifragalistic’ performance from the current touring cast of Mary Poppins, setting an exhilarating tone for the night. Other show-stopping performances included a first look at Disney’s Hercules, where Luke Brady gave us a p...

29Jan

By Sadie PearsonNo Comments

London

The Gift – Park Theatre

What is the worst thing you’ve ever done? And what are the consequences you think you deserve for it? These are some of the questions which The Gift by Dave Florez seeks to answer. Colin is bereft, having received a beautifully packaged human excrement in the post. Unbeknownst to who it may have come from, Colin (Nicholas Burns), his sister Lisa (Laura Haddock) and his brother in law Brian (Alex Price) are subject, throughout the play, to a psychologically tormenting game of “who did it?” As the gift in question continues to anguish Colin, paranoia takes hold and domestic instability bubbles at the surface. More complex than meets the eye, this brilliantly absurd plot has the potential to travel to some truly dark places. Burns’ performance spanned a wide emotional range, veering fro...

28Jan

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Nutcracker in Havana – The Lowry

Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana with Acosta Danza at The Lowry is a dazzling spectacle that breathes vibrant life into a timeless classic. I was mesmerised from start to finish! This fast-paced production takes Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet and adds the energy, colour, and rhythm of Havana, creating an experience that left me smiling from ear to ear. From the very first scene, it was clear that this was a Nutcracker unlike any other. The staging was cleverly devised, blending traditional ballet with clever, modern touches that felt fresh and innovative. A standout moment came when a moving car drove onto the stage, seamlessly integrated into the storytelling. And the finale of the first half—a stunning deluge of artificial snow—was a breathtaking visual treat, earning audible gasps ...