UK / West End Theater Reviews

BWW Reviews: LIMBO, London Wonderground, May 20 2013

LIMBO gives traditional circus entertainment a sophisticated re-vamp with a 1920s twist, complete with contortions, illusions, sword-swallowing and aerial acrobatics to make audiences gasp. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE HOTHOUSE, Trafalgar Studios, May 9 2013

As part of a season of politically-charged plays, the Trafalgar Studios and director Jamie Lloyd present a fast-paced witty production of Harold Pinter's tragi-comic play about cruelty and power in the modern world, starring Simon Russell Beale. (more...)

BWW Reviews: DOKTOR GLAS, Wyndham's Theatre, April 18 2013

Performed in Swedish with English surtitles, Doktor Glas stars Wallander actor Krister Henriksson, and tells the story of a physician whose unrequited love leads him into increasingly disturbing scenarios that breach more than just the codes of his profession. (more...)

BWW Reviews: BEAUTIFUL THING, Arts Theatre, April 18 2013

Jonathan Harvey's classic tale of first love returns to the West End 20 years on. (more...)

BWW Reviews: PROOF, The Menier Chocolate Factory, March 20 2013

David Auburn's Pulitzer-winning drama, Proof,takes place on a decrepit back porch in Chicago and tells the story of Catherine, the perhaps exceptionally talented and perhaps unbalanced daughter of a similarly exceptional mathematician. Proof runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until April 27 2013. (more...)

BWW Review: Inspiring CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY (LIVE FROM LONDON) is Moving and Provocative

Before Matt Stone, Trey Parker, and Robert Lopez's BOOK OF MORMON made Missionaries cool, Steven Fales began sharing his personal story in the riveting and compelling one-man show CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY. The show first premiered at the Sunstone Symposium in Salt Lake City in 2001. Since then, he has gone on to perform the show off-Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse with direction by Jack Hofsiss in 2006, all over the United States, the 2011 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and London's West End in 2012. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE TAILOR-MADE MAN, Arts Theatre, February 21 2013

As much as revivals of the old greats are great, it's always exciting when a new piece of musical theatre premieres in London. While a play version of the script, also by Claudio Macor, was performed in 1992, the current run of The Tailor-Made Man at the Arts Theatre is the musical's first outing. It runs at the Arts Theatre until 6th April. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE QUEEN'S KNICKERS, Southbank Centre, February 18 2013

Nicholas Allan's best-selling children's book, The Queen's Knickers, has been adapted for the stage as part of the Southbank Centre's Imagine children's festival. With lots of witty ideas, a healthy dose of clowning, and a great storyline, it's perfect for ages 3+. (more...)

BWW Reviews: FIESTA, Trafalgar Studios, February 8 2013

Alex Helfrecht's adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises opens in Paris and ends in Pamplona, where complex human relationships blister under the heat of the Spanish sun. Physical performances and live music conjure up all the ex-pat decadence of the 1920s, and tell a truly gripping story. (more...)

BWW Reviews: IMPROVATHON 2013, Hoxton Hall, January 11 2013

This weekend at Hoxton Hall, Extempore Theatre presents not just an evening, but a 50-hour marathon of non-stop improvisational comedy, in the form of a soap-opera set in 1920s Egypt. (more...)

BWW Reviews PRIVATES ON PARADE, Noël Coward Theatre, December 10 2012

Privates on Parade is the first in a season of five plays at the Noël Coward Theatre, where the newly-formed Michael Grandage company has set up camp. Getting the season off to a cracking start, Simon Russell Beale plays the witty, warm-hearted drag queen, Acting Captain Terri Dennis, in this classic play by Peter Nichols. (more...)

BWW Reviews: CERYS MATTHEWS Live At The Hippodrome, November 21

The former Catatonia front-woman and Radio 6 Music presenter mixes periods and genres in an evening of relaxed cabaret-style entertainment, joined by an excellent band. (more...)

9 TO 5 - UK Premiere Review, Manchester Opera House

With this new UK production (which is not so much new as a slightly altered version of the US tour with the same set) they had the chance to sort out the problems that plagued a show that is dying to break out, sadly the problems are more noticeable than ever. (more...)

BWW Reviews: KERRY ELLIS LIVE AT THE HIPPODROME, October 2 2012

Kerry Ellis, best known for leading lady stints in Wicked, Oliver and We Will Rock You, has been in 'solo artist' territory for some time now, recording and touring with legendary guitarist and mentor Brian May. In the new Hippodrome Casino's sexy, purple-hued cabaret venue, The Matcham Room, she seems to be having a great time performing her week-long residency, with a very talented band and backing vocalists in tow (more...)

BWW Reviews: WHAT YOU WILL, Apollo Theatre, Sept 18 2012

Actor Roger Rees zooms through his life in Shakespeare - from auditioning for the Royal Shakespeare Company at this very theatre as a young lad, to playing mute extras and delivering some of theatre's greatest monologues - in this one-act, one-man show (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE TIGER LILLIES PERFORM HAMLET, Queen Elizabeth II Hall, Southbank Centre, September 18 2012

Gary Naylor sees a magical evening filled with wit and beauty. (more...)

BWW Reviews: A BROKEN ROSE, Cockpit Theatre, September 13 2012

Gary Naylor sees a production that misses more than it hits. (more...)

BWW Reviews: WITHOUT YOU, Menier Chocolate Factory, September 9 2012

Adapted from Rapp's New York Times best-selling memoir, Without You tells the story of the early days of what became the Broadway phenomenon Rent, from the perspective of this original cast member, complete with songs from the show as well as fresh music coolly performed by a five-piece rock band. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Laura Tisdall's THE IN-BETWEEN Original Concept Album

The In-Between is a new fantasy musical written entirely by Laura Tisdall, an up and coming musical theatre writer. The show is a fully written, two act production which is yet to receive any commercial backing. Therefore this original concept album is great publicity to showcase Tisdall's work, and judging by what I have heard, she ought be snapped up immediately. All of the orchestrations, original instrumental programming, recording, mixing, lyrics and book have been done by Tisdall which is no mean feat! This is one talented lady. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE HURLY BURLY SHOW, Duchess Theatre, July 12 2012

Gary Naylor finds out if burlesque is naughty or nice or a bit of both. (more...)

BWW Reviews: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Original Concept Album, Digitally Remastered Recording

With all the kerfuffle about the Superstar search and the forthcoming arena tour, the news about the digitally remastered reissue of the original Jesus Christ Superstar concept album has been a little lost. (more...)

BWW Reviews: MACK & MABEL, Southwark Playhouse, July 11 2012

Sometimes when directors revive old plays you wonder why they've done it. Mack & Mabel, currently playing at Southwark Playhouse, is not a classic crying out to be brought back to life, though being about the early days of cinema it is rather on trend. (more...)

BWW Reviews: SEARCH FOR A TWITTER STAR, Lyric Theatre, July 10 2012

The X Factor meets London's West End in the finale of a Twitter talent show to find the musical theatre stars of the future. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Meredith Braun's SOMEONE ELSE'S STORY

'Someone Else's Story' sees the return of New Zealand-born performer Meredith Braun after a ten-year break. During her fruitful career, she played lead roles in 'The Phantom of the Opera', 'Les Miserables', 'Sunset Boulevard' to name but a few. She also starred as Belle in 'The Muppet Christmas Carol', the Disney film released in 1992. This album, produced by Stage Door Records, showcases new material from Braun and is a reminder of just how good she was, and evidently still IS. (more...)

BWW Reviews: MINSK 2011, Young Vic, June 15 2012

This riveting piece by Belarus Free Theatre (BFT) tells the story of the scarred capital of Belarus, from the perspective of its disenfranchised citizens. (more...)