The London Mithraeum - FREE - ★★★★


A fascinating peek into Roman London and the mysterious cult favoured by Roman soldiers. The history of the discovery of this site and its excavation is as fascinating as the discovery itself. The presentation is first-rate and makes looking at the artifacts genuinely fun. The temple “event” actually creates a sense of the mysteries that once were celebrated there. If you are a classical history buff, this one must not be missed and for others it is an easy way to find a connection to Roman Britain … a great complement to the Roman collection at the Museum of London. And unlike some of London’s museums which can be rather overwhelming, this one leaves the visitor wanting more.
Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Permanent Display
Tues - Sat: 10 am - 6 pm, Sun: 12 pm - 5 pm
Bloomberg Space
Nearest tube: Bank
Map & Location: 12 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AA, UK

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Naked Boys Singing, The Garden Theatre at The Eagle - ★★★★ - Until October 25, 2020

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There is still a certain taboo around naked men on stage. Well, Naked Boys Singing firmly grasps the nettle and does exactly what it says on the tin. If the sight of naked guys singing and dancing is shocking for you, this musical revue should probably be avoided, but you'd be missing a lot of good clean fun. There is plenty of talent on display and the six guys perform splendidly; perhaps, one or two of the voices would be helped by microphones but the lack of costumes would make that difficult. So sing up boys! We're not watching 'great art' here, but several of the numbers stand out including "The Entertainer", "Robert Mitchum" and especially "Perky Little Porn Star." One hilarious song reminds a lonely man that the solution to his problem is in his own hands. There is also a beautifully sung chorale using the multifarious names for the male member! It would be invidious to single out individual cast members as all have plenty of opport…
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Macbeth, Creation Theatre (online) - ★★★★ - Until October 31, 2020

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Shakespeare knew how to pile on the blood and violence. Macbeth, as presented by Zoë Seaton for Creation Theatre doesn't balk at the horror. Ghostly witches are in control throughout this striking virtual production in which the actors are all performing alone in their homes and coming to us via Zoom. In fact the cast has never even met! This extremely cleverly constructed production gives us virtual locations mixed with real rooms and occasional filmed inserts. At times, ingeniously engineered images of the watching audience pop up as guests at the banquet while the ghost of Banquo passes before them. Nicky Harley's Lady Macbeth is a strangely seductive sociopath spiraling towards disaster. She stands in good contrast to Dennis Herdman's confused Macbeth who vacillates between insecure machismo and being a pawn in his wife's thrall. Both Herdman and Harley speak very well, and his performance grows in intensity as the character's mind disintegrates. The murder of …
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Renaissance, Stephens House & Gardens - ★★★★★ - Until September 20, 2020

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The words dance off the tongue in this new, delightfully amusing ninety-minute verse play by Charles Ward. Under Emma Butler's immaculate direction, Renaissance is performed on a small raised platform in a magically lit garden. The modern, stylish cream and white clothes look gorgeous. We meet Cesare Borgia, Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelli who, at Cesare's behest, assume each other's characters. Light-hearted comedy ensues when the women in their lives turn up. In many ways the story recalls Shakespeare's comedies of disguise and mistaken identity. James Corrigan has great fun and is outstanding as the flamboyant Cesare, getting himself into all kinds of predicaments including some amusing exchanges with the sexually ambivalent Machiavelli. Nicholas Limm as Niccolò speaks beautifully, especially as he begins to enjoy his new role at court. Akshay Sharan, masquerading as a bemused Leonardo, is totally charming. Hannah Morrish as Cesare's sister, the infamo…
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Buyer & Cellar, Above The Stag Theatre - ★★★★ - Until November 8, 2020

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Jonathan Tolins' New York cult hit Buyer & Cellar gets a beautifully presented new production by Andrew Beckett. Here we have Aaron Sidwell as Alex More, a wannabe actor who gets a job curating Streisand's bizarre collection of memorabilia in the basement of her home. From the outset we know we are not getting a 'Barbra' impersonator; in fact, Sidwell gives only a fleeting impression of the diva but it is enough to create an ambience. Only in America could one get adoring fans with such obsessions about their idols. Sadly, they simultaneously want to smash that image of perfection to smithereens. Whilst Alex struggles to remain in awe of her, his unseen cynical boyfriend bitches about her over the phone. Streisand is portrayed as self-obsessed, penny pinching, shallow and frankly, weird. We even get an account of the lonely star seemingly 'coming-on' to Alex. If you're looking for the Streisand of Funny Girl and her other films you'll be disappointe…
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Soho Cinders, Charing Cross Theatre - ★★★★ - Until January 11, 2020

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It's all here but the pumpkin coach! This wonderfully updated telling of Cinderella's story takes place around Old Compton Street where Cinderella has become Robbieand Prince Charming is now a closeted politician. The fairy godmother played by Christopher Coleman expects a little more than appreciation and the two wicked stepsisters are now pole dancers threatening to take away Robbie's launderette. Does it sound like a lot of silly fun? Well, it is. It is also a slightly darker commentary on current political spinand image doctoring and on the tabloid culture that creates both political fairy tales and faux scandals. All of the cast are excellent. As the two totally over the top wicked stepsisters,Michaela Stern and Natalie Harman are hilarious in numbers such as "I'm So Over Men" and "Fifteen Minutes."Ewan Gillies as the evil spin doctor is quite perfect and "The Tail That Wags The Dog"sums up what so many of us see on the current politi…
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Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis, Park Theatre - ★★★★★ - Until January 4, 2020

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The title says it all. You know you're in for a lot of fun and this play lives up to its billing. What do you give to your dominatrix when she turns forty? It's a question we've all asked ourselves, and what we get here is an amusing and provocative answer. This is a piece that looks at and laughs at role playing, how it can liberate us and how it can trap us. Everyone from Chinese Elvis to dominatrix, Josie, has an alter ego that either supports them or constrains them. Coming to terms with the authentic self and enjoying the possibility of playing with the notion of other selves is both the challenge and the solution. This is a very funny play with a lot of heart and wisdom that is beautifully performed by a cast which never misses a beat. Sioned Jones is quite wonderful as the obsessive compulsive cleaner who grows into a new persona and Andrew P. Stephen is delightful as the dry cleaner who accepts his complexity. Kellie Batchelor is completely believable as the age-c…
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Sir John Soane's Museum Guided Tour - FREE - ★★★★★

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This is one of our favourite museums in London. The quirky and crammed home of John Soane, architect of the Bank of England. It has some wonderful treasures, including Hogarth's "The Election" and "The Rake's Progress." The sarcophagus of Seti I is in the basement along with the parlour of his imaginary friend, Brother John. Don't miss the opening of the display walls in the gallery now done on the hour and half hour. Also, try to be there for the free Private Apartments tour, limited to 8 people and requiring  sign up on site.
Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score: ☆☆☆☆☆

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE: Wed - Sun: 10 am - 5 pm (last entry at 4:30 pm) Closed: Dec 24, 25, 26, 31 & Jan 1
Private Apartments Tours: 1:15 pm & 2:00 pm Sir John Soane's museum, Lincoln's Inn Fields Nearest tube: Holborn https://www.soane.org
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Camden Fringe: Shards, The Camden People's Theatre - ★★★★★ - August 15 - 18, 2019

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In physics, as in relationships, sometimes things need to collide and even be broken to discover the particle that holds them together. This is a refreshingly intelligent play about intelligent people. It does not make the mistake of seeking drama in the extraordinary or bizarre, but plumbs the complexity present in the everyday world. Whether it is on the macro-level of the universe or on the micro-level of people trying to understand themselves and to form relationships, there is ample challenge and wonder to be found. We see the steps, missteps and collisions that occur among four people before a rhythm is discovered and the swing dance of relationships can be mastered. Karim Dedda as Matt creates a convincingly caring and questing nurse and Vanessa Toral Diaz's Maya is a completely credible physician. She beautifully captures the manner of a slightly distant, but nevertheless vulnerable professional. Robert Dukes' Viktor is nuanced and does not fall into simple parody of t…
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On Blueberry Hill, Trafalgar Studios - ★★★★★ - Until May 2, 2020

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"Though we're apart, you're part of me still" goes the song. Separation cannot break some bonds. Parent and child are indivisibly linked in Sebastian Barry's play, but can one reconcile with someone who has tried to break that bond? Two men in physical and mental prisons look at where life and death have brought them. Social impositions of self-loathing and vengeance are challenged by the recognition of a common humanity but can they find it? It is hard not to see this very thoughtful, and often humorous, piece as a metaphor for the challenges that Ireland has faced in its recent cruel and divisive history; however, it always remains a fascinating insight into two flawed, yet surprisingly sympathetic, characters. The story may be dark but its eloquent script makes it riveting. Sebastian Barry's mastery of the language is positively Shakespearean. The two prisoners' rich and comic recounting of their lives keeps the audience on the edge of their seats as t…
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Camden Fringe: Truth After Murder, Etcetera Theatre - ★★★ - Until August 25, 2019

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Without either a classical education or a knowledge of Strauss' "Elektra" what would one make of this sixty minute play? Although the first fifteen minutes seemed to invoke the worst excesses of fringe theatre, a little gem emerged which was quite enthralling and the last fifteen minutes were riveting! Orestes Carter is giving a promotional lecture on his new book about the life of Electra who has been incarcerated for fifteen years after the horror of her father's murder. The charismatic Riccardo Carollo jumps back and forth as both author/psychiatrist and protagonist. He successfully manages to delineate his different characters despite the lightning quick changes. Mariana Elicetche portrays a woman forced into a life of suffering in a mental health institution with frightening vigour. The effective lighting of author Arif Alfaraz's production enhances the underlying horror. However, we did feel that much of the action would gain by being a little further upsta…
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