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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Testament ★★★★ Via Brooklyn Theatre Co. (online) | Mar 27 - Apr 24, 2021

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Disenchanted ★★★★ West End Musical Productions (online) | Apr 9 - 11, 2021

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Dennis T. Giacino's Disenchanted is a very amusing piece which looks more deeply into the backstories of the princesses in Disney movies. Even if one is unfamiliar with the films, the points were made well enough to keep us entertained as we found not everyone lived happily ever after – or even before. The show is led by Snow White, played to the hilt by Jodie Steele, alongside Cinderella (Sophie Isaacs) and Allie Daniel as a narcoleptic Sleeping Beauty. Wittily directed by Tom Jackson Greaves, with brightly coloured backgrounds and costumes, no less than ten princesses, all with terrific voices and excellent comic timing, have their moment in the spotlight. We learn how most of their characters are destined to be also-rans. A very funny number, “Big Tits,” revolves around the desires of 'the guys making films with their flies.' The worst treatment by the studio is reserved for Pocahontas, a real-life teenage princess, who is portrayed on screen as an oversexed tease. More
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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 (l ast 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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Remembering the Oscars ★★★★ (online) | Mar 27 - Apr 17, 2021

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Jina and the STEM Sisters ★★★★★ HMDT Music (online) | Mar 15 - Apr 11, 2021

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Scaramouche Jones ★★★ Ginger Quiff Media (online) | Mar 26 - Apr 11, 2021

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General Secretary ★★★ Thick 'n' Fast (online) | Apr 8 - 24, 2021

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Cassie Symes and Georgina Thomas are both the writers and performers of General Secretary , a satire on world domination. The premise is that the UN decides all recent attempts to run the world successfully have failed so it will choose two random young women to take over leadership. It is a pity that there are so few laugh-out-loud moments; this isn't helped by the lack of a live audience. Frequent cutting to a parody of a news broadcast works well and Symes and Thomas are excellent in the various roles they assign to themselves. We particularly liked the “Techy Bois” and felt that they could actually survive as comedy characters in their own right. As the show develops it becomes increasingly evident that the new regime is a parody of the Communist takeover of Russia with the bickering leaders channeling Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin. There are moments when a scatter-gun approach seems to be in operation, making the piece feel a little like a work-in-progress. However, Symes and Thom
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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
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Afterglow, Southwark Playhouse - ★★★★★ - Until July 20, 2019

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There are no villains here. As relationships are increasingly defined by their participants and less and less by externally imposed "norms," there comes both liberation and challenges. The heart wants what the heart wants and often this results in conflicting and difficult to reconcile desires. This is the struggle faced by Josh, Alex and Darius as they try to negotiate the complexities of an open relationship. The performances of Sean Hart, Danny Mahoney and Jesse Fox are equally strong and nuanced. Tom O'Brien's direction is deft and well-paced. Libby Todd's set is brilliantly economical and versatile. But finally, it is about S. Asher Gelman's play. It offers us an amusing, intriguing and insightful look into how honesty, good intentions, commitment and love can confound us all. This is theatre for everyone who has ever tried "to make it work." Reviewed by J.C.  Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆☆  Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page. WHEN, WHERE
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