Midlife Cowboy, The Pleasance Theatre - ★★★ - Until October 6, 2019


The members of the Swindon Country and Western Club finally win first prize at the local Railway Museum Gala evening after several years of trying because they are able to overcome their personal problems and to bring a new authenticity to their performance. The tale of this amateur music group is underlaid with subplots involving the five principals coming to terms with their true selves. Jane (Debra Stephenson) and Stuart (Tony Hawks) deal with a childless marriage, a suggestion of infidelity and the fact that Stuart's fantasy persona of The Heartbreak Kid has become so necessary to him that it dominates his ability to be himself in real life. Graham (Duncan Wisbey) has the mirror image of Stuart's problem. He must enable his imagination and create a character which releases a side of himself that makes him attractive to Penny (Georgina Field) who must learn not to be obsessed by changing her reality and that of others. Dan (James Thackeray) has a secret he must share in order to achieve full self-acceptance and acceptance by others. The songs in the piece vary in quality and as they do in delivery; for us, the stand-out was "You Could Be the Star of a Western." It had an authentic country feel and summed up the aspirations of the characters and the show.

Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆ 

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WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until October 6, 2019
Wed - Fri: 7:30 pm, Sat & Sun 2:30 pm
The Pleasance Theatre
Nearest tube: Caledonian Road
https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/midlife-cowboy#overview
Map & Location: Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF, UK

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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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Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until September 14, 2019
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Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆☆ 

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING TH…
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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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