Torch Song, The Turbine Theatre - ★★★★★ - Until October 13, 2019


It is hard to imagine Torch Song without Harvey Fierstein, but this is ultimately the test of whether this is a play or whether it was simply a one man show. Matthew Needham takes on a big challenge and he succeeds splendidly. He makes the role of Arnold his own. Dino Fetscher offers him strong support sympathetically capturing the confusions of social pressure and his bisexuality. Rish Shah creates a charming Alan and Jay Lycurgo captures the impulsive teenager, David. Daisy Boulton is convincing as Laurel, the understanding but not naïve wife, and Bernice Stegers is quite wonderful as Ma. Her fights with Arnold are a wonder to behold. Their exchange of barbs is both hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. As a play, Torch Song stands up to the test of time. Its treatment of such issues as bisexuality and adoption of gay teenagers are very contemporary, and its look at the issues of seeking love and developing self-acceptance are timeless. What makes this work so strong is that these are smart characters able to self-reflect, to question their own motives and even to mock their own behaviour. Fierstein's witty, thoughtful and honest characters come alive in this first offering of The Turbine Theatre in its inaugural season. A high standard has been set and a there's a promise here that we have more good and challenging theatre to come.

Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆☆ 

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until October 13, 2019
Wed - Sun: 7:30 pm, Sat & Sun: 3 pm
The Turbine Theatre
Nearest tube: Sloane Square
https://www.theturbinetheatre.com
Map & Location: Arches Lane, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AB, UK

Most Popular

The Pleasure Garden: A Vauxhall Musical ★★★★ Above The Stag Theatre | Sep 15 - Oct 17, 2021

Image
The Pleasure Garden: A Vauxhall Musical , written by Glenn Chandler and Charles Miller, provides great entertainment in this boisterous Victorian-style musical romp. The gardens at Vauxhall were directly behind this theatre and were always somewhat disreputable; this is exploited to the hilt by director Fenton Gray. As the two charming and handsome leading men, Sam Baumal and Jay Worley really shine and sing tremendously well. Ashleigh Harvey gives the complex character of Lady Lovelock real polish and supplies a great singing voice, shown to best effect in "The Place I Left Behind." However, for us the glorious projections stole the show. Ever-changing and always beautiful, George Reeve has created magical video images which are always apposite and frequently extremely lovely; his balloon landing is a sensation on this small stage. A brief scene at the Battle of Sebastopol is thrilling. The first half may feel a tad long; whilst it tells us of the frolics which went on in Va
Full Details »

Back to the Future: The Musical ★★★★★ Adelphi Theatre | From September 13, 2021

Image
The future of the theatre is here! Whether you are a fan of the film franchise or have never seen one of the movie blockbusters, you will love this show. It's a wonderful immersive experience that captures all of the fun and silliness of the original while taking theatrical spectacle to a whole new level. Finn Ross (video design) and Tim Lutkin (lighting design) really have pulled out all the stops. The visual effects are quite stunning, but the great thing here is that the terrific cast of performers are not overwhelmed by these production values. We completely shared Olly Dobson's wonder as he created a completely credible Marty McFly, and Roger Bart was wonderfully goofy as Doc Brown, the unlikely inventor of the time machine. The other stand-out for us was Hugh Coles as the awkward, endearing George McFly. Kudos also to Rosanna Hyland (Lorraine Baines) and Aidan Cutler (Biff). For this production, Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard have contributed several new songs but the ol
Full Details »

Tokyo Rose ★★★★★ Southwark Playhouse | Sep 23 - Oct 16, 2021

Image
Tokyo Rose tells the story of a woman born in the USA to Japanese parents. During the Second World War, she is accused of broadcasting propaganda for the enemy and is put on trial for treason. Her story may not be very well known in the UK but that shouldn't be a barrier to success; just think of other shows based on historical characters such as Eva Perón or Alexander Hamilton. There is a subtle connection to both of these shows musically as well. Despite the historical context, Tokyo Rose is very much a musical of today, both in style and content. The show vibrates with life and vitality right from the superb opening number performed with tremendous verve by the cast of six women. Hannah Benson directs, choreographs and arranges the music with such flair that we were swept away by it. The singing is stunning throughout, even if occasionally it seems a little overwrought. Playing Iva Toguri, who becomes known as Tokyo Rose, Maya Britto sings her heart out as "a child of Ame
Full Details »

Closer Than Ever ★★★★ Ginger Quiff Media (online) | From September 23, 2021

Image
Closer Than Ever is a series of songs loosely tied together around the theme that life is a series of transitions. We open doors and our lives change. The show presents us with a series of people at various points of experience. A divorced mother reflects on her choice to leave her husband. A group of young people consider the challenges of the dating game. A single woman humorously comments on the role of the male and female animals in nature. These are all quite fascinating glimpses into the lives of some potentially very interesting people. For us, however, the show ultimately was rather like one of those popular tasting menus. All the courses were interesting and we enjoyed some more than others, but finally, we were left somewhat unsatisfied. We wanted to know more than these fascinating vignettes offered and missed a clear story arc. David Shire's music was engaging, often quite original and sometimes reminiscent of other theatrical composers. Richard Maltby Jr.'s wo
Full Details »

Cupid's Revenge ★★★★★ The Place | October 14 - 16, 2021

Image
Cupid's Revenge , performed by New Art Club, is a joyous, life-enhancing burst of joie de vivre. Tom Roden and Pete Shenton are two extremely accomplished dancers and actors who bring us an hour of fleet-footed dynamism whilst rattling off seemingly random words and phrases at breakneck speed. Love in all its blazing diversity is here as we come to realise the endless lists of words are all connected to our interpretation of love in the twenty-first century. There is humour aplenty balanced with heartfelt emotion which never becomes mawkish. Everyone is able to relate to some parts of the story as we move through meeting and parting, loving and losing, fighting and reconciling. The show is superbly paced with occasional knowing winks at the audience – Shenton's new haircut comes in for a ribbing. Having worked together for about twenty years, Roden and Shenton's tightly synchronised movement comes from a wonderfully close rapport fused with excellent dance technique. Will H
Full Details »

Small Change ★★★★★ Omnibus Theatre | Sep 14 - Oct 2, 2021

Image
Peter Gill's intoxicating play Small Change which dates from 1976 receives a spellbinding revival here. It is superbly directed by George Richmond-Scott, and we are taken on a journey through the memories of a young man, Gerard, stunningly well played by Andy Rush. He gets every nuance right as he recalls defining moments from his childhood in 1950s Cardiff. Without overplaying the accents, Gill's writing captures the lilt of the Welsh language. The second act is somewhat less frenetic than act one and the climactic dialogue between Gerard and his best friend, Vincent, has heartrending conviction. Toby Gordon's Vincent mesmerises us with a tremendous portrayal of a young man who is confused by feelings he cannot come to terms with. These are bravura performances. Sioned Jones and Tameka Mortimer are excellent as the boys' mothers. Jones has a wonderfully natural delivery as we feel her patent love for her son. It is, however, the physical production which raises the pl
Full Details »

Lately ★★★★ Lion & Unicorn Theatre | October 5 - 9, 2021

Image
Lately by James Lewis addresses the very emotive and sensitive issue of suicide among young men. Lewis has a beautiful and poetic command of language and this is well served by director David Brady. The circular nature of the plot tells the stories of Alison and Callum, their unhappy home lives with dysfunctional, abusive parents and their attempt at a relationship. Eventually Alf chooses to run away to the big city. Cal remains only to choose a more final and tragic way to escape. The young couple's plight is beautifully realised in the performances of Lauren Ferdinand and, particularly, Matt Wake. Played on a virtually bare stage with some well chosen projections, the tone becomes quite filmic which really suits Ferdinand's intimate performance. Wake's strong delivery makes every word count and we were particularly moved when he spoke of his father's death from a stroke. Strikingly lit, the intensity of his stillness spoke volumes. Indeed, Wake makes a very fine prof
Full Details »

Snowflakes ★★★★ Old Red Lion Theatre | Sep 28 - Oct 16, 2021

Image
Snowflakes is author Robert Boulton's debut play and it certainly packs a powerful punch. Tony, a successful author with issues, wakes in a hotel room after a night of debauchery; 'room service' isn't quite what he expected when a strange pair of contract killers hurtle in. The play becomes a dystopian cat and mouse game about morality and retribution. The title, Snowflakes , comes from the pejorative term for young people with an inflated sense of uniqueness. There are definite echoes of Black Mirror , Pinter's The Dumb Waiter and, maybe Dorfman's Death and the Maiden . The play might be a little over-complicated as Boulton crams in so many issues and twists, but it is a tremendous debut. Under the expert direction by Michael Cottrell, we are given thrilling performances with some of the most violent fights and disturbing torture we have ever seen at such close quarters; all three hurl each other across the tiny stage. The acting is quite outstanding with Bou
Full Details »

How to Survive an Apocalypse ★★★ Finborough Theatre | Sep 28 - Oct 23, 2021

Image
How to Survive an Apocalypse is a romantic comedy lightly camouflaged as something deeper through references to survival if the supply chain breaks down. It resonates with our current situation, but this is entirely coincidental as the Canadian play was written in 2016. Luckily, in Jimmy Walters' neat and tidy production, it receives four excellent performances. Kristin Atherton is outstanding as Jen, the millennial wife who fears for the future as her marriage seems to be going nowhere. The most amusing performance comes from Noel Sullivan as her husband, Tim. Sullivan really nails the character's lost puppy-dog persona as he garners more laughs than are written in the script. Christine Gomes is charming as Abby, the play's least showy part. Ben Lamb dominates the stage as Bruce, the arrogant young executive who is happy to become a hunter/gatherer if needs be. However, what he hunts and gathers best are the women around him. By far the best scene in the play is when the
Full Details »

The Last Five Years ★★★★★ Garrick Theatre | Sep 17 - Oct 17, 2021

Image
The Last Five Years is Jason Robert Brown's provocative, quasi-autobiographical song cycle about marriage and divorce. The most unusual thing here is that for one character (Jamie) the narrative works forwards from the couple's first meeting, while for the other (Cathy) it works backwards from their divorce. The actual exposition of this concept could be clearer, but once we got it the show really shines. The instantly appealing score is more than just smart and sassy, ranging in style from tender ballads to jazz to Klezmer. We particularly liked Jamie's "The Schmuel Song" and Cathy's "Still Hurting". The couple's paths only cross once – at their wedding – where they sing the haunting duet "The Next Ten Minutes". Jonathan O'Boyle's ingenious direction, coupled with Jamie Platt's excellent lighting, sets everything on and around a grand piano inexorably revolving as the clock ticks on the relationship. In the shadows, Leo Mu
Full Details »

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings