Jerker, King's Head Theatre - ★★★★ - Until November 23, 2019


Jerker is a series of phone calls that begin with the erotic and transform into the emotional and ultimately loving. The play is a defence of sexuality in the face of a culture which can ignore the horrors of war, disease and death, but can bring the full force of its moral judgment to the pursuit of physical pleasure. It is also a strong argument that the physical and sexual always have a component that is a sharing of the self and that society is too quick to deny and dismiss this reality with the labels like 'pornography' or 'debauchery.' The flight from our physicality can ultimately cripple our emotional selves and make us incapable of being emotionally in touch with others. Tibu Fortes as Bert and Tom Joyner as J.R. are both convincing as the pleasure-seeking yet vulnerable protagonists, and it is their performances that make the play work as the story arc is rather predictable. Unfortunately, the director did not always take into account the complicated sight lines of the theatre and Fortes' performance was also often lost to some of the audience. As author Robert Chesley said, "Prudery kills. Nobody ever died from being offended by what they hear or see." This play might test the limits for some, but its sex positive message is as relevant now as when it was written.

 Reviewed by J.C.

  Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

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 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until November 23, 2019
Tue - Sat: 8:45 pm, Sun: 4:45 pm
King's Head Theatre
Nearest tube:Angel
https://system.spektrix.com/kingsheadtheatre/website
Map & Location: 115 Upper St, Islington, London N1 1QN, UK

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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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Pippin, The Garden Theatre at The Eagle - ★★★★ - Until October 11, 2020

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Happy hippie troubadours invade this intimate space only to charm their way into our hearts and minds. It might be interesting to discuss the existential crisis which inhabits the heart of Stephen Schwartz's entertainment, but it is far better to relax and let this exceedingly talented troupe entertain us with their superbly directed and choreographed performances. The whole panoply of life in the time of Charlemagne is laid out before us on a pocket handkerchief of a stage. It is all festively strung with fairy lights and surrounded by forests of potted palms. As Pippin himself, Ryan Anderson displays extraordinary talent including some jaw-dropping athleticism. The ambiguity of Pippin being trapped but happy with his lot is nicely developed. Harry Francis is a delight as the fit-but-dim stepbrother, Lewis, and he dances up a storm. Dan Krikler's fine voice serves well as King Charlemagne. However, the clear audience favourite is Joanne Clifton as Pippin's stepmother and,…
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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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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 b…
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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, GETTING TH…
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The Lehman Trilogy, Piccadilly Theatre - ★★★★★ - Until August 31, 2019

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As this play moves from being about the Lehman brothers to being about Lehman Bros., we recognise that this history is a metaphor for the development of American capitalism. From the 19th to the 21st century it is a business that becomes increasingly impersonal, abstract and ultimately incomprehensible to even those at its centre. This is a fascinating reflection on how economic and social realities have evolved. The Lehman story goes from being about a small family business run by three close-knit siblings to chronicling a financial empire with a life of its own. Brilliantly acted by Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale who assume a number of personae and move seamlessly from character to character, from young to old and even from gender to gender. The direction of Sam Mendes is masterful. And, it all has that extraordinarily high level of production which is the hallmark of the National Theatre. If you want to get a notion of how we got into the financial mess of 2008 a…
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