The Welkin, National Theatre - ★★★★ - Until May 23, 2020


The year is 1759 and in the welkin (or sky above) Halley's comet is approaching. From earth below it's presence will be an omen for the superstitious and a phenomenon for the scientific. This is a period at the cusp of change. Reason is challenging religion while traditional male and female roles are being questioned. In this setting a horrific murder takes place and a jury of matrons is called to determine if one of the accused is pregnant and thus exempt from execution. The women's approaches reflect the clash between the traditional worldview and the emerging new reality. It is a very interesting premise, and while Lucy Kirkwood's play approaches these issues with considerable humour and drama, the final work seemed rather uneven. The first act was a jury room drama reminiscent of Twelve Angry Men while the second act with its surprise revelations, plot twists and horror had an almost Gothic quality. Maxine Peake did a fine job as Elizabeth Luke, the rationalist new woman, and Ria Zmitrowicz was strong as the accused murderer who is torn between the reality of her assigned lot in life and the aspiration for more. Indeed, all of the actors did an amazing job of establishing their individual identities in a large cast of characters. As always at the National Theatre, the production was first rate. This is a long evening in the theatre but it offers an interesting look at how one world gradually and painfully gives birth to another.

 Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg.
 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

 Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until May 23, 2020
Various show times available. See website below.
National Theatre
Nearest tube: Waterloo
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/the-welkin
Map & Location: Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX, UK

Most Popular

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

Image
Testament by Tristan Bernays is a treatment of three Bible stories relocating them to modern-day America. There is, perhaps, a somewhat evangelical feel to the production which comprises two monologues separated by a duologue, but one does not need to be a Christian to appreciate the quality of the writing and acting. We hear the stories of Isaac, Lot, and one of the criminals crucified with Jesus. Bernays' eloquent use of language creates striking images and the theme of shared humanity is well depicted, allowing the stories to meld seamlessly into their new settings. Lot's daughters are extremely well characterised by Cori Hundt and Jessica Giannone. Biko Eisen-Martin as the criminal who is confronted by Jesus and rejects salvation in the afterlife may have the hardest task but he masters it. The most instantly appealing performance comes from Doron JéPaul Mitchell as Isaac, the son of Abraham; his heartfelt and softly spoken monologue poignantly hits the mark. Music and reli
Full Details »

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

Image
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
Full Details »

Sir John Soane's Museum: Guided Tour ★★★★★ FREE

Image
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
Full Details »

Remembering the Oscars ★★★★ (online) | Mar 27 - Apr 17, 2021

Image
Remembering the Oscars is a spectacularly presented dance show which resembles a lavish box of chocolates where each individual bonbon melts on the tongue, but one must take care not to overindulge. At just one hour they have got it about right with just enough different flavours to excite the palate. After an introductory montage which whisks us through about a dozen songs from Oscar winning films in double quick time, we arrive at the show proper. Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara dance with tremendous style and pizzazz and are seen to great advantage in several beautiful duets choreographed by Gareth Walker. Sequences from Evita , Chicago and All That Jazz stand out and include excellent use of a dancing ensemble. Vocalists Janine Johnson and Giovanni Spanó sing expressively and enhance the musical textures. Highlights of the show include a smouldering tango from Scent of a Woman which brings a little welcome spice to the proceedings. The show is backed by specially chosen p
Full Details »

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

Image
Rachel Barnett-Jones and Jenny Gould's Jina and the STEM Sisters enchanted us with ingeniously presented puppetry which invited us to join young Jina's quest for some unusual birthday presents. In a gorgeous forest, superbly designed by Sophia Lovell Smith, and with the aid of two brilliant puppeteers, Ruth Calkin and Nix Wood, Jina meets a number of scientists in her thirst for knowledge. These scientists all happen to be women, most of whom have often been virtually overlooked by history, including Wang Zhenyi, Ada Lovelace, Maria Sibylla Merian and Marie Curie. In addition, we meet the film star, Hedy Lamarr, who was, surprisingly, also an inventor. Each inventor bestows a special gift on Jina, among them being curiosity, courage and persistence. This is an intelligent and entrancing entertainment that never preaches or speaks down to its intended audience of seven to eleven year-olds and, with the help of some pleasant and varied songs, there is never a dull moment. Childr
Full Details »

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

Image
Justin Butcher's Scaramouche Jones is a 100 minute monologue, performed here by Shane Richie. The protagonist recounts his life-story from his birth in Trinidad through a myriad of adventures throughout the world. These include Scaramouche spending many years travelling with a Senegalese snake charmer whose reptile, named 'Benjamin Disraeli,' manages to escape during the coronation of Haile Selassie in Addis Ababa; this is typical of the inexplicable serendipity of the narrative. During his time as a gravedigger in a Nazi concentration camp, Scaramouche rather bizarrely finds his vocation as a clown by entertaining children awaiting execution and parodying their imminent slaughter. When he arrives in London in 1951 he finally laughs for the first time in his life and discovers his calling as a white-faced, but sour, clown. This picaresque form might be made to work, but here the long sentences feel as if they would be better suited to the page rather than the voice. Is it
Full Details »

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

Image
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
Full Details »

Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis, Park Theatre - ★★★★★ - Until January 4, 2020

Image
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
Full Details »

Afterglow, Southwark Playhouse - ★★★★★ - Until July 20, 2019

Image
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
Full Details »

Soho Cinders, Charing Cross Theatre - ★★★★ - Until January 11, 2020

Image
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 Robbie and 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 spin and image doctoring and on the tabloid culture that creates both political fairy tales and faux scandals.  All of the cast are excellent. A s 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 u
Full Details »

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings