The Crumple Zone ★★ Waterloo East Theatre | Nov 26 - Dec 22, 2024


Set on Staten Island at Christmastime The Crumple Zone presents a holiday picture that is far from jolly. In 1998, when the play was written it probably shocked audiences. Its portrayal of a gay man whose bisexual flatmate is cheating on his girlfriend with another man might have seemed like pretty racy stuff. Times have changed, however, and the surprising nature of the situation is no longer there. The question then arises of whether this show would work if it were simply a tale of heterosexual infidelity, and the best friend was not a very camp gay man. Unfortunately, the answer is "no." Interest in the plot really depends on the novelty of a situation which is no longer very novel. Playwright, Buddy Thomas, also creates characters who do not garner much sympathy. As played by James Grimm, the gay friend, Terry, comes across as simply a mass of manic insecurity and self-pity. The bisexual cheater, Alex (Jonny Davidson), seems to be both callous and shallow, while girlfriend Sam (Sinéad Donnelly) and boyfriend Buck (James Mackay) are simply sketched in. It is difficult to conjure up much interest in whether Alex will abandon girlfriend Sam for boyfriend Buck, and it seems unlikely that either party would benefit much from having him as a presence in their lives. In fact, most of the characters seem immature, bordering on unlikeable. The thematic heart of the piece is Terry's second act speech about the crumple zone which seems to come out of nowhere and demonstrates an insight that bears little relation to his previous hysterical behaviour. However, the play does have some funny moments. Terry's long rants often seem over-written, but they have some good lines that definitely merit a chuckle. The Crumple Zone is billed as a comedy, but despite the fact that its ultimate message may be uplifting, it doesn't really offer a great deal of Christmas cheer.

Rated: ★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Peter Davies

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: Brad St, London SE1 8TN, UK

Most Popular

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

Image
Maybe the best musical value in London. The lunchtime concerts at St. Martin's are always a wonderful way to escape the hustle and bustle that is London and the sensory overload that is Trafalgar Square. This is a beautiful setting with great acoustics, and a church pew hard enough to make sure you don't nod off. Reviewed by J.C.  Our score:    ☆☆☆☆  WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE: Mon & Fri: 1 pm - 1:45 pm ( occasionally Tues & Thurs)  St. Martin in-the-fields, Trafalgar Square Nearest tube: Charing Cross https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/whats-on
Full Details »

The White Chip ★★★ Southwark Playhouse, Borough | Jul 9 - Aug 16, 2025

Image
Sean Daniels' autobiographical piece recounts the heartfelt journey of Steven, tracing his steps from alcoholism to sobriety. Coming from a dysfunctional Mormon home, Daniels' protagonist at a very early age begins to use alcohol to deal with his issues. Nevertheless, by employing the same engaging charm and humour which marks this recounting of his story, Steven manages to achieve social success and to pursue a high-achieving career even as his life is falling apart. Despite an unplanned marriage, a serious traffic accident and various other crises, it is only when Steven finds himself on the side of the road contemplating suicide that he honestly comes to terms with his plight. For us, the character of Steven and Daniels' unflinching portrait of his dilemma recalled F. Scott Fitzgerald's picture of the disintegration of a drunken Dick Diver in Tender is the Night . In both cases, it is the ability of the characters to use their charm, or humour, which allows them to n...
Full Details »

National Ballet of Japan: Giselle ★★★★★ Royal Opera House | July 24 - 27, 2025

Image
In its first appearance in London, the relatively young National Ballet of Japan presents a Giselle that is quite extraordinary. Founded in 1997, the company under the artistic direction of former Royal Ballet star Miyako Yoshida, brings a maturity and sensitivity to its interpretation of the romantic classic that is truly unforgettable. The story of the peasant girl who is betrayed by the prince, but who later strives to save him from the retribution of the ghosts of the brides who have died broken-hearted, may be a standard of ballet repertoire. However, Yoshida and her company manage to make it as fresh and touching as the first time we saw it. Playing the princely cad, Shun Izawa is a wonderfully athletic Albrecht, and Yui Yonezawa's Giselle is totally captivating. Her portrayal combines a flawless technique and an emotional depth that is deeply touching. Yonezawa beautifully captures both Giselle's innocence and her susceptibility to Albrecht's blandishments. Also put...
Full Details »

Noughts & Crosses ★★★ Regent's Park Open Air Theatre | Jun 28 - Jul 26, 2025

Image
Malorie Blackman's novel was written for young adults, and this production is likely to hold considerable appeal for that demographic. The extended parable of racial injustice, woven together with a story of forbidden teenage love, would no doubt strike a chord with younger audiences. However, for older viewers, the message can feel somewhat overstated, and the love story, at times, predictable. The initial impact of reversing racial dynamics – placing Black characters, the Crosses, in a position of power over the white underclass, the Noughts – is powerful and thought-provoking. Yet, this inversion quickly loses its novelty, and the central characters, Callum and Sephy, reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, risk feeling one-dimensional. This is undoubtedly strong, teachable material, and it’s easy to see why it remains a staple of school curricula. On stage, however, the simplicity of the plot and reliance on stock characters might be better suited to the format of a musical. With the ...
Full Details »

Evita ★★★★ The London Palladium | Until September 6, 2025

Image
If you have seen previous productions of Evita , or even the film, you will first need to put aside any preconceptions arising from those experiences. Jamie Lloyd's reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic will probably enrage some as much as it will delight others. There is no attempt to realistically present events here, and not much effort to tell the story of Eva Perón. This is a raucous, raunchy, concert version of the rags to riches story of Argentina's most famous First Lady. What was previously an operatic telling of her tale and a complex study of political compromise and the corruption of power is now a theatrical experience. In this production, every number is sung at a volume of plus ten, and the energetic choreography is dialled up to the max, overwhelming any story or character development. In fact, the characters barely interact. They all play to the audience often with microphones in their hands. The set is a bare-bones affair, matching the costumes whic...
Full Details »

Diamonds and Dust ★★ Emerald Theatre | Jun 16 - Sep 28, 2025

Image
The new Emerald Theatre is a well-appointed venue that is a welcome addition to the London cabaret scene. Unfortunately, its first show, Diamonds and Dust , is a rather lacklustre offering despite some quite spectacular costuming. The main drawback of this show is the script, which simply isn't very interesting. Faye Tozer portrays, and narrates the story of, Miss Kitty LeRoy who is a gold-digging diva in the Wild West. She is a much-married card shark, and her journey is told through a series of poker hands. The humour that is the hallmark of most drag shows is notably absent here, and Tozer's attempts to solicit applause and laughter fall completely flat. Among the lip-syncing of various pop songs and lots of laboured hoofing, the first act of this cabaret show has a brief acrobatic performance which is followed up in the second act by an aerial strap display by Lady Lydia and Zoë Marshall which is the showstopper of this whole experience. The main focus of the cabaret, howev...
Full Details »

Till The Stars Come Down ★★★★★ Theatre Royal Haymarket | Jul 1 - Sep 27, 2025

Image
Beth Steel has a wonderful ear for dialogue and her Till The Stars Come Down is a brilliantly evocative piece. Although it is set in a very specific time and place, it manages to recall everyone's family and to create the timeless reality of family gatherings. The day of Sylvia and Marek's wedding begins simply enough. The three sisters, Hazel, Maggie and Sylvia are joined by Aunty Carol and the women put on their make-up for the big day. Amidst these preparations for the milestone occasion, there is the predictable banter, sniping and laughter - and, of course, there are hitches. The crisis of the dress that doesn't fit is fortunately resolved when the wedding gown of the sisters' late mother serves as a replacement. Then, there is the wedding reception. Despite the dinner being laced with references to old feuds, suggestions of secret liaisons and some casual racism, everything is smoothed over and appearances are maintained. However, when Act I ends there is a del...
Full Details »

Four Play ★★★★ King's Head Theatre | Jul 11 - Aug 17, 2025

Image
Pete and Rafe have been together for seven and a half years and have never had another partner. When they decide to ask Michael to help them explore new horizons, he's a safe bet because he's in an open relationship with their university chum, Andy. Both the closed relationship, which is experimenting with opening up, and the open relationship, which has certain rules for outside liaisons, seem to be based on honesty. But, there's the rub! As in all good farces, it is hypocrisy that will inevitably trip up the characters. However, while Jake Brunger's Four Play starts out as a classic farce, at a certain point, it takes on a more serious tone. Personal insecurities, class issues, and tensions between the idea of romantic commitment and sexual experimentation start to become toxic. Both relationships become threatened, and the question posed is whether either of them will survive. In the first half of this play, Brunger's clever dialogue and the amusing plot twists ...
Full Details »

Death Comes to Pemberley ★★★ Theatre Royal Windsor | July 22 - 26, 2025

Image
What happened to Elizabeth and Darcy after that happy ending of Pride and Prejudice ? P.D. James' mystery novel continues the story of the contentious couple when there is a murder on the doorstep of Darcy's ancestral home, Pemberley. The wicked Mr Wickham is back, and after his earlier attempted seduction of Darcy's sister, Georgiana, and his forced marriage to Elizabeth's silly sister, Lydia, this time he is involved in homicide. And, much to the chagrin of Darcy's snobbish aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, once again he is dragging the Darcy family name into his affairs. It is a great premise for a whodunit, but unfortunately James' novel doesn't easily transfer to the stage. Because Duncan Abel and Rachel Wagstaff's adaptation tries to get all the twists and turns in, the plot remains fairly convoluted. The audience needs to keep its wits about it to track all the characters and to absorb all of the information. It is this density of the story which re...
Full Details »

The Daughter of Time ★★★ Charing CrossTheatre | Jul 18 - Sep 13, 2025

Image
For over five hundred years, the mystery of the princes in the tower has fascinated the public. Historians and such eminent writers as Shakespeare and Sir Thomas More have long attributed the disappearance of 11-year-old Edward V and his 9-year-old brother Richard to their usurper uncle, Richard III. But, in 1951, Josephine Tey, in her novel The Daughter of Time proposed a different theory, and history buffs were more than intrigued. This dramatisation of Tey's book will probably be equally interesting for that group, but whether it will have a general appeal is another question. Tey propounds her original hypothesis for the historical whodunit in the context of a love story which is based upon the Shakespearean antecedent of Much Ado About Nothing . Confirmed bachelor and detective Alan Grant is in hospital with a broken leg. He is bored and cranky, and his lady friend, the actress Marta Hallard, introduces him to the mystery of the princes in the tower in order to distract him. ...
Full Details »

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings