IF I HAD YOU | THOUGHTS
NOWHERE | RAPID REVIEW
Nowhere
Rating: 4.5/5
Venue: Battersea Arts Centre
Cast: Khalid Abdalla
In this intricate and playful solo show, inspired by his involvement in the Egyptian revolution of 2011, and his experience of the counter-revolution that followed, actor and activist Khalid Abdalla (United 93, The Kite Runner, The Crown) takes us on a surprising journey into his own history, set against a cartography of seismic world events. From the histories of colonialism and decolonisation; friendship and loss; protests and uprising against regimes across the world; to the violence in Gaza, Khalid brings together the personal and the political in an act of anti-biography that asks how we got here and how we find agency amidst the mazes of history.
COME DINE WITH ME: THE MUSICAL | RAPID REVIEWS
Come Dine With Me: The Musical
Rating: ★★
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square, Edinburgh
Take a bunch of tuneful strangers. Mix in a dollop of behind-the-scenes skulduggery, a Sound Man playing detective, a sprinkling of star-crossed love, and plenty of juicy arpeggios. Marinade, cook for 60 minutes... and serve hot. The result is a mouth-watering fusion dish, combining the beloved TV show and a sumptuous original score to form Come Dine With Me: The Musical – a winning recipe that will delight even the pickiest palate! (Warning: May Contain Spice.)
DIVA: LIVE FROM HELL! | RAPID REVIEWS
DIVA: Live From Hell!
Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh
Following a critically acclaimed, sell-out run at the Turbine Theatre, Luke Bayer gives a tour-de-force performance in this blood-stained love letter to Broadway – a solo musical about rivalry, vengeance, and killer ambition. As President of the Drama Club and star of every school show, Desmond Channing spent his short life in the spotlight, until a hotshot transfer student from NYC arrived to challenge his throne. Desmond responded as any diva would, with lethal force... Now stuck in the Seventh Circle, Hell's most squalid cabaret venue, Desmond is forced to relive his disturbing tale of woe.
I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE | RAPID REVIEWS
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Rating: 3.5/5
Venue: theSpace @ Surgeon's Hall, Edinburgh
A hilarious and heartfelt musical that tackles modern love in all its forms. From the perils and pitfalls of the first date to marriage, children, and the twilight years of life. Set in the modern world, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change traces the overall arc of relationships throughout the course of a life. An insightful and hilarious musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change will have audience members shouting... 'This is my life!'
QUESTIONS OF TRAVEL | RAPID REVIEWS
Questions of Travel
Venue: Kings Arms Salford
Cast: Neysa Killeen
Gen Z's reality is rarely reflected accurately in literature and media. It is hard to progress using the traditional milestones when your rent is more than half your paycheque. Social media and consumerism soften the blow of failure; so does apathy. But there's just something missing, isn't there? Gen Z's situation seems hopeless, so how do you move with defiance and autonomy when you get stuck in one place? Neysa Killeen's debut interrogates ideas of education, capitalism, identity, personal freedom, and defiance. And there will be no patronizing suggestions like buying less avocado toast.
EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE | RAPID REVIEWS
Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Newcastle Theatre Royal
Cast: Finton Flynn, John Partridge, Shobna Gulati, Rebecca McKinnis and Giovanna Fletcher
Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.
AN EVENING WITH TOM HANKS | RAPID REVIEWS
Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Prince Edward Theatre, London
Cast: Tom Hanks & Hannah Waddingham
JOHN LAWSON'S CIRCUS | RAPID REVIEWS
Rating: ★★★★
Cast: Attila Endresz, Bippo the Clown, Miss Chelsea, Alessandro and Cristina, Miss Emelia, Danny Centner, Miss Cristina and Miss Kayley
FOR TONIGHT: A NEW MUSICAL | RAPID REVIEWS
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Adelphi Theatre, London
Cast: Charlie Clapham, Rakie Ayola, Amy Di Bartolomeo, Jacob Young, Dale Evans, Emily Burnett, Leo Andrew, Joey Cornish, Charlotte-Hannah Jones and Otilia Panainte