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ABI TEDDER, HARRY MICHELL AND JOE BARNES: MINOR DELAYS
Sketch comedy up-and-comers Minor Delays head to Soho Theatre this week with the show that won them a large handful of four and five star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe last summer. The multi-talented trio, who do loads of other things as well (acting, directing, writing, film making), were also finalists in 2015's London Sketchfest competition.
I really wanted to find out more about this clever and accomplished bunch, so I spoke to Abi Tedder, Harry Michell and Joe Barnes, ahead of their upcoming performances. Read the interview here.
Minor Delays are on at Soho Theatre from 7-9 Mar, see the venue website here for more info and to book your tickets.
LILY STAFF: CAN'T STAND UP FOR FALLING DOWN
Heading over to now-in-south-London venue Theatre N16 this week is a revival of Richard Cameron's acclaimed breakthrough play 'Can't Stand Up For Falling Down', which is set in the playwright’s native Yorkshire, and focuses on three different women with three different stories to tell.
This fresh staging comes from an up and coming creative team that appears to be oozing with potential. I spoke to producer Lily Staff, to find out more. Read the interview here.
'Can't Stand Up For Falling Down' is on at Theatre N16 from 6-17 Mar. See this page here to book your tickets.
JOSHUA PRICE: LAND OF OUR FATHERS
I feel sure you will have heard of Chris Urch's 'Land Of Our Fathers', given its acclaimed debut in London a few years ago. Since those initial performances it’s been on a national tour, and now the production returns to the capital for an all-too-short two week run.
Ahead of the upcoming dates, and as he nears the end of his involvement with the show, I put some questions to cast member Joshua Price. Read the interview here.
'Land Of Our Fathers' is on at Found111 from 8-19 Mar. See this page here for more info and to book.<
SIMON ARROWSMITH AND JOHN MYATT: SOMETHING SOMETHING LAZARUS
I wanted to talk to someone from this show from the first moment I came across it, not least because it sounds so unusual – I had seen it described as a "new (kind of) musical", and also a "broken musical" – and I was keen to find out what all that meant. Plus, I found the title ‘Something Something Lazarus’ rather intriguing in a way I can’t quite put my finger on...
So, to sate my curiosity, I put some questions to co-creators Simon Arrowsmith (music) and John Myatt (book and lyrics) ahead of the production’s run at King's Head Theatre this month. Read the interview here.
'Something Something Lazarus' is on at King's Head Theatre from 8 Mar-2 Apr. See the venue website here for more info and complete dates and booking.
FRIDAY 4 MARCH 2016 >>
Institute | The Place | 2-12 Mar
If astoundingly good quality physical theatre is your thing, this might be the way to kick off your weekend. Award winning production company Gecko head to The Place with 'Institute', an emotionally driven piece about how we nurture and care for each other, which promises to be funny, intimate and visually engaging. See the venue website here for more info and to book your tickets.
B-Movie Ball | Vault Festival | 4 Mar
We're close to the end, now, of all the lovely Vault Festival shows – sob – so cheer yourself up by attending their B-Movie Ball. The event includes live bands, a B-movie cinema, DJs, magicians, and prizes for the best on-theme fancy dress. See this page here for more information and to book.
Merit | Finborough Theatre | 1-26 Mar (pictured)
This is the London premiere of much acclaimed playwright Alexandra Wood's 'Merit', which was first seen back in Jan 2015 at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. The play examines the relationship between a mother and a daughter against the backdrop of the financial chaos of our recent history, and the widening gap between rich and poor. To book tickets or find out more, use this link here.
SATURDAY 5 MARCH 2016 >>
The Crows Plucked Your Sinews | The Albany | 5 Mar
This is a show based on events taking place in two different locations – in South London in the very recent past, and in Somalia in 1913, where the British are at war. This one woman play, performed by Yusra Warsama, has won acclaim for its "unique exploration of the violence of empire and the poetry of resistance". This particular performance will be followed by a celebration of Somali culture. For more info and to book tickets see this page here.
Southbank Sinfonia Family Concert | Cadogan Hall | 5 Mar
If you love music and you're looking for something to do as a family today, this could be just the ticket. Suitable for children aged 5-11, the show focuses on Beethoven's Eroica symphony, and features dramatic lighting effects and big screen projections to help it all go down easily. You can also meet and chat with the musicians afterwards, which is nice. See the venue website here to book your tickets.
Pedro And The Captain | Vault Festival | 2-6 Mar
Vault Festival might be winding down, but don't let that stop you from seeing this production of 'Pedro And The Captain' by late Uruguayan writer Mario Benedetti, a play which hasn't been seen in London for 30 years. It's set in an interrogation room, and sees title character Pedro questioned and systematically tortured by the Captain – a representative of a repressive regime. Not a new play, but still extremely relevant. See the Vault website here for info.
SUNDAY 6 MARCH 2016 >>
Don't Smoke In Bed | Finborough Theatre | 6-22 Mar (S, M, T) (pictured)
This is the premiere of a new piece by US writer Aurin Squire; you may have seen another of hi s plays, 'Obama-ology', which was produced at Finborough Theatre last year. Like other examples of his work, this focuses on the interracial and multiracial, in this case examining the relationship of a young couple on the verge of starting a family. Sounds rather promising, so head this way for more info and to book your tickets.
Megha | Watermans | 6 Mar
A Nepali film about a young professional woman whose relationships are affected by the pressures of her busy urban lifestyle, and who finds herself caught between two different men. This looks really good – so go here if you want book yourself in – but it's also part of a wider programme of events, the London Asian Film Festival, so also take a look here to see if there's anything else that takes your fancy.
Can't Stand Up For Falling Down | Theatre N16 | 6-17 Mar
I love it when plays feature specifically northern characters (disclosure: I am a northerner) and so I was immediately drawn to this monologue-based piece featuring three Yorkshire women, even despite the bleak themes of insecurity and domestic abuse. I suspect there's some hope in there too, thankfully – it's a tale of family, love and survival. See this page here to book your tickets. And don't forget that Theatre N16 is now in Balham...
MONDAY 7 MARCH 2016 >>
Thorn | Camden People's Theatre | 7-8 Mar (pictured)
We came across this last summer at the Edinburgh Fringe, when it had a different title, 'Cleansed In Blood'. Not sure why there's been a change to it, but I doubt that there will be much alteration to Thom Jordan's passionate and compelling performance in this piece inspired by his own life experiences – growing up as a minister's son – and how things might have turned out quite differently, had he not broken away from the religious life. See the venue website here for more info and to book.
Cabaret Playroom | The Albany | 7 Mar
This occasional event offers an experimental space, a chance for both established and emerging artists to road test works in progress and break ground with new cabaret ideas. All sorts of artists have appeared at previous events – clowns, performance poets, performance artists, ventriloquists, to cite but a few – and this month the line up includes Ms Pussy D'ablo plus Robert Beck and Gareth Edward, hosted by a TW all-time favourite Tricity Vogue. See this page here for more info.
Minor Delays | Soho Theatre | 7-9 Mar
If you haven't yet been exposed to Minor Delays, then don't miss this chance to see this clever and innovative sketch trio performing the show they won huge acclaim for up at edfringe this summer – seriously, many, many four and five star reviews. They're not on for long, so get your skates on or just skid your way hilariously over to this link here, to book your tickets.
TUESDAY 8 MARCH 2016 >>
Spencer Jones Is The Herbert In Proper Job | Soho Theatre | 8-19 Mar (pictured)
Yes, this is one of those things I have tipped before, but no, I don't care, because there will be loads of people out there who failed to heed my instructions to go and see this show the last time I tipped it. And they are only hurting themselves, frankly. Time to rectify the situation. Click on this link and book your tickets for this much acclaimed piece of mucking about from the award nominated Spencer Jones.
Something Something Lazarus | King's Head Theatre | 8 Mar-2 April
This is a new musical that's been described as 'broken' – which doesn't mean it's fit for the bin, obviously, it means it's an interesting and innovative show that approaches the concept of musical theatre in a rather different way from the norm. That being the case, if theatre or cabaret are more your cup of tea, I suspect you will still enjoy this. See the venue website here for all the info.
Land Of Our Fathers | Found111 | 8-19 Mar
You might already have seen the show 'Land Of Our Fathers' during its award winning, critically acclaimed initial series of performances back in 2013. In the intervening time the production has been off on a national tour, and now returns to the capital for a final two week run. You might want to see it again, because it's that good, but if you missed it first time around, then you really, really need to see it now. Info and booking here.
WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH 2016 >>
Luce | Southwark Playhouse | 9 Mar-2 Apr
This well-received play from US-based writer JC Lee has a focus on the fear of home-grown terrorism, but also examines the relationship between adults and their children, asking the question of whether we can ever really know, understand or even trust our offspring (or in this case, adopted loved one). Sounds really interesting, and it's also got Mel Giedroyc off the telly in it. See this page here for info and to book.
Cosi | King's Head Theatre | 1 Mar-3 Apr
There's a bit of a 'Cosi Fan Tutte' thing going on over there at the King's Head this month – two productions playing variously differing dates. I haven't got the time or the brain to work out what the pattern is. Today though, you can definitely see the opera with music by Mozart, but it's a new adaptation, story-wise. On other days you can see Louis Nowra's 1992 play concerning a chaotic staging of the piece. See here for the opera and here for the play.
Theseus Beefcake | The Albany | 9-11 Mar
Acclaimed theatre collective Panic Lab bring this interestingly named play to The Albany for just a smattering of dates, so careful you don't miss your chance to see it. The show "journeys into the dark labyrinth of masculinity, colliding mixed martial arts, death metal, American frat culture, rodeos, pornography and Greek mythology along the way" via a death match between a hero and a minotaur. I am entirely intrigued. See the venue website here for more info.
THURSDAY 10 MARCH 2016 >>
Marvin Gaye Chetwynd – Here She Comes | Royal Festival Hall | 10 Mar (pictured)
This sounds like a very fascinating thing from Turner Prize nominee Marvin Gaye Chetwynd: described as a cross between sculpture and performance, it tells the stories of different women from different times in history, and also draws in some narratives from well known feminist texts. Of course, it's all part of the Women Of The World festival that's going on just south of the river this week – all rather interesting for avid feminists like me. See this page here for info on 'Here She Comes', and this long list here for all the other WOW events.
Lynn Ruth Miller | Vauxhall Tavern | 10 Mar
And talking of women of the world, Lynn Ruth Miller is one of those, if ever I met one. You might recall that we tipped one of her other shows, 'Get A Grip', back in Jan, but this is a different one, 'Ageing Is Amazing'. Always great to see this octogenarian cabaret stalwart and definite TW-favourite rocking the boards. See the venue website here for all the info.
If You Kiss Me, Kiss Me | Young Vic | 10 Mar-16 Apr
And on to another fabulous woman. Yes, it's woman-day here at TWHQ. Though I have to be honest, I am not altogether sure exactly what exactly this show, starring Jane Horrocks, can really be categorised as. It seems as though there is singing and dancing and lots of great new wave music from back in the eighties, though, and that sounds good to me. Follow this link here if you agree.
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