The next show to go up over at the Old Red Lion Theatre is a revival of Abi Morgan's 'Tiny Dynamite', a play that, as readers may remember, made a serious impact when first produced, but which has not been professionally staged for fifteen years.
The team behind the production clearly think it's about time it got seen again. I spoke to one of them, director David Loumgair, to find out more. Read the interview here.
'Tiny Dynamite' is on at The Old Red Lion Theatre from 9 Jan-3 Feb, see the venue website here for information and to book.
FRIDAY 5 JANUARY 2018 >>
Newsrevue | Canal Cafe Theatre | ongoing
Well, it's a show that's consistently on, and you may have caught it relatively recently, or may have plans to see it again in the future, given its oft-changing topical nature. And this certainly isn't the first time we've tipped it. But I thought the first Threes of the new year was a great time to revisit this hilarious and satirical - not to mention record-breaking - institution. See this page here to book your tickets.
Harley & Me | White Bear Theatre | 2-6 Jan
"A trained psychiatrist and a criminal master mind trapped in the same room is bad enough, but Harley Quinn is a trained psychiatrist and a criminal mastermind trapped in the same body". A rather interesting-sounding new play exploring the inner workings of the popular DC anti-hero. Head this wayfor more info.
Natalie Palamides - Laid | Soho Theatre | until 13 Jan (pictured)
She's been performing this show at Soho Theatre since November, and I am not entirely sure why we decided to not bother tipping this until January, but I suspect we were saving it to make sure you had something to cheer you up after Christmas is all over. If you haven't already been to see it. Anyway, just a few days left to see this Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer winning show, see the venue website here for details.
SATURDAY 6 JANUARY 2018 >>
Heartbreak House | Union Theatre | 4 Jan-3 Feb
The opener of Union Theatre's Essential Classics 2018 season, a production of George Bernard Shaw's satirical black comedy, starring West End and Broadway leading lady type Helen Anker. We love Bernard Shaw plays, and this one, like all the others, frankly, hasn't lost its relevance. For more information and to book, see this page here.
The Ten Thousand Year Clock and Other Stories with David Rooney | King's Place | 6 Jan (pictured)
"Have you ever wondered how long a clock can keep running, and how time was synchronised before the digital age? Why do rock crystals set the tempo of our daily existence, and how can we fight back against the remorseless beat of the clock?" Part of the venue's collection of 'Time Unwrapped' events, which was always guaranteed to fascinate me. David Rooney, Keeper of Technologies and Engineering at the Science Museum, reveals the secrets and stories behind precision time-keeping. Click here for more.
Any Suggestions Doctor? An Improvised Adventure in Space & Time | Canal Cafe Theatre | 6 Jan
Back over to Canal Cafe Theatre (well, we were there yesterday for NewsRevue) for a session with the Any Suggestions Improv troupe, who with this show offer a themed twist on the standard improv fare as they create a brand new episode of 'Dr Who' using your suggestions. Seems like it would offer a lot of scope for creative locations, given the interstellar, time-hopping nature of Tardis travel. See the venue website here for details.
SUNDAY 7 JANUARY 2018 >>
Into The Numbers | Finborough Theatre | 2-27 Jan
Iris Chang, author of 'The Rape of Nanking', which details the rape, torture and murder of 300,000 Chinese civilians and the systematic mass execution of soldiers by the Japanese army in Nanking in 1937, committed suicide in 2004 at the age of 36. Award winning US playwright Christopher Chen explores the philosophical and psychological implications of researching genocide in this play, getting its European premiere at The Finborough. See this page here for details.
Nick Doody - Interesting Times | The Bill Murray | 7 Jan (pictured)
"They say comedy is tragedy plus time. Unfortunately, this shit is happening now". Yes, I think it's fair to say that we are living in interesting times. And it's also fair to say that I would be more than interested in catching the excellent Nick Doody performing, well, anything, to be honest. I know we are hugely enthusiastic about a lot of comedians, but really, this guy is one of the absolute best, so, you know, go see him perform, or do so at another, future opportunity, if you can't make this. Click here.
Imaginationship | Finborough Theatre | 7-23 Jan SMT
An intriguing sounding new piece, first seen as a staged reading at the venue's Vibrant festival last year. Set in the marginalised Brexit town of Great Yarmouth, it explores obsession, sex addiction, and the effect of imbalanced relationships between immigrants and locals, and between London and the regions. For info and to book, see the venue website here.
MONDAY 8 JANUARY 2018 >>
Trygve Wakenshaw & Barnie Duncan - Different Party | Soho Theatre | 8-20 Jan (pictured)
You may have gathered by now that if Trygve Wakenshaw is anywhere nearby we are pretty much guaranteed to include him in our Three To See recommendations. Plus, this show was quite the hit at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The TW favourite joins forces with fellow New Zealander Barnie Duncan for a show set in a boring office that will be anything but boring. See the venue website here for all the info.
Bridget Christie - What Now? | Soho Theatre | 8-20 Jan
I've just remembered that when I selected today's shows, I did in fact consciously choose three shows all on at the same venue. I can't quite remember what the justification was, though to be fair, all three shows deserve to be recommended, so there's that. Anyway, this is the second, the glorious Bridget Christie, with this no-doubt-glorious work in progress. Yes, it's a work in progress, but come on, this is Bridget Christie we're talking about. Head this way for details.
Rob Newman - Total Eclipse Of Descartes | Soho Theatre | 8-20 Jan
"Rob Newman attempts to piece together a philosophy for our troubled times by sifting through 3000 years of thought: from Pythagoras to Artificial Intelligence by way of Pavlov's dogs, Jane Goodall's chimpanzees and Frankie Howerd's trousers". Well, I'm sold, aren't you? Another brilliant act with another brilliant show. Click here for more.
TUESDAY 9 JANUARY 2018 >>
Heretic Voices | Arcola Theatre | 9-13 Jan
Hurrah for monologues, which we do love. Here you get to see three shiny new ones, selected from 1,136 submissions by a panel of clever and experienced people for an evening of highly promising sounding theatre. They are: 'Woman Caught Unaware' by Annie Fox, which takes a look at the culture of body shaming, 'Dean McBride' by Sonya Hale, a tale of loss and redemption set on an estate in Croydon council, and 'A Hundred Words For Snow' by Tatty Hennessy, in which a teenage girl makes a solo journey to the North Pole with her father's ashes. Click here for more.
Two Petite Pantos | Drayton Arms Theatre | 9-13 Jan
Yes, yes, I know it's January, but panto is for life, not just for Christmas. Plus, it sold me with this paragraph in the blurb: "Two Petite Pantos is out to show that pantomime is as vital a theatrical voice for political and social discussion as any new play that might be produced at the National Theatre or Royal Court. And not forgetting, of course, that pantomime is the funniest, loudest and most sparkling evening in the theatre that the whole family can enjoy! Both pantos will be full of laugh out loud comedy, groan inducing puns and just enough romance to keep everyone happy". Head this way for details.
Mistero Buffo | New Diorama | 9-13 Jan (pictured)
The excellent Rhum and Clay present this production of Dario Fo's funny and controversial one man piece (probably his most celebrated work) consisting of short monologues with biblical themes, famously denounced by the Vatican when aired on Italian TV as "the most blasphemous show in the history of television". Still entirely relevant in its themes, and in very good hands, see the venue website here for information and to book.
WEDNESDAY 10 JANUARY 2018 >>
The Here And This And Now | Southwark Playhouse | 10 Jan-10 Feb
You might have seen the rather acclaimed 'Natives' at Southwark Playhouse back in the spring of 2017, and if you did, and you liked it, you might want to earmark this for your viewing pleasure as it's from the same writer, Glen Waldron, former editor of i-D magazine. It tells the story of a newly recruited pharma company sales team, and tackles themes of office workplace culture and the consequences of antibiotic resistance. All the details are here.
One Festival | The Space | 9-27 Jan (pictured)
The One Festival returns, but apparently for its final year, which seems sad. But let's look at the bright side, you can still see five different programmes of assorted, eclectic bright new work, and that's definitely a positive. I can't possibly list here what all the individual pieces are for each of the programmes, so I suggest you head to this page here to find out more about each of them, and to book tickets.
Tiny Dynamite | Old Red Lion Theatre | 9 Jan-3 Feb
"During their annual pilgrimage to the countryside, two childhood friends, forever bound by a terrible event from their past, encounter a beautiful stranger who couldn't possibly exist. Threatening to uncover a truth long since buried, these friends must learn to take responsibility for their lives or risk spending the rest of them running from their guilt". Abi Morgan's acclaimed play gets its first professional revival in fifteen years. See this page here for all the info.
THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 >>
Fauna | Jacksons Lane | 11-14 Jan (pictured)
Yesterday was the official start date of the London International Mime Festival, and it was my plan to tip a show from it yesterday, but then said show was sold out, so I replaced it with another event. Luckily, I had already lined up another tip of a show from said festival for today, and here it is: an award winning show of physical theatre focusing on the differences between animal behaviour and human movement. Click here for more.
Strangers In Between | Trafalgar Studios | 10 Jan-3 Feb
Part of the King's Head Theatre in the West End season, 'Strangers In Between' returns by popular demand for a run at Trafalgar Studios. If you've already seen it, you'll be aware that it's by award winning playwright Tommy Murphy, and that it takes a look at growing up gay in Australia and the highs and lows that entails. If you haven't, well, there you go. Book your tickets here.
East | King's Head Theatre | 9 Jan-3 Feb
Over to the actual King's Head now for a new revival of one of Steven Berkoff's most recognisable works, 'East', returning to the theatre where it made its 1975 debut. This staging is produced by a company who did rather well in Edinburgh last year with their 'Life According to Saki', which won the Carol Tambor Best Of Edinburgh Award, so I think it's probably in safe hands. See this page here for all the details.
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