MONDAY 15 OCTOBER 2018 THISWEEKLONDON.COM
MADDIE RICE: PICKLE JAR
We first came across Maddie Rice through her work at edfringe with theatrical comedy outfit zazU, which we much admired, and so when we knew she was headed to Edinburgh with her own self-penned one woman show in 2018, we were obviously interested.

That interest was entirely justified, of course, and we liked it so much we gave her a ThreeWeeks Editors' Award.

Those of you who weren't in the Scottish capital in the summer may have missed out then, but here's the good news: Ms Rice begins a run of 'Pickle Jar' at Soho Theatre early next week. I arranged a quick chat to find out more about the show. Read the interview here.

'Pickle Jar' is on at Soho Theatre from 23 Oct-10 Nov. See the venue website here for more information and to book tickets.



HELENA BELL: SUNDOWNING
Coming up at Tristan Bates Theatre is a new production from the acclaimed Kali Theatre, who, as you probably know, focus on the work of South Asian women.

The latest show, 'Sundowning', is written by Nessa Muthy, and has been directed by the company's artistic director Helena Bell.

To find out more about the play and its development, I spoke to Helena, ahead of the London run. Read the interview here.

'Sundowning' is on at Tristan Bates Theatre from 16 Oct-3 Nov. See this page here for details.


TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018 >>

I Infinite | The Place | 16-17 Oct (pictured)
"Graphic patterns slice through space, glowing cubes fracture into miniscule squares and pools of light hover in the air like oil on water". This piece from the Tom Dale Company is interesting: it's described as part dance, part installation, and invites its audiences to roam the performance space as they please, and to watch the dancer from whichever perspective they choose. For all the details head right this way.

The Incident | Canada Water Theatre | 16-19 Oct
An exploration of what it's like to live in a different culture from the one you were born in, far from family, support, and tradition, looking at who we allow into our societies and what it means to be an ambitious, non-white woman in a white male dominated society. "Why do I have to represent a whole race when I just want to represent me?". See the venue website here for more.

Castaways | The Albany | 16 Oct
"Three teenagers - born on the same day, in the same town but with very different backgrounds. Inseparable since they were knee-high to a grasshopper, they're a close-knit trio, both at school and at home. Sam, Asha and Kieran watch out for each other, until one day a shocking event blows their teenage world apart and their friendship with it". Sounds like a great show for middle/older teens, see this page here for info.


WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER 2018>>

Henna Night | White Bear Theatre | 16-20 Oct
A staging by Fabricate Theatre of Amy Rosenthal's acclaimed 1999 play. "Judith leaves her ex-boyfriend a desperate message saying that she's not coping with their break-up, that she has brought some razor blades and some henna in order to either slash her wrists or dye her hair. Oh and she might be pregnant. However, it is his new partner, Ros, who hears the message and it is she that rushes to Judith's flat". Details here.

Two Little Ducks | The Albany | 17-18 Oct (pictured)
Matt Abbott performed this personal and political show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017, receiving much critical acclaim for it, and we were very pleased to be able to talk to him about it: you can read our Q&A with him right about here, to find out more about the show itself, and you can head to this page here to book and to find out more about the supporting acts appearing with him.

The Watching | White Bear Theatre | 16-20 Oct
"It is 1644 and the Witchfinder has come to Glynwood. Grace Taverton returns to her home town with her brother and father William. When she is asked to help in the trial of a young woman she has no choice but to be part of a Watching - keeping her eyes fixed on the accused for hours on end. But the suspected Witch is known to Grace, and as the trial draws on she finds she is caught between conscience and duty. Can she come between the Witchfinder and his goal? Or will her actions lead her also to the gallows?" Scary times, see this page here for more.


THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER 2018 >>

The Distance You Have Come | The Cockpit | 16-28 Oct (pictured)
A song cycle of award winning composer Scott Alan's most acclaimed works, focusing on the human condition. "When you've lost the fight inside of you, is there anything worth holding on to? As seasons shift from Autumn to the following Summer, six lives juggle the constant changes & challenges of life, depression, heartache and love". See the venue website here for all the details.

The Chief | Finborough Theatre | 18 Oct
"It is 1914, and the war hero, Robert Baden-Powell, has already founded the Boy Scouts, and married a desirable younger woman. He has also been knighted by the King. So why isn't he happy? For a start, he is suffering from mystifying headaches - which is why his wife has referred him to a 'mind doctor' who admires Freud and doesn't believe in will-power. But how can that help him get better and father the son he longs for? Or stop his male private secretary being killed in France, and the government stealing his Scouts? But where there's a will, there's a way...isn't there?" Another pick from Finborough's Vibrant Festival, more info here (scroll down).

John Lewis - Never Knowingly Undertweeted | Drayton Arms Theatre | 16-20 Oct
I remember a couple of years back learning about John Lewis, the John Lewis whose Twitter handle is @johnlewis, and who is bombarded with complaints and questions from those who think they're directing their tweets at the UK department store of that name. It's a very endearing story, really, because of the patience and humour he shows in dealing with the situation. This show is about him, and had a successful run in Edinburgh in the summer. See the venue website here for info.


FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER 2018 >>

[F.E.A.R] | Camden People's Theatre | 19-20 Oct
A one man show about constructed fear, asking the question of whether the world wants us to feel safe. It tells a life story, from early childhood memories and public information films, to the fears of a middle-aged man "plagued with the news of Islamic State attacks, the revelations of Edward Snowden, the rise of UKIP and of a growing concern of physical decay". Expect some powerful stuff, but also some dark humour, in this exploration of the fear we live in, and the political ramifications of it. Details here.

My Love Lies Frozen In The Ice | Greenwich Theatre | 19 Oct
I like the look of this show from physical theatre company Dead Rabbits Theatre. "In 1897 three explorers took off to conquer the North Pole in a free-flying balloon. The trip was supposed to last 3 months. It took a little longer... Behind them, at home, they left a woman who would not forget them... Follow us on that journey through the whiter than white snow and darker than dark nights where nothing is what it seems..." Click here for more.

Startin' Point Festival | The Place | 19-21 Oct (pictured)
"Sounds and rhythms from Africa have been moving us for generations. Blues, Reggae, Jazz, Funk, Disco, Hip-Hop, House. Our bodies have responded very differently to these various genres of music, creating extremely rich and diverse movement vocabulary". A new festival celebrating the connection between music and dance from the African Diaspora, acknowledging the contribution of national and international artists, and encouraging young people to find their voices and push boundaries. Info and links to each event here.


SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER 2018 >>

It's True It's True It's True | New Diorama Theatre | 16 Oct-10 Nov
"And there's blood pouring out of this man's throat. Because these two women are beheading him - did I not mention that?" Fringe First/Total Theatre Award winners Breach Theatre staged this play up at the old edfringe in the summer of 2018 and it's a goodie that our reviewer pronounced to be a "beautiful, tender, captivating piece, impeccably staged and with high-powered performances". It's a dramatisation of the 1612 trial of Agostino Tassi for the rape of baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi, based on surviving court transcripts and it's definitely worth seeking out. See this page here for info.

Jericho's Rose | The Hope Theatre | 16 Oct-3 Nov (pictured)
"London. Tel-Aviv. Paris. Baghdad. English. Hebrew. French. Arabic. Two writers. Two generations. Searching for home". International ensemble Althea Theatre invite their audiences on a "breathtaking journey into the past, present and future", using new writing, movement, live music and loop pedalled sound in a show addressing the themes of immigration and dementia. See the venue website here for details.

Lola & Jo - Focus Groupies | Soho Theatre | 18-20 Oct
"Character comedians Lola and Jo are pretty certain they have a revolutionary show on their hands. To double check, they've wisely employed Leslie and Jackie from almost award-winning market research company Focus On (runner-up, Keep Talking Award 1997), to gather feedback on their potentially groundbreaking show. Laughter for research purposes only; NO refreshments, travel reimbursements or life-affirming insights". Sounds fun, no? This is your last chance tonight though, so get on and book your tickets here.


SUNDAY 21 OCTOBER 2018 >>

Testament | The Hope Theatre | 21-29 Oct
"In a beautifully put together show that blends reality, memory, and hallucination, Chalk Line's play explores love, loss, and what it means to be left behind". Is what our reviewer said about this show when she saw it in Edinburgh in August, leaving us in no doubt of her feelings about it. It's a story of loss and grief centring on characters involved, and lost in, a car crash. It sounds dark, but take it from us, this will be both touching and memorable. See this page here for all the info.

TERP | Finborough Theatre | 21 Oct
Our latest pick from Finborough Theatre's Vibrant festival line up: "2003. Basra, Iraq. For young Iraqi student Tawfeeq, the Second Gulf War is the chance to be a part of revolutionary change, an opportunity to help set all Iraqis free from the tyranny of Saddam's reign. All he has to do is assist the Coalition Forces by being a terp - an interpreter. But that fateful decision is about to change his and his family's life forever..". Head this way and scroll down.

Black Is The Colour Of My Voice | Greenwich Theatre | 21 Oct (pictured)
Here's another show we've seen and loved in Edinburgh in recent years. Apphia Campbell's acclaimed one woman show is inspired by the life of Nina Simone and depicts a singer seeking redemption after the untimely death of her father, reflecting on her journey from talented pianist expected to spend her life in the service of the church, to renowned jazz vocalist at the forefront of the civil rights movement. See the venue website here for details.


MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2018 >>

Canoe | King's Head Theatre | 22-26 Oct
This show departed this year's edfringe with a serious clutch of very glowing critical responses so you can count on it to be excellent, but bear in mind it deals with some fairly serious and difficult issues: "Fatherhood. A fatal canoe accident. Who are we now we don't have kids? A couple come face to face with the powerlessness of parenthood". Book your tickets here.

Mark Thomas - Check-up | Arcola Theatre | 22 Oct-3 Nov
Hurrah, your fave and mine, back at the Arcola, talking about what this time? Yes, the NHS: "Mark Thomas is 54, the NHS is 70. UK national average life expectancy is 84. If Mark makes it to 84 the NHS will be 100... What will they both look like? Based on a series of interviews with leading experts and residencies in hospitals and surgeries, Mark explores our NHS to see where we are, where we are going and where we should be". Details right about here.

Ayesha Hazarika - Girl On Girl - The Fight For Feminism | Soho Theatre | 22-27 Oct (pictured)
"So, what happened to feminism? Is it too posh? Too white? When did Germaine Greer become Richard Littlejohn? Whose feminism is it anyway? And who asked your opinion, Piers f**king Morgan?" I suspect a fair number of people are asking themselves questions like these at the moment so if you're one of them, perhaps you'd like to hear Ayesha Hazarika, comedian/former Labour special advisor, give you her take on it all. See this page here for info.
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