Headed to Stratford Circus Arts Centre this week is Lincolnshire-based youth-focused producing company Zest Theatre, as they bring their latest show 'YouthQuake' for a London outing as part of a wider tour.
It's an intriguing piece, which sounds like it's been developed with its finger absolutely on the pulse of youth culture and concerns. To find out more, I spoke to director Toby Ealden.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
'Youthquake' is on at Stratford Circus Arts Centre from 16-17 Oct. See the venue website here for information and to book your tickets.
JAIVANT PATEL: YAATRA
Jaivant Patel heads to Tara Theatre this week for one night only with 'Yaatra', an intriguing sounding double bill of dance pieces that combine contemporary and Kathak dance, while exploring some rather personal themes touching on Patel's personal heritage, and exploring faith, tradition and the representation of LGBTQ.
I arranged to speak to Patel ahead of his London performance to find out more about the show and the performer himself.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
'Yaatra' is on at Tara Theatre on 17 Oct. See the venue website here for all the details.
THREE RUNS STARTING THIS WEEK>>
Ages Of The Moon | The Vaults | 17 Oct-24 Nov
"On a hot summer's night, deep in the American wilderness, Byron and Ames are reunited by mutual desolation. By the fading light of an eclipsing moon, the pair reflect on love and life over a bottle of whiskey - and as old rivalries flare, their forty-year friendship is put to the test at the barrel of a gun". Sam Shepard's acclaimed 2010 play gets a UK premiere starring Christopher Fairbank and Joseph Marcell, directed by Alexander Lass. See the venue website here for more info.
The Great Gatsby | Immersive LDN | from 18 Oct
You might have already experienced this immersive rendering of F Scott Fitzgerald's well loved novel, which allows audiences to enter the world of glamorous 1920s jazz-age America, and partake of cocktails, dancing and scandal. So you might be wondering why I am tipping this, the UK's longest running immersive show, when I have probably already tipped it before...? Well, it's off to a sparkly new venue, Immersive | London, which is in an historic building in Mayfair, which was home to the Queen Victoria's Rifles Association until 2017. See this page here to book.
Great Expectations | Southwark Playhouse | 18 Oct-28 Nov (pictured)
"'Ask me no questions and you'll be told no lies.' A chance meeting with a convict on Christmas Eve, a decaying house full of secrets and an orphan's life transformed by an anonymous benefactor. 'Great Expectations' is a coming of age tale with love and class at its centre". I love Dickens so I am always ready to tip plays based on his work (and hurrah, it's Scrooge season coming up too). This one is from the National Youth Theatre Rep Company, and they are performing Neil Bartlett's 2013 adaptation, in rep alongside a staging of 'Frankenstein', which starts later in the month. See this page here for Great Expectations and this page here for Frankenstein.
THREE FORMERLY ON AT EDFRINGE>>
Art Heist | New Diorama Theatre | 15-26 Oct
Well, I said these would keep coming, didn't I? Shows that were on in Edinburgh? So here we go, first up 'Art Heist' at New Diorama, from a clever and award winning team. "Three thieves break into the same gallery on the same night. They're all intent on stealing the same Extremely Valuable Painting. They're bound to meet and it's bound to get messy. Join our thieves as they discover what makes art Extremely Valuable and what Extremely Valuable really means. An existential comedy caper about the power of frames and the absurdity of labels". Details here.
Forbruker | Camden People's Theatre | 15-16 Oct (pictured)
"In an electric, absurdist fusion of clown, lip sync, drag, and advertisement, this one-woman advert break presents a vital, ridiculous interrogation and parody of the battle for identity in the capitalist world past and present". This one had a nine day run up at the old edfringe in 2019, following a sold out performance at Camden People's Theatre's own Sprint Festival earlier in the year, and now returns to the venue for a couple more shows. Expect something rather fun and very good. See this page here for more information and to book.
Sinatra: Raw | Wilton's | 22 Oct-2 Nov
This one has done two acclaimed runs at the Fringe, as well as at least one successful run in London, I think. Anyway, I have heard good things. "You are invited to Palm Springs, California, 1971. Frank Sinatra faces retirement. The air is electric and the crowd jockey for position at Sinatra's last intimate show. But times are changing as the Rolling Stones and David Bowie dominate the charts. Sinatra's blue eyes are bloodshot and his face craggy with booze, cigarettes and memories. Things take an unexpected turn when he drinks 'One for My Baby' too many". Info right about here.
THREE SHORT RUNS>>
Pint-Sized: October-Fest | The Bunker Theatre | 21-26 Oct
Yay, long term readers may know full well that I get excited about short play collections, and even more excited when they are collections of new plays. So obviously, this is like Christmas come early: each night five short plays are performed, chosen from over 1500 entries, with writers mentored by the likes of Lucy Kirkwood, Simon Stephens, and Lucy Prebble, and house band plays tracks written about each piece. I predict tickets will go quickly though so make your way to this page here to get booking.
Delivery | Lion & Unicorn Theatre | 15-19 Oct (pictured)
"The future should look bright for Joe. He loves his wife Angela, and they're expecting their first baby. However, as he awaits the delivery in the maternity ward, Joe's deeply troubled character emerges. He's haunted by events he experienced, and participated in, during a brutal war. Can a severely damaged paratrooper ever become a loving dad? What could possibly save his soul?" This comedy drama sounds interesting - I've seen lots of shows lately about the impact of motherhood, so I'd like to see one looking at it from the perspective of impending fatherhood. More here.
Trade | Theatre Peckham | 17 Oct
A production of Debbie Tucker Green's acclaimed 2004 play, from midlands-based touring theatre company New Perspectives. "Welcome to the Caribbean. Where the sun is hot and the living is uneasy. Meet three women. An unlikely trio. Different ages, backgrounds and attitudes. Each has a unique relationship with the island. A home. A regular holiday haunt. A first time visit. Through language that fizzes and sparks, we begin to discover that they share one surprising thing in common". Details right about here.
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