We are always interested in productions by the wonderful Kali Theatre, and their latest show - opening at Southwark Playhouse shortly - is yet another intriguing work.
'Noor' is about Noor Inayat Kahn, who worked as a spy in occupied France during World War II. I've always been interested in her story, so it's brilliant to see it being told on stage. And, of course, I wanted to find out more about the play and the creative team behind the production.
The writer of 'Noor' is award-winning playwright and novelist Azma Dar. I put some questions to her ahead of opening night.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
'Noor' is on at Southwark Playhouse from 4-26 Nov. Head to the venue website here for more information and to book tickets.
KELLY HUNTER: PERICLES
I have always wondered why you don't see more productions of Shakespeare's 'Pericles' being staged, so I was immediately interested when I saw that a version was coming to Riverside Studios. And I was even more drawn to it when I realised it was by Flute Theatre.
Founded in 2014 by Artistic Director Kelly Hunter, Flute Theatre specialises in ground breaking Shakespeare productions for autistic individuals and their families, created using the Hunter Heartbeat method, which involves special sensory drama games.
There will be two stagings of 'Pericles' at Riverside Studios, one for mainstream audiences and one for autistic individuals. I spoke to Kelly to find out more about them both.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
'Pericles' and 'Pericles' for autistic individuals are on at Riverside from 8-13 Nov. For exact dates and times, and more info, see the venue website here.
 |
RALLYING THE COMEDY COMMUNITY Find out more about the Comedians' Charter that the union Equity launched at the start of this year's Edinburgh Fringe. |
|
 |
YOU'VE DONE EDINBURGH, WHAT NEXT? Practical tips and advice galore for how performers and producers can capitalise on momentum they built at the Edinburgh Fringe this August. |
|
 |
FIXING THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL We debate the issues facing the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and how the community might go about addressing them. |
We are currently putting together three editions of TW Backstage featuring conversations about the business of comedy in 2022, recorded earlier this year at the Cambridge Sound+Vision festival.
The first will look at how comedians go about pursuing careers in 2022, using live shows, online activity and the Edinburgh Fringe to build an audience and a business around their comedy.
Future editions will then put the spotlight on making comedy online and the future of livestreaming in the comedy world.
SIGN UP to receive future editions of TW Backstage as they land here.
RUNS STARTING THIS WEEK>>
Reasons You Shouldn't Love Me | Kiln Theatre | 5-26 Nov
First up this week is a show we have definitely recommended before but which we have no qualms about recommending again now that it's back at Kiln Theatre following a regional tour. An acclaimed and funny one-woman show from Amy Trigg, it's about Juno, born with spina bifida, who is "clumsily navigating her twenties". More here.
The Little Match Girl | Sadler's Wells Digital Stage | from 1 Nov (pictured)
The weather's pretty grim as I write this, so I don't much feel like leaving the house, so it's great that there are digital options for those who, like me, can't or don't much want to go out on days like this. This acclaimed and beautiful production of Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale features music, dance and unusual instruments, and can be rented here.
Not Now | Finborough Theatre | 1-26 Nov
"The morning after his father's funeral, an unsure and still grief-stricken Matthew prepares to fly to London to audition for the prestigious drama school RADA. Matthew starts to doubt whether he should really be leaving Belfast in the first place. Or is Belfast where he truly belongs?" A new comedy from award-winning playwright David Ireland. Click here.
FUNNY STUFF>>
Helen Bauer: Madam Good Tit | Soho Theatre | 1-5 Nov (pictured)
And talking of funny things, here is a whole section devoted to funny stuff, and we're starting with a mention for the very funny Helen Bauer, 2019 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee. She's headed to Soho with her critically acclaimed 2022 edfringe show 'Madam Good Tit', and it looks like tickets are selling quickly so quick, book here.
Shake It Up: The Improvised Shakespeare Show | Hen & Chickens Theatre | 7 Nov
If you know anything about us, you'll know that we are definitely rather fond of improv, and, well, I know we probably don't show it so much, but we are also actually very fond of Shakespeare. So this is a show absolutely made for us - and I bet for loads of you too. Improvised fun using audience suggestions and Shakespearean language. Hurrah. Click here.
How To Build A Better Tulip | Upstairs At The Gatehouse | 2-20 Nov
This one is theatrical, but promises to be very funny, offering a modern and comical twist on the novel 'The Black Tulip' by Alexandre Dumas, in which two plant scientists are vying to breed a perfect black tulip. They're after four hundred years worth of uncollected prize money, but government intelligence services and the police are getting in the way. More here.
MORE AMUSING THEATRE>>
A Butcher Of Distinction | Barons Court Theatre | 1-12 Nov
Well, the truth is I can't move for theatre that's funny this week - be it outright hilarious, gently amusing or wryly witty. So here's another section of theatrical stuff that will make you laugh or smile, beginning with a revival for Rob Hayes' black comedy 'A Butcher Of Distinction', first staged back in 2011. More info and tickets right about here.
Yaga | Drayton Arms Theatre | 1-19 Nov
You've probably all heard of Baba Yaga, the fierce and female supernatural figure of Slavic folklore, an elderly witch-like woman who lives alone. In this play by Kat Sandler she's re-imagined as a "sexy, smart, modern woman" and the result is a "genre-bending comedic fairy tale meets thrilling whodunit" which "gives voice to an antihero of epic proportions while interrogating how her story has historically been told by men". More here.
Zombiegate | Theatre503 | 1-19 Nov (pictured)
"Sophie and Jamie have just been cancelled, a misplaced selfie has gone viral, and the pair have been accused of mocking a dead child. But their troubles are only just beginning". This looks fun, but also deals in important themes - tackling mob mentality and asking us to empathise with the people we find it hard to agree with. For more info and to book, click here.
INTERESTING EVENTS>>
Voila Europe | The Cockpit | 3-13 Nov
Right, some interesting events starting with a whole festival of fantastic stuff courtesy of the ever-excellent Voila Europe. As ever, the line up is full of multilingual, multi-genred, extremely interesting performances from very talented cross-European artists. Not sure I can actually bring myself to single anything out from the exemplary line up, so why don't you head this way and take a look at it all?
The Cunning Little Vixen | Jacksons Lane | 4-13 Nov
This is a very interesting one, and very probably suitable for family viewing, depending on what age demographics your family members all fall into. It's a production from HGO of Leos Janacek's well loved opera, performed in the original Czech with English surtitles, starring young opera singers and local children. For more information and to book, see the venue website here.
Far From Home | The Place | 4-5 Nov (pictured)
And now for something physical from the excellent Alleyne Dance, who perform 'Far From Home' at The Place very soon. It promises to be a hard-hitting and atmospheric narrative dance piece that takes a look at the topic of immigration and - like the last tipped show - features a supporting cast plucked from the local community. See this page here for info.
 |
At TW:CULTURE we champion the best in fringe theatre, comedy and culture. Year round, we pick the best shows happening in London and online each week, providing handy Three To See recommendations and interviewing the people behind those productions. Plus each summer we also cover the biggest cultural event in the world: The Edinburgh Festival. © UnLimited Media, a division of 3CM Enterprises Ltd UnLimited Media, Kemp House, 152 City Road, London EC1V 2NX t: 020 7099 9050 (editorial) 020 7099 9060 (sales) Send London press releases to TWlondon@unlimitedmedia.co.uk Send Edinburgh press releases to TWedinburgh@unlimitedmedia.co.uk You can read our Privacy & Data Policy here publishing@unlimitedmedia.co.uk | complaints@unlimitedmedia.co.uk |
