Beginning a run this week is the first in-house production from the Tabard Theatre following its recent relaunch.
'The Last Laugh' is based on a Japanese play by Kōki Mitani, and is by veteran screen and script writer Richard Harris.
The play was first performed back in 2007, and it’s great to see it returning to the stage this year. To find out more about the play, the production, and the creatives behind it, I spoke to Richard Harris ahead of opening night.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
‘The Last Laugh’ is on at The Tabard Theatre from 9 Nov-3 Dec. For more information and to book tickets head to the venue website here.
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
FESTIVAL-ISH STUFF>>
Curious Puppets Festival | Rosemary Branch Theatre | 10-13 Nov
Yes, "ish". There's only a tenuous connection to festival stuff generally in this section, really, apart from with regard to this one, which actually has festival in the name. And, as the title also gives away, you can expect a number of fab-looking shows involving the art of puppetry, with nightly grown up shows from Thursday to Saturday, and family events over the weekend. See the listings here.
A Fringe Affair | Bread & Roses Theatre | 10 Nov (pictured)
This is in this section because it's described as a "love letter to the Fringe in all its flaws and glory" - and we are talking about the Edinburgh Fringe, which is in fact a festival. We, of course, love the Fringe, so wholly approve of the idea of this one-man folk song-cycle exploring creator Edward W Feery's experiences as both a performer and Fringe-goer. More here.
Anything With A Pulse | Park Theatre | 14-26 Nov
"A man and a woman meet in a club. Spotting each other from across the dance floor, they hit it off. Their story should be simple enough. But in a world where we hide behind games and personas, it doesn't always play out like that". On as part of Park Theatre's 'Make Mine A Double' season, this one is festival related because it was on at edfringe back in 2019. Our reviewer was pretty impressed, calling it "joyous and thought-provoking", so get booking here.
FUNNY STUFF>>
Garrett Millerick: Just Trying To Help | Soho Theatre | 14-16 Nov (pictured)
And talking of edfringe, the funny section this week is also full of folk we first ran into one August in the Scottish Capital. Firstly Garrett Millerick, a past recipient of one of our ThreeWeeks Editors' Awards, who is headed to Soho shortly for a handful of performances of Fringe hit 'Just Trying To Help'. He's blooming brilliant, do not miss. Book your tickets here now.
Billy Kirkwood: Show Me Your Tattoo | Museum Of Comedy | 13 Nov
So much blooming brilliance going on here. Because we are moving on to the much acclaimed Billy Kirkwood, who has historically delighted a fair number of our review team up at the old edfringe. I say historically because I think it's may be literally ten plus years since we first published a five star review of his tattoo-orientated shenanigans. Anyway, I'm sure it'll still be great. More here.
Diana: The Untold And Untrue Story | Pleasance Theatre | 8-19 Nov
Linus Karp is a somewhat newer discovery - we first heard about him via London appearances, but then caught him in Edinburgh this summer with 'How To Live A Jellicle Life' (which scored a 5/5 from our reviewer). And, of course, everyone else loved it too, so he is definitely "critically acclaimed". Here he is with a different show, though, which promises to be "as hilarious as it is tasteless". Click here.
SHORT STOPS>>
Drowntown | The Place | 10 Nov (pictured)
If you're a long term regular reader of our esteemed publication you may well remember that we interviewed 'Drowntown' creator Rhiannon Faith back in 2021 about the show when it was doing a post-lockdown digital tour. Well, now you can see it live on stage for the first time, which is really very exciting. For more info on this excellent piece of gritty dance theatre, and to book tickets, head right this way.
Daytime Deewane | Half Moon Theatre | 10-15 Nov
"The end of an era is approaching. It's 1997 and London is about to have its last daytime rave. British South Asians flock for their last taste of rebellion. Among them are cousins Farhan and Sadiq. Both very different. Both escaping something". Half Moon Theatre's latest production for young people aged thirteen and older, which focuses on living with a multicultural identity as a teenager. Info here.
Without Planning Permission! | Brixton House | 11-12 Nov
It sounds like this production from The Black Men's Consortium - a community-led exploration arts project - explores some really important themes. It's set at an emergency community meeting on the Mary Warner Estate, which is being held to discuss changes affecting residents, and explores the theme of black men's feelings of accountability when it comes to protecting their community. More here.
ONE PERSON SHOWS>>
Block'd Off | Camden People's Theatre | 8-19 Nov (pictured)
I've said it before and I will say it again, we love one-person shows and it's always great to see them and hear about them. And indeed, recommend them. And here's the first one, written and directed by Kieton Saunders-Brown and performed by Camila Segal, which tackles the realities of being working class in London through the depiction of five different characters caught in a cycle of deprivation. Details here.
Pickle | Park Theatre | 14-26 Nov
Next up, Deli Segal's 'Pickle' at Park Theatre which - like 'Anything With A Pulse' - is on as part of the venue's 'Make Mine A Double' season. "Here's the shtick: Ari is caught between two worlds. Still living at home in North West London, she has her Jewish life, dominated by overbearing parents, traditions, and expectations. Then there's her day-to-day life - the job, the pub, the foreskins". More here.
Days In Quarantine | White Bear Theatre | 8-19 Nov
So, yes, okay, this isn't strictly a one-person show, it's a play comprising a series of monologues and duologues, so you know, it has monologues in it, and that counts. Anyway, it's inspired by true stories from lockdown and follows eight characters "forced into introspection", and "poses questions reaching across generational, socio-economic and cultural barriers". Details here.
MORE THEATRE>>
Here | Southwark Playhouse | 11 Nov-3 Dec
It's a theatre-heavy week this week, but that's not a bad thing. We are, however, coming to the end of the road and here are our final three tips for now. First up is 'Here' at Southwark Playhouse, from Papatango Theatre, winner of the 2022 Papatango New Writing Prize. It's by Clive Judd, and it's a "tender, funny and utterly truthful story about family and feeling". Click here.
Richard The Second | Omnibus Theatre | 9-27 Nov (pictured)
Oooh, I like the look of this - a "radical and electrifying new adaptation" of the Shakespeare classic from Tangle, in association with MAST Mayflower Studios, featuring an original score of Zimbabwean music and song. "Three first cousins - Richard, Aumerle and Henry - battle for the supreme position of authority. Who will succeed in saving their country from a trail of ultimate destruction?" Exciting! More here.
The Mother Sh*t | Pleasance Theatre | 10-19 Nov
Our final tip for the week is for a show by Stumble Trip Theatre, another company that we first experienced up at the much aforementioned edfringe. And it's amongst this week's tips because it's about mums, wonderful mums, and - like a previous show in today's recommendations - is also described as a "love letter". Based on interviews with 50 people, featuring verbatim stuff, beat-boxing, music and mime. Click here.
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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 |
