I love a show that's a bit harder to define, one that doesn't quite fall into any of the kind of categories you'd find in something like, oh, I dunno… the Edinburgh Fringe programme.
Georgie Wedge's 'Per-Verse', which heads to Riverside Studios this week, is rather like that, a one-woman blend of stand-up, poetry, storytelling and physical comedy.
I'm very interested in the show - which focuses on the vagaries of dating life - but also in the creator herself, and the path she's taken to a performing career.
I spoke to Georgie ahead of her opening night.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
'Per-Verse' is on at Riverside Studios in London from 3-19 Apr. For more information and to book tickets, see the venue website here.
TW EXPLAINER: THE CMA'S SECONDARY TICKETING SUBMISSION
The UK government is currently in the middle of a big consultation on secondary ticketing after ministers proposed introducing a price cap on the unofficial resale of tickets by ticket touts.
Last week the Competition & Markets Authority, which has a role in regulating ticket resale, made its submission to the consultation, coming out in support of the price cap and providing some recommendations on how it might work.
In this TW Explainer, we recap what the consultation is about, explain what the CMA said, and hone in on some of the key talking points around the proposed price cap.
CLICK HERE to read this TW Explainer.
FAMILY SHOWS>>
The Mountain Witch | Half Moon Theatre | 5 Apr
We're starting with family shows because, although the Easter school holidays have in fact not yet begun, they do begin on Friday, so I thought we should help you all get prepped in advance with some time-off-treats. Some of these are just on this weekend, but some are on for the whole holiday and longer, so you can plan ahead. Let's start at the Half Moon Theatre with an adventurous tale of an ancient witch and the determination of children to put things right. Click here.
Chicken Licken | Polka Theatre | 5 Apr-11 May (pictured)
We're headed for Polka Theatre next and a bit of a classic story told with live music, puppetry and songs, suitable for children over the age of three and their adults. Plus, there's integrated BSL, creative captions and integrated audio description at all performances. "The sky is falling and this little chicken is very worried! Join our courageous chicken who needs to let everyone know there is a problem! Acorns are raining from the sky and an umbrella just isn't strong enough!" More here.
There's A Monster In Your Show | Greenwich Theatre | 6 Apr
There's a whole host of children's shows happening at Greenwich Theatre this month on account of the venue staging its annual Children's Festival. 'There's A Monster In Your Show' kicks off proceedings, and that's why I picked it, really, but there's lots to choose from so make sure you check out the venue listings here for all the family focused stuff. This one sees Tom Fletcher's 'Who's In Your Book' series adapted into a magical, musical, interactive adventure. Find out more here.
SOHO SHOWS>>
The Awkward Silence: Mind Milk | Soho Theatre | 4-5 Apr
Okay, let's take a break from the kiddy stuff (more later) and focus on Soho Theatre, where so many good things are on this week I am struggling to pick what to tell you about. I wanted to mention Celya AB, Derek Mitchell, Tiff Stevenson and Adam Riches and John Kearns, but I also wanted to recommend The Awkward Silence and their show 'Mind Milk', because our reviewer really loved the show when he saw it at edfringe. So, you know, definitely go see it (but also consider those other acts too). Details here.
Shafeeq Shajahan: The Bollywood Guide To Revenge | Soho Theatre | 1-5 Apr (pictured)
I couldn't just limit myself to one Soho show though, could I? And that's why I devoted this whole section to the venue this week. You're not going to want to miss any of these shows, but I do understand that you might have to limit yourselves. Anyway, next up is the intriguingly titled 'The Bollywood Guide To Revenge', which is a "raucous cabaret" from Shafeeq Shajahan and Vasilis Konstantinides, who "blend old Bollywood glamour, Indian classical music and a sick disco beat to tell an age-old tale of sweet, sweet redemption". Yay, click here.
Trygve Wakenshaw: Silly Little Things | Soho Theatre | 1-5 Apr
And so to Trygve Wakenshaw, one of those performers we first ran into at the Fringe (a long time ago!), and continue to love and recommend to this day. I'll be surprised if there are readers who haven't heard of him already, but if there are: he's an extraordinary, hilarious mime and he's back at the Soho Theatre with 'Silly Little Things', a funny and moving show that looks at the small things that can make or break a friendship. Find out more about it here.
YET MORE FAMILY SHOWS>>
My Shadow & Me | Puppet Theatre Barge | 5-21 Apr
Okay, you've had your time out, we're getting back to looking at shows to help you entertain the small ones over the Easter break. First, let's head to the Puppet Theatre Barge for some puppety goings on (yes I know that's not a word, but I'm making it one) and I'm excited about this show because the puppety goings on in question is shadow puppetry, and I freaking love that stuff. Anyway, I'm a grownup that would enjoy this show, why not take your kids, aged four and above? More here.
Breathe | Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre | 4-6 Apr (pictured)
"Find the epic in the tiny from the perspective of an acorn. Join this extraordinary journey to discover the beats and rhythms of a wild woodland world. Uncover bizarre larger than life fungi, creaking tree roots and thrumming underworlds. Follow a 'Seedling' as they hatch from an acorn and go on a journey of discovery through the undergrowth of the busy forest floor". A critically acclaimed show exploring the inner workings of trees, suitable for anyone over the age of six. All the info here.
Little Night | Unicorn Theatre | until 19 Apr
This is actually for the teeniest of tots aged eighteen months to four years, so most of that demographic isn't actually at school and therefore are not really on holiday. But, you know, just because they live a life of play and fun and having all their needs catered to by someone else, doesn't mean they shouldn't get an Easter treat too. This sounds amazing: "the show uses interactive projections that transform into ever-changing shapes and hues at the gentle touch of tiny fingers". Lovely, click here.
SHORT STOPS>>
Mushroom Language: A Fungal Gothic | Omnibus Theatre | 5-6 Apr (pictured)
This one had me at the title, because I love mushrooms and fungi in general. And I'm not talking about eating them, especially, I am intrigued by them, the way they reproduce, erupt, decay, and the way they're so beautiful and also weird. Anyway, this show - an "eerie and funny homage to folk horror" - sees two performers absorb and mimic 'mushroom language'. "Mushrooms offer us a lens into a more sustainable future, but nature is hilarious and terrifying". More here.
Incomplete | The Space | 1-12 Apr
I mean, I know I called this section short stops, but these next two runs aren't that short, really, given this section is usually reserved for stuff that's only on for three nights or whatever. Anyway, they are where they are so let's move on. 'Incomplete' is about a former couple - who were once on the verge of getting engaged - and who unexpectedly run into each other decades later, and find themselves catching up on what passed between them back then, and since. All the details here.
Things I Know To Be True | OSO Arts Centre | 2-11 Apr
"Parents Bob and Fran have worked their fingers to the bone and with their four children grown and ready to fly the nest it might be time to relax and enjoy the roses. But the changing seasons bring home some shattering truths, leaving us asking whether it's possible to love too much". A staging of Australian writer Andrew Bovell's acclaimed 2016 play, which is excellent, and the other exciting thing is that this is OSO Arts Centre's first in house production, directed by AD Lydia Sax. Book here.
LONGER RUNS>>
Jab | Park Theatre | 1-26 Apr (pictured)
And now for some longer runs that are opening this week and are all going to be super. This one piqued my interest because it's set in the time of COVID lockdowns, and it's interesting that those times feel historical and yet somehow still a very short time ago. The play is about weary NHS worker Anne and her lazy and sexist husband Don, and what happens when they are forced to isolate together, and it's a black comedy drama exploring themes of power, gender, domestic violence, conspiracy theories and more. Click here.
Thanks For Having Me | Riverside Studios | 7-26 Apr
"Cashel is 30 and a neurotic overthinker. Fresh from a break-up, he moves in with his best friend, Honey - a lifelong bachelor who only has a thought every few days. Can these mismatched roommates survive together?" This show, which takes a comedic look at modern romance and heartbreak, has already been the subject of much critical acclaim from previous runs at the Old Red Lion and King's Head Theatre, so you can definitely expect something warm, witty and accomplished. See the venue website here.
Shanghai Dolls | Kiln Theatre | 3 Apr-10 May
This is the acclaimed Amy Ng's latest play and it takes a look at two of the most influential women in Chinese history - Madame Mao and Sun Weishi - and it sounds amazing. "When two penniless actresses meet in Shanghai at auditions for Ibsen's 'A Doll's House', they quickly become inseparable. But as political upheaval rips through China, their tumultuous friendship will alter not only the course of their lives, but the course of history". See this page here for more info and to book tickets.
SOMETHING DIFFERENT>>
Alt B: Talking People | Bush Theatre | 7 Apr-27 Jun (pictured)
I mean, to be honest, there are other things tipped today that qualify as 'different', but I felt these three qualified more than most. This one on account of it being an improvised show, but not comedy. I mean, it's not a unique thing, but by comparison, comedy improv is everywhere. Anyway, this has a fab cast and it will be brilliant, so find out more about it here, and please also check out 'Speed', also on at the Bush from this week, which centres on the participants in a speed awareness course turned therapy session. Yay.
Darkfield At The Ditch | Shoreditch Town Hall | 1-12 Apr
You're probably well aware of Darkfield, leading creators of myriad interesting truly immersive experiences, and in which case I probably don't need to spend that much time explaining this. But obviously their stuff is always a bit different and, yay, they're taking a number of different events to Shoreditch Town Hall this week, including 'Arcade', a choose your own path experience, and 'Double', which explores the intriguing Capgras delusion. More info and booking links right about here.
Container | New Diorama Theatre | 2-12 Apr
Another brilliant sounding and unusual offering to finish with, and it's one that's described as part concert, part poetry reading, performed by an ensemble of artists led by Alan Fielden. Influenced by Laurie Anderson's music and Robert Ashley's television operas, and exploring the violence and tenderness of living through catastrophe, the show "makes use of overlapping choral narratives, live music and polyphonic sound to explore alternative treatments of text, voice and storytelling". Head to this page here to book your tickets.
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