The latest production from the brilliant Dash Arts has just begun its run at the Arcola Theatre and it's one we definitely think you should have on your to-see list for June.
'The Reckoning' is a new play about war and survival, created using verified witness testimonies from Ukraine, which blends storytelling with movement, music and cooking.
The play has been co-written by Anastasiia Kosodii and DashArts AD Josephine Burton, who also directs. I spoke to Josephine to find out more about the play, Dash Arts, and what's coming up next.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
'The Reckoning' is on at Arcola Theatre until 28 Jun, see the venue website here for information and to book tickets.
EDINBURGH ROUND-UP: FRINGE PROGRAMME, SHEDINBURGH, FRINGE CENTRAL
As the Edinburgh Festival gets ever closer once again, TW Backstage provides regular updates on key announcements and developments.
This time, the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Programme is published, Fleabag producer discusses the economics of Fringe and Fringe Central returns to the Grassmarket.
CLICK HERE to read this Edinburgh Round-Up.
FESTIVAL SHOWS>>
Ibn Battuta Travels | Grand Junction | 4-5 Jun (pictured)
Yay, it's the summer now and lots of nice festivals are happening, so let's get to it. To begin, we're making a return to the Shubbak Festival to see this original piece of theatre inspired by the legend of Ibn Battuta, who journeyed across the Arab and Islamic world in the Fourteenth Century. Find out more about it here.
Tales Of The Iron Lane | Plough Lane SW17 | 6-22 Jun
There's another great festival kicking off this week and it's the fabulous Wandsworth Fringe, which features a huge range of events, but this is the one that got my attention this time: an interactive/guided walk of the route of the railway from Summerstown to the Thames, focusing on stories of historical and recent migrants. Click here.
Wiggy | Theatre Peckham | 2-3 June
And sadly, after quite a few weekly visits, we're paying one last call at Peckham Fringe, for it all ends soon. This week's pick is 'Wiggy', an intriguing afro-surrealist thriller that looks at intersectionality, survival and the class divide, and sees protagonist Karine thrust into her first ski holiday. All the details are here.
FUNNY STUFF>>
Luke Rollason, Luke Rollason, Let Down Your Hair | Soho Theatre Dean Street | 4-7 Jun (pictured)
Yay, time for some funny stuff and, in time-honoured tradition, this is a show we saw and loved up at the old edfringe in recent times, the most recent Edinburgh Festival Fringe in fact. Expect a "physical comedy fantasia of kings and clowns, and one absolutely hideous duck". Find out more here.
Hasan Al Habib: Death To The West | The Bill Murray | 7 Jun
On now to someone that we haven't seen up at the old edfringe, but I've been informed by reliable sources that this up and comer is very much worth your time. And you know, he has plenty of accolades to back that up, eg, the Breaking Talent award at the 2023 Birmingham Comedy Festival. More about him here.
Tarot: Shuffle | Soho Theatre Dean Street | 5-7 Jun
Back to Soho Theatre, and back to an act that we've seen, known and loved in the Athens of the North during August, for some riotous, sketchy fun. "The best show of 2019 according to Chortle. The sixth best show of 2022 according to The Guardian. Come watch us continue our slow descent into mediocrity". Book your tickets right about here.
MUSICALS>>
Hemlines | Etcetera Theatre | 5-7 Jun (pictured)
Not hugely often that we get to do a whole section of musicals and I'm glad when we do. Especially when it's ones like this, a comedy musical that promises to be a "feminist fever dream" filled with rebellion and resilience, charm, energy and punchy storytelling. I am absolutely sold, you can find out more here.
King Of Pangea | King's Head Theatre | 7 Jun-6 Jul
"When Sam Crow faces the loss of his mother, he escapes to the imaginary island of his childhood. Welcome to the island of Pangea - where the sun never sets, the house band keeps the beat, and the loved ones you've lost could be right around the corner". A fab new folk musical, head to the venue website here for more info.
Lovestuck | Stratford East | 6 Jun-12 Jul
When I Googled this earlier to find the web page for it, Google asked me if I meant 'Lovestruck', and I can confirm to you all now that I didn't. It's definitely 'Lovestuck', and it's a musical comedy about the worst date ever for Lucy and Peter, which explores themes of online dating, toxic social media and self doubt. Click here.
ONE NIGHT ONLY>>
Taylor Swift's Music Reimagined (Strings Version): An Unofficial Tribute | Woolwich Works | 6 Jun
And as we segue into a section of one night stands, I'm quite pleased that we're sticking with something of a musical theme, because we get to hear City String Ensemble reimagining the contemporary stylings of one Taylor Swift. And I pretty much guarantee I'll like these versions the best. Read more about this right about here.
Sad Gay Aids Play | Seven Dials Playhouse | 3 Jun (pictured)
I am pretty sure at least some of you will be familiar with the excellent and award-winning horror pastiche 'Gay Witch Sex Cult', which we have definitely tipped in the past. So it will be good news, I am sure, to hear that creator Andrew Doherty is back with a brand new show called 'Sad Gay Aids Play'. Find out about it here.
Live At The Chapel | Union Chapel | 7 Jun
And I thought I might take the opportunity to slip a little more comedy into this week's proceedings courtesy of a stellar line-up over at the Union Chapel. This show is packed with TW faves: the headliner is Sindhu Vee, who is joined by Iain Stirling, Daniel Foxx, Kyrah Gray and host Stephen Bailey. Book your tickets here.
MORE GREAT STUFF>>
Storehouse | Deptford Storehouse | 4 Jun-20 Sep
Three more lovely and interesting shows for you now, and they are longer runs, all of them, so you've got lots of time. This one is an ambitious immersive theatre event staged in a vast disused warehouse in Deptford and features a high profile cast of voice-over providers. It's a very interesting premise, read more about it here.
The Taming Of The Shrew | Shakespeare In The Squares | 4 Jun-12 Jul
One of the lovely things about the summer is outdoor theatre, even if it is a bit hit and miss because of the blooming British weather. So yay for Shakespeare In The Square's summer 2025 production of 'The Taming Of The Shrew', to be performed in myriad squares and parks all over London over the next month or so. Choose your location here.
STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey | Brixton House | 5-28 Jun (pictured)
And finally, let us head over to Brixton House for the Offie-winning 'STARS', the funny and moving play celebrating black and queer empowerment and arousal, in which an old lady goes into outer space in search of her own orgasm. It's accompanied by post-show stuff and associated events, read about it all here.
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