Simon Ward reviews Synchronicity at the White Bear Theatre If you emerge from Arthur I. Miller’s play feeling like you’ve had an intellectual workout, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that Miller is Emeritus Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at University College London, and this […]
Simon Ward reviews Fragments at the Etcetera Theatre In this astonishing piece Nigerian writer and performer Pearl Ada pulls no punches as she tackles the intersecting issues of colonialism and its legacy, racism, and patriarchy. Put like that, it sounds like a grim hour, whereas it is anything […]
Simon Ward reviews Distant Memories Of The Near Future at the Arcola Theatre Written and performed by David Head, Distant Memories of the Near Future comes to the Arcola to makes its London premiere following success at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023. Any idea that this may be a […]
Simon Ward reviews The Elephant In The Room at the Waterloo East Theatre Peter Hamilton’s latest play, now presented in Waterloo East under Ross McGregor’s direction after a run last year at the Tabard Theatre, is a kaleidoscopic magical mystery tour encompassing life, death and all points in […]
Simon Ward reviews Miss Julie at the Courtyard Theatre Under the direction of Jon Fentiman, this is a stripped-down rendition of August Strindberg’s naturalistic play of 1888. Taking place in the madness of Midsummer’s Eve celebrations, it is set in a world of aristocrats and servants, with strict […]
Simon Ward reviews Port City Signature at the Hope Theatre Written and co-directed (with Phoebe Rowell John) by Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller, this is a modern riff on a film noir setup – a passing stranger gets embroiled in local skullduggery with tragic consequences. The set (designed by Hannah Williams […]
Simon Ward reviews The Catalogue of Sexual Anxieties at the White Bear Theatre Written and performed by Aniqa Charania, Marion Poli and Charlotte Szabo, who together make up The Hysterical Ladies, with original music in a 1940s Andrews Sisters style by Patrice Peyrieras, this is a fun romp […]
Simon Ward reviews My English Persian Kitchen at the Soho Theatre Upstairs Based on a story by Iranian food-writer Atoosa Sepehr, and adapted as a play by Hannah Khalil, this extraordinary show manages to be at once a feast for all the senses, a nail-biting thriller, a heartbreaking […]
Simon Ward reviews Prototype at the Old Red Lion Theatre Directed by Olivia Gibbs-Fairley, written and performed by Steph Darcey, and presented as part of the Camden Fringe, Prototype is a show that deserves a wide audience. It is a savage satire – it is packed full of […]
Simon Ward reviews Coffee Break at the Hen and Chickens Theatre Running as part of the Camden Fringe, this is an intigruing show on paper. Written, directed and produced by Bruce Kitchener, it seems to be a labour of love. According to the press release, it is inspired […]