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 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 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 Bangers at the Arcola Theatre Written by Danusia Samal, who also co-stars, this is a mash-up of a club night where composer and sound designer Duramaney Kamara’s tunes mixed with some classics keep the dancefloor humming and a touching exploration of two young people – […]
Simon Ward reviews Dorian :The Musical at the Southwark Playhouse Borough With book by Linnie Reedman and music and lyrics by Joe Evans, this loose adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s 1890s novel A Portrait of Dorian Gray feels like an attempt to re-imagine the story as Wilde might have […]
Simon Ward reviews My Name Is Rachel Corrie at the Old Red Lion Theatre This is a verbatim play created by Katherine Viner and Alan Rickman, based on the emails and diary entries of Rachel Corrie. The facts of Rachel’s life and death are stark. She was born […]
Simon Ward reviews So Help Me Dog at the Hen and Chickens Theatre It can be excruciating being in the audience at a fringe theatre show, typically in a small room above a pub. If a show is not going well, or simply needs a bigger audience to […]
Simon Ward reviews Sunday On The Rocks at The Bread and Roses Theatre Originally emerging in the mid-nineties, Theresa Rebeck’s witty and insightful play is as resonant today as it ever was. Elly (Candace Leung) is pregnant and not happy about it. Boston housemates Gayle (Rachael Bellis, who […]
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