Author: Red Bus Londinium
-
Review: Kenrex, Southwark Playhouse ****½
Review: Kenrex at the Southwark Playhouse is part concert, part true crime podcast and part play. It is largely a one-man-show (Jack Holden), enhanced by on stage music (Jack Patrick Elliott) and sound recordings (Giles Thomas). Written by Holden and director Ed Stambollouian and subtitled “A True Crime Thriller”, it is a riveting, adventurous, genre-bending…
-
Review: Mrs President, Charing Cross Theatre **
Review: “Mrs President” at Charing Cross Theatre offers an intimate yet perplexing portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln, depicted through confusing narrative choices. Despite strong performances and set design, the show struggles to present a coherent view of Lincoln’s character, leaving her reputation largely unexplored and muddled by distracting elements.
-
Review: Oedipus, Old Vic *** ½
Review: Oedipus at the Old Vic presents a modern retelling of the classic tale, incorporating contemporary dance that captivates but occasionally misaligns with the narrative. While some performances shine, others lack emotional depth, leading to an overall disjointed experience.
-
Review: Stalled, Kings Head Theatre ***
Review: Stalled,” a new musical at the King’s Head Theatre, explores the complex relationships between mothers and daughters set in a Seattle ladies’ room. Although the cast, led by Lauren Ward, is strong, the plot feels overcrowded, with timeline inconsistencies and overuse of strong language detracting from its impact. Improvements could enhance its future.
-
Review: …blackbird hour, Bush Theatre (and on tour) ***½
Review: …blackbird hour directed by malakaï sargeant, is a poignant play that explores mental illness through the character Eshe, portrayed by Evlyne Oyedokun. With powerful performances and innovative staging, it highlights the impact of mental health struggles on individuals and their supporters. The production offers a challenging yet vital viewing experience.
-
Review: Pig Heart Boy, Unicorn Theatre (and tour) ****
Review: Pig Heart Boy, currently at Unicorn Theatre before its national tour, is based on Malorie Blackman’s acclaimed book. Adapted for the stage, it follows 13-year-old Cameron, who faces life-changing decisions regarding a pig heart transplant. The production tackles themes of ethics and integrity, offering thought-provoking content for a youthful audience.
-
Review: Mean Girls, Savoy ***½
Review: Mean Girls is a high school musical drama exploring the universal struggle to fit in, inspired by Tina Fey’s 20-year-old film. The Broadway musical, which opened in London in 2024, features vibrant staging and costumes. Praised for its strong performances, it recently won Best New Musical at the 2025 What’s On Stage awards.
-
Trash, Sadlers Wells ****
Review: Yllana and Toom Pak’s UK premiere of TRASH! at the Peacock Theatre offers a delightful mix of comedy and percussion, crafted for a younger audience. Set in a recycling centre, it captivates children and adults alike with its engaging performances and audience participation, despite not fully exploring its eco-message.
-
Review: Here You Come Again, New Wimbledon Theatre ****
Review: Here You Come Again is a vibrant, heartfelt production at the New Wimbledon Theatre, blending humour and poignancy as it explores loneliness through the lens of Dolly Parton. Strong performances by Tricia Paoluccio and Steven Webb enhance the narrative, making it an enjoyable experience for both fans and newcomers alike, despite earlier homophobic incidents…
-
Review: Much Ado About Nothing, Jamie Lloyd ****½
Review: Jamie Lloyd’s latest production, Much Ado About Nothing, marks a vibrant departure from his usual grey palette, showcasing the talents of Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell. With a lively atmosphere, humour, and a strong ensemble, it stands out as an engaging introduction to Shakespeare for younger audiences.
-
Review: Scissorhandz, Southwark Playhouse ***
Review: Scissorhandz at Southwark Playhouse offers a musical reinterpretation of the classic Edward Scissorhands story, showcasing strong performances, particularly from Jordan Kai Burnett. However, the production suffers from genre confusion and uneven song choices, impacting its overall coherence. While commendable, it lacks the polish needed to fully honour its predecessors.
-
Review: Ghost, New Wimbledon Theatre ***
Review: “Ghost the musical, currently at the New Wimbledon Theatre, revives the iconic 1990 film with a talented cast and nostalgic set design. Featuring The Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody and original songs, the show captures the spirit of its predecessor, appealing especially to fans of the era, though it may not sway new audiences.”
-
Review: Play On, Lyric Hammersmith ****
Review: Play On! transforms Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night into a lively 1940s Harlem jazz club, featuring 20 Duke Ellington songs. The show, directed by Michael Buffong, addresses race and sexism while following Vy, a female songwriter masquerading as a man. With dynamic performances, particularly from Rev, the production is a joyous celebration of black talent.
-
Review: &Juliet, New Wimbledon Theatre *****
Review: &Juliet, currently touring at the New Wimbledon Theatre, is a vibrant jukebox musical featuring Max Martin’s iconic songs. With strong performances, particularly from newcomer Gerardine Sacdalan, the show creatively reimagines Shakespeare’s classic. Its blend of humour, poignant themes, and exceptional choreography makes it an energetic and thought-provoking experience, appealing to diverse audiences.
-
Sadlers Wells East Opens Soon
Newly released photos give a taster of the treats to come as Sadler’s Wells opens its new facility in Stratford. Over 20,000 tickets, 50% of all tickets across the Sadlers Wells East season are available for £25 or less, with £10 Barclays Dance Pass tickets for 16-30-year-olds for every single performance.
-
Review: Matthew Bourne’s Oliver ****
Please sir, can I have some more? We all know the words, but do we all really need any more Oliver? Red Bus Londinium says yes, we do.
-
Jack and the Beanstalk, New Wimbledon Theatre ****
The New Wimbledon Theatre played host to Jack and the Beanstalk this year, one of the 23 pantomimes producing by Crossroads pantomimes (who are also responsible for the pantomime at the London Palladium). Being part of such a large production stable, means that a local theatre is able to turn on a pantomime with extremely…
-
2024 Red Bus Highlights
2024 had many wonderful theatre, book and cultural highlights. It was very hard to make choices of which were the most stellar but I have tried! Below are the shows, books and other treats which for me opened my mind and expanded my horizons in 2024. My 2024 Most Powerful Show: Between the Lines at…
Red Bus Londinium Life 