You might already be aware of the work of writer Judith Burnley, who first won acclaim back in the seventies with her novel 'The Wife'. You might not know that in more recent years, she has turned her hand to writing scripts, and that the first of her plays to be produced opens at Jermyn Street Theatre this month.
To find out more about the play, and what prompted her to begin writing for the theatre, I arranged a quick chat. Read the interview here.
Anything That Flies is on at Jermyn Street Theatre from 18 Oct-11 Nov. See the venue website here for more information and to book.
FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER 2017 >>
Sleeping Trees At The Movies | Battersea Arts Centre | 17-21 Oct (pictured)
You may remember us banging on about Sleeping Trees on previous occasions, because we have done that quite a lot. And you may also have seen one or more of their movie themed shows. But if you haven't seen all of their movie themed shows, this might be your chance to pocket the full set. Tonight you can see 'Mafia?' but tomorrow you can see the other two, 'Western?' and 'Sci-Fi?'. Click here for details.
Hear Me Raw | Soho Theatre | 17-21 Oct
You may also have heard us banging on about this show, too, given that we saw it in Edinburgh in the summer and our reviewer gave it a glowing write up, but also because we published an interview with the show's creator and star Daniella Isaacs recently. Head this way to read the Q&A and this way to book your tickets for this one woman show about clean eating, and how the pursuit of wellness can go wrong.
Dracula | Sutton House | 17 Oct-4 Nov
Tea Break Theatre return to atmospheric National Trust property Sutton house to perform their promenade version of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' as part of the 'Sutton House Queered' season. Expect an immersive and visceral production full of twists and turns and general all round darkness.... see this page here for more information and to book.
SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2017 >>
The Reluctant Dragon | The Cockpit | 21 Oct
If you're a parent, you might be thinking about ways to make the half term special for your small persons. Or, at the very least, bearable for you. So here's one possible option, a fab family-orientated staging of the short story of the same name by Kenneth Grahame. Great for kids, but this is the sort of thing that will really entertain the adults as well. Click here for info.
Aditi Mittal - Global VIllage Idiot| Soho Theatre | 14-28 Oct
Indian comedian Aditi Mittal returns to the Soho Theatre with a new show, fresh from a run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the release of a Netflix comedy special, 'Things They Wouldn't Let Me Say'. In 'Global Village Idiot", she explores "how her place in our global village makes her feel she belongs nowhere and everywhere at the same time". See the venue website here for details.
The Dream Factory | Greenwich Theatre | 21-22 Oct (pictured)
Another one for the children, this time a lovely sensory puppet show about a young girl who has lost her ability to dream, giving audiences an opportunity to embark on a magical adventure to find out about dreams - where they are made, what they look and even smell like. Sounds fab, see this page here for more.
SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 >>
Pebbles | Katzpace | 22-25 Oct
"Joanie can't be near people. A rare and dangerous illness makes her a threat to everyone she meets. So for her safety, and the safety of the entire world, she has been sent far away to an unoccupied planet on the outer reaches of space. Isolation was supposed to be a good thing, but after endless hours of solitude, Joanie is forced to confront something far worse than her illness - herself". This looks like a rather interesting play focusing on themes of mental health, loneliness, and female companionship and friendship. Click here to book your tickets.
Dot | ArtsDepot | 22 Oct (pictured)
Award winning Spanish company Cia Maduixa combine dance, theatre and technology to create inspiring children's shows, and this is a very clever physical piece that revolves around worlds of light, colour and imagination. It's on as part of the very brilliant Dance Umbrella festival, and if you can't make this date and location, it's on at a few other London venues over the next few days, see this page here for the ArtsDepot shows, and this page here for other venues.
Laika | Unicorn Theatre | 24 Sep-12 Nov
Another one for the children (well, you know, it is half term) and it might be one you are already aware of, given that it's doing a nice long run that started in September. In fact, I thought I'd already tipped it, but apparently I hadn't. Consider that rectified. And yes, it's kind of about the space dog, but also about Sami, who, a hundred years after Laika went off on her journey, is facing his own adventure into the unknown. Head this way for details.
MONDAY 23 OCTOBER 2017 >>
Tricksterland | Soho Theatre | 23 Oct
"There is a place where that which is broken can be mended; thoughts can be heard; old bones speak; and rocks want revenge... In Trickster's wonderland a man mimics a waterfall and almost gets away with it, a woman hides her doll-sized sister in her plaited hair, and we all journey to the edge of the earth". Wonderful storytelling from the talented Nell Phoenix, see this page here for all the info.
Billy Bragg & Friends Present a Night for Helen & Barry | New Wimbledon Theatre | 23 Oct (pictured)
This fundraising event has an utterly wow-some line up, one might even call it a talent overload. The brilliant Robin Ince is the host for the evening, which will include performances from Billy Bragg, Mark Thomas, Charlotte Church, James Acaster, Josie Long, Hollie McNish, Grace Petrie, Chris Stokes and Alistair Barrie. Proceeds are to help fund Helen Crimmins' cancer treatment, as well as to go to other cancer charities, head this way to book your tickets, and this way for more information on the event.
Geek Chic's Weird Science Presents: The Science Of Vampires | Soho Theatre | 23 Oct
And now we are going back over to Soho Theatre (there are often two one-off shows that I want to tip being performed on the same day) for something with a bit of a Hallowe'eny theme, this special live recording of the Geek Chic's Weird Science podcast. A look at whether vampires really exist, how they came to exist in popular culture, and the question of whether drinking blood can really make us younger... erm... click here for details.
TUESDAY 24 OCTOBER 2017 >>
Me And My Bee | Pleasance Theatre | 24-28 Oct (pictured)
"Totally unpredictable and engrossing, this show sets a strong example of how children's theatre can simultaneously playful and provoking". Is what our reviewer said about this show when he saw it up at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer. So what exactly are you waiting for, parents of children who are not at school this week? Head this way for all the details.
Rattle Snake | Soho Theatre | 24-28 Oct
'Rattle Snake' is described as an "epic tale", and is based on real life stories of women who have faced and survived controlling domestic abuse. Focusing on two women whose lives were changed by a chance meeting with one man, it's the work of Open Clasp, a company who previously won acclaim and a Carol Tambor Award for their production 'Key Change'. See the venue website here for more.
The Musicians Of Bremen | Jacksons Lane | 23-26 Oct
Another children's show (half term, remember?), this one based on the tale by the Brothers Grimm, in which a quartet of beasts (a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster) all past their prime and discarded by their masters, band together for adventure followed by a happy ever after. This non-verbal performance from Compagnie Animotion features puppetry, movement, trapeze and live music, and promises to be a visual treat. Head this way for info.
WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017 >>
Under Glass | Hackney Showroom | 25-28 Oct
The excellent Clod Ensemble revive their highly regarded promenade performance 'Under Glass', which I believe was first performed in around 2009. As you may recall, if you were aware of it first time around, the performers work inside glass containers, portraying characters framed in moments of solitude. See the venue website here for more information and to book.
The Class Project | The Albany | 25 Oct (pictured)
"This is a show about belonging. About tribes and families. It's about class mobility. And regional identity. And being a Thatcher's child. It's about education and 'making good' for yourself. And maybe about how that can leave you exiled from the place you started. With nowhere to quite belong. It's about always being an imposter and trying to remember how to speak in your own voice". It had an acclaimed run at Edinburgh this summer, and it's now touring, so here's your chance to see this fascinating piece from Rebecca Atkinson-Lord. Click here.
Princess Charming | Ovalhouse | 24-28 Oct
Now this looks very much like the kind of show all children should get to see at some point, so hurrah, for this and half term. 'Princess Charming' offers a much needed exploration of gender stereotypes in what's described as "fun, questioning and celebratory way". From the excellent Spun Glass Theatre, who have great previous form for tackling these issues in a marvellously engaging manner. See this page here for details.
THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2017 >>
Battles | Battersea Arts Centre | 26-27 Oct
"When is it enough? Enough. Enough. In the middle of the night, in the middle of the day, deep in my mind, in the system, I dream. Battles of the care system". This caught my browsing eye because it's being staged as part of National Care Leavers' Week, which raises awareness of the needs of, the issues affecting, and vulnerabilities of young people leaving care on reaching adulthood. And I think that's really fricking important. See this page here for booking info.
McBlair | King's Head Theatre | 23-28 Oct
Yes, I think you know what to expect from the title. It's 1994, and Macblair and Macbrown meet three weird hacks on a stairwell in the House of Commons. They predict that Macblair will become Leader of the Labour party, then Prime Minister, and, er, King of the World. A tragicomic Shakespearean telling of Tony Blair's rise to power that's had a great critical response. Head this way for details.
Nathan Caton - The Pursuit Of Happiness | Soho Theatre | 24-28 Oct (pictured)
You probably all know exactly who Nathan Caton is and quite familiar with all the funnies he's capable of serving up, so you possibly don't need my advice about going to see him in action at the Soho Theatre this autumn. But in case you do need a reminder about his upcoming performances, here it is. See the venue website here for more.
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