Australian cabaret stars Maeve Marsden and Libby Wood have won praise and awards at a number of international festivals for their brilliant show, 'Mother's Ruin', which, as some may have guessed, is a cabaret style show focused on the history of gin.
I love gin, and when I first heard about it, I also loved the sound of this show. So when I discovered it was headed for a run at a London venue, I very much wanted to have a chat about it with creators Marsden and Wood. So, I did. Read the interview here.
'Mothers Ruin: A Cabaret About Gin' is on at The Other Palace from 17-21 Apr, see the venue website here for info and to book.
MUKUL AHMED: GAUHAR JAAN - THE DATIA INCIDENT
Beginning this week at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham is a run of a fascinating sounding play about legendary Indian classical musician and dancer Gauhar Jaan, India's first recording artist. It's a multi-lingual piece fused with dance and music, and I think it looks amazing.
As soon as I read about it, I wanted to find out more, so arranged to have a quick chat with director Mukul Ahmed. Read the interview here.
'Gauhar Jaan - The Datia Incident' is on at the Omnibus Theatre from 10-29 Apr, see this page here for more.
FRIDAY 13 APRIL 2018 >>
Muso | The Wallace Collection | 13 Apr
Improvising opera company Impropera are all set to create a brand new opera about Sir Richard Wallace, taking their audience on a journey through the collection to look at objects he collected during his lifetime then coming up with said improv opera using said audience's responses and ideas. Absolutely bound to be super, see this page here for details.
The Secret Life Of Humans | New Diorama Theatre | 10 Apr-5 May (pictured)
"In 1949, Dr Jacob Bronowski installs a secret, alarmed room in his house. Fifty years later his grandson discovers his secrets, unearthing echoes from across six million years of human history, told from the perspective of a century in which every year is a revolutionary year". We tipped a preview of this show before it went to Edinburgh last summer, and we're tipping it again because of the hugely acclaimed, sell out run it had up there. Yes, this will be good. Head this way for more.
Tonight at 8.30 | Jermyn Street Theatre | 10 Apr-20 May
This is kinda three different shows, because, as you may know, it's Noel Coward's short play cycle, divided into three trios under the headings of Bedroom Farces, Secret Hearts, and Nuclear Families. So, you could choose to see just one set of plays, or two, or you could complete the hatrick. Don't really have enough space here to detail which plays are on on which dates, so if this piques your interest, see the venue website here to find all that out.
SATURDAY 14 APRIL 2018 >>
The Selfish Giant | Greenwich Theatre | 14 Apr
Last couple of days of the Easter holidays for most of you child-keepers out there, I believe, so time to get in a couple more kid shows before term time kicks in. Though yes, I appreciate that its weekend anyway. The Oscar Wilde tale this show is based on was one of my favourites as a child, and one that brought a tear to my eye even then. This reworking promises to turn the story into a magical adventure for the whole family, so I am definitely in. See this page here for more.
Sarab | Jacksons Lane | 13-15 Apr (pictured)
"During the long and rough journey, we kept dreaming of the moment we would arrive. Continuing our path towards an illusion. Finally, we arrive. Have we reached our goal? What do we want? After floating earth and oceans we arrive to the unexpected. It really was nothing, but a mirage". As you surely all know by now, CircusFest 2018 is going on at a few different venues around London, and this is our latest reccomendation from it. Dealing with the plight of refugees, 'Sarab' is the work of the acclaimed Palestinian Circus School, see this page here to book and this page here for further info.
Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales | Leicester Square Theatre | 11 Apr-27 May
And so, finally, on to our second it's-the-end-of-the-easter-vacation tip for the day, which is this, a show featuring a number of your favourites Donaldson and Scheffler titles. Well, they're definitely some of mine, and I expect your children will have their own opinion. And, rest assured this production will be a slick and entertaining one as it's from a team well experienced in staging high quality and engaging family shows. Head this wayfor all the details.
SUNDAY 15 APRIL 2018 >>
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly | Greenwich Theatre | 15 Apr
And yes, one last children's tip to finish off the Easter vacation with a bang. Quite literally if that woman explodes from eating all those beasts. But maybe she won't, as this is a children's show and I am not sure whether they will go through that whole thing where she dies at the end or not. Presumably not, as it's a described charming and heartwarming family fun experience. Anway, ignore my ramblings, this looks good. Click here for details.
Even When I Fall | Roundhouse | 15 Apr (pictured)
Part of the previously much mentioned CircusFest 2018, 'Even When I Fall' is a documentary film about Circus Kathmandu, Nepal's first and only circus, founded by a group of young trafficking survivors. It follows a six year journey as they struggle against the odds to bring their artform to the stages of Nepal, challenge the stigma against trafficked women and address their own pasts. See this page here for more.
Amorphous Horse Presents - Citation Needed | The Bill Murray | 15 Apr
"Celebrities have an annoying habit of being too important, or too dead, to perform on the London comedy circuit. But a new, fool-proof system allows largely fool-based improv troupe Amorphous Horse to bring a celebrity of your choosing to life before your very eyes. Join them as they summon the great and the good through the magic of Wikipedia, then use the celebrity monsters they've created to inspire a night of improvised comedy". I'm sold. Details here.
MONDAY 16 APRIL 2018 >>
Spiked | Pleasance Theatre | 16-28 Apr
"After a class of year 10 students are mysteriously taken ill, three mothers from different cultural background wait together in A&E. As this event brings up unresolved issues in their lives, the mothers have to learn from their children". This sounds rather interesting, and promises to explore motherhood and school gate politics, looking at what brings us together and drives us apart. See this page here to book.
Me & My Bee | New Diorama | 16-17 Apr
Well, we've tipped it before but we'll tip it again, because we know how great and important is this highly acclaimed children's show about what we need to do to save the world. And it's not that long, in fact, since we had a chat with producer, creator and performer Josie Dale-Jones, so, if you missed that the first time around, read it now, and then go and book your tickets here.
Reboot - Shorts | The Bunker Theatre | 16+23 Apr
Another night dishing up a TW-favoured format: Reboot Theatre Company present a staging of six short plays from emerging writers, selected from more than 600 submissions. They are 'But That's Okay; by Jenny Mead, 'Less than 3' by Tom Kinney, 'Meet the Pets' by Tracey Jane Smith, 'Modern Art' by Joe Laredo, 'Something from Nothing' by Lynn-Steven Johanson, and 'Work' by Jerusha Green. See more info about each of the plays here.
TUESDAY 17 APRIL 2018 >>
This Is Not A Safe Space | Camden People's Theatre | 17-21 Apr (pictured)
Award-winning poet and theatre-maker Jackie Hagan presents this new solo show dealing with the important issue of the poverty of disabled people, based on interviews with those affected. Hit hard by by benefit cuts, half of people in poverty are disabled or live with a disabled person and it's a crappy, unfair situation. Yet, it sounds like this show won't be anything remotely like a downer - expect witty and comical as well as pointed puppetry, poetry and anecdotes. Part of CPTs Common People festival, which explores working class experiences, see the venue website here for all the details.
Mother's Ruin - A Cabaret About Gin | The Other Palace | 17-21 Apr
God, I love gin. Any and all gin, probably. What a pity I've had to all but stop drinking because of all the drugs I'm on (prescription ones, obv). Luckily, here's a way to feed my gin love without actually drinking half a bottle of it: this brilliant and acclaimed cabaret, which is satisfyingly dark and comical, while at the same time being historically informative - one of my other favourite things - so it's all just too good. Head this way to book.
The Gulf | Tristan Bates Theatre | 17 Apr-5 May
"Lovers Betty and Kendra waste away a languid summer day fishing on the Alabama Delta, stranded on a boat together, they are forced to confront their differences and untangle the issues they're faced with". Audrey Cefaly's acclaimed play centred on a lesbian couple deals with challenges faced by all relationships, regardless of sexuality. See this page here for more.
WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL 2018 >>
Who Wants To Live Forever | The Albany | 18-19 Apr (pictured)
The talented Cheryl Martin is both writer and performer of this show about a life-long love for the music of iconic singer Billie Holiday, a passion for the night sky, and the tragic loss of a sibling. Expect a very stirring mixture of music, memories and anecdotes, which, despite its sad subject matter, will include moments of hope and humour. You can book your tickets right about here.
Mountains - The Dream Of Lily Kwok | Stratford Circus Arts Centre | 18-21 Apr
"Helen has grown up in the UK, but always felt a piece of her story was missing. Visiting her mother's birthplace of Hong Kong for the first time, she is determined to find out who she really is and where she belongs. Amidst the skyscrapers and bustling streets, she meets her grandmother, Lily Kwok, and steps into her past where she discovers shocking family secrets that will change her life forever". This sounds fantastic, see this page here for more.
Temporary | Camden People's Theatre | 18-19 Apr
This was previously on as a work in progress at the Calm Down Dear Festival and is back as the finished article as part of the venue's Common People working class theatre festival. It's by the excellent Libby Liburd, who you may have seen performing her previous, acclaimed work, 'Muvvahood', and we are excited to see how this new show, about the rise in numbers of households in temporary accommodation, gets on. Head this way for details.
THURSDAY 19 APRIL 2018 >>
Border Tales | The Albany | 19 Apr (pictured)
This dance show (an earlier version of which we've already covered on previous occasions) won a huge amount of acclaim when it completed a sold out run up at the Edinburgh Festival in 2017, and that's hardly surprising, given that it's from the awesome Luca Silvestrini. The show looks at post-Brexit Britain through the eyes of an international cast, and is humorous as well as insightful. See the venue website here for more.
Dames | Pleasance Theatre | 17-29 Apr
"It's 2am on some idle Friday. Six women collide in the only place for honesty... a club toilet. Dames tells the story of six dysfunctional millennials struggling to make sense of the world beyond the bog. Dive into a cubicle of inebriated women drowning in their own word-vomit". This new play from actor, comedian and writer Charlotte Merriam looks very promising, see this page here for info and to book.
Sisters | Soho Theatre | 19-21 Apr
Back to stuff that did well in Edinburgh: This (male, btw) sketch duo inspired quite a bit of good press when they performed this very show at the 2017 edfringe, being praised for their very dark humour which seems to walk a very fine line between edgy and offensive. If that's the kind of thing you like, then I expect you will like this. See this page here for details.
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