MONDAY 3 DECEMBER 2018 THISWEEKLONDON.COM
JACKY IVIMY: DIALEKTIKON
Coming up at the Park Theatre is a fascinating sounding piece by Jacky Ivimy, and I was really intrigued by it from the moment I read about it. 'Dialektikon' offers a fantastical story, inspired by speeches from the 1967 'Dialectics of Liberation' meeting, which took place at the Roundhouse in Camden.

I spoke to Jacky, to find out more about the play, ahead of the imminent run. Read the interview here.

'Dialektikon' is on at the Park Theatre from 6-29 Dec, see the venue website here for more information and to book tickets.



MARTIN FIGURA: DOCTOR ZEEMAN'S CATASTROPHE MACHINE
Award-winning-and-nominated poet (and photographer) Martin Figura stops by Bloomsbury Theatre next week with his latest show, another autobiographical performance to follow previous success 'Whistle'.

I arranged a quick chat, to find out a bit more about the show, and a bit about Martin in general. Read the interview here.

'Doctor Zeeman's Catastrophe Machine' is on at Bloomsbury Theatre on 11 Dec. See the venue website here for more.



SUZANN MCLEAN: ROBIN HOOD - THE ARROW OF DESTINY
Theatre Peckham's imminent offering of festive fare is on a familiar theme - Robin Hood - but I reckon we can expect a great take on the much loved legend, accompanied by some great music.

It's the first production since Suzann McLean took over as artistic director of the venue, and I was keen to know about the show, and her plans for the future. Read the interview here.

'Robin Hood: The Arrow of Destiny' is on at Theatre Peckham from 4-22 Dec, see this page here to book your tickets.


TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER 2018 >>

Borders And Games | Arcola Theatre | 4-22 Dec
This is not - I repeat not - a double bill, this is two separate shows, but they are both acclaimed plays by Henry Naylor, and they are both running for the same dates. And they are on one after the other, so quite frankly, you are at liberty to make this your own double bill, simply by buying tickets for both, at a discount, on the same night. Or, you know, you could spread it over two nights, if you'd rather. See this page here for Borders, and this page here for Games.

Knitmas - A Winter Yarn | Greenwich Theatre | 4-30 Dec (pictured)
"LongSleeves is a jumper. His jumpery arms aren't the right size and they aren't the same length. One Christmas he was unwrapped, thrown aside and forgotten and he's been alone ever since. Every Christmas he decorates a tree in the forest of Odds and Bods but this year, maybe he won't have to do it alone..." Yay, here's a lovely children's show for your lovely children, from the lovely and talented outfit SharkLegs. See this page here for more.

Polyester | Camden People's Theatre | 4-5 Dec
Emily Souter Johnson is the creator of this show that blends sing-a-longs, stories, laughter and tears, and promises to be an honest and moving show about an Irish family. "What do a measuring tape, a priest with a clamped car and a polyester frill have in common? They all mean something to Emily. Follow her on a heart-warming story of love and laughter to find out what that is. She will take you on a journey back to Dublin, back in time, to the week her father died. In her own words; "some of the most fun 5 days of her life". All the details are right about here.


WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2018 >>

A Christmas Story - The Musical | Waterloo East Theatre | 28 Nov-22 Dec
Well, you can really well and truly tell we are into December because this week's tips are so liberally peppered with Christmas shows and shows that seem Christmassy even if they are not specifically described as Christmas shows. And here is one with Christmas in the title, a staging of the Tony Award nominated 2013 musical by Joseph Robinette, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. See the venue website right about here for all the info.

The Night Before Christmas | Southwark Playhouse | 28 Nov-29 Dec (pictured)
And here's another with Christmas in the title, a production of Anthony Neilsen's 1995 comedy about finding the true spirit of Christmas. "Gary's life is shit. It's Christmas eve, he's broke, he's promised his son some top of the range Power Ranger figures but he hasn't delivered them, and now his ex wife is out to find him baying for blood. But none of that matters any more because Gary has a secret... that might very well save him and the whole of humanity". Details here.

Orpheus | Battersea Arts Centre | 5-30 Dec
I'm a bit fed up of typing the word 'Christmas' now, so it's perhaps just as well that this one isn't specifically Christmassy, though I have to say this musical re-imagining of the Orpheus and Eurydice tale looks as festive as hell. "Hot club jazz", they promise. "Prepare to be transported to 1930s Paris" they warn. "This festive season, our Grand Hall  will be transformed into a opulent music hall for a joyous night out in a bygone era, where love, laughter and wine will flow," they say. Oh my god I am so up for that. Click here.


THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER 2018 >>

Cinderella And The Beanstalk | Theatre503 | 5 Dec - 5 Jan
It's panto time, so let's head over to Theatre503, where one of our favourite creative teams return for another festive season. You may already know we are talking about Sleeping Trees, and if you do you probably know how good they are. If you have yet to experience them in action, boy are you in for a treat. "Follow Cinderella on a perilous adventure as the scheming Rumpelstiltskin blackmails the would-be princess into retrieving the coveted Golden Eggs from the top of The Beanstalk". Go on, you know you want to. Info here.

The Rave Space | Camden People's Theatre | 6-15 Dec (pictured)
"A 90-minute mix of jungle music, theatre, spoken word and ritual. A live documentary played out in the dance.  A personal story on E's and Euphoria. It's not what you think - This is something you never raved to before". Gotta say, I have never been a club type person, so you might think the idea of this wouldn't appeal. Well, on the contrary, I am intrigued. "The Rave Space deconstructs the DJ's role as a status symbol, creating an authentic nightclub experience that is at once intimate and transcendent," promises the blurb. See the venue website here for more.

Chasing Bono | Soho Theatre | 6 Dec-19 Jan
Tickets for this are going super quickly, and that's not really surprising, given that this new comedy is by the legendary writing partnership of Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. It's adapted from Neil McCormick's memoir 'I was Bono's Doppelgänger', about his life-long friendship and rivalry with titular U2 frontman Bono.1970s Dublin, and includes kidnapping, a gangster's autobiography, and an exploration of failed ambition. Head right this way (and get your skates on) if you'd like to book a ticket.


FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER 2018 >>

The Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale | Camden People's Theatre | 20 Nov-8 Dec (pictured)

I thought I had, one hundred percent, already tipped this show by Haley McGee, and I am very confused about it (something to do with my ageing brain?). The run is now close to ending, but in some ways it seemed like a good time to mention it, because it's your last couple of chances coming up, and if I tell you that, you may be able to act on it. Anyway, it's really interesting, and I now don't have enough words to explain what it's about so promise me to head this way and read all about it, asap. Info here.

The Double Dealer | Orange Tree Theatre | 7 Dec-26 Jan
"A house party on a sultry autumn evening. A marriage has been arranged between Cynthia and Mellefont. All should be plain sailing, but the young couple must contend with the jealousies, vanities and vagaries of a host of brilliantly drawn comic characters. Above all they must overcome the Machiavellian machinations of Maskwell - the eponymous Double Dealer. In a world of artifice and guile, how are we to judge whose behaviour is beyond reproach?" Hurrah, restoration comedy for the win. But hurry up, tickets are flying away, by the look of things. Click here.

Huddle | Unicorn Theatre | 13 Nov-6 Jan
This one's been on for even longer than 'The Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale' but that's because I was kind of mentally saving it for a date closer to Christmas as this is potentially a lovely festive treat for your little ones. And of course tickets are disappearing quickly, so don't delay. "During the long, cold winter, Mr Penguin carefully guards his egg. Now this new dad needs to look after his newly born chick on his own and he's not feeling confident. How will father and baby work it out together?" All the details are here.


SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER 2018 >>

The Box Of Delights | Wilton's Music Hall | 30 Nov-5 Jan
"A boy on a train travelling home for the holidays, is about to be drawn into an ancient magical struggle, that will see him fighting not just for his life, but to save Christmas itself". This acclaimed adaptation of the well-loved classic children's novel by John Masefield returns to Wiltons Music Hall by popular demand.... and that's quite exciting, isn't it? Make sure you make it this season. Head this way to book your tickets before they all run out.

Philip Pullman's Grimm Tales | Unicorn Theatre | 13 Nov-6 Jan
This is another one I have been saving for closer-to-Christmas, but we're not far off now, so let's go for it. This one isn't for toddlers - the guide says 8+ - but good to have something for the older ones. "Enter a world of powerful witches, enchanted forest creatures, careless parents and fearless children as they embark on adventures full of magic, gore, friendship, and bravery". Yes, I would like that very much, thank you. See the venue website here for details.

Peter Pan | Park Theatre | 5 Dec-5 Jan (pictured)
Is Peter Pan intrinsically Christmassy? I am not sure it is, but yet it seems so to me, presumably because it is traditionally staged at this time of year. Anyway, this looks great. "In 1904 J.M. Barrie premiered one of the greatest adventures to ever play on a theatrical stage. Filled with mermaids, pirates and fairies, lost boys and crocodiles, this is the stunning original story of the boy who could fly. With the help of a little sprinkle of fairy dust, Peter Pan will be a thrilling theatrical treat this Christmas". All the info right about here.


SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER 2018 >>

Proxy | Hen & Chickens | 8-9 Dec

Okay, so after a fair few days of lots of Christmas fare, I think it's only right and just to focus on a few things for people who have no interest in being festive. This is only on for a couple of days, but it is a really great show that won great acclaim when staged at the one and only Edinburgh Festival Fringe. "Gypsy Rose is imprisoned in a world of fantasy, invalided and infantilised by her mother Dee Dee. Until her online Prince Charming offers a way out..." Expect a powerful and well performed one person show, see this page here.

Aisha | King's Head Theatre | 9-10 Dec
You may already know all about this one if you read our interview with its creator and director AJ last week, so for you lot, a reminder that it's on at King's Head this week, and the rest of you: this is a really interesting and well regarded piece about the experiences of a child bride, and it's tackling a difficult and important issue. Head this way for the Q&A about it, and this wayto book your tickets.

City Academy - Together | Lilian Baylis Studio | 9 Dec (pictured)
Anyone reading this who actually knows me knows how much of a fan I am of anything with a vague (or strong, obv) connection to flamenco, so it's no wonder this leapt out at me. Flamenco dance tutor Nuria Garcia promises "a performance of flamenco passion" with this interesting looking mixed bill from her company Escuela de Baile: ballroom, tango, swing, and salsa are all included, and a special guest performance from salsa dance troupe OtraDanz Academy. See this page here for all the details.


MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2018 >>

Cinderella: A Wicked Mother of a Night Out! | Bethnal Green Working Men's Club | 10, 11+15 Dec (pictured)
"Crammed with live music, mayhem and a touch of midnight magic, Cinderella will have you dancing in the aisles and laughing your bloody baubles off. So get your mistletoe out and shake your tinsel at the hottest Christmas party in town! Think Tarantino meets Shameless, meets ELF... all in a real, local boozer. So grab a pint, take a seat and get a load of this!" This sounds brilliant, a show made specifically for pub performances, and if you can't make these dates it's on at the London Welsh Centre on 13+14 Dec. See this page here to book tickets for any of those dates.

Sh!t Theatre's sing-a-long-a Muppet Christmas Carol | Bush Theatre | 10-12 Dec
Hurrah, Sh!t Theatre are back with their justifiably much loved and brilliant 'sing-a-long-a Muppet Christmas Carol', and I'm betting it won't take long to sell out their tickets. I don't think they've done it at this location before - it's on as part of the venue's Unwrapped season of cabaret, comedy and drag - so that's interesting. But don't worry, CPT stalwarts, they're back doing it at Camden People's Theatre on 17+18 Dec. Anyway, see this page here for the Bush Theatre shows, this page here for the CPT shows, and this page here for the Unwrapped line up.

Essex Girl and Elina Alminas - Laura | Soho Theatre | 10 Dec
This is not - I repeat not - a double bill, this is two separate shows. And if you think that reads like a familiar sentence, then you are correct, I used that exact sentence in our tips for the 4 Dec. This time the reason I have recommended two shows on at the same venue on the same day is because they're both only on for one night and I wanted to tip them both. And on the upside, I think you can see them one after the other, thus creating your own home made double bill. Anyway, they both look really good so see this page here for 'Essex Girl' and this page here for 'Elina Alminas - Laura'.
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