harpalkhambay

‘Frankenstein’ at the Greenwich Theatre 2026 Review

Yesterday the British Youth Music Theatre successfully reanimated Frankenstein, a musical adaptation of Shelley’s novel first staged at Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2006. Although the first half has a habit of telling not showing, and does not quite settle on what it wants to be, juggling gothic horror, musical theatre and at times, melodrama, theContinue reading “‘Frankenstein’ at the Greenwich Theatre 2026 Review”

‘Before We Forget’ at the Bush Theatre 2026 Review

The Bush Theatre is renowned for its commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative talent, and this week I caught the latest piece of work created and developed by the 18-25 Young Company. Written by Amber Ruby, Before We Forget is about a fictional, futuristic company named ‘Recall,’ which has the power to erase,Continue reading “‘Before We Forget’ at the Bush Theatre 2026 Review”

‘Nail Bar’ at the National Youth Theatre 2026 Review

The National Youth Theatre’s annual celebration of new writers and talent, StoryFest, is in full swing, and yesterday I caught Nail Bar, written by Afsaneh Grey and Kelly Jones. The show is set in a disused high street shop, which the team at NYT have impressively transformed into a recognisable nail salon in the spaceContinue reading “‘Nail Bar’ at the National Youth Theatre 2026 Review”

‘Tender’ at the Bush Theatre 2026 Review

Eleanor Tindall’s queer rom-com Tender has returned to the Bush Theatre, moving to their main space, following its initial staging in the Studio in 2024. Directed by Emily Aboud, the show follows the burgeoning connection between Ivy (Nadi Kemp-Sayfi) and Ash (Francesca Amewudah-Rivers). As well as a raw and intimate meditation on queer love andContinue reading “‘Tender’ at the Bush Theatre 2026 Review”

Gone Girls and Cool Girls: Holly Golightly and Amy Elliott Dunne

Now, I doubt many people would put Holly Golightly and Amy Elliott Dunne together – and I’ll admit, I came across the idea totally by chance. I recently read Gillian Flynn’s 2012 thriller Gone Girl, and afterwards chance upon Truman Capote’s 1958 novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Gone Girl tells the story of Nick’s search forContinue reading “Gone Girls and Cool Girls: Holly Golightly and Amy Elliott Dunne”

‘Sestercentennial’ at the Bread & Roses Theatre 2026 Review

Last night I headed to the Bread and Roses Theatre in Clapham to catch Arif Silverman’s one-man show Sestercentennial, a play centred around a Fourth of July barbecue that puts pressure on some deeper-seated questions. Across its short sixty-minute runtime, Silverman explores themes of family, race, belonging and identity. Silverman delivers a commanding and conflictedContinue reading “‘Sestercentennial’ at the Bread & Roses Theatre 2026 Review”

‘The P Word’ at the Bush Theatre 2026: A powerful and pertinent two hander that implores its audience to find their humanity

Waleed Akhtar’s Olivier Award winning play, ‘The P Word,’ has triumphantly returned to the Bush Theatre four years after its premiere. Intimately following the intertwining lives of two gay Pakistani men, Bilal (Akhtar) and Zafar (Esh Alladi), Akhtar’s writing offers a powerful and pertinent look at what it means to be South Asian and queerContinue reading “‘The P Word’ at the Bush Theatre 2026: A powerful and pertinent two hander that implores its audience to find their humanity”

‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ 2026 Review: A bold, Bollywood spectacle that is as entertaining as it is relevant to our times

Rifco Theatre’s hit musical ‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ is back for a 2026 UK Tour, and I caught the show last night at Theatre Royal Windsor. Following Huddersfield-born Frankie as she enters the world of Bollywood to follow her dreams, Frankie, and the audience, are asked – how far will she have to go toContinue reading “‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ 2026 Review: A bold, Bollywood spectacle that is as entertaining as it is relevant to our times”

‘Beanbags’ at the Union Theatre 2026: A relatable story about moving on, conversations we wish we had and the anchoring power of beanbags

Yesterday I took my first trip to the Union Theatre to watch Kelly Thurston’s play ‘Beanbags.’ The production follows Em (Helen Louise Baird), who is helping her mum, and her sister move out of the family home. Produced by Off Main Stage, a festival that supports new writing, Thurston’s play touches on a variety ofContinue reading “‘Beanbags’ at the Union Theatre 2026: A relatable story about moving on, conversations we wish we had and the anchoring power of beanbags”

‘An Ideal Husband’ at the Lyric Hammersmith 2026: A sharp cast and bold aesthetic reimagine Oscar Wilde’s classic play of class, scandal and secrets

The Lyric Hammersmith’s latest production of ‘An Ideal Husband’ offers a reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s Victorian domestic drama. The show primarily focuses on Robert Chiltern, whose unassailable reputation is under threat from a past secret weaponised in the present by American socialite Mrs Cheveley. Wilde’s works, like Shakespeare’s, are often revisited because the themes thatContinue reading “‘An Ideal Husband’ at the Lyric Hammersmith 2026: A sharp cast and bold aesthetic reimagine Oscar Wilde’s classic play of class, scandal and secrets”