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”
Tag Archives: Theatre
‘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”
‘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”
‘Second Trimester’ at Battersea Arts Centre Review: A unique piece that deftly balances an affecting story with a bold, Bollywood aesthetic – with healing and heartwarming results
Last night I attended the press night of Krishna Istha’s ‘Second Trimester’ at the Battersea Arts Centre. The second in a planned trilogy, this show focuses on the relationship between Krishna Istha and their mother, Geetha Shankar, and stems from Geetha’s initial lack of understanding at Istha’s desire to get pregnant as a trans man.Continue reading “‘Second Trimester’ at Battersea Arts Centre Review: A unique piece that deftly balances an affecting story with a bold, Bollywood aesthetic – with healing and heartwarming results”
‘Heart Wall’ at the Bush Theatre 2026: A relatable piece about how time changes family, friendships and grief
The Bush Theatre’s latest show, ‘Heart Wall,’ written by Kit Withington and directed by Katie Greenall has a lively start, as cast members invite the audience to belt out their favourite karaoke tunes. The opening inviting atmosphere takes some unexpected and surprising directions, delivering some thoughtful musings about how family, friends, relationships and grief changesContinue reading “‘Heart Wall’ at the Bush Theatre 2026: A relatable piece about how time changes family, friendships and grief”
‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ at the Lyric Hammersmith 2026: A comedic and political exploration of the immigrant experience, brought to life by a standout ensemble cast
Jocelyn Bioh’s Tony Award-winning play ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ has hopped across the pond to the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre for its UK premiere, and I was lucky enough to attend last night as a guest. Set in a busy Harlem salon, the play takes place over the course of one day. It is rare toContinue reading “‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ at the Lyric Hammersmith 2026: A comedic and political exploration of the immigrant experience, brought to life by a standout ensemble cast”
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