5 Star Shows

The Cord

Theatre in the round (well, square) at the Bush Theatre, The Cord is a powerful realist drama about the unshakeable bond of motherhood and the tests of being a new parent, written …

Les Misérables (School Edition)

To stage Les Misérables is a massive undertaking for any theatre company, but Director Ben Jeffreys has consummately risen to the challenge with a production of the School’s Edi…

Guys & Dolls

Celebrating the show’s first anniversary, Nicholas Hytner’s sensational, immersive production of Guys & Dolls continues at the Bridge Theatre with a new lineup of stars, th…

Uncle Vanya

The Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, has scored a major triumph in securing the services of Sir Trevor Nunn to direct his faithful adaptation of Uncle Vanya in a production that has …

Starter For Ten

In a landscape often cluttered with musicals trying to emulate other modern successes, it is delightful to see a new musical carving its own visual and musical aesthetic in this 80…

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy

Ryan Calais Cameron’s For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy, is now in its fourth run and second West End transfer with a brand new cast, and it …

Marry Me a Little

London’s newest Pub Theatre has opened with a sublime production of Stephen Sondheim’s rarely-staged Marry Me A Little.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Review
★★★★★
Rebecca Vines
UK Regional & Tours
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Southern Lane
28th Feb, 2024

Eleanor Rhode’s new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the RSC is a child’s-eye Shakespeare; a tale told in either the boring black and white of adult discourse or a …

Standing at the Sky's Edge

It’s rare to see an original musical open in the West End.

The Hills of California

Review
★★★★★
Tom Shortland
West End
Harold Pinter Theatre / The Harold Pinter Theatre
12th Feb, 2024

Set in the summer of 1976, in the driest heatwave of the century, four sisters come back to their home in Blackpool as their mother teeters on the precipice between life and death.

Iliza Shlesinger - Hard Feelngs Tour

Hard Feelings is no ordinary stand-up hour, but then Iliza Shlesinger is no ordinary comedian.

The Time Machine

Time travel as a sci-fi trope is fascinating and presents us with endless possibilities and frontiers.

Treasure Island

Pitched as “Pirates of the Caribbean meets Fishermen’s Friends”, this highly enjoyable production of Treasure Island at the Barn Theatre, Cirencester, turns out to be a swash…

She Stoops to Conquer

Artistic Director Tom Littler, with Francesca Ellis, scores another inspired triumph with his production of Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer.

Now Entering Ely, Nevada

Memory is a strange thing.

Casting the Runes

Following their hugely successful run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year Box Tale Soup are now performing Casting the Runes, based on stories by M R James, at the Pleasance…

1984

Playwright Adam Taub says, “In the era of Google, Amazon and Meta, when our every move is monitored and recorded, there is no more relevant story than 1984”.

Manic Street Creature

Making its London premier Maimuna Memon’s multi-award-winning Manic Street Creature is now showing at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough, following its barnstorming, sell-out world…

Gentlemen

From time to time a play comes along that ticks every box and gives a surprise treatment to a contemporary topic.

The Old Queen's Head

A sincerely told story, a captivating performance and a wealth of humour make for a well-spent eighty minutes upstairs at The Lion & Unicorn Theatre with David Patterson, who makes…

I, Daniel Blake

Two lives come together in an unlikely match.

The White Factory

With horrific events occurring around the world, The White Factory at The Marylebone Theatre, written by Dmitry Glukhovsky’s and directed by Maxim Didenko comes as a poignant rem…

A Night at the Musicals – Spotlights Show Choir

Is Exeter University emerging as the new powerhouse in student musical groups on the Edinburgh Fringe? Let’s not complicate this - the answer is simply but emphatically Yes.

The Threepenny Opera

There are many aspects to the brilliance of this show, but the greatest revelation is the singing.

BOBBY WINNER

Colin Cloud: After Dark

Let’s just get this out the way: Colin Cloud’s After Dark is the most powerful, impressive and poignant magic and mentalist show I’ve ever seen.

Reuben Kaye: The Butch is Back

“If you like dick and hate tories this is the show for you” – Reuben Kaye 2023I was gagged from start to finish, Reuben Kaye is one of the best performers I have seen at this…

Habitat

The thing on the floor as you walk into Dance Base’s Studio One – this year under the Assembly umbrella – is not paper.

Pieces of Us

Snippets of newsreels fill the Haldane theatre as we take our seats.

Helen Bauer: Grand Supreme Darling Princess

Throwing the gauntlet down and challenging dominant narratives on women’s need to be vulnerable to be loved, Helen Bauer’s Grand Supreme Darling Princess is an incredibly empow…

Soup Group: Art Show!

Prepare for a sidesplitting and heartwarming comedic adventure in the must-see Soup Group: Art Show!; an exceptional masterpiece.

Bob Marley – How Reggae Changed the World

Review
★★★★★
Jessica Leanne
Edinburgh Fringe
The A Club at the Merchants Hall / ZOO Playground
8th Aug, 2023

Bob Marley – How Reggae Changed the World is a show that is not only thought-provoking but stirs emotion too.

The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much

Voloz Collective’s production of The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much is a masterclass in physical theatre.

BOBBY WINNER

Apple of My Eye

Attempting to retell the story of someone as iconic of the modern age as Steve Jobs will naturally present a challenge, particularly as books and films have combed over every aspec…

Brave Space

Seeing the stars spangling Chicago based company Aloft Circus Arts’ posters for Brave Space, last year’s hit, you might wonder – is it as good as all that? The answer is yes,…

Iain Dale: All Talk with Jeremy Corbyn and Len McCluskey

Iain Dale’s ALL TALK political interviews have in recent years become something of a regular fixture of the Fringe circuit.

Stamptown Comedy Night

From the moment Zach Zucker's comedy alter ego Jack Tucker walks out on stage to introduce Stamptown, the audience knows they're in for something truly special.

And Then The Rodeo Burned Down

The show is performed by a brilliant pair of queer, tumbling, absurdist clowns.

The Kaye Hole Hosted by Reuben Kaye

A black hole is a place where gravity pulls so much that even light can’t get out.

Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England

The play follows Billy, a young man whose love of football is the dominant feature in his life, religiously attending every match day without fail.

Whisky & Witches Presents Mythical Beasts: An Immersive, Mystical, Musical Whisky Tasting

Whisky and Witches sees the combination of Danish-born Christine Kammerer’s musical forte with the whimsical storytelling of Jane Ross.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

You'll begin this show painfully aware that you’re sitting in the hall of a secondary school.

The 7 Fingers: Duel Reality

Duel Reality is circus theatre brought to you by The 7 Fingers.

The Real William Shakespeare... As Told by Christopher Marlowe

Christopher Marlowe is forever fated to be associated with his peer and likely chum William Shakespeare.

Antonio!

Our first impression when seeing Antonio! is that it’s chaotic and hedonistic, a impression that is quickly proven to be correct, but in a gloriously celebratory way.

Maureen

By the time the lipstick went on, I was hooked.

Godfather Death: A Grimm's Musical

Based on one of Grimm’s lesser known fairytales, Godfather Death is a hidden gem and a must-see this Fringe.

Double Goer

Two bodies meet in a circular LED-lit space, framed by two sinister poppet dolls.

Sophie's Surprise 29th

If you’ve ever been to a surprise party, you know the awkward anticipation of waiting for the guest of honour to arrive.

Buffy Revamped

I was lucky enough to catch Buffy Revamped when the show toured to the Birmingham REP a few months ago, and upon seeing that it was returning to its roots at the Edinburgh Fringe, …

Life with Oscar

Life With Oscar is Nicholas Cohen's brutally honest first person (and occasionally third person) account, detailing his own personal heroes journey from Lewisham, South-east Lo…

Rave

Absolutely not what you are expecting.

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical

This is the definitive piece of musical theatre for musical theatre lovers.

The Hunger

The Hunger is a chilling horror, following mother and daughter Deborah and Megan as they attempt to fend for themselves amid an apocalyptic pandemic.

Afrique en Cirque

My friend greets me in the queue, waving her ticket in the air.

The Ice Hole: A Cardboard Comedy

They say a picture can tell a thousand words, but it turns out that if it is drawn on cardboard, it can tell a thousand more.

Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time

Ed Byrne breaks the five-star rating system to the point where multiples of stars could be added to this review and it will still not be close enough to what he deserves for this s…

Trainspotting Live

How do you top Trainspotting, the defining film of the ‘90s? You top it by making it live.

Massaoke: 80s v 90s Live

From humble beginnings in a downstairs bar in London, originally styling themselves as Friday I’m In Love, Massaoke have certainly ventured a substantial journey in their more th…

James Cook: Anonymously Viral

A huge amount of fun and laughs are to be had with James Cook’s new stand-up show, Anonymously Viral.

Wiesenthal

At at a time when the world has never more needed to heed the whispers of history, when client journalism seeks to sanitise hate speech as a ‘balanced’ opinion, and social medi…

Katy Berry: Diamond Goddess Crystal Pussy

With riotous stand-up, jaw-dropping improvisation, smashing vocals, enchanting storytelling, sparkles and bubbles, Diamond Goddess Crystal Pussy is jam-packed with delights.

BUTCHERED

Not for the faint of heart or light of stomach, Butchered takes its audience into an absurdist descent of meat and madness.

Shortlist

Shortlist is a two-hander written by Brian Parks, directed by Margarett Perry, performed by Daniel Llewelyn-Williams and Matthew Boston.

Phil Ellis's Excellent Comedy Show

Phil Ellis.

House of Life

In what could be crowned the most uplifting show of the Fringe, The House of Life aka Ben Welch and Laurence Cole from Sheep Soup combine preaching, live music, comedy and all roun…

Forests

Gripping and emotionally charged, Forests is an experimental Fringe performance not to be missed.

BOBBY WINNER

N.Ormes

Starting with a single spotlight shining down like a streetlamp on a romantic Parisian street we see a man and a woman slowly dance in an intimate embrace.

Jon Culshaw: Imposter Syndrome

After over 30 years in the business, impressionist legend Jon Culshaw finally debuts his one-man show at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Tim Murray is Witches

Magical, spellbinding and unashamedly camp, Tim Murray is Witches is a show unlike any other.

BOBBY WINNER

Poof!

There is wonder here in Edinburgh, and it is being ignored.

Chloe Petts: If You Can't Say Anything Nice

Chloe Petts’ latest hour If You Can’t Say Anything Nice is teeming with insults and slander as she scrutinises rudeness, rage, and her own relationship with anger.

Jay Lafferty: Bahookie

A microphone stand and a metal pole await a grinning Jay Lafferty as she takes to the stage.

Rewind

This is how theatre should be.

Hello Kitty Must Die

Hello Kitty Must Die is a musical adaptation of the Angela S.

Choo Choo! (Or... Have You Ever Thought About ** *? (Cos I Have))

CHOO CHOO! (Or.

Home

Temper Theatre’s Home is an environmental displacement, family and imagination.

Amy Matthews: I Feel Like I'm Made of Spiders

Amy Matthews’ I Feel Like I’m Made of Spiders is a stand-up comedy with an edge.

Club Life

Club Life is club promoter Fred Deakin's personal autobiography.

Public – The Musical

Public looks like it could be the next big musical phenomenon to have passed through the Fringe.

BOBBY WINNER

A Manchester Anthem

Making its Fringe debut after winning VAULT Festival ‘Show Of The Week Award’ and Pleasance ‘Pick of the VAULT Award’, Manchester Anthem has been restaged from the linear L…

Daniel Foxx: Villain

The simple ‘good vs bad’ narrative is present in just about every aspect of our culture and society.

YUCK Circus

Staged in George Square’s magical spiegeltent, YUCK puts a feminist spin on traditional circus, packing out the space with shrieks of laughter.

Tennessee, Rose

The works of Tennessee Williams rank as some of the greatest and most iconic plays ever written.

Robin Tran: Don't Look at Me

As Robin Tran walks on stage, she greets us with a warm smile and soft voice.

Alice Fraser: Twist

Having never seen Alice Fraser before, I was apprehensive about what to expect from her comedy.

John Kearns: The Varnishing Days

Attending John Kearns' show, The Varnishing Days, was an absolute treat that demands to be seen! Right from his entrance, he had us hooked with his distinctive and uproarious p…

It's a Motherf**king Pleasure

This is a brilliant show.

Cowboys and Lesbians

In a world where queer characters are often two-dimensional, Cowboys And Lesbians pokes brilliant fun at romantic cliches while creating a sparklingly camp coming-of-age romcom.

Chicken

If you need to restore your faith in what Fringe theatre has to offer, look no further than Eva O’Connor’s Chicken, showing in the Former Women’s Locker room at Summerhall �…

OSCAR at The Crown

There are very few downsides to attending a steampunk musical based on Oscar Wilde’s life, unless you’re a reviewer trying to take discreet notes in the back of the room.

Actually, Love

Goya Theatre’s new musical Actually, Love manages to find the sweet spot between being softly tender and incredibly rousing, as it pokes fun at and dismantles various rom-com tro…

Ted Hill: Tries and Fails to Fix Climate Change

Oftentimes when you go to a stand-up show, a comedian will attempt or fix or comment on a problem in the world, at least by providing a series of observations that you can’t real…

Gyles Brandreth Can't Stop Talking!

Friend, fan, or foe of Gyles Brandreth, there’s probably one thing upon which all can agree: the man simply cannot stop talking.

Matt Forde: Inside No. 10

That humour has rarely trodden a more cobbled path than in recent years makes the mean streets of Edinburgh an especially apposite place for the good, the bad, and the downright ug…

Ania Magliano: I Can't Believe You've Done This

Who amongst us hasn’t uttered the phrase, “I can’t believe you’ve done this!?” whilst laughing with a friend over a particularly embarrassing story.

TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera]

At the tender age of thirty, I mostly associate Tony Blair with my very first childhood experiences of politics.

Milo Edwards: Sentimental

Milo Edwards' comedy is a little like marmalade, but love it or hate it, he is nevertheless a great comedian.

Chatham House Rules

The Chatham House Rule is an agreement which allows those in power to share ideas with impunity: the discussion itself can be reported upon, but names are protected.

The Umbilical Brothers: The Distraction

The Umbilical Brothers (Shane and David Umbilical) are two multi-award-winning Australian actor-comics who have created a genuinely fresh and modern style of comedy show, combining…

ADULTS

Kieran Hurley's Adults was like being taken for a 1 hour and 20 minute gripping joyride, which consisted of belly laughs and thrills throughout.

Login

Create Account

Username or Password Reminder

5 Star Shows

Most Popular See More

Popular Articles

Popular Sections

Contact Us