THIS WEEK IN CULTURE + THE CULTURE BUSINESS
Three To See 29 Apr-5 May: Funny Stuff, Musical Shows, Theatre, and more…
FUNNY STUFF
Ian Smith: Foot Spa Half Empty | Soho Theatre | 29 Apr-1 May
It’s a great week if you’re me, because some of my favourite comedy acts are coming to Soho Theatre, but you know, I reckon you readers will enjoy them too, so I am going to share. The extremely excellent Ian Smith is returning with ‘Foot Spa Half Empty’, which we Q&Ad him about in the autumn, so it would be remiss of you not to head to the website right now and book tickets.
Matt Winning: Solastalgia | Soho Theatre Dean Street | 30 Apr-2 May (pictured)
Something climate scientist/comedian Matt Winning has in common with Ian Smith is that they have both won glowing reviews from our Edinburgh Festival review team in times past, so you can be assured that you are in the presence of quality. From this latest show expect “an epic story about fatherhood, finance and facing the future, together”. Click here.
Homo (Sapien) | Theatre503 | 5-9 May
This isn’t a stand-up show, it’s a play, but it promises to be laugh out loud funny, and – like our previous two tips in this section – won acclaim at an edfringe gone by (specifically the one that most recently went by). It’s about Joey, a “bad gay” who has never had sex, can’t get in to ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’, and needs to face his internalised homophobia and catholic guilt. Details here.
MUSICAL SHOWS
Stickin’ Boy | Etcetera Theatre | 5-10 May (pictured)
Yay, a section of shows that involve music! Starting with ‘Stickin’ Boy’, a punk rock n roll musical set in Soho in 1977. It’s about Eddy, a young rocker with a gambling habit who quits his day job and begins a new career against a backdrop of vice trade, punk, addiction, obsession, violence and street humour. Find out more about it here.
Smile | Drayton Arms Theatre | 5-9 May
“What do Sexy KFC and your homophobic Aunt Sharon have in common? Tammy Woodburn – an up-and-coming musical comedienne – is determined to find out”. A one woman musical comedy about burnout, identity and the pressure to always keep everyone smiling… Head to the venue website here to find out more.
Flyology | Union Theatre | 5-8 May
I’m rather intrigued by this one, in which a predictive AI is built with the aim of identifying disruption before it happens, but at the launch, the system glitches mid-demo and three historical women are pulled into the simulation: Ada Lovelace, Ethel Smyth and Emmeline Pankhurst. So, interesting, but also, funny. And of course, a musical. Click here.
SHORT STOPS
Punching Judy | The Hope Theatre | 3-4 May
Not on for long, these three, so make sure you see them before they’re gone. First up, a dark tragicomedy that explores what happens when the chaotic lives of iconic characters Punch and Judy spill out of the puppet theatre and into real life. Slapstick, clowning and puppetry focused on the nation’s most problematic couple. Info here.
Lover On The Radio | Drayton Arms Theatre | 3-4 May
“All through the night, lonely souls call the hotline at the Troika Communication Tower looking for something. Whether it’s sex, God or a song for the drive home, The Voice On The Other End is there to provide – but as the night shift wears on, the magic of the switchboard begins to unravel”. Expect ugly dancing, human connection and Nickelback. More here.
Picasso: Le Monstre Sacré | The Playground Theatre | 29 Apr-1 May (pictured)
A highly acclaimed show, this one, starring Peter Tate as Picasso, in a play co-adapted with Guy Masterson from the original work by Terry D’Alfonso. Expect a “visceral, uncompromising portrait” of the renowned artist, whose “obsession often destroyed those he professed to love….” Find out more about it on the venue website here.
LONGER RUNS
Tortoise And The Hare | Polka Theatre | 2-31 May (pictured)
Right, I thought we would start the longer runs with something for small people, specifically those aged between three and seven. “Hare goes fast. Double fast! Triple fast! Fast as fast can be! Tortoise likes to plod through slooowwwly… take his time… consider… con-tem-plate, think it through. Who will win the crown?” I think you know. Click here.
Foal | Finborough Theatre | 5-30 May
“AK wants to escape the Island. Live a good life. But the sea draws you back. When a dreadful secret comes to light, AK returns to his home town to confront the shadows of his childhood and put right a terrible wrong. The thing is, he’s worried about the other version of himself”. A revenge thriller focusing on themes of masculinity, compassion and retribution. Info here.
Ashes And Diamonds | White Bear Theatre | 5-16 May
A play from veteran playwright Gail Louw, inspired by the true story of a Jewish woman who fled from the Nazis in war time Europe, beginning her journey in Poland, travelling via Belgium and ending up finally in the UK, living out her life in London for 70 years. The play focuses on this woman and her memories. Read more about it here.
MORE GREAT STUFF
Something Clean | Lion & Unicorn Theatre | 29 Apr-3 May
Last few recommendations now, and we begin with this staging of an intimate drama by Tony-nominated writer Selina Fillinger, about a woman struggling with grief, love and guilt: Charlotte is a mother, wife and respected member of her community, but her world is forever tainted when her only child is put in prison for sexual assault. Find out more here.
Stanislavski Can’t Save Me From The Apocalypse | Barons Court Theatre | 5-9 May
Does everyone know who Stanislavski was? Oh, you’re all theatre goers, I’ll assume you do. And this show doesn’t seem to have much to do with him, anyway. It’s set at a theatre summer camp in New England on the day the world ends, and five theatrical camp counsellors are suddenly forced to deal with the demands of surviving a terrifying new reality. Click here.
Witness | Theatre Peckham | 2-5 May (pictured)
I’ve saved this one for last as I am rather excited about it, because it’s our first pick from this year’s Peckham Fringe. This looks great, and brings the powerful story of the late Alex Wheatle to the stage, so definitely take a look here. But also check out all the listings for all the events happening over the next few weeks right about here.