KID STUFF 

Easter Bunny Tales | Chickenshed Theatre | 7-11 Apr
It’s well and truly the Easter holidays now, so I think it’s only fair that we find some fun shows for your small people to keep them occupied over the next couple of weeks. As you may know, because we often tip them, we’re very appreciative of Chickenshed Theatre’s ‘Tales’ seasons, so it was good news finding out that they have a special Easter themed version happening soon, suitable for under sixes. Click here.

The Shivers | Polka Theatre | 1-12 Apr (pictured)
Why don’t we head over now to the Polka Theatre for the enticingly named ‘The Shivers’, which is aimed at older children aged seven to eleven, and is an energetic action comedy that focuses on the theme of learning to trust your instincts when something doesn’t seem right. The show aims to “open the door” for discussions about misinformation, fake news and keeping safe online. Find out more here. 

The Gruffalo’s Child | ArtsDepot | 3-9 Apr 
“One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. She follows snowy tracks and encounters mysterious creatures – but the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he?” You all love the Gruffalo stories, right? Well, if you don’t, your little tots probably do want to see this Julia D adaptation forthwith. Book here. 

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FUNNY STUFF 

Will Owen: Looking Fab At Fifty | Soho Theatre Dean Street | 2-4 Apr 
But you know, it’s not just kids who might want an entertaining treat around the Easter period, of course. I reckon all you grown ups deserve to see something nice and funny that will make sure you have a big smile on your face when you tuck into all that chocolate. We’ve seen a couple of Will Owen’s shows at edfringe, this being one of them, and we know that he is an excellent comedian. Find out more here. 

Jake Roche: Do You Know Who I Think I Am | Soho Theatre Dean Street | 7-11 Apr (pictured)
Staying at Soho Theatre (for the whole tip section, in fact), for Rixton/Push Baby alumnus Jake Roche, who also made a favourable impression on us via an edfringe show (another theme running through this tip section). I thought this was different work from the one we saw and loved in the Scottish capital, but it’s not, it just got renamed, and maybe developed a bit more? So yes, we can definitely recommend it, it’s good. Info here. 

Siblings: Stuck In Soho | Soho Theatre Dean Street | 4 Apr 
“Siblings did sold out shows in the basement at Soho Theatre two weeks ago. They won’t leave. They SHOULD have left immediately to do a month of shows in Australia. Instead, they’re still stuck in the basement in Soho, with two crates of merch and a desperate dream”. These two have made our reviewers cry with laughter in the past, so join them, and other acts who are also stuck in the UK, and encourage them to stay longer. Click here. 

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SHORTER STOPS

I Made You A Mixtape | The Cockpit | 6-7 Apr 
This one’s a very short stop in fact, but if I remember correctly it will also be on at edfringe in the summer, so more opportunities to see it are coming. Anyway, it’s the debut performance from Response Theatre Company, a 90s inspired coming of age themed work that changes every night. It’s created using Response Movement Method, which is intriguing, and which you can read more about here. 

I’d Rather Be A Cowgirl | The Glitch | 1-6 Apr   
“Duck Williams is a runaway who doesn’t ever want to look back, Red Wednesday’s a mysterious and striking cowgirl who’s feared across the West. Duck is questing for the mythical town of Halcyon, a place where all can truly be free to be themselves”. A tale of gender exploration and found family, interwoven with musical storytelling, that asks the question of whether being a cowgirl is all it’s cracked up to be. More here. 

Ionesco/Dinner At The Smiths | RIverside Studios | 7 Apr-9 May (pictured)
Yes, you’re right, this isn’t really that short a stop, it’s on until 9 May, but the show is generally speaking only being performed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, so I don’t know, that made me feel as though the run is kind of shorter than it looks. Anyway, this is an interesting theatrical experience, based on the work and words of the excellent Eugène Ionesco, an absurdist dinner, glass of wine included in the ticket price. Find out more here. 

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LONGER RUNS

Heart Wall | Bush Theatre | 7 Apr-16 May (picture)  
Three last tips then, all for comfortably long runs that mean you can plan ahead should you wish to. This first one is about Franky, back at her local pub for the first time in years as her family unravels around her, and is an exploration of grief and the fickleness of memory. “It’s funny what people do and what they tell. We’re all hiding bits of ourselves. The bits we’re not proud of. I can see that now”. Click here. 

My Uncle Is Not Pablo Escobar | Brixton House | 7 Apr-3 May     
We’ve tipped this before, when it was previously staged at Brixton House, a few years back, and we were right about it, because it went on to garner OFFIE accolades. Anyway, it’s back, following that highly successful sell out run, so if you missed it then, now’s the time to see it. Expect to see a show featuring four Latinx women from London challenging toxic stereotypes. Read more about it here. 

Dear Jack, Dear Louise | Arcola Theatre | 2 Apr-2 May 
“When two strangers meet by letter during World War II, it sparks an unlikely correspondence that will change their lives forever”. One final one, then, and it’s the UK premiere of Olivier winner Ken Ludwig’s ‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise’, which is about the wartime correspondence between an army captain in Oregon and a singer/dancer in New York, and promises to be joyful and moving. Get your tickets booked here.