YOUR GUIDE TO THIS WEEK IN CULTURE
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Children's Shows Comedy Festivals Spoken Word Theatre ThisWeek In London
Three To See 15-21 Aug: Camden Fringe, Classic Themes, Theatre and more…
By Caro Moses | Published on Friday 11 August 2023
CAMDEN FRINGE
Wife Material | Camden People’s Theatre | 18-19 Aug (pictured)
Yay, as ever, mid August there are two Fringes we are very much interested in and this is a section full of things happening at the one in London. For yes, we are headed back to Camden Fringe for more excellent stuff. We start with ‘Wife Material’, a comedy show from real life married couple Heleana and Sophie, who take a look at what happens before and after love at first sight. Click here.
Something To Take Off The Edge | various venues | until 27 Aug
This one invites you to experience the raw reality of prison life, in a drama-comedy that explores addiction, mental health and literacy. It’s a one man show written and performed by spoken word artist and actor Errol McGlashan, who tells the story of cellmates Ezra and Terry who are living life behind bars in 1980s Britain and “flirting with drugs, chocolate hobnobs and Shakespeare”. More here.
Blink | Etcetera Theatre | 16-20 Aug
Here’s one with an edfringe connection, as Terry Geo’s one man gay rom-com had its debut run there last year. “Jake meets the man of his dreams, a Kenyan refugee now working for Stonewall. Their relationship is full of laughter and together they build an incredible life filled with love, adventure and comical moments. But being gay isn’t all sunshine and rainbows”. For info and to book see this page here.
CLASSIC THEMES
Midas | Park Theatre | 16-19 Aug (pictured)
Yay, for time honoured classic type things. I mean, we do like the new stuff here at TW Towers, as I keep telling you all, but yes, we also like to see new productions of older stories, especially when they come with a twist. This one does, given it’s the Midas myth, but set in Finsbury Park in modern times and described as “brutally up to date” – think drugs, fame and revenge porn. Info here.
Cinderella | Greenwich Theatre | 18 Aug-3 Sep
“With her mother gone and brought up by her father, young Ella loves nothing more than adventuring out with him, seeking out the birds that surround their home and learning their special calls. However, when her father marries again everything changes”. A version of the classic tale that sounds like it might appeal to the birder in your life (if you have one) and promises to be a “toe-tapping” event by talented actor-musicians. Info here.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Old Red Lion Theatre | 18-19 Aug
The world never tires of Shakespeare productions of course. And while we also enjoy the more traditionally staged versions, what caught my attention here – because I’ve always studied and been interested in languages, and too frequently add yet another to play with on Duo – is that it’s a multilingual adaptation. It sounds like great care has been taken with this production too, read more about it here.
MORE GREAT STUFF
Eng-Er-Land | Arcola Theatre | 15-19 Aug (pictured)
We first heard about Hannah Kumari’s solo show ‘Eng-Er-Land’ when it was staged back in 2021 and thought it sounded so great we did a Q&A with her about it. Since then it’s been on a great big tour and now returns to London for a final run coinciding with the Women’s World Cup, so don’t miss it. Oh, and in case you missed something, it’s about football. Book your tickets here.
Highrise | The Space | 15-19 Aug
“Pepperjack has a schedule. A very strict schedule. He wanders an enormous highrise building, tinkering with its mechanisms, with only his AI helper Cassandra for company”. An exploration of sentience, memory and consciousness by Jacob Kay that looks at what it is that makes us human and sees its protagonists engaged in a “techno-biological struggle”. Read more here.
toooB | Polka Theatre | 19-27 Aug
And finally, here’s a show for all your teeny tiny tots aged six to 24 months, because it’s about time we recommended something for small people. This is a wordless show featuring toooB, a friendly shape-shifting creature, that offers a sensory adventure, original soundtrack, movement and interactive fun and games. For more information and to book your tickets head to the venue website right about here.
