SHORT STUFF 

Long Story Short | Bread & Roses Theatre | 5-7 Mar
Now, don’t get the wrong idea, this section isn’t about shows that have short runs, tho, to be fair, they all do. Instead these three shows are jammed together here because they are all collections of plays (meaning each play is presumably not full length). First up, four short comedies about murder, love, life and houseplants, of all things. Find the listing for more info right about here. 

Death Belles | The Hope Theatre | 8-9 Mar (pictured)
This one attracted me immediately because here we have a collection of four darkly lyrical monologues, all really interesting characters and ideas, and all woman focused, as is correct, given that International Women’s Day is this week. Shout out, though, too, to ‘Nettle Soup’, on at the same venue from 10-14 Mar, a double bill of folky, Devon-based plays that sound equally fascinating. Book here and here. 

Ukraine Unbroken | Arcola Theatre | until 28 Mar
Finally, a cycle of short plays about Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and courage, truth and survival in the face of tyranny. The show was conceived and is directed by Nicholas Kent and the plays are by some British and some Ukrainian writers, all acclaimed: Jonathan Myerson, David Edgar, Natalka Vorozhbyt, David Grieg and Cat Goscovitch. Find out more about it and book tickets, here. 

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WOMAN STUFF 

In Bloom | Rosemary Branch Theatre | 4-5 Mar (pictured)
And speaking of International Women’s Day, which we were, two tips back, all the events in this section are selected from woman-focused seasons and festivals coinciding with 8 Mar. First up, we’re heading to the Rosemary Branch Theatre for ‘In Bloom’, on as part of the venue’s Look For The Woman Festival. It’s a solo show that blends clowning, dance and theatre. Click here. 

Poetry On The Couch | The Playground Theatre | 10 Mar
Over to Women’s Voices A Celebration at the Playground Theatre now, specifically to see ‘Poetry On The Couch’, which is part literary lecture, part psychological case study and offers psychoanalytical exploration of the work and inner worlds of Emily Dickinson and Mary Shelley. I’m intrigued, so no doubt you are too. Head this way to find out more about the show. 

Unscheduled | Etcetera Theatre | 8 Mar
This is on as part of Etcetera Theatre’s Women Writers Festival, and caught my attention because I love this kind of a plot: two strangers, a student and a hairdresser, randomly meet at Waterloo Station, and from there, their lives slowly intertwine over the course of the years. A look at how things like family, work, class and culture, shape us. Head this way for info. 

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FUNNY STUFF

Pews At Ten | The Space | 5-7 Mar 
Yay, time for some funny stuff. Not that we haven’t already had some funny stuff, we have. But let’s have some more, yes? Let’s start with something that combines two things I love: hilarity and a cathedral. The show’s not going to happen in an actual cathedral, obviously, but it’s about some of the congregation of a cathedral and, honestly, that’s good enough for me. And it’s got a punny title. Find out more here. 

La Paciencia | Union Theatre | 9-10 Mar  
“The theatre company La Perdida is just hours away from opening their most anticipated show, ‘La Paciente’. But two hours before curtain up, everything begins to go wrong… very wrong”. This sounds fun, a witty comedy drama from La Movida Theatre Company that’s performed in Spanish with English subtitles, and looks at who people really are when they are under pressure. Details here. 

Impromptu Shakespeare | Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre | 6-7 Mar (pictured)
Well, I’ve said it before – not necessarily all in the same sentence – I love funny things, I love Shakespeare and I love improv. And dear reader, I bet you do too. So why wouldn’t you want to go see this accomplished troupe creating new stories inspired by audience suggestions and the Bard? Go on, you know you want to, head to this page here and get your ticket booked. 

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MORE WOMAN STUFF 

When We Were Us | Jack Studio Theatre | 10-14 Mar
Well, it’s not every week that it’s International Women’s Day, is it? So why don’t we talk about some more shows that somehow involve a woman or two? This one’s a story about friendship and sees a group of four friends meeting for a long overdue catch up… but there’s maybe a bit more to it than that, and before long, previously hidden truths are rising to the surface. Click here. 

Kid Sister | Bread & Roses Theatre | 10-21 Mar 
An exploration of the complications and joys of the social care sector in Wales about Shell, who was put in foster care at the age of three, while her six month old sister was put up for adoption. In the present day, Natalie has just turned eighteen, and, Shell hopes, they can finally be reunited. But of course, it’s not that simple. Find out more about the play by clicking on the listing here. 

Iron Fantasy | Soho Theatre Dean Street | 10-21 Mar  (pictured)
Finally, I love the sound of this because it’s inspired by mediaeval aesthetics, which I find ever so alluring, as well as TV fantasy shows from the 1990s, which was a big time for me really. But it’s not about me, it’s about this funny live music theatre show from award winning creators Shamira Turner and Eugenie Pastor that explores ideas of strength, and what it means to feel strong. Click here.