CLASSIC STUFF

The Turn Of The Screw | Arcola Theatre | 11 Sep-10 Oct (pictured)
How about we start this week by talking about shows with kinda-classic themes? I love a ghost story, especially when autumn is on the horizon, and this one is based on that time-honoured tale by Henry James. This new adaptation is by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, whose work you will surely have enjoyed before. Don’t delay, head to the venue website here to book tickets. 

Pericles (Kind Of): A New Musical | Union Theatre | 15-17 Sep
See, I said “kinda-classic” and I meant it – this one even has “kind of” in the title. And yes, it’s a re-imagining, or maybe “mis-telling”, of the Shakespeare tale, that promises to be a “rampant, unrepentant, rollicking musical adventure” in which Pericles very much has his work cut out for him. I think we can expect something highly entertaining from Nevermind Company’s debut. More here. 

The Pied Piper: A Rat’s Tale | Little Angel Theatre | 12 Sep-7 Nov 
Finally, a kind of classic for kids, with a staging of the Pied Piper story, told from a different angle. In this version, the focus is brave little rat Horatio, who escapes his dull life on the river for a more exciting one in Hamelin, and ends up sparking the rat invasion that brings the piper to town. A family show for everyone aged over five, find out more about it here. 

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FESTIVAL STUFF

The Dunwich Horror: An Opera | The Cockpit | 11 Sep (pictured)
You might think we here at TW Towers would be calming down a bit about festivals right now, with this year’s Edinburgh Festival behind us. But we can’t, of course, because great festivals are happening all the time in London, aren’t they? First up, a return visit to the Tête à Tête opera festival, and – talking of classic stuff – an operatic adaptation of HP Lovecraft short story ‘The Dunwich Horror’, which is exciting. Click here for all the info.

Sisterland | Jack Studio/Bridge House Theatre | 11-12 Sep  
And now, another pick from the SE Fest, which takes place at both Jack Studio and the Bridge House Theatre. This one sees five women retreating to the sanctuary of the ladies’ toilets during a girls’ night out. Meet Petra, Lara, Michelle, Lydia and Cassie, and witness problems faced and shared, and the building of female friendships. Head this way for all the details. 

CVNTCLAVE | LowMAC | 9-21 Sep
I’ve done this before so it won’t come as a surprise: this isn’t on at a festival, but it was on at the most recent edfringe, and won many friends and an award during that stint. It’s a “one cardinal show” looking at faith, power and hypocrisy, and if you are wondering where the venue is, LowMac is the newly named Lower Marsh Arts Club, previously known as The Glitch. Book your tickets here. 

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SHORT STOPS 

Zoe Wohlfeld: Dog Funeral | Soho Theatre | 10-12 Sep
And talking of people with a successful edfringe run behind them, how about you make time for the very excellent Zoe Wohlfeld, who heads back to the Soho Theatre for a short run with the show that won her lots of fans at the most recent Festival. The Gaulier trained American clown holds a funeral for her dog and you are very much invited. Book your tickets right about here.  

Inside | The Place | 15 Sep (pictured)
Everything in this section is a short run, because that’s the theme of the section, but this show has only one performance at The Place, so that is a very, very short run. In fact, not a run at all really, but a date. Anyway, this is intriguing: “An intimate performance dissecting the hidden labour intrinsic in the apparently life-threatening art of sword swallowing”. By Tom Cassani. More here. 

The Greater Good Company | The Hope Theatre | 10-12 Sep
“Sigma Solutions has long been in the business of delivering on extraordinary commissions. Missing a plane? They’ve got you. Curious about ‘solving’ emotions? So are they. Found some ancient runes you can’t decipher? They’ll at least try”. Inspired by real life stories of political and social resistance, this is a show that explores the pressure between personal morals and corporate interests. Find out more here. 

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LONGER RUNS 

Chewing Gum Dreams | Theatre503 | 10 Sep-10 Oct  (pictured)
Hurrah, longer runs, you’ve got loads of time to see these, though they’re all good, so you might want to rush along, I suppose. First up, a revival of Michaela Coel’s extraordinary debut play: “a fierce, funny and big hearted journey through first love, last days of school and the moments that shape who we become”. Expect very good things and book tickets here. 

And I Looked At The Sky | Omnibus Theatre | 15 Sep-3 Oct    
“On Betty’s 86th birthday, a single candle on a carrot cake just isn’t good enough. While John has been outside digging up the last of the carrots and making her cake, Betty was in her room recalling a decades-old promise”. The story of a long married couple that explores the relationship between creativity and identity, see the venue website here to find out more. 

Fire Fire | Arcola Theatre | 9 Sep-3 Oct
I saved this for last because the show has an intriguing premise: Tony is holding a memorial for his brother at a park near their council estate, but it just so happens that climate activist Paige has chosen that same day to close a road in protest. The pair clash and clash, but ultimately are brought together, joining forces and taking action together. All the details are here.