Comedy Dance & Physical Festivals Opera Theatre ThisWeek In London

Three To See and Stream 1-7 Nov: Theatre, Comedy, Dance, Opera and more…

By | Published on Sunday 30 October 2022

RUNS STARTING THIS WEEK

Reasons You Shouldn’t Love Me | Kiln Theatre | 5-26 Nov
First up this week is a show we have definitely recommended before but which we have no qualms about recommending again now that it’s back at Kiln Theatre following a regional tour. An acclaimed and funny one-woman show from Amy Trigg, it’s about Juno, born with spina bifida, who is “clumsily navigating her twenties”. More here.

The Little Match Girl | Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage | from 1 Nov (pictured)
The weather’s pretty grim as I write this, so I don’t much feel like leaving the house, so it’s great that there are digital options for those who, like me, can’t or don’t much want to go out on days like this. This acclaimed and beautiful production of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale features music, dance and unusual instruments, and can be rented here.

Not Now | Finborough Theatre | 1-26 Nov
“The morning after his father’s funeral, an unsure and still grief-stricken Matthew prepares to fly to London to audition for the prestigious drama school RADA. Matthew starts to doubt whether he should really be leaving Belfast in the first place. Or is Belfast where he truly belongs?” A new comedy from award-winning playwright David Ireland. Click here.


FUNNY STUFF

Helen Bauer: Madam Good Tit | Soho Theatre | 1-5 Nov (pictured)
And talking of funny things, here is a whole section devoted to funny stuff, and we’re starting with a mention for the very funny Helen Bauer, 2019 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee. She’s headed to Soho with her critically acclaimed 2022 edfringe show ‘Madam Good Tit’, and it looks like tickets are selling quickly so quick, book here.

Shake It Up: The Improvised Shakespeare Show | Hen & Chickens Theatre | 7 Nov
If you know anything about us, you’ll know that we are definitely rather fond of improv, and, well, I know we probably don’t show it so much, but we are also actually very fond of Shakespeare. So this is a show absolutely made for us – and I bet for loads of you too. Improvised fun using audience suggestions and Shakespearean language. Hurrah. Click here.

How To Build A Better Tulip | Upstairs At The Gatehouse | 2-20 Nov
This one is theatrical, but promises to be very funny, offering a modern and comical twist on the novel ‘The Black Tulip’ by Alexandre Dumas, in which two plant scientists are vying to breed a perfect black tulip. They’re after four hundred years worth of uncollected prize money, but government intelligence services and the police are getting in the way. More here.


MORE AMUSING THEATRE

A Butcher Of Distinction | Barons Court Theatre | 1-12 Nov
Well, the truth is I can’t move for theatre that’s funny this week – be it outright hilarious, gently amusing or wryly witty. So here’s another section of theatrical stuff that will make you laugh or smile, beginning with a revival for Rob Hayes’ black comedy ‘A Butcher Of Distinction’, first staged back in 2011. More info and tickets right about here.

Yaga | Drayton Arms Theatre | 1-19 Nov
You’ve probably all heard of Baba Yaga, the fierce and female supernatural figure of Slavic folklore, an elderly witch-like woman who lives alone. In this play by Kat Sandler she’s re-imagined as a “sexy, smart, modern woman” and the result is a “genre-bending comedic fairy tale meets thrilling whodunit” which “gives voice to an antihero of epic proportions while interrogating how her story has historically been told by men”. More here.

Zombiegate | Theatre503 | 1-19 Nov (pictured)
“Sophie and Jamie have just been cancelled, a misplaced selfie has gone viral, and the pair have been accused of mocking a dead child. But their troubles are only just beginning”. This looks fun, but also deals in important themes – tackling mob mentality and asking us to empathise with the people we find it hard to agree with. For more info and to book, click here.


INTERESTING EVENTS

Voila Europe | The Cockpit | 3-13 Nov
Right, some interesting events starting with a whole festival of fantastic stuff courtesy of the ever-excellent Voila Europe. As ever, the line up is full of multilingual, multi-genred, extremely interesting performances from very talented cross-European artists. Not sure I can actually bring myself to single anything out from the exemplary line up, so why don’t you head this way and take a look at it all?

The Cunning Little Vixen | Jacksons Lane | 4-13 Nov
This is a very interesting one, and very probably suitable for family viewing, depending on what age demographics your family members all fall into. It’s a production from HGO of Leos Janacek’s well loved opera, performed in the original Czech with English surtitles, starring young opera singers and local children. For more information and to book, see the venue website here.

Far From Home | The Place | 4-5 Nov (pictured)
And now for something physical from the excellent Alleyne Dance, who perform ‘Far From Home’ at The Place very soon. It promises to be a hard-hitting and atmospheric narrative dance piece that takes a look at the topic of immigration and – like the last tipped show – features a supporting cast plucked from the local community. See this page here for info.



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