Comedy Festivals Opera Theatre ThisWeek In London

Three To See and Stream 18-24 Oct: Funny Stuff, Theatre, Opera and more…

By | Published on Sunday 16 October 2022

FUNNY STUFF

Sean McLoughlin: So Be It | Leicester Square Theatre | 21 Oct
I’m feeling very much in need of a laugh this week, because it’s been quite busy and stressful, and there is plenty to choose from. Let’s start with Sean McLoughlin, who made quite an impact on the crowds up at old edfringe in the summer, and also on our reviewer who gave this show a four star thumbs up. And it’s not the first time one of our team has loved one of his shows. Anyway, go see. Click here.

Julia Masli: Choosh! | Soho Theatre | 24-25 Oct (pictured)
Next up, it’s another edfringe success purveyor, the excellent Julia Masli, who, you might recall, we actually did a Q&A with in the run up to the festival, all about this very show. Look, here it is. Anyway, we know that this is a very good and funny show, and according to our reviewer it’s “highly original and sometimes edgy”. And what’s more, he called her a “top clown”. Head this way to book tickets.

Peter Pan’s Labyrinth | The Vaults | 18 Oct-31 Dec
“Following an internet scam, Peter Pan left Neverland and with it left behind the lost boys, Tinkerbell and his youth. It’s now 2022 and Peter smokes, drinks and lives off a diet of creamed Possum (look it up) and Bovril”. One from a very long term favourite of ours, excellent comedy-theatre trio The Sleeping Trees, known for their fabulous and funny mash-ups. Info and tickets right about here.


THEATRICAL SHORT STOPS

The Shadow Whose Prey The Hunter Becomes | Battersea Arts Centre | 19-22 Oct (pictured)
These next three shows are not on for long, so make sure you remember to catch them while they are. This one’s a “sly theatrical revelation inspired by mistakes, mis-readings, mis-leadings and misunderstanding” dealing with issues of human rights, sexual politics, the projected dominance of AI, democracy, and individual and collective responsibility. It’s critically acclaimed, so it’s probably selling quickly. Tickets here.

Prisms | The Space | 18-22 Oct
“The flutter of butterflies in your belly, the pecking of a bird’s beak in your heart and the scratching of claws on your skin. It is said all is fair in war and love, the latter is most certainly true for the housemates Red, Blue, Purple and Green”. This sounds rather interesting, a play that looks at the question of how far people are prepared to go for love. And if you can’t make it, there’s an opportunity to see it via livestream. Hurrah, click here.

Housewarming | Theatre Peckham | 21-23 Oct
Yay, back over to the previously tipped Young, Gifted And Black season at Theatre Peckham for another pick from its rather good line up. This is a piece by playwright and director Tatenda Shamiso about “home, belonging and self within the diaspora”, and in it we see five performers embodying one character, Anashe, who invites the audience into their home and reflects on what it means to be from somewhere else. More here.


LONGER RUNS STARTING THIS WEEK

A Single Man | Park Theatre | 19 Oct-26 Nov
These three (as the title surely indicates) are all shows doing relatively chunky runs, so you have a fair amount of time to take them in, and that’s very much the case with this one, as it’s running until quite close until the end of November. And if you’re wondering, why yes, it is based on the book by Christopher Isherwood, and many of you will be familiar with the story, either from reading that, or seeing the Tom Ford film of it. Anyway, this looks rather promising, head this way.

Daddy Issues | Seven Dials Playhouse | 24 Oct-19 Nov
“A devilishly dark comedy following 23 year old Imi as she ruminates alone on Halloween. Join her as she throws an online wake for her beloved dog Roger, delivers sermons on Sir Cliff Richard and shares her hatred for all things ‘Live, Laugh, Love’. Haunted by memories of those who have left her behind, Imi has to fight to remember all the reasons why she must choose to live”. By Offie award winner Lewis Cornay. Click here.

‍Elephant | Bush Theatre | 24 Oct-12 Nov (pictured)
An intriguing new play from Anoushka Lucas – described as part gig, part piano lesson and part journey through Empire – that first appeared as part of the Bush’s Protest series, a response to the murder of George Floyd. “A piano came through the sky and landed in Lylah’s council flat, just for her. As she pours over the keys and sound floods into all the rooms, Lylah falls in love”. More here.


MORE FAB STUFF

A Sudden Violent Burst Of Rain | Gate Theatre | 19 Oct-5 Nov (pictured)
And now, a traditional TW mixed bag of tips, starting with a theatrical treat that we have actually tipped before, earlier on in the year when it was appearing in Paines Plough’s touring venue Roundabout at Kingston’s Rose Theatre. Now though, after that tour, and an Edinburgh run, it’s the first production to be staged at The Gate Theatre’s new home in Camden. And it’s very much acclaimed, so don’t miss it, book now.

The Telephone & La Voix Humaine | The Playground Theatre | 21-22 Oct
And now for something with a musical theme, a show from the acclaimed Opera On The Move, who like to bring opera to places it hasn’t been before. This particular offering is a double bill of “two of the great mini-operas of the mid-20th century, both centred around a ground-breaking technology that transformed so many lives”. Yes, the telephone. They’re by two immense talents, of course – Menotti and Poulenc – so expect goodness, and click here.

Beyond The Rebel Nazrul Islam | Conway Hall | 22 Oct
Last week we had a whole section on the Bloomsbury Festival, this time we only have time for one tip, but there are loads of events on until 23 Oct and I would urge you to check out the whole programme here. This particular event at Conway Hall did catch my eye, though: it’s by Tamarind Theatre, and it explores the life of prolific writer, poet and musician Nazrul Islam. Read more about that here.



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