LONELINESS in our modern, digital age is something we often see cropping up on the cabaret scene as a central idea for exploration. However something we don’t often see is a fully realised analysis of the science behind loneliness, complete with all the jargon and musical numbers about tits.
Defying and literally crashing through the fourth wall, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, currently at the Cambridge Arts Theatre, is uproariously funny and will rock your Shakespearean world. With the promise of ‘meta-fiction’, celebrity guests and pixiness, you will not be disappointed, apart from the absence of said celebrities.
We’re incredibly lucky in the UK in that we have a wealth of choice when it comes to shows that are on offer. The purchasing of tickets, or the researching of the latest shows have been made that much easier by the various ticket buying websites available. Seatplan’s accessible website allows for customers to pick from various cities – London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Milton Keynes, therefore the emphasis is not only placed on the capital’s selection of shows.
In celebration of our 5th birthday this July, we’ll be collaborating with 5 theatres to give away a pair of tickets to 5 of London’s top theatre shows. You could win a pair of tickets to: The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives at the Arcola, Pity at the Royal Court, The One at Soho Theatre, Che Malambo at Sadler’s Wells or Circolombia at the Underbelly.
Cheryl Glickman is a single woman in her early 40s. Although successful in her job at a women’s self-defence company, she has self-esteem issues and suffers from a perpetual lump in her throat. Her obsession with her 60-year old colleague Phillip doesn’t help. Philip is more than willing to point her to a chromatherapist for her condition but this isn’t quite what Cheryl is hoping for. Instead of reciprocating Cheryl’s feeings, Philip is lusting after a 16-year old girl and asks Cheryl for advice on his sexual advances.
Courtesy of David Baltzer.
Generation upon generation, there’s a feeling of ‘our way’ being the best way to navigate a situation. There’s no better example of this type of framework than within the fabric of a familial home. The continue back and forth between parents and their children is what makes for powerful conversations as well as unavoidable clashes. Winsome Pinnock’s Leave Taking channels this ever moving energy to reveal a family of strong women battling the day to day.
Courtesy of Helen Murray.
Brian Friel‘s classic 1980 play, set in a Irish hedge school in 1830’s rural Donegal subtlely intertwines themes of language, culture and memory with well drawn characters and some deft dramatic devices. Ian Rickson’s simple yet expansive production for The National’s Olivier theatre skillfully illuminates this well trodden masterpiece of British playwriting, offering an engaging, resonant and well rounded theatrical experience.
Courtesy of Catherine Ashmore.
From 1939 up until 1945, World War II would impact the lives of many military personnel and civilians. Referred to as a global war, a total of 30 countries took to battle across various continents. The war would witness a conflict between the Allies (Great Britain, The United States of America, China, The Soviet Union and the Commonwealth) and the Axis (Nazi Germany, Empire of Japan and the Kingdom of Italy amongst other countries). There are particular figures attributed for the Allies’ victory and applauded for their efforts, however WWII is a war that involved the efforts of numerous specialists behind the scenes. Azma Dar brings us the story of Noor Inayat Khan, a trailblazer ruled by fighting for what she believes in.
I feel incredibly lucky to be sat in the audience of Matthew Bourne’s current UK tour, Cinderella. I adore Bourne’s work, having studied many as a teacher of Dance and Head of Performing Arts, passing on my passion and knowledge to students. I love the intricacy of detail in his choreography and his artistic choice and vision, the way he challenges stereotypes and always strives to break down barriers.
Isn’t love a funny old thing? It’s that emotion that gives you butterflies in your stomach and pains in your chest. It’s the feeling of being brave whilst at the same time you’re terrified. We see love everywhere; from the mother tending to her child that’s just fallen over, the young couple taking selfies in the park, to the man playing Frisbee with his dog – it’s all around us and chances are, we’ve felt it at least once.
