The year is 2014 and the world is alerted to one of the most disturbing stories of recent times. In Chibok Town, Borno State, 200 girls were kidnapped and held hostage by an Islamic militant group by the name of Boko Haram. Years have passed, with some of the girls having been returned to their families, however the whereabouts of many still unknown.
We find ourselves living in a time whereby expectations of marriage and settling down have shifted. The age and pace in which these rites of passage are expected to occur have been pushed back at least a decade. Relationship-wise, it’s becoming socially acceptable to be a young female and single, and this is a right that Lauren Gauge explores in her unapologetically defiant one woman show, The Unmarried.
Ganesha is one of the most revered deities in Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism, with his image widespread across India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal. Renowned for his elephant head, he is regarded as a source of wisdom and intellect. Aligning with Ganesha Chathuri, a Hindu festival celebrating Ganesha, Yuki Ellias‘ Elephant in the Room plays homage to a small but very enthralled crowd in Edinburgh.
Picture the scene, it’s the 1950s and a new wave of music is taking the world by storm, toe tapping melodies, poetic verses, catchy choruses, upbeat singing tones… it’s the era of manufactured pop. Thousands upon thousands of screaming fans await the arrival of the latest pop phenomenon of the moment as they disembark from a plane or take to the stage. These iconic images will forever mark out the beginnings of pop culture for many years to come.
Although the common conception is that humans evolved from apes, this isn’t the case. It’s believed that we both evolved from a common ancestor that lived millions of years ago. This would therefore begin to explain why we bear similarities to the species. For centuries, this complex relationship between man and ape has fascinated us all, so similar yet worlds apart. BoonDog Productions award winning Goody explores this extraordinary relationship.
Jelly by Mica Mono opens at the Cockpit theatre on 5/8/17 as part of the Camden Fringe. Written by Eugenie Abbott, the play revolves around the effects of drug abuse on the vulnerable and whilst it is set in the future with the mysterious drug ‘Rosy Grey’, it is clear to see its relevance to our own society where for some, drugs are the only way of escaping reality, however temporarily.
Robin Hood at York Theatre Royal delivers a bustling display of archery and slapstick comedy, yet at points falling a little short of the target. With a quirky new take on the traditional Sherwood story, writer Richard Hurford displays Robin Hood as a lame, slightly awkward young man barely able to hold his own in a hand wrestling contest, let alone stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.
Courtesy of York Theatre Royal.
It’s the August Bank Holiday, and that can only mean one thing… put on your dancing shoes, gather your friends and family together and prepare to have a party like no other. As the capital prepares to welcome Europe’s largest carnival, it’s events like these that remind us of the various cultures that make the UK what it is today. Notting Hill is renowned for its celebration of Caribbean culture, and with this in mind, the Theatrefullstop Carnival Playlist looks to champion the voices of those of African and Caribbean descent and the diaspora.
Being a woman is not always easy and with the inability to talk about many topics, masturbation is a secretive revelation within the world of women. What feels like adult story time, settling down to a tale read by virginal monologue reader and performer Stuart Goldsmith, MANWATCHING claims a power and with great power comes great responsibility, discussing the female orgasm and many fantasies in its wake.
Indicative writing with an honest pledge, Jack Rooke yet again pulls at the heart strings reflecting on the brutal truth of grief. Following acclaimed solo show, Good Grief, Rooke returns to the Fringe, this time exploring the complex nature of suicide. A mantle piece to the framed photographs of Rooke’s fallen companions, this show is an honourable letter to the Happy Hour where friendships were born.
