Family roots us in the world we live in, our mothers and fathers the protectors that guide us in our formative stages and help us to understand everything around us. The breakdown of this foundation distressing, but the bonds formed outside of this important. Taking on our physical as well as magical realm, Oli Savage’s To the Ocean tells a mythical tale of young girl, who seeks answers about her mother years down from her leaving the family home.
The cooking show for decades has served as a form of light entertainment for millions – for those new to cooking, enticing recipes from all over the world now brought to their attend, for the more skilled cook – the chance to hone in on their skills further. A staple of our television screens and the influencer realm, many a personality have made their presences known – in the case of Shamila Sulaiman’s Roll Your Sleeves With Eve, following Eve, an influencer turned mainstream superstar chef, who carefully builds up an empire and experiences what in turn follows.
Grief can take on many forms – how we process it, and exhibit it unique to the individual. The loss of a parental figure a devastating reality many face, a life changing event that has you assess yourself and the interactions had with the external world. Exploring this further in expressionist play I Can’t Make Sense, Vogue Giambri daringly stares many a taboo in the face and confronts them head on.
Observed on the 2nd February annually in the US, Groundhog Day is a tradition steeped in the belief that if a groundhog (badger) emerges from its den and sees its shadow, it’ll retreat to its den and winter will therefore continue for a following six weeks. Turned into a much loved film of the same name in 1993, it features Hollywood star Bill Murray as the story’s lead Phil Connors – a self assured weather man forced to relive Groundhog Day on repeat. The much loved film also enjoying life as a musical, making its debut at the Old Vic in 2016 before making its return 7 years later.
Courtesy of Manuel Harlan.
Driven by corruption, competition, jealousy and greed, the Ptolemaic Dynasty (305-30BC) would see its fair share of power play, Ptolemy XII Auletes – the ruler of Egypt from 80-58BC, accompanied by daughter Cleopatra VII who we’ve come to know exiled – only to return years later and dethrone rival and family member Berenice IV. Cleopatra the successor of her father after his death from 51BC to 30BC who would go on to become the last Ptolemaic Egyptian ruler. Inspired by her ascent to the throne, and the tumultuous life she lead in her pursuit to retain power, DoDo Dramatics present Queen of the East – a family friendly look back at one of history’s most talked about figures.
The fear whipped up by witch hunts has the might to change the social fabric, there needing to be an ‘enemy’ to defeat, the root of this phenomena that we’ve repetitively seen play out throughout history. Influenced by the Salem witch trials of 1692/1693 and the McCarthyism of 40s and 50s America, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible instils what it is for hysteria to very gradually take over a community, a nation, a population.
In 1926, the General Strike saw over a million workers in the transport and heavy industry strike over worsening pay conditions for a total of 9 days. Called on by the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the UK would find itself forced to a stand still, post WWI, with a stagnating economy burdened with the costs of war. With the nation’s press amongst other industries impacted as a result of the strikes, this in turn would determine who dominated the media landscape at the time, how it would be done and what news items would make the cut. The British Gazette – a government owned publication run by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time – Winston Churchill, and the BBC, an independent structure run by John Reith battling it out to reign supreme and be crowned the nation’s go to media outlet. Jack Thorne’s When Winston Went to War with the Wireless placing a closer gaze on these 9 days that would go on to shape and shake up UK history.
Courtesy of Manuel Harlan.
From the years 1955 to 1964, Cameroon entered a war of independence from the ruling French colonial power of the time. A struggle still felt today, this is a part of world history seldom discussed on an international level. Drawing attention to this, writer and producer Clarisse Makundul presents Under the Kundè Tree, a defiant debut giving voice to the show’s young female lead, Sara – a perspective important more so than ever.
The topic of sex is often shrouded in taboo, commonly associated with graphic depictions and connotations. But this only brushes the surface on an otherwise complex part of humanity. Being comfortable and true to who you are and the connections we cultivate amongst other aspects not necessarily stressed on enough. Offering a sex positive discussion and challenging current narratives, Poppy Jay and Rubina Pabani known for their award winning podcast Brown Girls Do It Too currently available to listen to on BBC Sounds present a live/dramatised version of the podcast at Soho Theatre.
For over 50 years now, the music of Queen has has become an integral catalogue with the rock ‘n’ roll stratosphere. The late Freddie Mercury’s unrivalled, undeniable stage presence one admired and celebrated. Inspired by the eclectic works of Queen, TV comedian, actor and writer Ben Elton would go on to premiere We Will Rock You the Musical in 2002 at the Dominion Theatre. Panned by critics, but loved by fans all over, the show would go on to become the 11th longest running musical in the West End history – a very impressive feat. Returning back to London at its new temporary home for the next 12 weeks, the London Coliseum, Elton – who also plays the musical’s leader of the Bohemians, Pop – plugs us into today’s tech-centric universe.
