Swamp Juice

*****

In the wondrous finale of Swamp Juice, shadow puppetry is taken to a big, big scale in a way I have never witnessed before. It is breath taking, but let me take you back to the beginning. Jeff Achtem, … Read More

A Donkey and a Parrot

****

Sarah Hamilton’s solo performance play is charmingly and ingeniously performed. She is Australian and one branch of her family tree goes back over 300 years. Her story begins in France during the Huguenot persecutions, moves to London and Maryland … Read More

A Dirty Martini

****

A Dirty Martini is a light comedy which puts a smile on the audience’s faces. We are taken back to the 1920’s and the upper class party set. The action takes place in a cabaret bar and the venue … Read More

Exterminating Angel – An Improvisation

****

This is a mysterious play. There is no plot as such but rather situations which develop. The play’s opening could not be more banal. Tom and Chrissie are holding a dinner party for a few friends – James, his … Read More

Night of the Big Wind

*****

I was completely absorbed by this show. It’s got one of the shortest descriptions I’ve seen in the fringe programme, but it’s full of detail and imagination. There weren’t any children in the audience, but I think … Read More

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum : Shed Theatre

3 Star

***

It has been a while since I had seen this piece performed. It is always been a musical I have liked, so what is it doing in the theatre section?

The whole cast of 23 yes, that … Read More

Continuous Growth

*****

Continuous Growth is a brilliant and funny commentary on how the global economy has been driven over the past two decades. It is based on a Finnish play by Esa Leskinen and Sami Keski-Vahala but the characters and situations … Read More

The Prize

***

The theme of The Prize is the striving of sportsmen and women to reach the Olympic Games and Paralympics with the emphasis on London 2012. The play blends many quotes drawn from competitors from a variety of sports. Apart … Read More

Rosie Wilby: How to (Not) Make It in Brit Pop

3 Star

***

Rosie Wilby is an accomplished comedian, yet until I saw her show last year I was unaware that she had a career in music, Brit Pop style.

This is a reworked version of last years show only … Read More

The Company of Wolves

***

I’m not entirely decided what I think of this show. It was very good – four actors re-telling the story of Little Red Riding Hood, with a very different outcome. Those actors were excellent, and convincing in … Read More