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Lead actress Hannah Akhalu talks revival of ‘Girls’: “It was important for me not to be generic with the experience of pain, fear, and worry”
Inspired by the real-life kidnapping of over 200 Nigerian schoolgirls in 2014, Theresa Ikoko’s play returns to the London stage ten years after its world premiere, in a new production marking Ewan Dina’s debut at the Young Vic. Guillermo Nazara chats with one of the show’s leads about the challenges of bringing such a powerful…
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Review of ‘Derren Brown: Only Human’: “Mentalist show is barely mind-blowing”
I’ve been asked not to tell what happens in the show. Maybe because not much happens after all; if the real reason is copyright infringement, I think they will be fine: there’s hardly anything in this show worth stealing, and even the good bits aren’t that good (and certainly not original). Derren Brown has impressed…
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Review of ‘The Pianist’ (2026, Park Theatre): “Stage adaptation hits all the right notes despite lacking a few fortes”
They lied in the tagline. This isn’t a musical. I don’t mind the deception, however. If misleading the public means this show may get more viewers, so be it. Because it needs to be seen. And heard. And more importantly, listened to. Szpilman gave us the facts. Polanski gave us the images. And now, albeit…
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Review of ‘Martin Guerre’ (Old Vic, 2026): “New revival features more historical accuracy but loses its identity”
It’s never had its way with audiences. The original London production was indeed on for a good couple of years. But that hardly compares to the remarkable success of Boublil and Schönberg’s previous works. Had it opened today in its initial form, it probably wouldn’t have lasted that long. Neither will this newest, heavily altered…
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Billy Nevers talks West End revival of ‘RENT’: “We really invite the audiences into the action”
Jonathan Larson’s cultural phenomenon returns to the London stage in a new in-the-round production directed by Luke Sheppard. Guillermo Nazara chats with one of the leads about the piece’s relevance today, the challenges of his role, and what makes the show a reason to be out tonight. How does it feel to join the lead…
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Review of “tell me straight//aggy”: “Double bill is twice as bad”
This really tried my patience. More than the annoying slow walkers taking up the entire width of the pavement. More than the self-unaware people who think everyone on the bus wants to listen to their trashy song selection. And more than the house invasion I’m currently dealing with in my personal life (I’m not making…
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Choreographer Katya Bourvis talks world premiere of dance show ‘PIA’: “Dance can express things that words sometimes can’t”
Reuniting with producer Tala Lee-Turton, the award-winning choreographer brings this ambitious adaptation of Hannah Peel’s acclaimed work, Mary Casio: Journey to Cassiopeia. Guillermo Nazara chats with the creative about the show’s development and how its transfixing nature will resonate across generations. How does it feel to be opening this ambitious new take on Hannah Peel’s…
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Review of ‘Big Man. Little Man’: “Half-grown play shows gigantic potential”
If there’s a beacon of hope in the current London scene, part of it comes from Jordan Langford and his brilliance as a director. And trust me when I say I don’t use that term lightly. In the end, nobody knows crap better than a theatre critic. And lately, my work has coerced me into…
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Review of ‘Dog Mum’: “Audiences are sold a pup in all-barking-and-no-biting play”
We often hear that we don’t deserve dogs. Whether dogs deserve this play is debatable. And that’s a very kind way to put it. I wouldn’t say this show is appallingly bad (though that might be my brain’s coping mechanism after all I’ve been reviewing lately), but I’m sure, whether you’re a dog lover or…
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Actor Jolyon Coy talks upcoming new show ‘Speculations’: “This play will challenge what you think you know about how power is used”
London’s Marylebone Theatre gets ready for the world premiere of Torben Betts’s historical drama about real-life journalist Dorothy Kilgallen’s investigations into the mysterious deaths of three American icons. Guillermo Nazara chats with one of its leads about the show’s issues and how it plans to make headlines while leaving an imprint. How does it feel…
