THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER 2015


BOB SLAYER: GROTTO AT THE HOHO THEATRE
Anyone who is a regular edfringe goer will have heard of Bob Slayer, who a few years back set up his Heroes strand, creating a pop up venue for the festival period and generating much anarchic comedy shenanigans as a result. He's also taken the concept to other festivals, and last year, for the first time, staged a special Christmas version in London.

The Grotto at the HoHo Theatre is a 21 day feast of some of our favourite comedy acts - the likes of Boothby Graffoe, Tim FitzHigham, Nick Helm, Josie Long, and many many more - so I thought it was only morally correct to find out more. And you can read the interview here.

Grotto @ The HoHo Theatre kicks off on 1 Dec and runs through until 21 Dec. You can find the line-up here and you can buy tickets here.




JENNIFER BYRNE AND VICKY FALCONER-PRITCHARD: YETI'S DEMON DIVE BAR
The TW teams have been fans of Jennifer Byrne and Vicky Falconer-Pritchard for as long as I can remember (my memory is going a bit now, though, so that's probably only a few years), following our introduction to their rude and raucous EastEnd Cabaret. And now they are bringing a new work in progress to Soho Theatre.

This latest show, created by the duo and their collaborator Tom Velvick, is a slightly ghoulish departure from their earlier work, but I feel sure it will be of exactly the same high quality as previous outings. I put some questions to the pair, to find out exactly what we should expect. And you can read the interview here.

'Yeti's Demon Dive Bar' is on at Soho Theatre from 7-9 Dec. See this page here for all the info you need.



LUCY PARHAM: WORD/PLAY
When I heard about renowned pianist Lucy Parham's strand of 'Word/Play' events, I was really pleased, because I love this sort of thing - genre blending, and involving well known artists performing in ways they are not normally noted for.

I put some questions to Lucy, to find out more about the shows, and in particular the upcoming celebrity gala. And you can read the interview here.

The Celebrity Gala takes place on 6 Dec. See this page here for more info on that and this link here for more info on future editions of 'Word/Play'.




MARK BARFORD: F*CKING MEN
Following a previous highly successful run at the King's Head, Joe Dipetrio's 'F*cking Men' is back by popular demand. The critically acclaimed piece, loosely based on Arthur Schnitzler's 'La Ronde', returns in a slightly trimmed down form, helmed by a new director.

Despite the provocative title, there's a great deal more to this play than, er, men fucking. To find out more about about this new production, I put some questions to that aforementioned new director, Mark Barford. And you can read the interview here.

'F*cking Men' is on at King's Head from 5 Dec to 9 Jan. See this page here for info and to book tickets.




MORGAN LLOYD MALCOLM: THE WASP
Some of you out there may already be aware of the Morgan Lloyd Malcolm's play 'The Wasp' because of a highly successful run at Hampstead Theatre last  year. If you were not previously aware of it, or were aware of it and didn't manage to catch it the first time, I've got good news for you - the critically acclaimed production, starring MyAnna Buring and Laura Donnelly,  heads to Trafalgar Studios next week.

I was very interested in this production, not least because it offers good strong roles for women, but also because it sounds like it tackles some very interesting, scary and emotive themes. I put some questions to the playwright, to find out more about the piece, and her career thus far. And you can read the interview here.

'The Wasp' is on at Trafalgar Studios from 8 Dec - 16 Jan, see this page here for more info and to book tickets.




SEAN TURNER: NO VILLAIN
Even fairly ardent Arthur Miller fans probably won't be aware of his first play, 'No Villain', and certainly won't have seen it, because astonishingly, it's never been performed before. Luckily for London, its about to have its premiere at the Old Red Lion theatre.

Like most people with sense, I am pretty in awe of Miller's talent and oeuvre, so I am very keen to see this. To find out more about it, I put some questions to Sean Turner, who tracked down the 'lost' script, and who directs this first production of the play. And you can read the interview here.

'No Villain' is on at Old Red Lion from 8 Dec-9 Jan. See this page here for more info and to book tickets.

FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER 2015 >>
Sajeela Kershi - Shallow Halal | Leicester Square Theatre | 4 Dec (pictured)
If you missed Kershi's 'Immigrant Diaries' yesterday, don't despair, for you can see her solo show 'Shallow Halal' tonight instead! There are also more opportunities to see both shows in January so if you're going to miss this one as well, make sure you have the other dates in your diaries. How will you know when these dates are? Well, you could read to the bottom of this ace Q&A that we did with the talented comedian just last week. And for more details about this particular show, see this page here.

You For Me For You | Royal Court Theatre | 3 Dec-9 Jan
This UK premiere from Mia Chung focuses on the story of two sisters, and their attempt to flee North Korea, which sounds like a recipe for something powerful, tense and emotional. It's directed by Royal Court Associate Director Richard Twyman, and I think we can expect good things. See the venue website here for more information and to book tickets.

Hetty Feather | ArtsDepot | 2-6 Dec

This one jumped out at me because my small daughter is reading 'Hetty Feather' right now, and although she doesn't think it's as good as the Harry Potter books (I am not sure anything can top the Harry Potter books at the moment) I reckon she'd still be thrilled to see this acclaimed stage adaptation of the Jacqueline Wilson novel, and I expect plenty of other young girls (and boys) would love to see it too. Details and tickets from right about here.
SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 2015 >>


The Snail and The Whale | Jackson's Lane | 5 Dec-3 Jan
You can tell the Christmas holidays are approaching, I'm becoming more and more obsessed with finding ways to entertain small children. This is from Tall Stories, who are beyond renowned for their slick and engaging productions, and what's more, it's based on one of my very, very, favouritest picture books ever. I still read it sometimes, even though it's now too young for me. And my daughter. Go see the show! Details from here.

Nothing - Barrel Organ Takeover | Camden People's Theatre | 5-6 Dec

UK based touring company Barrel Organ are taking over Camden People's Theatre for a bit, and this is one of the shows they are presenting as part of that. 'Nothing' is a series of monologues about 'nothing', which "asks questions about theatre itself" through its improvisational structure. It's an innovative show that won four awards at this year's National Student Drama Festival. See this page here for more info and to book.

Your Last Breath | Southwark Playhouse | 4-30 Dec

Curious Directive's 'Your Last Breath' was something of a hit at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe a few years ago, so I was pleased to see that it's been revived for this London run. So often successful shows disappear from view within a short period, so great that this one is coming back. It's four overlapping stories set in the mountains Norway, which also seems snowily appropriate for the time of year. For more info and to book tickets, see the venue website here.
SUNDAY 6 DECEMBER 2015 >>


Word/Play | King's Place | 6 Dec
This is the celebrity Christmas gala edition of this super and regular Sunday morning show, created by renowned pianist Lucy Parham, which sees musicians performing alongside actors, comedians and journalists, while the audience enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while they listen. The special line up for the sixth includes the likes of Edward Fox, Cathy Newman, Niamh Cusack and Alistair McGowan, but do also check out what Barham has planned for the new year. More info and tickets from right about here.

Yeti's Demon Dive Bar | Soho Theatre | 7-9 Dec (pictured)
If you love EastEnd Cabaret (and that would only be sensible) then you are highly likely to also love this, because it's from the very same delightful duo. This show seems to be heading horror-wards, theme wise, though, so I think we can expect something pretty different to their previous output, but no less utterly brilliant. Obviously. This is a work in progress, but it will still be great, trust me. Book tickets here. Now.

F*cking Men | King's Head | 5 Dec-9 Jan

I am normally a bit squeamish about shows with f*cking in the title (fucking, fine, f*cking, no) but I am going to make an exception for this because loads of people have already seen and loved it, and, well, actually, it sounds pretty good. It's a loose adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's 1897 play 'La Ronde', and is described as a "frank, candid and sometimes brutally honest depiction of the lustful transaction between two men". More info and how to book right here.
MONDAY 7 DECEMBER 2015 >>
Hangmen | Wyndham's Theatre | 1 Dec-5 Mar (pictured)
Following a highly acclaimed run at the Royal Court, renowned writer Martin McDonagh's latest play has transferred to Wyndham's theatre for a limited run. Set in a pub in Oldham, it focuses on the doings of the "second best hangman in England" on the day that hanging was abolished. I doubt you'll regret making time to see this dark comedy with a fab cast. See this page here for more info and to book.

A Christmas Carol | Jermyn Street Theatre | 7 Dec

Oh, I love Christmas, and I can never - repeat, never - have too many different versions of 'A Christmas Carol' to take in. For me, it's as much about the writer's incredible use of language as it is about the Christmassy plot, so this one, a one-off performed reading of the Dickens classic from veteran actor Timothy Ackroyd, should be just the ticket. And talking of which, book one on the venue website here.

It's A Wonderful Life | Ovalhouse | 7 Dec
And from one Christmas classic straight into another. Yes, it's that 'It's A Wonderful Life', in all its grainy 1946 glory. Everyone's favourite cinematic winter treat, screened at the Ovalhouse cafe, where you'll be offered festive drinks and snacks. I can feel the cockles of my cold, cold heart warming a little, just at the thought. Info here.
TUESDAY 8 DECEMBER 2015 >>


Pride and Prejudice - The Panto | The Cockpit | 8-20 Dec
Over the last couple of years I've become increasingly attracted to historical fiction and costume dramas. Not sure whether this is an indication that I am returning to my history-studying roots, or the fact that I am desperately trying to escape into the past. But enough psychological analysis of my culture choices, and more going to see what I'm convinced can't possibly go wrong. The Bennetts? In a panto not suitable for children? Yes please. Info and booking stuff here.

Kim Noble - You Are Not Alone | Soho Theatre | 8 Dec-9 Jan (pictured)

Total Theatre Award winner Kim Noble tries to get closer to other people on this planet, in a show that blends peformance, film and comedy to create a poignant yet funny exploration of how people connect, and the loneliness of modern life. For more info on the show, and to book tickets, see the venue website here.

The Canterbury Tales | New Diorama | 8-11 Dec

So, talking about old and historical stuff, which we were, back in tip one, here's another show harking back to the past, and yet, bringing this classic text kind of into the future with a modern adaptation incorporating physical theatre and live music and a mischievous and anarchic approach. The blurb promises much silliness juxtaposed with some serious questions about whether society has really moved on since Chaucer's time. More info and ticket bookery right about here.
WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER 2015 >>


Bec Hill and Richard Soames double bill | King's Place | 9 Dec (pictured)
Ooh, I love a good double bill, and believe me, this will be a good double bill. I love Bec Hill, and so do all my mates, and if they don't like Bec Hill, I cut them off. Just like that. Immediately. Only kidding, I have never, ever known anyone that doesn't like Bec Hill. Anyway, this is a reprise of the very highly rated show she took up to Edinburgh this summer, and I pretty much guarantee you will love it. And that's not the end of it. You get to see Richard Soames, of fabulously fabulous sketch troupe Beta Males, also performing his 2015 Edfringe show. Are you getting the impression that I like these guys? Just a touch. Here are all the details.

The Wasp | Trafalgar Studios | 8 Dec-16 Jan

MyAnna Buring, of 'Downton Abbey' and 'Ripper Street' fame, and Laura Donnelly, lately seen in 'Beowulf' and 'Outlander', star in this acclaimed play from Morgan Lloyd Malcolm. You might already have seen it at Hampstead Theatre, but you might not, and in that case, you definitely need to see it now this production is headed to Trafalgar Studios. If you want to find out lots more about it, you can read our Q&A with the playwright here, and to book your tickets, take a look at this page here.

No Villain | Old Red Lion | 8 Dec-9 Jan
This is another show that generated a Q&A this week, and you should read it, because there's an interesting story behind this production. 'No Villain' was Arthur Miller's first ever play, written back in 1936, and most people (I suspect) haven't heard of it until now, because it has never, ever been produced. The premiere takes place at Old Red Lion this month, and you'd be a fool to miss it, especially if you are a Miller aficionado. Get more info and book tickets here.
THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 >>
The Haunting | Jack Studio | 9 Dec-3 Jan
Well, if you've been reading these tips much of late, you'll be aware that we're a bit fond of Christmas shenanigans here at TW Towers, but also big fans of Charles Dickens. Well, one of us is, anyway, and she is definitely the most important one. 'The Haunting' by Hugh Janes is adapted from the revered writer's ghost stories, and I'm not sure how Christmassy this will be, but it will definitely be Dickensy, and one out of two aint bad. See this page here for more info and to book.

Sofie Hagen - Bubblewrap | Soho Theatre |10 Dec-6 Jan (pictured)

The glorious Sofie Hagen heads to Soho Theatre for a sparkly December run of the show that rather took Edinburgh by storm earlier this year. This outrageously talented stand up, winner of the Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer 2015 is guaranteed to put a smile on your face with her tales of Westlife fandom and car chases. Though, obviously, the show may have changed a bit since August. All the info is on the venue website here.

Forget Me Not | Bush Theatre | 8 Dec-16 Jan
This is the European premiere of 'Forget Me Not', which takes its story from the horribly sad history of the huge number of children who were sent from post-war Britain to Australia, after being falsely informed that their parents were dead. The play focuses on the story of once such child, now approaching retirement age, who discovers that he is not an orphan after all. Find more info and book tickets here.
 
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