This week we’re diving into three captivating productions that explore everything from love and infidelity to personal recovery and thrilling reimaginings of classic films. We review Anna Karenina at Chichester Festival Theatre, The Fifth Step in the West End, and Emma Rice’s fresh take on Hitchcock’s North by Northwest.

Anna Karenina at Chichester Festival Theatre

Anna Karenina returns to the stage in a witty and sensual version of Tolstoy’s masterpiece, directed by Phillip Breen. Set across the vast panorama of 19th-century Russia, this production brings the story of Anna’s destructive love affair with Count Vronsky to life, as well as the heart-wrenching struggles of Levin and Kitty. With Natalie Dormer making her Chichester debut as Anna and David Oakes as Levin, this fresh take blends period dress with a contemporary tone, offering a surprising and unforgettable portrait of infidelity, passion, and the search for fulfilment.

The Fifth Step in the West End

In The Fifth Step, Jack Lowden reprises his role as Luka in this provocative and entertaining new play by David Ireland. Following a successful run in Edinburgh, the production has moved to the West End, where Luka and James, played by Martin Freeman, navigate their sobriety journeys together. As they bond over black coffee, their fragile friendship is tested as secrets and confessions threaten their recovery. Directed intimately in-the-round by Finn den Hertog, this subversively funny play explores addiction, trust, and the complexities of healing.

North by Northwest by Emma Rice

North by Northwest takes Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic thriller and turns it on its head in a riotously funny reimagining by Emma Rice. With a minimal cast of six shape-shifting performers and a fabulous ‘50s soundtrack, this production brings glamour, romance, and suspense to the stage in a dazzling way. As Roger Thornhill, the reluctant hero, is thrown into a Cold War conspiracy, the play offers a hilarious, heartfelt, and thrilling ride with unexpected twists and a liberal sprinkling of tender truths.

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This week we’re reviewing four exciting and diverse productions that span immersive theatre, modern dance, and the power of music. From the return of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge Theatre to the atmospheric The Midnight Bell, the ambitious Storehouse immersive event, and the powerful Just For One Day: THE LIVE AID MUSICAL, this episode is packed with unforgettable experiences.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bridge Theatre

Step back into the magical world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as the Bridge Theatre’s critically acclaimed production returns for a limited summer run. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, this immersive version of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy transports audiences into a dream world of fairies, moonlit revels, and enchanted forests. With the seating wrapped around the action and immersive tickets allowing the story to unfold on foot, this production is a must-see. Featuring stunning design by Bunny Christie, costumes by Christina Cunningham, and choreography by Arlene Phillips, A Midsummer Night’s Dream offers a fresh, immersive take on a timeless classic.

Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell

The Midnight Bell takes you into the fog-bound streets of 1930s London, where lonely hearts and lovelorn souls meet at the tavern. Inspired by Patrick Hamilton’s iconic novels, this evocative dance theatre production by Matthew Bourne explores themes of longing, betrayal, and redemption. With choreography by Bourne and a talented cast of New Adventures performers, The Midnight Bell is a dark, captivating exploration of the human condition set against the backdrop of London’s working-class districts.

STOREHOUSE – Immersive Theatre Event in Deptford

STOREHOUSE is one of the most artistically ambitious and large-scale immersive theatre events ever staged in the UK. Set in a vast disused warehouse in Deptford, the experience takes audiences on a journey through a sprawling archive of human stories, messages, and memories since the dawn of the internet. As narratives begin to compete and the remaining founder fades, the stakes rise in this futuristic exploration of humanity’s digital legacy. STOREHOUSE is a fascinating look at what happens when the digital world and real-world emotions collide.

JUST FOR ONE DAY: THE LIVE AID MUSICAL

Celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Live Aid with JUST FOR ONE DAY: THE LIVE AID MUSICAL. Featuring hit songs from legendary artists like Queen, U2, David Bowie, and Madonna, this joyous new musical takes you behind the scenes of the iconic 1985 concerts. From the creation of the event to its unforgettable performances, the musical honours the power of music to unite the world and make a difference. Get ready for a musical experience that celebrates the spirit of Live Aid and its ongoing impact.

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This week we’re bringing you an exciting mix of feel-good theatre, intense family drama, and revolutionary musicals. We review House of Life, a high-energy, genre-defying experience, the powerful The Deep Blue Sea starring Tamsin Greig, the moving family story of Marriage Material, and the revolutionary Hamilton, the musical that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

House of Life

House of Life is back with its feel-good, high-energy explosion of joy! A blend of music, movement, and collective healing, this glitter-clad, beat-dropping show has been scientifically proven* to make you 100% never sad again. Led by the RaveRend, the show takes you on a wild, wacky ride that promises to uplift your serotonin levels. Part rebirth, part rave, House of Life invites you to be reborn and join the RAVEolution for a night of unparalleled fun and healing.

The Deep Blue Sea starring Tamsin Greig

In The Deep Blue Sea, Olivier Award-winner Tamsin Greig stars in Terence Rattigan’s powerful 1950s drama of obsession, love, and betrayal. Hester Collyer, trapped in a hopeless affair with a man incapable of returning her love, is left to grapple with the destructive power of her emotions. Set against the backdrop of passion versus loyalty, this emotionally charged play explores the complexities of love and the devastating consequences of passion. A must-see for fans of classic drama.

Marriage Material

Marriage Material brings to life a poignant and sweeping family drama set in a corner shop in Wolverhampton. As Mrs Bains juggles the demands of her business, her ailing husband, and her daughters’ futures, family tragedy brings her son Arjan back to the shop. Directed by Iqbal Khan, this adaptation of Sathnam Sanghera’s novel is a moving exploration of generational conflict, ambition, and the challenges of balancing the old and the new. A touching look at family, identity, and the ties that bind.

Hamilton

Hamilton returns to the stage, the revolutionary musical that has taken the world by storm. Blending hip-hop, jazz, blues, and Broadway, this story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton is brought to life in an explosive, dynamic production. With a score by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, and choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, Hamilton is an unforgettable experience. Winner of 11 Tony Awards, 7 Olivier Awards, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this musical continues to shape the future of theatre.

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