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Purple Snowflakes and Titty Wanks review: an impressive debut
Sarah Hanly’s fizzy monologue marks her as a talent to watch, but feels confined to trusted narrative parameters
Hamlet review: brummie Hamlet gets lost in sea of wild concepts
Sean Holmes chucks songs by The Smiths and speeches from Romeo and Juliet into this baggy production
Katie Mitchell interview: ‘You have to look the misogyny in the eye’
Her production of Handel’s Theodora will be the first at the Royal Opera House since its 1750 premiere - but not before Katie Mitchell has gone to battle with the libretto’s misogyny
The best theatre to see in London this month
Our guide to the best new shows to see in the capital this month, in the West End and beyond
The best London theatre to book in 2022, from Prima Facie to Henry V
A packed twelve months of big shows and big names await theatre audiences in the capital - here’s our guide to what to book
A Number review: A tour de force from Paapa Essiedu and Lennie James
Lyndsey Turner’s revival of Caryl Churchill’s 2002 cloning drama brings two renowned actors back to the stage
Ava: The Secret Conversations review: a lazy portrait
This self-created star vehicle from the Downton actor needs a better script
On with the show: Meet the stars of the West End’s new Moulin Rouge!
Get ready for these two to capture your heart... and then break it
Moulin Rouge! the musical review: not quite spectacular spectacular
The big numbers are ravishing in this stage version of Baz Luhrmann’s high-camp 2001 film classic, but the romance doesn’t sizzle
Culture in London: the faces to watch in 2022 - TV and theatre
The stars of stage and screen we’ll all be talking about this year
Why I’m thrilled Steven Spielberg is remaking West Side Story
Being cast in a local production as a teenager started a love affair with Leonard Bernstein’s creation that has stood the test of time
David Suchet - Poirot and More... review: gentle and self-deprecating
It’s baggy in places, but Poirot fans will love this night of anecdotes from David Suchet
Force Majeure review: this trip down the slopes is a treat
Michael Longhurst’s stage adaptation of Ruben Östlund’s 2014 film looks amazing - and acts out a big moral debate
Folk review: folk music play hits a bum note
This stiff production addresses questions about who owns a nation’s culture with clunking obviousness
The best theatre of 2021
London theatre made a triumphant return after a tough year - our critics choose the highlights
Are these London’s best pantos? Oh yes they are...
Here’s our handpicked guide to the capital’s top pantomimes to book now
Nabucco at the ROH review: terrific singing elevates a clunky show
The direction doesn’t stand up but the performances are knockout
Spring Awakening review: soft, heartbreaking sound of teenage longing
Rupert Goold’s revival will awaken new fans to this musical about teenage sexuality and self-expression in a repressed society
Peggy For You at Hampstead Theatre: Tamsin Greig elevates this in-joke
The actress is captivating as the legendary literary agent Peggy Ramsay, but the play itself is hard to entirely care about
Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! review: Lip-smackingly delicious
This sweet treat of a ballet is lip-smackingly good
A Fight Against... review: darkly comic stories of violence
The excellent English-language debut from Chilean playwright Pablo Manzi asks whether violence can unite us
Bring It On review: this cast are quadruple threats
There’s a puppyish energy to this early musical from Lin-Manuel Miranda, with a brilliant performance from Amber Davies
Habeas Corpus review: Alan Bennett revival feels outdated
In farce, timing is everything, and the timing of this production is off
Trouble in Mind review: an essential revival
Alice Childress’s stinging 1955 play about racism in theatre gets the superb production it deserves
Pantoland at the Palladium review: it’s a blast
The filth quotient means this isn’t one for kids, but everyone’s having a ball
Best of Enemies review: James Graham’s latest is dynamic and arresting
James Graham traces the culture wars back to a series of 1968 TV debates - and the parallels are undeniable
My first panto: Jack and the Beanstalk at the Hackney Empire
Is there a better way to spend a tenner? Oh no there isn’t. Abha Shah sees her first ever Panto
A Christmas Carol review: Mark Gatiss makes a familiar tale feel fresh
In the hands of Gatiss, Dickens’s festive tale banishes all thoughts of ‘bah, humbug’
Red Riding Hood review: Macabre panto lacks festive sweetness
It’s partly set in a hairy predator’s digestive system - but this fascinating, slightly sombre panto is missing some heart
Measure for Measure review: back to the Seventies
Blanche McIntyre’s production creates a memorable set of characters, but the setting sometimes feels like it’s working against the beautiful candlelit performance space
Life of Pi review: Dream-like fable makes for a dazzling show
Yann Martel’s Booker Prize-winning novel is brought to vibrant visual life in the West End
Police Cops The Musical at New Diorama Theatre: Zesty but messy
This riotous song and dance spectacular is fun but it has the potential to be a lot better with a bit of judicious editing