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My View From The Stalls
Theatre reviews of shows seen in Oxford, London and surrounding areas


Review: Our Man in Havana (Oxford Playhouse)
Graham Greene's black comedy Our Man in Havana, has been adapted for the stage by Clive Francis and is currently touring the UK. I was pleased to be able to review the show at Oxford Playhouse. On walking into the auditorium we instantly noticed the set (Julie Godfrey), which was a lovely design, along with music that evoked the setting of Cuba. It must also be said that throughout the performance, the lighting design by Nick Richings and the sound design by Andy Graham sto
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9 hours ago3 min read


Review: The Night Ali Died (Ingrams Yard, Ventnor Fringe)
The Night Ali Died is a solo play written and performed by Chris Sainton-Clark, and brought to the stage by Raising Cain Productions. I reviewed this show on my last night at Ventnor Fringe. Recounting in detail the activities of three other characters – including a mob boss and a detective - as well as the titular Ali, this was a show I was excited to see. Ali is working in a chemistry lab alongside his friend, and he realises, unlike his own life that he perceives as bori
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5 days ago2 min read


Review: Dogmum (Ventnor Arts Club, Ventnor Fringe)
Amy Ambrose’s musical rom-com Dogmum made its debut at Ventnor Fringe and I was pleased to be able to review it. Billed as 'a musical rom-com for anyone whose Prince Charming turned out to be a cockapoo', Amy not only wrote the show but also starred in it herself. As the show was introduced, Amy let us know that she was filming the show to pitch it to a film director, and that most of her band members (who also doubled as actors) “missed their ferry” so she was stuck with s
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Jul 222 min read


Review: Brainfools Circus: Balance (Bosco Theatre, Ventnor Fringe)
Brainfools Circus visited Ventnor Fringe and I had the pleasure of reviewing Balance in the Bosco Theatre, which was the perfect venue for this show. Using a combination of acrobatics and theatre, Balance is set in 1940s London, with implied threat from air raid sirens overhead and a radio broadcast to place us firmly in this timezone. There is a story to it, however you can take what you want to from it while you’re watching which is clever – because for some of the younge
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Jul 222 min read
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