All stories by Laura Kressly on BroadwayStars

Friday, September 20, 2019

‘The nasty aftertaste negates the positives’: BIG THE MUSICAL – West End by Laura Kressly

Though the design is superb, the kids are both adorable and excellent performers, and McGuiness’s work is solid, the appalling storyline of Big and its tone-deafness can get in the bin.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 09:00AM
Tuesday, September 17, 2019

‘It shows its age’: FAME THE MUSICAL – West End by Laura Kressly

“Fame!” – we all know the infamous song. The lyrics, “I’m gonna live forever, I’m gonna learn how to fly, HIGH” are not well known just because of the original 1980 film, but b…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Monday, September 9, 2019

‘Powerful play’: JADE CITY – Bunker Theatre by Laura Kressly

Jade City is a powerful play confronting the consequences of the UK’s lack of social mobility and opportunity.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 01:00PM
Friday, September 6, 2019

‘Well-made family drama’: THE SON – West End by Laura Kressly

This portrayal of contemporary family life dealing with depression is honest and believable in The Son, yet there’s a cold judgement underpinning it.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Sunday, September 1, 2019

‘Individual scenes make for moving set pieces’: WORLD’S END – King’s Head Theatre by Laura Kressly

Part gay, coming-of-age love story and part historical snapshot, James Corley’s debut play World’s End is a detailed character study but one that isn’t quite sure what it wants to say.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 08:00AM
Wednesday, August 21, 2019

‘He’s funniest on the fly’: TOM LENK IS TRASH – Edinburgh Fringe by Laura Kressly

Tom Lenk is Trash is trash. That’s not even a cruel review, it’s literally what he told me to say. And after seeing the show, I am not going to be so stupid as to say anything he doesn�…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 01:00PM
Tuesday, August 20, 2019

‘Could be a relevant & illuminating discussion’: CONSPIRACY – Edinburgh Fringe by Laura Kressly

Three conspiracy theorists have gathered to unpick discrepancies and inconsistencies in the 1932 photograph ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ in Conspiracy.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 09:00AM
Sunday, August 18, 2019

‘Some moments that really hit home’: HOT FLUSH – Edinburgh Fringe by Laura Kressly

Hot Flush is a great idea and there are some moments that really hit home, but while Hot Flush is far from a complete washout, it’s hard to be fully engaged.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 01:00PM
Saturday, August 17, 2019

‘Beautifully utilises imagery & metaphor’: RIVER IN THE SKY – Hope Theatre by Laura Kressly

Peter Taylor’s script beautifully utilises imagery and metaphor in River in the Sky at the Hope Theatre and the overarching concept is strong.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 09:00AM
Friday, August 16, 2019

‘Charming & sweet’: Lobster – Edinburgh Fringe by Laura Kressly

Lobster is charming and sweet, if rather naive, making for a refreshing take on the cesspit that is dating by app today.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Thursday, August 15, 2019

A Roundabout rundown: Six Paines Plough shows at Edfringe by Laura Kressly

The Paines Plough Roundabout is the most reliable, new writing venues at the fringe. With a collection of work that represents the width and breadth of the UK both geographically and themati…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 07:00AM
Saturday, August 10, 2019

‘A feat of ingenuity & organisation’: 80 Days: A Real-World Adventure – Underbelly Southbank by Laura Kressly

Guided by a web app, participants have 80 minutes to earn as much money as possible by answering cryptic puzzles. They must choose what equipment to spend their cash on before returning to t…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 09:00AM
Saturday, August 3, 2019

‘Reminds us of the importance of activism’: THE TIME OF OUR LIES – Park Theatre by Laura Kressly

As the world feels like it teeters on the edge of a war what with the rise of fascism and the far right, this collage of extracts from Howard Zinn’s writings, music, and original text in T…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 08:00AM
Thursday, August 1, 2019

‘Every line is impeccably delivered’: MATING IN CAPTIVITY – King’s Head Theatre by Laura Kressly

There are moments that are incredibly funny in Mating In Captivity, but this isn’t a play that really digs into the knotty issues the initial set-up exposes.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 05:00AM
Monday, July 29, 2019

‘Refreshingly inclusive’: CRYSTAL CLEAR – Old Red Lion Theatre by Laura Kressly

The performances are the strongest feature of this production of Crystal Clear at the Old Red Lion Theatre, along with its access provisions.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 09:00AM
Friday, July 26, 2019

‘Quirky, creepy & colourful’: CHAMBERS – A secret location by Laura Kressly

Chambers is a truly fantastic night out for anyone who’s brave enough to take the plunge into a new dimension.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 09:00AM
Monday, July 22, 2019

‘Tightly plotted & delivered at breakneck speed’: 10 Things I Hate About Taming of the Shrew – Touring by Laura Kressly

Armed with a glitzy jacket, a notebook and a whole lot of anger, Gillian English uses William Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew and it’s 1999 teen adaption 10 Things I Hate About You to …

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Wednesday, July 17, 2019

‘Searing performances’: LUNATIC 19’S – Finborough Theatre by Laura Kressly

Tegan McLeod’s script for Lunatic 19’s is a piercing character study using biting dialogue, ruthless violence and deep, emotional excavation.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Thursday, July 11, 2019

‘Feels much more in the past than it should’: FIVER – Southwark Playhouse by Laura Kressly

Musically the show is lovely, but Fiver sadly feels much more in the past than it should, and for a show that is meant to showcase snapshots of all different people’s lives, lacks any sign…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 09:00AM
Tuesday, July 9, 2019

‘Psychedelic, fever-dream of an interpretation’: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – Shakespeare’s Globe by Laura Kressly

Joyful, filthy, modern and messy – A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe will no doubt separate those who like their Shakespeare more reserved from those desperate for fresher takes on …

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 05:00AM
Monday, July 8, 2019

‘Authenticity profoundly resonates throughout’: PIZZA SHOP HEROES – Touring by Laura Kressly

Phosphoros Theatre Company platform immigrants and refugees’ stories using comedy, narration and pathos in Pizza Shop Heroes.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 01:00PM
Monday, July 1, 2019

‘A lovely ode to a well-loved piece of music theatre’: GODSPELL IN CONCERT – Cadogan Hall by Laura Kressly

The British Theatre Academy presents this colourful, semi-staged concert version of Stephen Schwartz’s Godspell. Providing a space for young performers to gain real theatrical experience, …

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 12:00PM
Friday, June 28, 2019

‘Performances are wonderful all round’: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA – Royal Festival Hall by Laura Kressly

The orchestra, along with the actors and fantastic creative team, create an atmosphere that will leave you longing for your own Italian holiday romance in Light in the Piazza.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 11:00AM
Wednesday, June 26, 2019

‘A fine production of a play that still feels vital’: STRANGE FRUIT – Bush Theatre by Laura Kressly

Strange Fruit is a complex, dense play that is beautifully played by a talented ensemble and thoughtfully directed by Nancy Medina.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 08:00AM
Tuesday, June 25, 2019

‘The entire cast brings excitement & energy to the piece’: KILL CLIMATE DENIERS – Pleasance Theatre by Laura Kressly

While the name of the show, Kill Climate Deniers, invokes images of violence and negativity – a fact not unnoticed by the playwright – the show is poignant, entertaining and a clever way…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 06:00AM
Monday, June 24, 2019

‘A smart play & a welcome one’: ARMADILLO – Yard Theatre by Laura Kressly

British plays attempting to criticise America’s gun problem often come across as distant and condescending, but American Sarah Kosar shows in Armadillo that as awful as gun culture is, it …

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 06:00AM
Friday, June 21, 2019

‘Questions bandied about with gleeful nihilism’: THE FUTURE – Battersea Arts Centre by Laura Kressly

In The Future, Little Bulb has drawn on research from the finest minds in science, mathematics and philosophy to look at the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the impact it could…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 08:00AM
Wednesday, June 19, 2019

‘A comforting reminder that we’re all suffering together’: EXCEPTIONAL PROMISE – Bush Theatre by Laura Kressly

The relaxed vibe of Exceptional Promise that encourages audience reaction is hugely refreshing, especially as the topic is one that unites people against a common evil.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 06:00AM
Tuesday, June 18, 2019

‘A wonderful feat of ensemble storytelling’: CITYSONG – Soho Theatre by Laura Kressly

Citysong contemplates the timeless cycle of life by following three generations of a family on one important day.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 08:00AM
Friday, June 14, 2019

‘Roars with generations of unheard black voices’: WOKE – Battersea Arts Centre by Laura Kressly

Apphia Campbell performs the two central characters in Woke at Battersea Arts Centre, embodying their passion and anger through storytelling and song, in this lightning-strike of a show.

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 09:00AM
Saturday, June 8, 2019

’Well-crafted & nuanced story’: GARRY – White Bear Theatre by Laura Kressly

Garry is a play that deserves to be staged again, and to be considered part of the canon of gay plays. Its homophobia and self-repression are a hard watch and could certainly be triggering f…

SOURCE: mytheatremates.com at 10:00AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards