Tristan & Yseult review – Kneehigh’s lovers still soar with giddy glory

Theatre Royal BathThis heady mix of circus mayhem, cabaret sexiness, comedy antics and medieval tragedy is utterly irresistibleKneehigh’s take on this medieval legend was first staged in 2003, in the Cornish setting from which the story of knights, lov…

Continue Reading

Megasquirt: Fully Loaded review – how to combat existential angst? A comedy rave at an ungodly hour

Underbelly, Cowgate, EdinburghAshley Blair and Drew Reilly send up gen Z anomie with hardcore ditties about awkward dinners, megachurches and centaur boyfriends‘How to feel whole in an empty world?” There are many possible answers to that question, and…

Continue Reading

A supreme being, the nearly naked show and politics with paws: Edinburgh fringe pick’n’mix

From Taiwanese steampunk dance to Australian climate comedy, here are 13 quick-fire fringe reviewsAll our Edinburgh festival reviewsFor new perspective on the strange ways we behave, we all know the thought experiment “if a visitor from space arrived o…

Continue Reading

The Jonathan Larson Project review – Rent composer’s lost songs find a glorious new home

Southwark Playhouse Borough, LondonA lesser-known selection from the composer and lyricist’s archive is full of heart and humour, swinging between cabaret blues and pop bangersHow do you measure a year? Love is one answer, according to Jonathan Larson’…

Continue Reading

The Jonathan Larson Project review – Rent composer’s lost songs find a glorious new home

Southwark Playhouse Borough, LondonA lesser-known selection from the composer and lyricist’s archive is full of heart and humour, swinging between cabaret blues and pop bangersHow do you measure a year? Love is one answer, according to Jonathan Larson’…

Continue Reading

Bigfoot, ‘slutfluencers’ and a David Bowie-powered gay fantasia: Edinburgh festival 2026’s must-see theatre

Plays about political extremes, religious sects, swimming the Channel and an 80th birthday party are among the highlights at this summer’s arts spectacularProducer Francesca Moody has shown a sure touch for spotting fringe hits (Fleabag and Baby Reinde…

Continue Reading

Bigfoot, ‘slutfluencers’ and a David Bowie-powered gay fantasia: Edinburgh festival 2026’s must-see theatre

Plays about political extremes, religious sects, swimming the Channel and an 80th birthday party are among the highlights at this summer’s arts spectacularProducer Francesca Moody has shown a sure touch for spotting fringe hits (Fleabag and Baby Reinde…

Continue Reading

The best theatre, comedy and dance of 2025

A meet-cute between Humanity and Earth, a mod ballet and Nick Mohammed’s career-best standup set – our critics pick the best stage shows of the year10. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryStaging a bestselling book that has already been adapted into a…

Continue Reading

Betty Grumble’s Enemies of Grooviness Eat Sh!t review – nude, lewd and confused

Assembly Roxy, EdinburghEmma Maye Gibson’s outre alter ego conjures a bacchanalian helter-skelter of burlesque moments that never quite cohereThis experimental act from Australia knows how to create merry anarchy with incantatory rituals and boundary-f…

Continue Reading

Pigs Fly Easy Ryan review – a frisky, filthy cabaret of chaos

Underbelly Cowgate, EdinburghThis mix of acrobatics, feverish monologues, high-altitude accidents and apocalyptic physical comedy doesn’t need to have a rationale – does it?It is probably best not to ask too many questions. I mean, you could imagine Lo…

Continue Reading