Close-Up Culture

Independent journalism on the things we love

‘Jericho’s Rose’ Theatre Review

LILAC Yosiphon is an exciting new talent – both onstage and as a playwright. She is not frightened to push at boundaries as her new play, Jericho’s Rose, demonstrates. The play is ambitious in scope, tackling big issues of the moment – the awfulness of Alzheimer’s and seeking a home in a world where, increasingly,…
‘Testament’ Theatre Review

TESTAMENT is a frenetic play that fizzes along for 60 enjoyable minutes, helped in no small part by a young and vibrant cast. Written and directed by Sam Edmunds, presented by Chalk Line Theatre and playing on Sunday and Monday night (28th and 29th) at The Hope Theatre in London’s Islington, the play gets inside…
Gore, Suspense And Betrayal – In Equal Measures: ‘She Wears A Scented Rose’ Review

SHE Wears A Scented Rose has more twists and turns than an Alpine Pass. More layers than a delicious French onion. To cut to the chase, it is a first rate play, from start to bloody finish. Written and directed by Yasir Senna, it tells the story of Mark (an excellent Craig Karpel), victim of…
London Horror Festival: ‘On Your Head Be It’ Review

On Your Head Be It is a witty piece of writing from the pens of Joseph Cullen and Sasha Wilson, the beating heart of up and coming theatre group Out Of The Forest. For the most part gallows humour, the play – now showing as part of the London Horror Festival at the Old Red…
Fun, Laughter, Tears And Cancer – ‘A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Gynecologic Oncology Unit..’ Review

ALTHOUGH an oncology department may not seem a likely setting for a humorous play, Halley Feiffer has pulled it off with A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Gynecologic Oncology Unit At Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Of New York City (yes, what a mouthful). Feiffer’s play is getting its ‘world premiere’ airing…
Lessons In Evilness – ‘The Lesson’ Review

ALTHOUGH Eugene Ionesco’s The Lesson is nearly 60 years old, it still packs an almighty punch. It remains a pressure cooker of a play acted out over 70 minutes, leaving the audience rather overwhelmed by the end. Initially amused, then somewhat horrified and feeling a little soiled by the events that have unfolded before…
Blind Faith – The Unspoken Review

THE Unspoken is a thought-provoking play from the pen of talented Jody Medland. Playing at the quaint Barons Court Theatre in the basement of public house The Curtains Up (London W14) until Saturday September 22, it focuses on the world of Maggie – an excellent Hannah Tarrington. She has been blind since birth and motherless…
Winning Theatre – A Winning Hazard Review

JOHN Pratt Wooler spent most of his truncated adult life in an alcoholic stupor. But the bottle did not stop the playwright, who died virtually penniless at age 44, from penning some mighty fine plays. As part of its 150th anniversary celebrations – and to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Wooler’s death (what a…
Square Rounds Review

IT took 17 years to get from the notebook of playwright and poet Tony Harrison to the stage. Then another 26 years to be revived. Yet the Finborough Theatre’s production of Square Rounds shows that Harrison’s play has lost none of its edge or relevance. Strip away the poetry and some of the farce that…
The Height Of The Storm Review

FLORIAN Zeller is a hugely successful playwright who recently had three of his plays on stage in London all at the same time. His work never makes for easy viewing. Apart from his liking for tackling issues such as dementia and sexual transgression, there are times when his work leaves the audience confused. Are you…