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Brief awakenings: White Rose The Musical @MaryleboneTHLDN

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A fascinating and daring act of defiance in Nazi Germany by a group of university students in Munich is given a slightly perplexing rock musical treatment in White Rose, the musical. Something seems amiss in this earnest and occasionally tuneful show. It lags more than it inspires, which is surprising given the tragic and compelling history of the real-life characters the show depicts. Given that young people are increasingly likely to vote for far-right parties across Europe, it’s an opportunity to look at a time when they had a different perspective on the future. Perhaps something has been lost in the translation or the larger space of the Marylebone Theatre where it plays.  The White Rose were a group of university students in Munich who sought to undermine the Third Reich through publication of a series of pamphlets urging passive resistance to the Nazi regime. Over a brief period between June 1942 and February 1943, they distributed their pamphlets across campus using ...

The best little warehouse in England: The Night Before Christmas @SWKplay

If you’re not into the Christmas spirit, you might be into Christmas dust. It’s the joyful powder the little elves put everywhere and it’s addictive. And distracts you from the shitty life you’re having right now... Anthony Neilson’s dark anti-festive comedy is having its first revival at the Southwark Playhouse.

Nothing’s off limits in this tale set in some out of town warehouse on Christmas Eve. Gary (Douggie McMeekin) has called his mate Simon (Michael Salami) for help. He’s caught some little bloke dressed up as an Elf trying to break in (Dan Starkey). He’s tied him up with Christmas lights and not sure what to do. But as they debate calling the police, a prostitute by the name of Cherry (Unique Spencer) comes calling. She’s after some Powers Ranger figures for her son’s Christmas present. It’s payment for the blowjob she gave Gary earlier. And nobody is sure if the Elf is who he says he is, or just a junkie trying to get his next fix.

That pretty much sets the tone in this short, dark comedy about the search for the true meaning of Christmas. The cast are hilarious as they riff on some of the more demented aspects of Christmas. There’s some nice updates to the piece here. Gary’s stock seems to consist mostly of stolen Amazon deliveries (something we call all identify now). And anti-Christmas tale, that actually becomes sentimental. Even if it isn’t to all tastes.

The cast at the end of each performance take up a collection for the homeless charity Centrepoint. Which is a chance to make a worthwhile contribution to a charity that supports young people to get off the streets. Be sure to have some spare change on hand at the end.

Directed by Alex Sutton, The Night Before Christmas is at the Southwark Playhouse until 29 December. Don’t confuse it for Seussical playing next door unless you want to mess with the minds of the little people you’re taking to that. Merry Christmas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Photos by Darren Bell

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