Sir Michael Palin joins us to talk about how he’s working to save theatres in lockdown. The Monty Python star tells us what life in lockdown has been life for him and his family, and how he has been coping since fellow Python Terry Jones passed. Broadcast on 26/06/20
Arts
The Best Plays in London
What to see where and until when: theartsdesk’s stage tips
London is the theatre capital of the world, with more than 50 playhouses offering theatrical entertainment. From the mighty National Theatre to the West End, the small powerhouses of the Donmar Warehouse and the Almeida and out to the fringe theatres, it’s hard to know which to turn. Our guide is here to help you sort the wheat from the chaff. Below is our selection of the best plays on in London right now, with links to our reviews for further elucidation.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bridge Theatre ★★★★ Nicholas Hytner’s vivacious 21st-century take is a gender-juggling romp. Until 31 Aug
Barber Shop Chronicles, Roundhouse ★★★★ Must-see transfer from the National is riotous theatre at its best. Until 24 Aug
Equus, Trafalgar Studios Lean and hungry brilliance in Ned Bennett’s production of Peter Shaffer. Until 7 Sep
Europe, Donmar Warehouse ★★★★★ Magnificent revival of David Greig’s 1990s visionary classic is both tough and tender. Until 10 Aug
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre ★★★★★ The continuing story of JK Rowling’s witches and wizards works its magic onstage
Peter Pan, Troubadour White City ★★★★ New West London venue opens with a zestful spectacular to suit all ages. Until 27 Oct
The Lehman Trilogy, Piccadilly Theatre ★★★★★ Stunning chronicle of determination and dollars. Until 31 Aug
The Night of the Iguana, Noël Coward Theatre ★★★★ Clive Owen and Lia Williams burn bright in a terrific revival of Tennessee Williams’s last masterpiece.Until 28 Sep
More at THE ARTS DESK: The Best Plays in London
The Best and Worst Toilets at the Edinburgh Fringe
If going to the Fringe is a pleasure, then why is finding a decent venue toilet such a pain? It may be easier to get hold of the hottest tickets at the festival than it is to find a nice, clean, secure loo. But these toilets do exist – when we asked our readers to tell us about their best and worst Fringe toilet stories, boy, did they have stories. From colourful Fringe toilet tales involving finding used pregnancy tests, fights with men dressed as pandas, drag queens using the toilets as changing rooms (because there weren’t any in the venue), and my favourite, the person who managed a pop-up venue in what turned out to be a popular cottaging toilet – spending a penny at the Fringe is always an experience. But where should you go?
The Best
According to the survey respondents, some of the Fringe’s best toilets can be found at Gilded Balloon; both Teviot Row House and Rose Theatre, which were praised for being ‘clean, bright and fragrant’.
Other fan favourites were Underbelly Cowgate, Traverse, Pleasance Dome and Assembly Rooms, which were described by one person as ‘pretty swish’.
The Worst
Regular visitors to the Fringe may not be surprised to learn that when it comes to toilets, Summerhall’s offerings proved to be very unpopular. For not having enough toilets, to queues, cleanliness, lack of soap and toilet paper, Summerhall’s bathrooms were. Runners-up were Assembly George Square, Pleasance Courtyard and The Hive for the same reasons [ . . . ]
Continue this story at THE SKINNY: The Best and Worst Toilets at the Edinburgh Fringe: The Skinny