The Camden Fringe: The Maids

18/08/2020 to 26/08/2020

times: From Aug 18, Mon-Sun 4.30pm, ends Aug 26

prices: 7.50

Play On Words

09/10/2020 to 21/10/2020

times: Oct 9-11, 18-20, 9.30pm, Oct 21, 8.30pm

prices: 7.50

Poor Little Rich Girl (Pobre Menina Rica)

04/11/2020 to 19/12/2020

times: 7, 9.30pm, Dec 19, 7.30pm

prices: 8

Stephen And The Sexy Partridge

17/12/2020 to 23/12/2020

times: Dec 17, 9.30pm, Dec 18-22, 7.30pm, Dec 23, 6.30pm

prices: 7

Pegabovine Present The Present Present From Pegabovine In The Present II

21/12/2020

times: Dec 21, 9.30pm

prices: 5

The Beheading

08/01/2021 to 27/01/2021

times: From Jan 8, Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Sun 6.30pm, ends Jan 27

prices: 7

Barbara Abbott

03rd December

"Six Wives of Timothy Leary - November 2007
Whole production was very impressive and held our attention from beginning to end. Great performances by the six wives and excellent script. Highly recommend seeing this."

Gilly Lotsworth

16th November

"Gospel - Nov 2007

A lot of research had obviously gone into the several plays that made up this piece. The details however were slipped in virtually un-noticeably. One such example appeared in Jeremy Kingston's play about St Jerome's insistent refusal to believe that the mother of Jesus is not a Virgin, regardless of being presented with irrefutable proof). The opening line casually mentioned a translation of the Bible into Latin was to be finished by ad400, and automatically the audience knew where and when they were supposed to be.

This meant in Carl Palmer's piece "A Right Wrong One", where specifics weren't given -were we supposed to be in a Crypt, a church, a Quaker House?- we just sit bemused by the violence. No details to worry about further than a Priest has upset a parishioner who he has not met previously, and instantly we go into an exploration of religious backgrounds, a test of faith, and a glimpse at the ultimate loneliness which maybe the company is telling us is why people turn to religion in the first place.

Certainly, other plays (such as The Gospel According To Miriam) also back up the ideas that the ideas in religions, specifically Christianity have been "sexed up" over the years. This one also backs up the idea that Mary was no Virgin when Christ came to be conceived, and also refers to Jesse, our Saviour's stepbrother, of whom very little has been written.

Joe Lombardelli, incidentally, who appeared as the hapless reporter in the aforementioned "Miriam" piece strikes just the right note between politely interested, and desperate to hear a better story from his unwilling interviewee.

The rest of the cast certainly had their moments also. Clare Routh as Paula in "Jerome and The Virgin", perhaps could have been more commanding, but she was definitely watchable in "Matthew Mark Luke and Dave" as the putupon widow of St Matthew -I presume- trying to write "Mattie's" account of Jesus life.

Lauren Shein commanded attention whenever onstage, gradually losing devoutness and belief as the plays progressed; Jon Roberts completing the foursome was the comic relief, although in Anna Jordan's mesmeric "Hands", he suddenly came across as a shockingly deluded wife-beater who by admitting his sins feels God would welcome him continuing his random acts of violence so long as he doesn't cease atoning.

Hugh Allison's directing was practically faultless, although a couple of the pieces felt slightly rushed.

As a whole the piece is very intelligent, slightly shocking, and an interesting perspective on the origins of the first four books of the New Testament"

jason

06th May

"I was overwhelmed by the standard of this production, on a trip to london I ended up in Camden Town. The pub we were in had a show on upstairs, so we figured what the heck. It was like watching a newly born only fools and horses, the writing was sharp, the actng sensational and the feelgood factor tremondous. Every now and again you stumble upon something that is truly remarkable, this was one of those times.

This was a very funny show that I would recommend to anyone, I am pretty sure it will end up on our screens as a sit com soon. The characters were so clear, so different from each other and yet so perfect for each other.

The story was a rollercoaster of a ride which kept you on the edge of your seat, and was one of the best pieces of theatre I have seen in a long time..."

Rory Thomas

30th October

"Frozen - Oct 06
I went to see if Friday and it was amazing. It's a two hander set in a bedsit, and I didn't think it'd hold me, but right from the start it sets up different mysteries. You really have to pay attention to start to work everything out. The female lead Josephine Hart is amazing, and gets great supoort from Jack Bowman. Very much an adults only piece though, and runs at 45 minutes, which is just right...!

Highly recommend."

Sophie O''Mara

10th September

"Second class parents - Sept 06

What a brilliant production, looking into a very current topic. All the cast were excellent, although the two members who stood out for me were Paul Ferguson (who co-wrote) and James Witt who portrayed the great emotions of a Father fighting for justice. Think the play would make a great TV Drama keeping the above stars."

Anne

28th June

"Twisted Magnolias - 06/06

Great acting, hysterical plot and fantastic twist at the end. The 90 minutes or so of the play flew by and I enjoyed every minute! This play deserves more attention and definitely shouldn't be forgotten about after its short run in this tiny but very cute theatre."