The Pick Of London's Fringe Theatre In February

By Londonist Last edited 109 months ago
The Pick Of London's Fringe Theatre In February

Besides bringing you reviews of all the big shows each month, we also want you to know about the best fringe fare out there: those smaller shows and plays with brief runs which also deserve a look. If you see one, please tell us what you thought of it in the comments below.

Ablutions is on at Soho Theatre. Details below

The VAULT Festival @ Waterloo Tunnels, Leake Street (28 January-8 March)
The venue may resemble a brothel for slightly-defective androids and smell a bit like damp tea towels, but don't let that put you off. This annual orgy of all things weird and wonderful has more shows than we can count. Recently, we caught Fat Man, an intense tragi-comedy about love, the underworld and doughnuts — it had some hooting with laughter, some running for the door. There are also taxidermy puppets (Sing For Your Life), Shakespeare via sound effects (Macbeth) and time-travelling pirates (Captain Morgan And The Sands Of Time). Take a look at our full preview and weekly highlights here, then go explore.

Othello by William Shakespeare @ The Rose Playhouse (3-28 February)
A contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy set in modern London and inspired by the high-flying business world. The play features only the five main characters and is set in an office. £12/£10, prebook online

Elephant Man @ Brockley Jack Studio Theatre (3-21 February)
Inspired by David Lynch's 1980 blockbuster, this adaptation of the Elephant Man sold out at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe and on its subsequent tour. The original film was inspired by the true story of Joseph Merrick, whose deformities forced him to become a freak-show attraction and then a medical subject. £14/£11, prebook online

The Life & Loves of a Nobody @ The Albany (3-7 February)
How does a Nobody become Somebody? This fresh and intriguing play tells the story of Rachel, a woman who dreams of becoming famous. £12/£10, prebook online

She Loves Me @ Landor Theatre (4 February-7 March)
A love story of mistaken identity: two colleagues who dislike each other become anonymous pen pals. The plot is reminiscent of the popular Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan film, You’ve Got Mail. £20/£18, prebook online

Ablutions @ Soho Theatre (10-22 February)
Set in Los Angeles, this dark and modern drama tells the story of a barman facing too many drinks and a divorce. This play is the stage adaptation of Patrick deWitt's 2009 homonymous novel. £15/£12.50, prebook online

Muswell Hill is on at Park Theatre. Details below

Muswell Hill @ Park Theatre (17 February-14 March)
This is billed as a blackly funny play that compares two very different stories: on one side of the world, a devastating earthquake in Haiti and on the other a group of six people living comfortable lives in north London. Find out what links them. £18/£15, prebook online

Hamlet @ The Cockpit (17 February-15 March)
Horatio teaches modern history to four privileged teenagers in Elsinore: Laertes, his sister Ophelia, who is in love with Hamlet, Hamlet himself and his slippery friend, Rosencrantz. Shakespeare's most iconic work is presented in a fast-paced version by the English Repertory Theatre. £29.50, prebook online

A Local Boy @ The Pleasance (18-21 February)
A mystery starts to unfold when the body of a young boy is found dead next to a war memorial in Romford. The play then investigates human relationships in a world invaded and influenced by technology. £12/£10, prebook online

Gobstoppers: Young Directors Festival @ The Albany (18-21 February)
Twelve directors produce this independent and alternative festival full of one-act offerings. During the four nights of the festival, there will be 12 different plays brought to the stage: you just need to choose which one you prefer. £6 for a single show and £15 for three shows, prebook online

Lippy @ Young Vic (19 February-14 March)
Go back in time 15 years, when four women living in a small Irish town decided to die. In 40 days, they will destroy every trace of their existence before disappearing for good. Dead Centre imagines how those 40 days might have been. £19.50/£10, prebook online

Muscovado @ Theatre503 (24 February-8 March)
This play tells the stories of plantation slaves living in Barbados in the 1800s. Presented by emerging playwright Matilda Ibini, Muscovado is a mix of sexual intrigue, piercing choral music and extreme racial tension, accompanied by live music. £12/£10, prebook online

Without Reluctance and Without Relief @ Brockley Jack (24-28 February)
Three monologues describe the lives of three different people who have undergone dramatic and sudden changes. They are written and brought to the stage by Howard Colyer. £10, prebook online

Find more about what else is on by visiting Londonist’s Theatre & On Stage page where you'll find reviews, previews and more. We also have special offers on tickets at tickets.londonist.com/offers

Last Updated 02 February 2015