Bit later than usual, but here’s this week’s theatre round-up, and what an interesting week it was. It also included another Edinburgh preview, so more on that next week.

Impossible

Escapology, mind-reading, card tricks and sleight of hand. Women get cut in half and cars disappear. Members of the audience are invited to lie on a bed of nails, and a bald man fires a crossbow at his wife. It’s all in a day’s work for the eight illusionists who make up the cast of Impossible, a magical extravaganza directed by BAFTA winner Anthony Owen at the Noel Coward Theatre. It’s full of jaw-dropping moments – I figured out one tiny bit of one trick and I was really proud of myself. As for the rest, I’ve no idea.

Sure, it’s all a bit macho, and it would have been nice to see a man get cut in half for a change. And we know how all the tricks are going to end, but that doesn’t stop them being amazing. This is a genuinely incredible show and really good fun (and only mildly terrifying at times).

Impossible review for LondonTheatre1.com

American idiot

Ah, finally a jukebox musical based on a band from my generation… American Idiot is a show based on the 2004 Green Day concept album, and telling the story of three childhood friends in the wake of 9/11. It’s not for the faint-hearted or easily offended, with scenes of drug use, violence and explicit language, but then again, was anyone really expecting anything different? It’s not your typical jukebox musical, but personally, I’m not a massive fan of them anyway, so that’s okay. The show is fast, furious and full of energy, and I loved it.

And it’s got me back listening to Green Day again, so that can’t be a bad thing.

American Idiot review for LondonTheatre1.com

Secret theatre

Well, what can I say? Not much, actually, because it’s a secret. It’s not like me to go and see a play without knowing what it is, so I was feeling a bit anxious about my trip to the Secret Theatre last night. But I needn’t have worried, because not only did the play turn out to be a story I knew and loved, it was also really fun. A totally immersive theatre experience, from the moment you arrive you’re part of the show; be prepared to interact with the cast, and to do a lot of walking from location to location.

Though the second act could probably have done with being a bit shorter, I loved both the experience and the play, and might even consider trying secret theatre again some time. Which, considering I don’t do surprises, is quite a compliment.

Secret Theatre review for Carn’s Theatre Passion

This week’s theatre:

Dirty Dancing, Marlowe Theatre