∞ {Infinite}

© Tom Visser
My Theatre Confidences 🤫
∞ {Infinite} by HUMANHOOD
Sadler’s Wells East till 15 February
Experiencing INFINITE by Humanhood was like embarking on a profound journey—a mesmerizing blend of movement and meditation that transcended the typical dance performance. The company's unique fusion of contemporary dance, martial arts, and shamanic practices created an atmosphere that felt both instinctual and otherworldly. The dancers didn't merely perform; they seemed to channel a universal energy, moving with a fluidity and precision that was both captivating and deeply moving.
The production delved into expansive themes of space, time, and the dissolution of the self, inviting the audience to explore the concept of infinity within and around us. The choreography was complemented by atmospheric lighting and a resonant soundscape, enhancing the immersive experience. What stood out to me was the accessibility of the performance; Humanhood's approach stripped away any sense of elitism often associated with contemporary dance, welcoming everyone into this shared spiritual journey. There was no pressure to intellectually dissect the performance—only an invitation to feel and experience it.
Credit: Tom Visser
On a personal level, INFINITE resonated deeply with the current societal pressures we face. In an age where we're constantly bombarded with information and driven by a relentless pursuit of success, the performance served as a much-needed antidote. It encouraged a release from the incessant mental noise, offering a space to reconnect with deeper, more essential rhythms that align with nature and the cosmos. For a brief moment, the overwhelming demands of modern life faded, replaced by a sense of “stillness” and unity. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of pausing, reflecting, and embracing the infinite possibilities within ourselves.

Credit: Tom Visser
A quick note on my reflections on the shows I see:
Let’s be clear: you won’t find the typical “review” on my page. I don’t buy into the so-called objectivity of mainstream theatre criticism; it’s outdated and protects toxic power structures while sidelining marginalised voices. I’m not objective, and I’m proud of it. I’ve got my own lenses. My reflections are personal, shaped by my lived experiences and values. I share what moved me, what challenged me, and what’s worth talking about; not ticking boxes or handing out stars.
And no, I’m not going to describe the whole plot or list every onstage moment; I find that mind-numbingly boring, both to write and to read.
Giuliano x

My Way of Looking at Theatre
You know, the more I think about it, the clearer it becomes that traditional theatre criticism has often been a tool for maintaining existing power structures.
It’s time to drop the privileged fancy talk around theatre and break free from star ratings.
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I love and recommend
Sadler’s Wells East, 5 - 7 May
Blending dynamic movement with spoken word, KABEL explores the raw emotions of jealousy, rage, and the possibility of redemption. As the bond between brothers fractures, their bodies become both weapons and witnesses in a visceral battle born of envy.
Hackney Empire, 23 - 26 April
Forbidden love meets fierce beats. Shakespeare’s original text collides with rap, soul, and R&B in a raw, rhythmic remix of the classic tale. The same tragic passion, the same doomed romance; remixed with lyrical fire and real community spirit.
Omnibus Theatre, 8 - 26 April
Set in the near future, The Guest is a sharp, unsettling comedy about borders; both personal and political. A gripping exploration of migration, empathy, and the tensions between fear and openness. With wit and urgency, the play invites us to confront how we respond to the unfamiliar; and what it really means to welcome the other.
King’s Head Theatre, 1 - 27 April
Two young women meet in a car park and fall in love… while dogging. With their friends watching, they push the boundaries of sexuality and launch a feminist porn company. Outrageous, sex-positive, and fiercely feminist, Puppy takes on queerness, protest, and the patriarchy with sharp wit and wild energy.
Riverside Studios until 6 April
A sharp, intimate look at how we carry the weight of family; whether we mean to or not. At its core, this is a story about sisterhood strained by distance, shaped by love, and haunted by addiction.
Sadler’s Wells East, 27 & 28 March
This bold double bill explores queerness, invisibility, and the struggle for recognition. Set to powerful, boundary-pushing music, the performance challenges societal norms and celebrates those often left unseen.
Southbank Centre 21 & 22 March
A dynamic tribute to South Africa’s rickshaw drivers, whose vibrant costumes and rhythmic movements once masked the harsh realities of apartheid. Fusing explosive dance, Zulu traditions, and striking visuals, it explores resilience and identity with raw energy and power.
Royal Court Theatre until 8 March
A Palestinian mother in Gaza, obsessively prepares for the dreaded “roof knock” – a warning from the Israeli military that gives residents minutes to escape before their home is bombed. Blending dark humor with raw reality, the play explores survival, maternal instinct, and the brutal truths of life under occupation.
Barbican Theatre, 24 - 27 April
A bold reimagining of Hamlet features a cast of actors with Down’s syndrome, blending Shakespeare’s text with their own personal stories. Through humor, multimedia, and audience interaction, it explores identity, inclusion, and what it truly means to “be.”
Theatre503, until 15 March
A gripping tale of duty, shame, and identity in an Anglo-Indian family. This play explores generational guilt and the fight to reclaim one's voice.
Soho Theatre, until 15 March
With sharp wit and camp flair, she unpacks what it means for Black women to take centre stage in their own lives, challenging the limits of the one-woman show genre while exposing the insidious nature of racism..
National Theatre, until 8 April
Set in 1970s London, this powerful drama illuminates the Guyanese experience and the aspirations and sacrifices of the Windrush generation.
Sadler’s Wells East, 20 to 22 February
An all-ages tribute to all the weird kids left on the sidelines
Irish choreographer Emma Martin makes her London debut with Birdboy", a “ground-breaking” solo performance bringing you into a frenzied, absurd and sometimes otherworldly landscape of isolation, fantasy and letting go.
The Place, 25 & 26 February
Mariposa is a queer retelling of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, set in a Caribbean port under neon lights. A local rent boy and a foreign sailor fall into a love story filled with longing and fate.
Blending opera and dance, the story moves to post-revolution Cuba, where showgirls, rent boys, sailors, and Santería spirits cross paths. In a storm of desire and sacrifice, Mariposa explores what we risk to be loved and accepted.
Lyric Hammersmith till 22 February
PLAY ON! is a jazz-fueled reimagining of Twelfth Night, set in 1940s Harlem’s Cotton Club.
Directed by Talawa’s Michael Buffong, PLAY ON! fuses Duke Ellington’s electrifying music with street dance choreography in a dazzling, toe-tapping musical spectacle.
Apollo Theatre, 8 March to 14 June
A sharp, tense drama about race, power, and ambition. In golden-age Hollywood, a Black artist faces a career-defining choice between integrity and opportunity. Gripping and brilliantly crafted, it lays bare the unseen forces shaping history.
Yard Theatre till 15 February
Abigail can't afford for her mum to be dead. No, really. It's four grand just for the funeral. Extra for flowers. Even more if you want sausage rolls.
And if you’ve got no money: a council plot and an unmarked grave.
The solution? Turn her grief into content. Write a play from her ‘unique working-class lens’. Package her dead mum into a nice neat story. Sell tickets.
Omnibus Theatre till 15 March
A nostalgic journey of autistic self-discovery and landing your dream job - at Argos!
Designed to be neurodivergent-friendly, the show features a projection-rich set and creative captioning, offering an inclusive, engaging experience for all audiences.
Duke of York’s Theatre till 12 April
Elektra, haunted by her father's assassination, is consumed by grief; a need for survival; and a thirst for vengeance. When her long lost brother Orestes at last returns, she urges him to a savage and terrifying conclusion but at what cost?
Lyric Hammersmith until 29 March
Macbeth is reimagined as a raw and urgent reflection of a fractured society on the brink. With a sharp contemporary edge, it asks why this tale of violence and moral decay still haunts us; and what it reveals about the world we live in now.