Alvin Ailey, Programme C review - black, beautiful, brilliant

★★★★ ALVIN AILEY, PROGRAMME C America's No.1 rounds off a triumphant visit

America's No.1 rounds off its triumphant visit with a diddly-doo-wop

The Ailey company is that rare thing – a dance legend that’s even better than you remember. While no one forgets their first encounter with America’s No.1 touring troupe and its unique mix of ballet, modern, jazz, street, and all-round athletic fabulousness, repeat viewings only increase one’s respect.

Chiaroscuro, Bush Theatre review - music, sweet, sweet music

★★★ CHIAROSCURO, BUSH THEATRE Lively revival of a 1980s account of the black lesbian experience

Lively gig theatre revival of a 1980s account of the black lesbian experience

Identity politics has been around for decades. One of the great things about the Bush Theatre in West London is the fact that it not only stages new plays by a diverse range of playwrights, but also successful recent revivals of modern classics such as Winsome Pinnock's Leave Taking and Caryl Phillips's Strange Fruit.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Sadler's Wells review - Still more Revelations

★★★★ ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATRE, SADLER'S WELLS Still more Revelations

America's favourite dance ticket shows us how it's done

There is no equivalent of the Ailey phenomenon. This is a modern dance company with a New York square named after it. It’s a dance company that has performed at the inauguration of two presidents. Its calling card, Revelations, a suite of dances first performed in 1960, is the most-watched modern dance work anywhere, ever.

CD: Kano - Hoodies All Summer

★★★★★ CD: KANO - HOODIES ALL SUMMER A career best for an MC at the heart of grime

A career best for an MC who's been at the heart of grime since its inception

Of all grime's original generation, Kano has a strong claim to being the greatest rhyme-constructor in the old school hip hop sense of dense rhymes packed with multiple meanings. Add movie star looks and a penchant for fur coats in photoshoots and he was most young grime fans' tip for following Dizzee Rascal into the big league.

Barber Shop Chronicles, Roundhouse review - riotous theatre at its best

★★★★ BARBERSHOP CHRONICLES, ROUNDHOUSE Riotous theatre at its best

 

Must-see show takes place in barber shops in London, Lagos, Accra, Harare, Kampala, Johannesburg

Emmanuel (Anthony Ofoegbu) runs Three Kings Barbers in London. His assistant, Samuel (Mohammed Mansaray), is the son of his erstwhile business partner, who is currently in jail. Emmanuel is boss, surrogate father and — occasionally — verbal punching bag: Sam is a whizz with the shears and just as cutting with his tongue. 

Blues in the Night, Kiln Theatre review - hard times, hot tunes

★★★★ BLUES IN THE NIGHT, KILN THEATRE Sharon D Clarke leads a steamy, soulful musical revue

Sharon D Clarke leads a steamy, soulful musical revue

It’s too darn hot, BoJo is in Downing Street, and we’re all going to Brexit hell – so we might as well sing the blues. Or at least take a night off from the apocalypse to enjoy a virtuoso company singing them for us in this rousing revival of Sheldon Epps’ 1980 musical revue, which showcases jazz greats like Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen.

Whitewash, Soho Theatre review - a wild-at-heart linguistic joy-ride

★★★★ WHITEWASH, SOHO THEATRE A wild-at-heart linguistic joy-ride

Energetic two-hander offers a sparky portrait of a transforming city

This witty street-smart play about a white-skinned boy born to a mixed-race mother deploys its narrative with the dexterity of a dance. Two performers move backwards and forwards across the stage, switching through different characters, skin colours, genders and generations, as they tell a story of pride, poverty, passion and prejudice.

Bronx Gothic, Young Vic review - fervid intensity

★★★★ BRONX GOTHIC, YOUNG VIC Okwui Okpokwasili’s solo is an astounding piece of theatre

Okwui Okpokwasili’s solo performance piece is an astounding piece of theatre

It’s hard, and finally fruitless to attempt to describe Okwui Okpokwasili’s Bronx Gothic in conventional terms of genre: combining elements of dance and theatre, this visceral solo performance transcends both.