Despite having MacKenzies on my mother's side and family ties to Waternish on Skye, where winter ceilidhs remain a cherished tradition, my own dancing experience is limited to schooldays and a few riotous evenings at the Gay Gordons in Islington. Ceilidh at Shoreditch Town Hall is joyful, funny and unexpectedly moving, with superb musicians and a wonderfully inclusive spirit. I left wanting to sign up for dancing classes myself.

Memoriam explores a fascinating future where memories can be extracted, edited and sold, asking powerful questions about identity, grief and what happens when we soften painful experiences. Beverley Klein shines as the feisty Rivka, but while there are the bones of a cracking good story here, a tighter running time and less sibling bickering would allow its most compelling ideas to truly take centre stage.

An outstanding, deeply moving musical, The Pianist tells the extraordinary true story of Polish-Jewish pianist Władysław Szpilman and his fight for survival during the Holocaust. With powerful performances, live music and intimate staging, this London world premiere celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of music to survive even the darkest of times.

An antique shop filled with forgotten objects and hidden stories provides an intriguing premise for psychological horror, but Uncle Monty's Antique Shop never quite realises its potential. Despite moments of atmosphere and a strong performance from Shanice Petilaire, the production's disjointed structure, unclear storytelling and uneven characterisation leave what could have been a chilling theatrical experience feeling frustratingly muddled.

Laura Grillo’s What Would Jarvis Do? is a brave, unsettling black comedy that blends fandom, grief and lockdown-induced psychosis into a fever-dream journey through the human psyche. At its best, it offers moments of real emotional insight, particularly in its exploration of loss and isolation. While its surrealism and familiar horror tropes sometimes hinder audience engagement, the production’s ambition, dark humour and pulsing Pulp soundtrack leave a memorable impression.

A brilliantly written and superbly acted two-hander, What the Animals Say turns a chance ferry crossing into a sharp, funny and increasingly unsettling confrontation. David Ireland's debut play combines razor-sharp dialogue, surprising twists and outstanding performances, while imaginative direction and inventive staging make this an exhilarating example of fringe theatre at its best.

Set within the atmospheric surroundings of Wilton's Music Hall, Incendiary breathes new life into the words of Samuel Pepys. Edward Bennett is superb, bringing warmth, humour and humanity to the famous diarist with a wonderfully expressive voice. Blending history, music and storytelling, this fascinating production reveals not only the events Pepys witnessed, but also the man behind the diary.

At one of my favourite London venues, Wilton's Music Hall, Arthur Hull turns musical theatre's biggest disasters into a hugely entertaining evening. Blending impressive vocals, sharp humour and fascinating backstage stories, FLOP! celebrates the shows that missed the mark but somehow left behind memorable songs. A joyful reminder that failure can sometimes be every bit as entertaining as success.

★★★½ Three-and-a-half stars Written and performed by Jamie Noski, Getting Rekt is an ambitious, brave and sharply observed debut. With infectious energy and real stage presence, Noski explores trauma, identity and an unlikely intergenerational friendship against the chaotic backdrop of London. Tender, funny and occasionally heartbreaking, the play leaves you cheering for Rek and Zofia—and their mission to find sunflowers in winter.

Thick as Thieves Theatre Company’s Sense & Sensibility is a fizzing, fast-paced and wonderfully inventive production. Five versatile actors bring Austen’s world vividly to life, switching between characters and costumes with impressive speed and comic timing. The adaptation retains the romance, gossip and misunderstandings of the original while giving the story a fresh, playful energy. Audience participation adds an irresistible sense of spontaneity.

Woody Guthrie’s songs inspired generations of musicians, and this heartfelt production celebrates both his music and extraordinary life. Performed without amplification by four multi-talented musician-actors, the show combines around 25 songs with Guthrie’s own words, charting his journey from the Dust Bowl to folk legend. Rich harmonies, outstanding musicianship and powerful storytelling make this an uplifting tribute to a voice that challenged injustice and spoke for ordina