Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tickets and more information: https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/torch-song-tickets
Booking until: 13th October
Run time: 2 hr 30 mins.
Production Photographs by: Mark Senior

Opening the new Turbine Theatre in Battersea is Harvey Fierstein’s critically acclaimed play Torch Song. Recently produced on Broadway starring Michael Urie, Torch Song follows drag queen Arnold and his quest of finding and creating his own love, family, comfort across 3 short plays. Throughout Arnold’s journey we follow his relationship with Ed, a teacher who isn’t completely out of the closet, as well as how same sex relationships functioned in the 1970s.

The cast is led by Matthew Needham, who I had previously seen in Rebecca Frecknall’s production of Summer & Smoke which he was fantastic in. And he is giving an absolutely astonishing performance here, delicately balancing the heart and emotional intensity of the character without feeling like it was overdone. The supporting cast are fantastic with Dino Fetscher as Ed as a particular standout along with Bernice Stegers who delivers a scene stealing performance in act 2 as Arnold’s mother.

Drew McOnie’s direction in this piece is sublime and incredibly finely detailed, you can tell every movement made in this piece has been considered. Everything down to the lighting design by James Whiteside, set design by Ryan Dawson Light and Sound from Sebastian Frost are all down to exquisite detail.

Torch Song is a great first production to open the brand new Turbine Theatre in Battersea and I’m glad I ventured out to the outskirts of London for it and I’m excited for what lies ahead in Paul Taylor Mills’ vision for the theatre.

Until next time,