This week, West End Editor Josephine Balfour-Oatts sees London through the eyes of Kate Wyver. And what a city it is too.
Kate Wyver contributes regularly to The Guardian as a theatre critic, and is one of the most prominent young voices in arts journalism today. Also a phenomenal bookseller, she works across both adult and children's fiction at Waterstones - hers is a soul surrounded by stories.
Do you have a favourite theatre in the West End? If so, why?
I’m excited by any theatre with enough loos and lots of leg room. I feel much more at home in smaller fringe theatres (my favourite theatre in London is probably Battersea Arts Centre because it’s my local, I love so much of the work and I like the bees on the floor) but one of my favourites in the West End is Shaftesbury Theatre because I saw Derren Brown's Svengali there. Or the Palladium - that always feels pretty special.
Which are your preferred spots for a pre-show meal?
I’m normally running late so if there’s time I’ll grab a meatball wrap from Pret.
Where is your post-show drinks haunt?
One of the few things I dislike about reviewing is the inability to go for a pint after a show. If I’m seeing a play for fun, then any pub with a sofa, good cider and a darts board.
Which of Theatreland’s upcoming/ current productions are you most looking forward to?
Coming up: Kate Tempest at the National Theatre. Barney Norris at the Arcola. The Book of Dust at The Bridge. Currently: very keen to catch Touching The Void at The Duke of York and Three Sisters at the NT.
Top show to see right now?
I love that a lot of great stuff is being done at the moment by queer ex-couples. I loved Fitter at Soho Theatre, a funny, smart, moving study of masculinity by Mary Higgins and Ell Potter, and Sh!t Actually, a riotous piss-take of Love Actually at Camden People’s Theatre by Sh!t Theatre’s Rebecca Biscuit and Louise Mothersole.
Expenses aside, what would be your ideal day out in London?
A chilly early morning swim in the Serpentine followed by a fry up. A walk, some reading, good chat. Right now I'd like to go to that light display in Kew. Finish with a night with my pub quiz team.
In your opinion, what is London’s best-kept secret?
Heap’s sausage shop in Greenwich. Best sausage roll for miles.
On your days off, where are you most likely to be found?
In libraries, bookshops, theatres or at a lido.
What is your fondest memory of the London theatre scene?
It always revolves back to the people. Maybe going to Battersea Arts Centre with my mum and grandma over the years. Maybe holding melting ice in Andy Field and Ira Glass’s Put Your Sweet Hand In Mine. Maybe going to a workshop where I got to meet Joey from War Horse. Maybe sitting munching on Dorito’s in the queue for the Young Vic with my friend.
Where in London are you most happy?
In cold water, in old-man pubs, or tucked up somewhere cosy reading.
What’s next on your agenda?
Watch all of The Leftovers and figure out how to make freelancing sustainable for 2020.
Eyebrows were raised when the ever audacious producer Paul Taylor-Mills decided to add a Battersea theatre to his portfolio: a. because its modest seating capacity would make it hard to run shows commercially and b. because, for audiences, it’s a daunting bus ride and short walk from the nearest tube or train station.