Jonathan Harvey: ‘Good drama should challenge you and go to places that you think that you might not want to go.’
Jonathan Harvey’s new play at Liverpool Everyman Our Lady of Blundellsands is savagely funny – the theatre legend talks about reviews, what makes a good play & more
Cameron Mackintosh’s comments on casting of trans actors as a ‘gimmick’ are unacceptable and dangerous
He produced Cats, a musical featuring an animatronic singing pig, and even put a real helicopter on stage, and the one thing he can’t wrap his head around is transgender people playing classic roles? Back once again, then, to Sir Cameron Mackintosh, who is...
Anything Goes gave me one of the best nights in a theatre — ever.
An actual show at the theatre. Wow indeed. Financially, theatre is unviable. Yet at the Barbican in London right now, it’s never looked so enticing, beautiful and well produced. Helmed by three-time Tony-winning director Kathleen Marshall, Anything Goes is the real...
Latest Articles
Blog
Jonathan Harvey: ‘Good drama should challenge you and go to places that you think that you might not want to go.’
Jonathan Harvey’s new play at Liverpool Everyman Our Lady of Blundellsands is savagely funny – the theatre legend talks about reviews, what makes a good play & more
Cameron Mackintosh’s comments on casting of trans actors as a ‘gimmick’ are unacceptable and dangerous
He produced Cats, a musical featuring an animatronic singing pig, and even put a real helicopter on stage, and the one thing he can’t wrap his head around is transgender people playing classic roles? Back once again, then, to Sir Cameron Mackintosh, who is...
Anything Goes gave me one of the best nights in a theatre — ever.
An actual show at the theatre. Wow indeed. Financially, theatre is unviable. Yet at the Barbican in London right now, it’s never looked so enticing, beautiful and well produced. Helmed by three-time Tony-winning director Kathleen Marshall, Anything Goes is the real...
Manchester International Festival 2021 / Bloody Elle – A Gig Musical
On reading the words ‘Manchester International Festival’, you know you’re in for quite the experience. I mean, it’s not everyday you get the opportunity to attend a biennial international arts festival, during a pandemic, with a specific focus on original new work....
Look Ahead
Manchester International Festival 2021 programme announced
Manchester International Festival (MIF), returns from 1-18 July with a vibrant programme of original new work from across the spectrum of visual and performing arts and music by artists from over 20 countries. The reasonably amazing lineup includes Angélique Kidjo,...
Look Ahead: Theatre Streaming in March
At last! A roadmap – the prime minister has announced a timeline for when theatres and other live events venues may be able to reopen. All being well, indoor and outdoor theatres will be allowed to reopen with social distancing from May 17. Hmmmmmmmmm. Anyway, here...
Look Ahead: Theatre streaming in February
Here is a list of shows that are streaming throughout February – some good stuff, I’m sure you will agree. In all the Seyi Omooba shambles you may have missed that Curve in Leicester’s special concert version of musical The Color Purple musical is being streamed from...
Look Ahead: Theatre streaming in January
You might say “Carl why haven’t you put a list together of all the shows that are available for virtual viewing, are you having another meltdown” and, yes, fair point but what can you do in The General Circumstances Of A Global Pandemic. Anyway, below is a...
Spotlight
Manchester International Festival 2021 / Bloody Elle – A Gig Musical
On reading the words ‘Manchester International Festival’, you know you’re in for quite the experience. I mean, it’s not everyday you get the opportunity to attend a biennial international arts festival, during a pandemic, with a specific focus on original new work....
Guest Blog – The Mono Box: “Our industry cannot and will not evolve without investment in new talent.”
The Mono Box has always prided itself on supporting freelancers creatively – providing opportunities that are lacking or less accessible in the industry. For 8 years, we have run workshops and events for actors, directors and writers as well as, more recently,...
British Theatre Is Facing A Covid Tragedy
July 2021. UK Theatres are in limbo. By now, of course, you know the latest facts, because you live in them. In no particular order, over 62% of British adults are now fully vaccinated. And 84% have had one dose. A new production of Jersey Boys is set to begin at the...
Spotlight: Who Cares Campaign launches Digi Fund to support young carers
Spotlight: Who Cares Campaign launches Digi Fund to support young carers Donate to Digi Fund for Who Cares Campaign There are an estimated 700,000 young people caring for a loved one in the UK. One third of these young carers come from low income families. Many do not...
Reviews
Mesmerising Sweeney Todd got me by the throat
Lots to love about Nick Bagnall’s stripped-back Sweeney Todd in Liverpool, including the cast, acting, and absorbing scenes between Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett and the decision to set it in a time of Brexhaustion. Everything seems fresh minted. Bagnall’s wickedly...
Standing at The Sky’s Edge
Standing At The Sky’s Edge’s portrayal of high-rise communities in the iconic concrete housing estate could hardly be bettered. It’s an evocative setting. Park Hill was built in the 1950’s as a solution to the city’s social housing. This new musical is all about that...
Young Frankenstein: do we all make our own monsters?
The gender roles in Young Frankenstein raise huge questions around our own collusion as audiences and Mel Brooks’ musical comedy starring Ross Noble, Hadley Fraser, Summer Strallen and Lesley Joseph is ruffling feathers. The background is that, in Natasha...
Jonathan Harvey: ‘Good drama should challenge you and go to places that you think that you might not want to go.’September 19, 2021 - 6:17 pm- Cast announced for the Spectacular Spectacular! MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICALSeptember 17, 2021 - 11:01 am
- Curve to stage first new UK production of Billy Elliot The Musical in 2022September 17, 2021 - 10:16 am
- Cast announced for DREAMGIRLS UK TourSeptember 16, 2021 - 10:44 am
- Theatre news + photos: cast & creative team for Natalie Ibu’s first show as Northern Stage Artistic DirectorSeptember 13, 2021 - 10:46 am
- Everybody’s Talking about the South Yorkshire Cultural and Creative Industries SummitSeptember 13, 2021 - 10:32 am
- BEETLEJUICE is Returning to BroadwaySeptember 13, 2021 - 10:24 am
- Matilda The Musical release new video of cast singing ‘When I Grow up’ ahead of re-opening on 16 September 2021September 10, 2021 - 11:05 pm
- The National Theatre adds new productions to streaming platform NT at HomeSeptember 9, 2021 - 10:33 am
- “Company” resumes business as box office opens todaySeptember 9, 2021 - 10:31 am
