National Youth Theatre and Contact, Manchester: Putting young people centre stage
With National Youth Theatre Chair Dawn Airey and Artistic Director Paul Roseby In this age of extremes, I often find myself at the sharp end of funding squeezes, local authority cuts, and am continually alarmed by the devastating demise of arts in our state schools....
Bat out of Hell rocks Manchester Opera House
Bat Out of Hell is the first big musical to be staged at the theatre and it’s a night of delirious entertainment. It’s a tale of unrequited love from different sides of the track, with a parent determined to keep them apart. Story wise, it is...
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
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Blog
National Youth Theatre and Contact, Manchester: Putting young people centre stage
With National Youth Theatre Chair Dawn Airey and Artistic Director Paul Roseby In this age of extremes, I often find myself at the sharp end of funding squeezes, local authority cuts, and am continually alarmed by the devastating demise of arts in our state schools....
Bat out of Hell rocks Manchester Opera House
Bat Out of Hell is the first big musical to be staged at the theatre and it’s a night of delirious entertainment. It’s a tale of unrequited love from different sides of the track, with a parent determined to keep them apart. Story wise, it is...
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...
Look Ahead
National Youth Theatre and Contact, Manchester: Putting young people centre stage
With National Youth Theatre Chair Dawn Airey and Artistic Director Paul Roseby In this age of extremes, I often find myself at the sharp end of funding squeezes, local authority cuts, and am continually alarmed by the devastating demise of arts in our state schools....
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...
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...
National Youth Theatre and Contact, Manchester: Putting young people centre stageOctober 17, 2021 - 11:56 am- New UK Tour of Beautiful-The Carole King Musical-to open at CurveOctober 15, 2021 - 10:26 am
- Ain’t Too Proud reopens on Broadway tomorrow and Rush policy announcedOctober 15, 2021 - 10:14 am
- Headlong and Theatre Centre partner with TikTok to present TikTok ShocksOctober 14, 2021 - 10:43 am
- Cast announcement for West End premiere of Life of PiOctober 13, 2021 - 10:49 am
- Paines Plough and Theatre Royal Plymouth present a new play about friendship, class and leaving homeOctober 12, 2021 - 10:19 am
- The Almeida Theatre announces a run of live stream performances for The Tragedy of MacbethOctober 12, 2021 - 10:11 am
- Lucy Kirkwood’s Maryland extension and script offerOctober 12, 2021 - 10:05 am
- Anything Goes coming to UK cinemas -for two nights only, 28 November and 1 December 2021October 8, 2021 - 10:59 am
- Almeida Theatre: Full cast for Spring AwakeningOctober 8, 2021 - 10:52 am
