MyTheatreMates is a portal for independent theatre bloggers, run by Terri Paddock. We currently have over 40 bloggers whose sites and content are regularly featured and hundreds more guest bloggers. We love meeting new mates! Are you a champion of theatre? Do you regularly blog and tweet about it? Why not join us?
Terri Paddock co-founded MyTheatreMates in 2015 with the help of leading theatre critic and industry commentator Mark Shenton, a mate for life! Find out more about the ethos behind the site. And join our mailing list.
Editor’s picks
‘A version that may well change the musical forever’: COMPANY – West End
17th October 2018Gielgud Theatre, London – until 22 December 2018 The world may have changed considerably since the premiere of Company in 1970 but two things are very much the same; first, the unceasing expectation that all women in their 20s and… .. Read more
WATCH: Monty Jones on how depression led him to pen new black comedy Schrodinger’s Dog
17th October 2018Why do so many plays about depression and suicide miss the spot? Because they're not written from a perspective of real, lived experience, says Monty Jones. Watch this incredibly open and honest video from Jones about how he came to writing new black… .. Read more
‘It feels like a boxing ring, where insights are thrown like punches’: Katie Brayben on reviving Honour at Park Theatre
16th October 2018Olivier Award winner Katie Brayben returns to the London stage this month in Joanna Murray-Smith's tale of a marriage in crisis, Honour. The former star of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical tells us why she's so excited about this new… .. Read more
NEWS: David Suchet & Brendan Coyle star in Arthur Miller’s The Price in West End, TICKETS NOW ONSALE
15th October 2018The 50th-anniversary production of Arthur Miller’s drama The Price will transfer to the West End in February 2019 following a critical and publicly acclaimed reception at the Theatre Royal Bath earlier this summer. David Suchet and Brendan Coyle will both reprise… .. Read more
NEWS: The Lehman Trilogy transfers from the National Theatre to the West End in May 2019
15th October 2018The West End transfer of the National Theatre’s The Lehman Trilogy (a co-production with Neal Street Productions) has been announced. Sam Mendes’ acclaimed production of Ben Power’s adaptation of Stefano Massini’s text about the rise and fall of the Lehman… .. Read more
NEWS: Four wins for Manchester’s Royal Exchange at UK Theatre Awards plus honours for Maxine Peake & Richard Eyre
14th October 2018This year’s UK Theatre Awards winners were revealed today (Sunday 14 October) in a lunchtime ceremony at London’s Guildhall. Highlights included: Four wins for Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre including Best Director for Sarah Frankcom and Best New Play for The… .. Read more
Other recent articles
‘A version that may well change the musical forever’: COMPANY – West End
17th October 2018Gielgud Theatre, London – until 22 December 2018 The world may have changed considerably since the premiere of Company in 1970 but two things are very much the same; first, the unceasing expectation that all women in their 20s and… .. Read more
‘An uneven double bill, but it does work well’: HOGARTH’S PROGRESS – Rose Theatre, Kingston
17th October 2018Rose Theatre, Kingston – until 21 October 2018 I like a two-show day. They’re efficient, lots of play for one train ticket, even if the risks of a numb arse and some knotty lower back issues are high. The latest… .. Read more
Also visit Terri’s social media directory for musicals
‘A beautifully compact version of a well-known opera’: LA TRAGEDIE DE CARMEN – Touring ★★★★
17th October 2018Asylum Chapel, London First performed in 1875, Bizet’s Carmen was far from an instant hit. It took until a revival eight years later for Parisian audiences to really be charmed by the piece, which is now an incredibly popular opera… .. Read more
‘You have to start with the central relationship’: Nick Lane on adapting Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of the Four for the stage
17th October 2018Nick Lane spoke to LLLC’s Emma Clarendon about adapting Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of the Four for Blackeyed theatre, touring the UK now. For those who aren’t familiar with the story can you explain to me a… .. Read more
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Mayerling at the Royal Opera House
17th October 2018Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for this revival of Kenneth MacMillan’s dark ballet, now playing at the Royal Opera House. The Guardian: ★★★ “If the lack of chemistry between the two leads was disappointing, the production as a whole… .. Read more
NEWS: Further casting is announced for Only Fools & Horses musical with Dianne Pilkington playing Raquel
17th October 2018Further casting has been announced for Only Fools And Horses The Musical which opens in London at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 9 February 2019 (press night is 19 February). The hugely lovable characters from the TV show will be… .. Read more
‘Might be a good way to introduce children to the world of theatre’: MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL – Touring
17th October 2018Touring – reviewed at Edinburgh Playhouse Guest reviewer: Sarah Moyes Madagascar may have been a hugely popular animated movie, but unfortunately, the musical adaptation fails to hit the right notes. Madagascar The Musical is obviously hoping to follow in the… .. Read more
‘Profoundly moving & tragic semi-autobiographical play’: IN PRAISE OF LOVE – Bath ★★★★
17th October 2018Ustinov Studio, Bath – until 3 November 2018 Terence Rattigan was understandably consumed with thoughts of love and death – and the right way to die – when he wrote his last great play, In Praise Of Love. Dying himself from… .. Read more
‘Pretty much a perfect representation of a play with songs’: TO HAVE TO SHOOT IRISHMEN – Touring
17th October 2018Touring – reviewed at Omnibus Theatre, London Too often, the term ‘play with songs’ is abused by marketing types to avoid using the word musical in all its apparent divisiveness. So what a blessed relief to find that Lizzie Nunnery’s… .. Read more
‘Silly, slightly nonsensical & very, very funny’: MURDER SHE DIDN’T WRITE – Leicester Square Theatre
17th October 2018Leicester Square Theatre, London It’s not often you get to start a review of a murder mystery by revealing whodunnit, but here goes: it was Scarlett, in the cattery, with a seatless unicycle (I’ll leave the gory details to your… .. Read more