In the face of the coronavirus crisis, London and UK theatres have closed their doors until further notice. Our theatre-loving Mates are still blogging during lockdown, if not quite as frequently. We’re doing our best to help keep theatre alive in unprecedented times. Stay safe.
MyTheatreMates is a portal for independent theatre bloggers, run by Terri Paddock. We currently have over 45 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.
Recent articles
‘Foy & Smith seem to have found a new way of interacting at a distance’: LUNGS – Old Vic (Online review)
7th July 2020Having not seen a live show since 11 March, rather than grab a haircut or book a table at a pub I thought I’d make my lockdown easing day treat a visit to a theatre. Granted it wasn’t an actual… .. Read more
‘Raw & fascinating to watch’: LES BLANCS – National Theatre at Home (Online review) ★★★★★
7th July 2020Lorraine Hansberry’s play is vividly and powerfully brought to life in Yaël Farber’s atmospheric production. This latest production to be showcased in the National Theatre’s immensely popular National Theatre at Home series is this immensely powerful and shocking play from… .. Read more
NEWS: Sam Mendes spearheads fund for UK theatre workers & freelancers supported by Netflix
7th July 2020Oscar-winning film and theatre director Sam Mendes is the driving force behind the Theatre Artists Fund, set up for theatre professionals who are in need of urgent and critical financial support due to the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the theatre sector.… .. Read more
‘Sharply funny & sweetly touching’: NIGEL SLATER’S TOAST (Online review)
6th July 2020Hot on the heels of their starry audio version of The Understudy, Lawrence Batley Theatre has now released an audio version of Toast to the digital space following a successful tour last year. When I saw this show live at… .. Read more
‘A sheer spectacle with plenty of energy & passion’: CELTIC TIGER – The Shows Must Go On! (Online review)
6th July 2020This 2005 production directed, produced and choreographed by Michael Flatley has some interesting concepts – but put together comes across as an incoherent show. The last Michael Flatley show that I went to see was Lord of the Dance: Dangerous… .. Read more
NEWS: Government announces £1.5 billion lifeline for UK arts & culture
5th July 2020Chancellor Rishi Sunak has bowed to pressure from the arts world and unveiled a £1.57 billion lifeline for the UK’s theatres, venues and museums struggling to stay afloat in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. The rescue package includes £1.15… .. Read more
‘It is emotional to watch from start to finish’: HAMILTON – Disney Plus (Online review) ★★★★★
5th July 2020Spectacularly unique and filled with passion, this filmed version of the hit Broadway musical is exquisite to watch – no matter how many times you have seen it. Having originally set to be released in cinemas next year, thank goodness… .. Read more
‘Beautifully done, if you don’t find that sort of thing unbearable’: LOVE LETTERS AT HOME – Fuel Theatre (Online review)
5th July 2020Developed by Uninvited Guests and produced by Fuel, Love Letters At Home takes the well-worn Our Tune concept from the old days and uses it to develop a show where, no matter what’s going on and whether we are together… .. Read more
Tories announce a £100 million bailout… for zoos!
4th July 2020No news of government help for theatre as Tories announce a £100 million bailout… for zoos! Yes, that’s right. You couldn’t make it up! MPs and peers warned Boris Johnson of 'innumerable zoo closures' without a bailout worth tens of millions. Heart-warmingly… .. Read more
Measuring love: Rent is a musical of not just a generation but of a pandemic
4th July 2020Rent recently marked its 24th anniversary since opening on Broadway. Every year I try to write something. This year, in particular, it seemed important to. The refrain I keep coming back to is ‘Connection in an isolating age’. In its… .. Read more