August is festival month! As Scotland is overtaken by Edinburgh Fringe, Camden Fringe gets into full swing in London. There’s much MyTheatreMates activity across both. For EdFringe, pay particular attention to Laura Kressly and Thom Dibdin’s All Edinburgh Theatre. For Camden Fringe, follow our festival Featured Show series.
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
In House podcast: Theatre503 artistic director Lisa Spirling on finding new writers & capturing the zeitgeist
16th August 2018Have you bookmarked Stagedoor's new weekly theatre podcast In House? This week's episode sees poet, journalist and Critics of Colour founder Bridget Minamore interviewing Theatre503's Lisa Spirling. We've picked out some of our favourite highlights but be sure to listen in full... Lisa Spirling has been… .. Read more
NEWS: Final casting & brand new song announced for West End transfer of Heathers the Musical
16th August 2018The creative team behind Heathers the Musical has announced a brand new song has been written into the show ahead of its West End debut at the Theatre Royal Haymarket (3 September to 24 November 2018), along with multiple re-workings to the… .. Read more
NEWS: Trevor Nunn directs a major revival of Fiddler on the Roof at the Menier Chocolate Factory
16th August 2018The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced a major revival of one of much-loved musical Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joseph Stein’s Fiddler on the Roof in a new staging by Trevor Nunn. The production opens on 5 December 2018, with previews from… .. Read more
‘Photos on a mantelpiece will become photos in a textbook’: Square Rounds director Jimmy Walters on the importance of commemorating WWI onstage
16th August 2018Square Rounds is the seventh production from Proud Haddock, founded in 2014, and the first of its two this autumn to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. Founder and artistic director Jimmy Walters talks to us… .. Read more
NEWS: Motown closes on 20 April ahead of Shaftesbury Theatre refurbishment
15th August 2018In advance of major refurbishments taking place at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Motown The Musical will conclude its run on 20 April 2019 having celebrated over 1330 performances since its London premiere over three years earlier in February 2016. [caption id="attachment_315496"… .. Read more
NEWS: Lee Evans steps out of retirement to perform in the Pinter at the Pinter season
14th August 2018In what promises to be an exciting event within the Pinter at the Pinter season, Lee Evans will appear in an eclectic mixed bill alongside stage and screen favourite Meera Syal. They join the previously announced Keith Allen and Tamsin Greig… .. Read more
Other recent articles
Why it’s important for Edinburgh Fringe companies to ask: ‘Who do we want on our front row?’
16th August 2018Over the last few days I have been doing a series of workshops for artists and companies playing in Edinburgh. They have been around the theme of surviving the Fringe. With Ginny Kim and Carroll Ho we have offered the… .. Read more
In House podcast: Theatre503 artistic director Lisa Spirling on finding new writers & capturing the zeitgeist
16th August 2018Have you bookmarked Stagedoor's new weekly theatre podcast In House? This week's episode sees poet, journalist and Critics of Colour founder Bridget Minamore interviewing Theatre503's Lisa Spirling. We've picked out some of our favourite highlights but be sure to listen in full... Lisa Spirling has been… .. Read more
Also visit Terri’s social media directory for musicals
‘Funny, engaging & unexpectedly tense’: PRESSURE – West End
16th August 2018Ambassadors Theatre – until 1 September 2018 As topics for plays go, the ins and outs of weather forecasting is not one that, on paper, sounds particularly thrilling. Even for a nation as obsessed with the weather as Britain is,… .. Read more
‘The perfect pick-me-up’: DON JUAN – Edinburgh Fringe
16th August 2018Assembly George Square Theatre (Venue 8), Edinburgh 2-27 August 2018 Guest reviewer: Joanna Trainor It’s 17th century France and Don Juan is busy philandering and duelling his way around the country. Styling in his sunglasses and oozing confidence, it’s impossible… .. Read more
‘The bar has once again been raised’: Backbone – Royal Festival Hall ★★★★
16th August 2018Royal Festival Hall, London – until 19 August 2018 The Australian circus troupe Gravity & Other Myths presents a clever and slick show that highlights the strength and the importance of the backbone. I have to say I’m consistently amazed… .. Read more
NEWS: Final casting & brand new song announced for West End transfer of Heathers the Musical
16th August 2018The creative team behind Heathers the Musical has announced a brand new song has been written into the show ahead of its West End debut at the Theatre Royal Haymarket (3 September to 24 November 2018), along with multiple re-workings to the… .. Read more
‘Funny, candid & totally relatable’: LOVECRAFT (NOT THE SEX SHOP IN CARDIFF) – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★
16th August 2018Summerhall – Red Lecture Theatre (Venue 26), Edinburgh We often talk about a couple having chemistry. The truth is chemistry really can be blamed for falling head over heels and ongoing feelings of love… Performed by Carys Eleri, Lovecraft (Not… .. Read more
‘It’s a right royal carry on’: THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon ★★★
16th August 2018Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon – until 5 January 2019 The estuary accents, Dolce & Gabbana leggings, bling and selfies are a bit of a giveaway that Fiona Laird’s production of cheeky Shakespearean comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor is… .. Read more
‘Heart-achingly beautiful’: THE FISHERMEN – Edinburgh Fringe
16th August 2018Assembly George Square Studios (Venue 17), Edinburgh 2-27 August 2018 Guest reviewer: Esther Moorton Michael Ajao and Valentine Olukoga capture the audience “hook, line and sinker” in this beautiful two-man performance about a family of four Nigerian brothers, Ikenna, Boja, Obembe and… .. Read more
‘Big, bold & wonderful’: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre ★★★★
16th August 2018Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, London – until 22 September 2018 Productions at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre are basically a summer rite of passage. The beautiful outdoor space is the perfect place to watch brilliant theatre as the… .. Read more