Theatre is back and getting stronger! Thank you to everyone who has committed so much to mounting productions, online and offline, during these unprecedented times. The Mates are with you! If we can help promote your project, give us a shout!
MyTheatreMates is a portal for independent theatre bloggers in London and around the UK. We have dozens of bloggers whose sites and content are regularly featured here. Find out more about all our Mates and access their posts.
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 original ethos behind the website.
Recent articles
‘Excellent characterisation’: GREY MAN – Online Review
5th December 2022Perhaps it is just a clever confounding of expectations by Robyn Winfield Smith who directs with pace and a palpable energy It’s that time of year when days get shorter, nights get longer and tale telling revolves around the supernatural. Just a… .. Read more
‘Brings the house down’: Dick Whittington: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – Leeds ★★★★★
5th December 2022Leeds City Varieties Music Hall – until 8 January 2023 Guest reviewer: Sal E Marino There was an infectious feeling of fun, frivolity and non-stop belly-busting laughter across Leeds as the famous Rock ‘n’ Roll panto presenting Dick Whittington, was showing at the fabulous… .. Read more
‘Each performance is sharply refined’: Ghosted: Another F***ing Christmas Carol – The Other Palace ★★★
4th December 2022The Other Palace, London – until 24 December 2022 This new adult take on A Christmas Carol has plenty of spirit in every sense of the word, but it feels as though it tries too hard to be enjoyable. A… .. Read more
‘Powerful account of addiction’: BLACKOUT SONGS – Hampstead Theatre
4th December 2022Hampstead Theatre, London – until 10 December 2022 Joe White is great at coming up with fraught emotions. His Mayfly in 2018 vividly showed a family whose members were at the end of their tethers; it also had an intriguingly… .. Read more
‘A biting fury that feels raw & authentic’: AIN’T NO MO’ – Broadway ★★★★
3rd December 2022Belasco Theatre, New York – until 26 February 2023 All aboard the final flight of African American Airlines, a journey taking every last Black American, tired and pissed off from being sidelined, passed over, disappointed, hurt, viewed with suspicion and… .. Read more
‘Moves along at a cracking pace’: MOTHER GOOSE – Hackney Empire
3rd December 2022Hackney Empire, London – until 31 December 2022 Who: Written by Will Brenton, directed by Clive Rowe. Costumes by Cleo Pettitt, choreography by André Fabien Francis. Cast: Clive Rowe, Gemma Wardle, Rebecca Parker, Tony Marshall, Holly Mallett, Ope Sowande, Kat B and… .. Read more
‘It is marked by real humanity’: BEST OF ENEMIES – Noel Coward Theatre
3rd December 2022Noel Coward Theatre, London – until 18 February 2023 Leaving the former Young Vic production a lad far too young to remember 1968 said sadly to me: “It was the beginning of Now, wasn’t it?” He is right. James Graham’s play,… .. Read more
‘Exciting, fabulous, entertaining’: SLEEPING BEAUTY – Theatre Royal Windsor ★★★★★
2nd December 2022Theatre Royal Windsor – until 8th January 2023 Guest reviewers: Carly Burlinge and Sarah-Jane (aged 10) Theatre Royal Windsor brings you this year’s panto and what a panto it is. Sleeping Beauty tells us the story that we all know and love… .. Read more
‘An intriguing show’: WE WERE PROMISED HONEY! – Soho Theatre ★★★★
2nd December 2022Soho Theatre, London – until 3 December 2022 If you’re looking for a show with a happy ending, We Were Promised Honey! makes it clear from the outset that this isn’t something they’re going to provide. The audience will get to… .. Read more
‘The fun is in the modern message’: THE WIND IN THE WILTON’S – Wilton’s Music Hall ★★★★
1st December 2022Wilton’s Music Hall, London – until 31 December 2022 You won’t see a prettier, more refreshing or sustainable stage this Christmas: natural colours, riverbank rushes, a bare tree (which will have green rag leaves and bright rag blossoms hauled up it as… .. Read more