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.
Featured shows

NEWS: Alexia McIntosh & Kieren Hamilton-Amos join Belgrade Coventry creative director Corey Campbell in Big Aunty
23rd April 2023Big Aunty – the first home produced show of the spring season – will play in The Belgrade Coventry’s B2 auditorium from 24 April to 6 May, with a press night on 26 April. Midlands-born performers Alexia McIntosh and Kieren Hamilton-Amos will… .. Read more

NEWS: Complicité partners with Belgrade Theatre for the world premiere of Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
15th April 2023Renowned international touring company Complicité’s world premiere production of Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, the new stage adaptation of Nobel Prize-winning author Olga Tokarczuk’s novel of the same name, will play Belgrade Theatre Coventry’s Main Stage from 19… .. Read more
Recent articles

REVIEW ROUND-UP: Vardy V Rooney at the Ambassadors Theatre
30th April 2023The theatrical take on the trial that had the country enthralled transfers to the Ambassadors Theatre for a limited run before embarking on a UK tour. But what have critics had to say about it? Broadway World: ★★★★ “Although the source… .. Read more

‘It’s a compelling concept’: SNOWFLAKES – Park Theatre
30th April 2023Park Theatre, London – until 6 May 2023 Content warning: Snowflakes contains themes of violence (including sexual violence) and extremely strong language. We’re partial to a dark and twisty grown-up show so our interest was immediately piqued by the press… .. Read more

‘Pretty essential viewing’: THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO – Touring
29th April 2023Touring – reviewed at The Lowry, Salford Guest reviewer: Matthew North To call The Beekeeper of Aleppo a story for our time would be an understatement. Christy Lefteri’s original novel is the epic, moving tale of a family escaping war-torn Aleppo at… .. Read more

‘You leave it thinking hard’: RETROGRADE – Kiln Theatre ★★★★
29th April 2023Kiln Theatre, London – until 27 May 2023 If we think we suffer from a paranoid cancel-culture, we should note this reminder of mid-1950s America – notably Hollywood – in the McCarthyite witch-hunt against suspected communists. It’s a three-hander by Ryan… .. Read more

‘A razor-sharp satire on all things ableism’: IT’S A MOTHERF**KING PLEASURE – Soho Theatre
28th April 2023Soho Theatre, London – until 13 May 2023 After a surprisingly (to them) successful stint at this year’s Vault Festival, disability-led FlawBored Theatre returns with It’s a Motherf**king Pleasure, their razor-sharp satire on all things ableism. And yes, it is… .. Read more

’An exploration of love & friendship’: JULES & JIM – Jermyn Street Theatre
28th April 2023Jermyn Street Theatre, London – until 27 May 2023 Jules and Jim is an exploration of love and friendship told through the lens of three people living an unconventional lifestyle. Jules (Samuel Collings) is a German poet who meets Frenchman Jim… .. Read more

VIDEOS & PHOTOS: Disability, sexuality & dating, Terri Paddock has plenty to discuss in the Animal post-show Q&A at the Park Theatre
27th April 2023I first met Joshua Hepple years ago through my local dog park – our cockapoos used to play together. He’s a hugely accomplished person with multiple law degrees (now completing his PhD): a disability and LGBTQ activist, lecturer and equality… .. Read more

REVIEW ROUND-UP: Dixon & Daughters at the National Theatre
27th April 2023We take a look at what is being said about Deborah Bruce’s new play making its debut at the National Theatre. The Guardian: ★★★★ “There are some clumsy switches between humour and melodrama in the script while the comedy itself is… .. Read more

‘Appealingly done’: AIN’T TOO PROUD – Prince Edward Theatre
26th April 2023Prince Edward Theatre, London The latest in a long line of jukebox musicals to be impeccably performed but dead behind the eyes – Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations opens at the Prince Edward Theatre… .. Read more

’It’s grand in its scope, telling stories within stories’: Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead – Touring
26th April 2023Touring – reviewed at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry A cross between Peter Greenaway’s visual style and appreciation of ‘high culture’, plus the conspiratorial observations of Dennis Kelly, Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead is Complicité Theatre’s latest touring… .. Read more