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.
Editor’s picks
NEWS: Kristin Scott Thomas makes NT debut with Phaedra, 9 new productions announced
19th February 2020The National Theatre today announces nine productions that will play on the South Bank in 2020-2021 alongside previously announced shows. These run alongside international touring productions, three plays that will tour to multiple venues across the UK and a West… .. Read more
Best of the Blogs: Leopoldstadt, Far Away, Nora, People Show 137 & more
17th February 2020In our continuing series, editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 16 February 2020), ranging from Maryam Philpott’s thoughts on Tom Stoppard’s new play Leopoldstadt – quite the occasion – at the Wyndham’s Theatre to why… .. Read more
NEWS: Carrie Hope Fletcher will play Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical
14th February 2020Carrie Hope Fletcher will play Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s highly anticipated new production at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, with performances confirmed to begin on 28 August 2020 (press night is 23 September). Carrie Hope Fletcher has starred in Heathers (Theatre… .. Read more
NEWS: Casting announced for the musical adaptation of Sleepless in Seattle, Tickets onsale
14th February 2020Jay McGuiness, Kimberley Walsh and Daniel Casey will star as Sam, Annie and Walter respectively in SLEEPLESS, A Musical Romance, based on the original screenplay Sleepless in Seattle. They are joined by Harriet Thorpe as Eleanor, Tania Mathurin as Becky… .. Read more
Featured shows
NEWS: Tristan Bernays premieres new horror tale Ghost House at Vault Festival
19th February 2020Internationally acclaimed writer Tristan Bernays will debut his latest play, modern day horror story Ghost House, at Vault Festival next month. Book your tickets now! The 21st century chiller runs at The Vaults from 6 to 8 March 2020. It’s… .. Read more
NEWS: Soho Rising winner brings Ryan Lane Will Be There Now In A Minute to Vault Festival
18th February 2020Following a sold-out performance at Soho Theatre in 2019, Ryan Lane brings the acclaimed character comedy of Ryan Lane Will Be There Now In A Minute to Vault Festival later this month. Book your tickets now! Lane's smart satire runs at… .. Read more
PHOTOS: Behind the scenes of A Deed Without a Name, Polish writer Witkiewicz’s most political play
18th February 2020A Deed Without A Name, the most political play by interwar Polish playwright Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, gets its overdue UK premiere at London's Theatro Technis this week. Why stage it now? How have the international cast been getting on in rehearsals? Take a… .. Read more
PHOTOS & VIDEO: What’s the Drip Drip Drip effect of far-right ideology on our society?
17th February 2020After launching last week in Plymouth, Pipeline Theatre continues its new tour of NHS love-letter play Drip Drip Drip in Bristol this week ahead of its London transfer. Sneak a peek at production shows and teaser trailer - and then get booking! Written and… .. Read more
NEWS: Philip Ridley’s new black comedy The Beast of Blue Yonder premieres at Southwark Playhouse
17th February 2020Philip Ridley's new time-hopping black comedy The Beast of Blue Yonder receives its world premiere at London's Southwark Playhouse in a strictly limited season, running from 2 April to 9 May 2020, with a press night on 7 April. Time to… .. Read more
NEWS: Joe Pasquale returns in new 2020 tour of classic sitcom adaptation Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em
17th February 2020The highly acclaimed adaptation of classic British sitcom Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, starring Joe Pasquale, returns to the stage this month for a new UK-wide tour. Time to get booking! The new tour of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em launches at Churchill Theatre, Bromley on… .. Read more
Other recent articles
‘Has a gravitas that pulls the audience in’: FLIGHTS – Omnibus Theatre ★★★★
19th February 2020Omnibus Theatre, London – until 29th February 2020 Irish playwrights, perhaps more than any other nationality, have their finger of the pulse of the dramatic potential of wakes and funerals. Touching upon uncovered secrets from the past, regrets and subtexts… .. Read more
‘Rude, loud, chaotic & absolutely hilarious’: MUSIK – Leicester Square Theatre ★★★★★
19th February 2020Leicester Square Theatre, London – until 1 March 2020 Guest reviewer: Tracy Bailey Musik is the spin-off from the original 2001 Closer to Heaven musical collaboration from Jonathan Harvey and the Pet Shop Boys, bringing the former fictional euro diva character,… .. Read more
Also visit Terri’s social media directory for musicals
‘Its vibrant energy is thrilling to behold’: POET IN DA CORNER – Royal Court Theatre & Touring
19th February 2020Touring – reviewed at Royal Court Theatre, London Debris Stevenson is a multi-hyphenate of a different order – grime poet, academic, dancer and now playwright as her 2018 hit show Poet in da Corner returns to the Royal Court ahead of… .. Read more
“‘Old Ireland Free’ is closer than ever. Joe could never have foreseen that”: Director Jonathan Harden on staging his hit production of On McQuillan’s Hill
19th February 2020"It was never about money or career progression for any of us. For me, it was about getting the best actors we could and doing the best version of this play possible, for this audience, in this particular moment." Take a look… .. Read more
“Careful changes nothing… careful doesn’t interest me”: Karen Bartholomew on creating her Vault Festival play Giving Up Marty
19th February 2020"It’s taken a massive amount of courage to even dare to do this." Karen Bartholomew tells us why now was the right to to create her play exploring the realities of adoption reunion, Giving Up Marty. Read her fascinating interview, then book… .. Read more
‘Subtle nuance in places, sledgehammer wit in others’: ALBION – Almeida Theatre ★★★★
19th February 2020Almeida Theatre, London – until 29 February 2020 What Is It? Another run of Mike Bartlett’s 2017 state of the nation tragicomedy. What Is It About? Audrey Walters (Victoria Hamilton) has sold her house in Muswell Hill and bought a… .. Read more
NEWS: Tristan Bernays premieres new horror tale Ghost House at Vault Festival
19th February 2020Internationally acclaimed writer Tristan Bernays will debut his latest play, modern day horror story Ghost House, at Vault Festival next month. Book your tickets now! The 21st century chiller runs at The Vaults from 6 to 8 March 2020. It’s… .. Read more
NEWS: Kristin Scott Thomas makes NT debut with Phaedra, 9 new productions announced
19th February 2020The National Theatre today announces nine productions that will play on the South Bank in 2020-2021 alongside previously announced shows. These run alongside international touring productions, three plays that will tour to multiple venues across the UK and a West… .. Read more
‘Hysterically hilarious from beginning to end’: THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII – King’s Head Theatre ★★★★★
19th February 2020King’s Head Theatre, London – until 7 March 2020 Guest reviewer: Giancarlo Angelucci Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived. We all know how the story goes for the six wives of Henry VIII. But have you ever thought about learning… .. Read more
‘Feels like no other venue enriches its audiences so much’: THE REALISTIC JONESES – Bath ★★★★
18th February 2020Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath – until 7 March 2002 If the theatre is an art-form where the word is boss, Will Eno’s The Realistic Joneses pushes that maxim to its full capacity. His 2014 Broadway surprise is a world… .. Read more