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
‘The alternative was unbearable’: Mark Marczyk on revolution, Balaklava Blues and Counting Sheep
22nd February 2019"Revolution is action. Revolution is choice." Discover how Mark and Marichka Marczyk took that spirit of revolution, and all that comes with it, and channeled it into creating VAULT Festival hits Counting Sheep and Balaklava Blues, then book your tickets! Balaklava Blues, a… .. Read more
‘Athol Fugard is top dog in the history of South African drama’: Director Janet Suzman on A Lesson from Aloes
21st February 2019Why do we go to the theatre? Why isn't South African master Athol Fugard seen more often here? How do you get an actor who can do a convincing Afrikaaner accent? We caught up with multi-award-winning actor turned director Janet… .. Read more
NEWS: Olivier Award-winning comedy Stones in his Pockets returns to London at Rose Theatre Kingston
21st February 2019Marie Jones' award-winning tale of Hollywood coming to Ireland, Stones in his Pockets, will receive a brand new production at the Rose Theatre Kingston this spring. The show, directed by Lindsay Posner, runs from 28 February to 9 March 2019… .. Read more
NEW: Gwendoline Christie leads the cast of Nicholas Hynter’s immersive production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge Theatre
21st February 2019Gwendoline Christie, Oliver Chris, David Moorst and Hammed Animashaun lead the cast as Titania, Oberon, Puck and Bottom in Nicholas Hytner’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream which has its first performance in the Bridge Theatre’s immersive format this summer… .. Read more
NEWS: #CONNECT Black Women in Theatre returns for second evening of celebration at Ovalhouse
20th February 2019In the run up to International Women's Day on 8 March, Ovalhouse is staging the second #CONNECT Black Women in Theatre event on Wednesday 6 March, to celebrate the contribution of black women to British theatre. The event is entirely free to… .. Read more
NEWS: Acclaimed binaural sound show Thrown comes to VAULT Festival 2019
20th February 2019Following a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe, theatre company Living Record is bringing its innovative show Thrown to London's VAULT Festival next month. The one-woman production, which uses headphones and binaural sound to engulf the audience, plays a short… .. Read more
Other recent articles
FROM DOWN UNDER: Victorian Opera’s Parsifal
22nd February 2019Palais Theatre, Melbourne In presenting this long overdue Melbourne premiere season of Parsifal, Victorian Opera gives Wagner’s final opera an intelligently conceived, splendidly-performed production. The summit of his life’s work and experience, Wagner infused Parsifal with religious symbolism, humanitarian concepts and intricate… .. Read more
FIRST-LOOK PHOTOS: True-life transition tale Call Me Vicky gets its world premiere
22nd February 2019True-life transition tale Call Me Vicky, officially received its world premiere last night (21 February 2019) at London's Pleasance Theatre. We're looking forward to Terri Paddock's post-show Q&A with the company and other Mates' reviews. In the meantime, here are some… .. Read more
Also visit Terri’s social media directory for musicals
‘There is never a bad moment’: JERSEY BOYS – Touring ★★★★
22nd February 2019Touring – reviewed at Edinburgh Playhouse Guest reviewer: Martin Gray Never mind your eyes, your ears will adore the tour of Jersey Boys which has arrived at the Edinburgh Playhouse for a fortnight turn. ‘You ask four guys how it happened,… .. Read more
‘Jonathan Hansler brings Michel de Montaigne to life’: THE FIRST MODERN MAN – Hen & Chickens Theatre
22nd February 2019The Hen & Chickens Theatre - until 2 March 2019 It’s no easy feat performing a one-man show. But jam-packed into one hour, The First Modern Man tells the tale of French Renaissance philosopher and essayist Michel de Montaigne. Set in… .. Read more
‘It will leave you wanting to go back & watch it all again’: THE BAND – Touring ★★★★★
22nd February 2019Touring – reviewed at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking Guest reviewer: Kay Adams The Band is a unique experience like no other show I have seen. It is a mix of emotions from beginning to end, stirring up personal memories… .. Read more
‘Arguably 90 minutes of the scariest theatre I’ve seen’: BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO – Donmar Warehouse ★★★★★
22nd February 2019Donmar Warehouse, London – until 30 March 2019 I’ve never seen Peter Strickland’s 2012 film of Berberian Sound Studio, so I didn’t really know what to expect from this stage adaptation which has opened at London’s Donmar Warehouse. Gilderoy (an… .. Read more
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Only Fools & Horses The Musical at Theatre Royal Haymarket
22nd February 2019Based on the beloved television show and starring Tom Bennett, Paul Whitehouse and Ryan Hutton, does this musical win over the critics? Evening Standard: ★★★★ “In an era of international musicals, this unashamedly British night out is a change and a treat.” The Guardian: ★★★ “The finest collection of vintage gags on the London stage should allow the show to make… .. Read more
Varied, thought-provoking & entertaining’: MONOLOG 2 – Chickenshed Theatre
22nd February 2019Chickenshed Theatre, London – until 2 March 2019 Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, Chickenshed’s Monolog is back in 2019 for a second outing. Seven very different pieces of new writing, all for solo performers, have been split… .. Read more
‘Best feel-good life-affirming show I think I have ever seen’: COME FROM AWAY – West End ★★★★★
22nd February 2019Phoenix Theatre, London We all remember where we were when 9/11 happened – right? Watching the horrors unfold stunned us beyond words. At the time I ran a bank, so I sent my staff home as soon as I could… .. Read more
‘Compelling exploration of guilt, goodness & godliness’: JESUS HOPPED THE ‘A’ TRAIN – Young Vic
22nd February 2019Young Vic, London – until 30 March 2019 Guest reviewer: Maeve Campbell Angel Cruz has shot a man in the ass. He says he didn’t kill the religious cult leader, who had apparently brainwashed his best friend Joey, but this man… .. Read more