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
GALLERY: Discover the dystopian world of The Empire Has Fallen
23rd January 2019Dark, stern uniforms, bright haired TV hosts and ominous aprons - they're all perfectly placed in the dystopia of The Empire Has Fallen, as you can see from these newly released production shots. Take a look then book your tickets… .. Read more
FEATURED SHOW: Check out these ★★★★ reviews for Anomaly at Old Red Lion Theatre
22nd January 2019"A gripping production" and an "important play" featuring "top notch performances" - critics and bloggers have been full of praise for WildChild Productions' #MeToo drama Anomaly at the Old Red Lion Theatre. Take a look at what they had to say,… .. Read more
NEWS: Clarke Peters & Sule Rimi are to join the cast of The American Clock at the Old Vic as Giles Terera pulls out
22nd January 2019Clarke Peters and Sule Rimi are to step in to cover the roles of Robertson, Moe 3 and Taylor in Arthur Miller’s The American Clock at the Old Vic, directed by Rachel Chavkin, following news that Giles Terera has had to withdraw from the production for personal reasons. Peters… .. Read more
New post-show Q&A: Join Terri & Counting Sheep’s Ukrainian revolutionaries at Vault Festival
22nd January 2019As part of her ongoing post-show Q&A series, on Wednesday 6 February 2019, Mates co-founder Terri Paddock will talk to the revolutionaries and show creators of Counting Sheep at VAULT Festival. Got any questions? Will you be a protestor or an… .. Read more
Darkfield’s Séance begins at VAULT Festival: Watch the trailer & see audience reactions
21st January 2019Have you experienced sonic specialists Darkfield? Their hit container show Séance helps launch VAULT Festival this week. Watch the trailer - and see how audiences have been reacting on tour. These are twenty minutes you'll never forget. Time to get booking!… .. Read more
NEWS: New devised drama Ghost Girl // Gwei Mui 鬼妹 explores growing up British Chinese at Camden People’s Theatre
21st January 2019What does it really mean to be British and Chinese in contemporary England? That's the question posed by Ghost Girl // Gwei Mui 鬼妹, Jennifer Tang's devised theatre piece which runs at Camden People's Theatre from 22 January to 9… .. Read more
Other recent articles
In creative business I like to say yes to the unexpected
23rd January 2019I’m a great one for making an impulsive decision to go and see a friend in a piece of theatre. A few memorable quick hops were to Limerick to see Conor Mitchell’s new music theatre composition Sweeney Todd and to… .. Read more
‘A complete triumph’: THE BAND – Touring ★★★★
23rd January 2019Touring – reviewed at The Lowry, Salford Guest reviewer: Victoria Guest The Band is not just a musical for Take That groupies – it’s a musical for anybody who grew up with a boyband. This is a musical which celebrates… .. Read more
Also visit Terri’s social media directory for musicals
Anomaly Q&A video: How would you react if your family got caught up in a #MeToo scandal?
23rd January 2019There’s a staggering amount of up-and-coming talent on display with the world premiere of “post-Weinstein, post-Spacey drama” Anomaly, now running at London’s Old Red Lion Theatre. In the young Wild Child Productions company, there are no fewer than three debuts: for playwright… .. Read more
‘Audiences can expect a great story written by an amazing writer’: Laura Elphinstone stars in Rutherford & Son at the Sheffield Crucible
23rd January 2019The actress spoke to LLLC’s Emma Clarendon about starring in Rutherford & Son at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. For those who aren’t familiar with Rutherford & Son – what can you tell me about the play? Well, the play is set in 1910 in Gateshead where Rutherford has built up a glassmaking business that… .. Read more
‘I knew I wanted to direct this classic gem’: Kristine Landon-Smith directs The Orchestra at the Omnibus Theatre
23rd January 2019Jean Anouilh’s play The Orchestra tells the story of a third-rate orchestra in France just after the Second World War and it is a play that made a big impression on director Kristine Landon-Smith. "I had never seen anything quite… .. Read more
Q&A video: How has gay culture changed since Coming Clean’s 1982 premiere?
23rd January 2019In the first of my two back-to-back King’s Head Theatre post-show Q&As, I was at Trafalgar Studios for the West End premiere of Kevin Elyot’s first play, Coming Clean, 37 years after the actor-turned-writer made his playwriting debut with it… .. Read more
‘The cast is stellar’: VIOLET – Charing Cross Theatre ★★★
23rd January 2019Charing Cross Theatre, London – until 6 April 2019 Based on Doris Betts’ short story The Ugliest Pilgrim, featuring music by Jeanine Tesori and libretto by Brian Crawley, Violet follows a disfigured woman as she embarks on a Greyhound Bus journey from… .. Read more
‘Utterly compelling storytelling’: THE CANE – Royal Court Theatre
23rd January 2019Royal Court Theatre – until 26 January 2019 For context, this was a birthday gift so I was there in an unofficial capacity, as a punter simply out for the pleasure of being in the theatre watching a story unfold.… .. Read more
‘The intimacy adds layers of enjoyment & interest’: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – Menier Chocolate Factory
23rd January 2019Menier Chocolate Factory, London – until 9 March 2019 Boiled down to a boutique-scale presentation, Fiddler on the Roof brims with fresh life, gentle humour and impactful drama. One of the bigger Broadway musicals to get the annual Menier Chocolate… .. Read more
‘The emotions are universally relatable’: THE UNRETURNING – Theatre Royal Stratford East ★★★★
23rd January 2019Theatre Royal Stratford East – until 2 February 2019 The Ancient Greeks knew their stuff. While their epic poems dealt with battles such as the fall of Troy, they were equally attentive to war’s aftermath, suffered by women and soldiers… .. Read more