Running in rep alongside Henry VI: Rebellion (a.k.a. Henry VI, part two), the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre is also currently home to Henry VI, part three. As with the previous part, this third play in Shakespeare’s first Henriad has been renamed – going under the title Henry VI: Wars of the Roses.
Mates blogger: Debbie Gilpin
Debbie Gilpin is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features Debbie's posts on MyTheatreMates. Take a look at our full list of theatre bloggers and our aggregated feed of all our Mates' posts. We’re always looking for new theatre bloggers. Could that be you? Learn about how to join us.
Debbie Gilpin stumbled into writing about theatre when she moved to London after studying for a degree in Human Genetics at Newcastle University. She started her website Mind the Blog in November 2014 and also tweets from @Mind_the_Blog. She spent the best part of 2014-16 inadvertently documenting Sunny Afternoon in the West End, and now also writes for BroadwayWorld UK. Debbie’s theatre passions are Shakespeare and new writing, but she’s also a sucker for shows with a tap routine.
The latest from Debbie on MyTheatreMates
‘This exhilarating production makes you wonder why the play is often so overlooked’: HENRY VI: REBELLION – Stratford-upon-Avon (RSC)
The story begins with Henry welcoming his new bride, Margaret of Anjou, with a boisterous feast that isn’t exactly suited to his calm and reserved temperament – though Margaret immediately feels at home.
‘The intimate moments are so credible it feels borderline voyeuristic sat in the audience’: COCK – West End
Watching Mike Bartlett’s play Cock today, it seems strange to think that it was actually written 13 years ago, as it covers themes that are so resonant with life in 2022.
‘Sometimes you should just leave things alone’: MOULIN ROUGE! The Musical – West End ★★
If you’ve seen Moulin Rouge! The Musical and loved it, I’d advise you to read no further – this is not going to be pleasant.
‘An important show deservedly being shared with a wider audience’: RIOT ACT – Stream Theatre (Online review) ★★★★
This is a piece of verbatim theatre, telling three stories of queer activism from the mid-20th century to the present day; Alexis Gregory conducted interviews with Michael-Anthony Nozzi (a survivor of the Stonewall riots), Lavinia Co-op (a 70s drag artist), and Paul Burston (a 90s AIDS activist).
‘There is quite a bit going on but it balances perfectly’: HAMLET – Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
As soon as Hamlet was announced as part of the 2021-22 winter season my eyes rolled so hard I nearly saw the inside of my eye sockets. I was desperately disappointed. But then something magical happened: a Hamlet unlike any other.
‘Elizabeth McGovern is excellent as Ava through the ages’: AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS – Riverside Studios
On the anniversary of Hollywood legend Ava Gardner’s death, she lived again in the form of Elizabeth McGovern, whose play AVA: The Secret Conversations has now opened at Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios.
It’s going to be epic: What are you most looking forward to at the Globe this summer?
It seems like we’ve been made to wait an inordinately long time for this announcement, but it was definitely worth it as far as I’m concerned.
Year in review: My favourite digital shows 2021
Despite the fact that theatres were once again up and running for about half the year (varying from place to place), there was still a massive appetite for digital productions going into 2021.
Year in review: My favourite in-person shows 2021
When I had a look through my list of shows, it wasn’t too hard to choose a top 10 – the hardest thing was getting them in the right order
‘A theatrical experience that you will never forget’: CABARET – West End ★★★★★
A theatrical experience that you will never forget – Eddie Redmayne revels in the role of the Emcee, but Jessie Buckley steals the show in Cabaret.
‘It is a real achievement to come up with such an original spin’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Old Royal Naval College ★★★★
Once you reach December, you don’t have to look far to find several adaptations of a certain Charles Dickens novella – the key is finding an original take on the story.
‘It’s thrilling to see working-class Bob given some agency’: CRATCHIT – Park Theatre ★★★★
Marley was dead to begin with – and what of it? There’s still work to be done, and Bob Cratchit has to bear the brunt of his remaining master’s foul moods whilst remaining industrious.
‘Hopeful & joyful without being sickly sweet’: THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT – Stratford-upon-Avon (RSC) ★★★★
My first time back in Stratford-upon-Avon since February 2019, and roughly three years since I’d last stepped foot in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre – and after seeing some rehearsal footage of this new show, I was excited to see what this had turned into.
‘A reasonable introduction to the wider themes of DH Lawrence’s book’: LADY CHATTERLEY’S LOVER (Online review)
This GBM Productions musical version of DH Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover originally had a limited run at the Shaftesbury Theatre but has now been given a digital revival by Stream.Theatre.
‘Surprisingly hilarious about a not-so-hilarious subject’: YELLOWFIN – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★
What would you do if all the fish suddenly vanished? It’s a question that would have sounded faintly ridiculous a few years ago, but as climate change grips the world, a mass extinction event doesn’t feel that far off.
Puppetry, top casting & other reasons you should see The Magician’s Elephant
The RSC’s brand-new musical, an adaptation of The Magician’s Elephant, started performances this week at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Earlier this month, the company opened its rehearsal room doors for a sneak peek. Why should you add this show to your list of autumn treats?
‘Shines a disquieting light on a truly terrifying period in history’: THE WITCHFINDER’S SISTER – Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch ★★★★
Beth Underdown’s debut novel The Witchfinder’s Sister, now adapted for the stage by Vickie Donoghue, gives a voice to a possible sister of Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins and interrogates the practice of witch-hunts in the 1640s.
‘An interesting take on the Oscar Wilde classic’: DORIAN: A ROCK MUSICAL – Stream.Theatre (Online review)
Dorian: A Rock Musical is an interesting take on the Oscar Wilde classic, probably better suited to live & in-person shows – Bart Lambert gives an arresting performance as Dorian Gray.
‘This is not about romance, it’s about escape’: Romeo & Juliet – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★
Romeo & Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe is a new and vital take on the classic Verona tale, contextualising the characters’ motives – this is not about romance, it’s about escape.