Enhancing the magic and dreamy qualities of the play, Nicholas Hytner’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful two hours of comedy, love and misunderstandings.
Mates blogger: Emma Clarendon
Emma Clarendon is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features Emma'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.
Emma Clarendon studied drama through A-Level before deciding she was much better suited to writing about theatre than appearing onstage. She’s written for a number of online publications ever since, including The News Hub and Art Info. Emma set up her own blog, Love London Love Culture, in April 2015 and tweets at LoveLDNLoveCul.
The latest from Emma on MyTheatreMates
‘Charmingly quirky’: Amélie The Musical ★★★★★ (Album review)
This charmingly quirky musical is captured wonderfully on this newly released cast recording.
‘An uplifting & enjoyable production’: PETER PAN LIVE! – The Shows Must Go On ★★★★ (Online review)
Confession time: I have found it difficult in the past to really enjoy or appreciate Peter Pan. This isn’t so much down to JM Barrie’s classic story but in the way it has been staged or filmed.
‘How wonderful it is to see a theatre being put to good use’: IN THE WINGS – Union Theatre ★★★★★ (Online review)
No Limits: A Song Cycle was the first new musical featured in four-part series In the Wings, filmed live at the Union Theatre.
I asked my MP: Where is the support for theatre?
Love London Love Culture’s Emma Clarendon expresses her thoughts on the painful neglect of theatre during Covid-19, including a template response from her local, Cabinet Member MP.
‘A bold spectacle’: THE WIZ LIVE! – The Shows Must Go On ★★★★★ (Online review)
This sharp and sassy musical, based on William F Brown’s interpretation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, is a bold spectacle to watch unfold.
‘A beautiful & powerful musical experience’: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY – Broadway HD ★★★★ (Online review)
This musical, which made its world premiere in the West End in 2013, deserved a much longer run than it received.
‘A powerful portrait of grief, love & guilt’: A MONSTER CALLS – Old Vic Theatre ★★★★★ (Online review)
There is one emotion that we all feel that can link to other types of emotions: grief. From love to anger it pushes all other emotions to the brink and this is what A Monster Calls portrays so beautifully.
‘We want to spread love, support & solidarity’: Tori Allen-Martin & Sarah Henley on launching Burn Bright
Emma Clarendon chatted to Tori Allen-Martin and Sarah Henley about their new not-for-profit organisation, Burn Bright.
‘There are some really spectacular performances’: Les Miserables – The Staged Concert ★★★★ (Online review)
This glorious and musically powerful staged concert version of the beloved musical manages to maintain the drama.
‘A lovely energy & pace runs right through the production’: BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES – National Theatre ★★★★★ (Online review)
This is a gloriously funny and heartfelt play that offers a fascinating insight into how the barbershop is a place of vital importance for African men.
‘Filled with fun & mischief’: THE MIDNIGHT GANG – Chichester Festival Theatre ★★★★ (Online review)
This lovely musical based on David Walliams’ children’s book is filled with fun and mischief.
‘A reminder of how important kindness & friendship is’: KINKY BOOTS – Broadway HD ★★★★ (Online review)
This uplifting and compassionate musical is a reminder of how important kindness and friendship is. Now available to watch online via Broadway HD.
‘Definitely an interesting way to bring the Brontës to life’: WASTED – Southwark Playhouse ★★★ (Online review)
Empowering in many aspects, somehow elements of the story feel as though they get lost in this ambitious new musical.
‘Riotous fun from start to finish’: TWELFTH NIGHT – National Theatre ★★★★
This joyous and lively production, starring Tamsin Greig, is one of the best versions of Shakespeare’s comedy I’ve ever seen.
‘I lost a gig on the crest of the wave & knew immediately I was only the first of many’: Robert Myles on launching weekly Shakespeare reading The Show Must Go Online
We chatted to the actor about his project The Show Must Go Online, which weekly presents a Shakespeare play for online audiences.
‘A musical that celebrates the power & beauty of music’: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – Royal Albert Hall (Online review)
As part of The Show Must Go On’s series streaming Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals online, this glorious celebration of The Phantom of the Opera highlights how it is a musical that celebrates the power and beauty of music.
‘An immensely powerful listen’: THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (Album review) ★★★★
The cast recording of West End musical The Prince of Egypt allows the orchestra and ensemble as well as the leading cast to shine.
‘The arts knows how to survive in the face of adversity’: Interview with theatre PR Chloé Nelkin
We chatted to theatre PR supremo Chloé Nelkin about keeping the arts world alive during this difficult time as well as celebrating the 10th anniversary of Chloé Nelkin Consulting (CNC) last month.
‘As vibrantly funny as ever’: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS – National Theatre ★★★★★ (Online review)
It would be fair to say that right now what the British public need right now is a laugh – particularly if they are missing going to the theatre – which is why it was a stroke of genius for the National Theatre to stream One Man, Two Guvnors.