Actress Andrea Hall chatted to us about Samuel Bailey’s play Shook which is being released to watch digitally.
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
‘Mesmerising, fascinating & imaginative story’: FLIGHT PATHS – Extant (Online review) ★★★★
Overall, Flight Paths is an absorbing and educational experience that really captures the attention and imagination from start to finish.
‘A delight to watch from start to finish’: NUTCRACKER DELIGHTS – English National Ballet (Online review) ★★★★★
Having had its run of live performances cut short, thank goodness the English National Ballet recorded Nutcracker Delights, this gorgeous scaled back treat for audiences to enjoy at home.
‘It’s still enormously relatable even in the modern day’: Charlotte Wakefield stars in the online revival of Gatsby A Musical
Actress Charlotte Wakefield chatted to us about the upcoming revival of Gatsby A Musical, being filmed at the Cadogan Hall and streamed from 12-14 February 2021.
‘The music in the show should feel like diving headfirst into the internet’: Francesca Forristal & Jordan Paul Clarke on their new musical Public Domain
Francesca Forristal and Jordan Paul Clarke spoke to Emma Clarendon about their new musical Public Domain being live streamed from the Southwark Playhouse on 15 and 16 January 2021.
‘People can now have an audience for their work across the planet’: Mark Potter launches online company Crowd Pleaser Theatre
Director Mark Potter chatted about his new online theatre company Crowd Pleaser Theatre.
‘The chaos unfolds beautifully’: HENRY V TAKE 2 – Cross-Stitch Theatre (Online review)
Cross-Stitch Theatre’s witty show Henry V Take 2 explores the frustrations of trying to put on a show over zoom.
What productions Love London Love Culture is looking forward to in 2021
Emma Clarendon selects the shows that she is most looking forward to catching in 2021.
‘This frustration & pain feels so pertinent’: STARVING: AN ARTIST IN LIMBO (Online review) ★★★★
One-man show Starving: An Artist in Limbo, performed by AP Stephen, is adapted from Kafka’s short story A Hunger Artist.
‘Offers a ray of sunshine’: WHAT A SUPERHERO WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS – Tall Tails Theatre (Online review)
What A Superhero Wants For Christmas, a wonderfully accessible and reassuring piece of children’s theatre, is worth watching if your children are feeling lonely and isolated at the moment.
‘Heartwarming, fun & entertaining’: NEVER GIVE UP A DREAM – Thespie ★★★★★
Never Give Up on a Dream, the latest concert in the online streaming platform’s Reunited series, brings together some of the cast of Pretty Woman the Musical.
What were Emma Clarendon’s favourite posts in 2020?
Editor and founder Emma Clarendon selects some of her favourite pieces that she has written for Love London Love Culture this year.
‘Riotous fun from start to finish’: COVIDELLA & THE MASKED BALL – Stream.Theatre (Online review) ★★★★
Created by those involved and studying at the Musical Theatre Academy, Covidella & The Masked Ball really puts a quirky twist on the traditional story of Cinderella.
‘Full of energy, personality & songs’: THE ELF WHO WAS SCARED OF CHRISTMAS – Stream.Theatre (Online review) ★★★★
Cosy and playful family show The Elf Who Was Scared Of Christmas is exactly the type of show that children need after the strangeness of this year.
‘Sweeps along effortlessly’: CINDERELLA – Northern Opera Group (Online review)
This charming and rarely performed chamber operetta, Cinderella, is given new life in Northern Opera Group’s new filmed version.
‘The performances are wonderfully flamboyant’: RED RIDING HOOD – Hounslow (Online review) ★★★★
Overall, this is a refreshing and entertaining take on the story of Red Riding Hood that provides families a way to still have fun and joy through pantomime this Christmas season.
‘Lively & sharp – with just a hint of cheekiness’: Snow White In The Seven Months Of Lockdown – Charles Court Opera (Online review) ★★★★
Putting a hilarious twist on the story of Snow White and still allowing for audience participation, online pantomime Snow White In The Seven Months Of Lockdown is a real joy to watch.
‘Sensitively brought to life’: THE OLD HOUSE – The Actors Centre (Online review) ★★★★
Painful and heartbreaking play The Old House beautifully explores the relationship between mother and daughter – as Alzheimer’s begins to take hold.
‘The dark undertones of the story are wonderfully highlighted’: GHBoy – Charing Cross Theatre ★★★★
Overall, GHBoy is an emotionally complex piece that has many elements that make it compelling to watch but it does leave a few questions unanswered story wise.
‘Wonderfully brought to life’: THE FLYING LOVERS OF VITEBSK – Wise Children / Kneehigh / Bristol Old Vic (Online review) ★★★★★
It was so delightful to finally catch up with Kneehigh’s production of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, filmed at the Bristol Old Vic and streamed by Wise Children.