I’ve launched a brand-new weekly podcast, called ShenTen, in which I will countdown my personal top tens in different theatrical categories.
How will the West End look when theatre is back in business?
It’s difficult to know exactly what the West End might look like when it finally returns: already there’s been some shape-shifting.
NEWS: Ria Jones & Justin Matthew Sargent play a part in the launch of new children’s book The Boy Who Wanted to Rock
West End star Ria Jones and Broadway powerhouse Justin Matthew Sargent are helping launch David Weiser’s new music-themed children’s book, The Boy Who Wanted to Rock.
NEWS: The Inheritance receives 11 Tony Awards 2020 nominations
Stephen Daldry has been nominated in the Best Director category for his staging of Matthew Lopez’s The Inheritance, originally at London’s Young Vic Theatre before its West End transfer to the Noel Coward Theatre. The Olivier Award-winning play which transferred to Broadway in November 2019 received 11 nominations.
‘A family drama which transcends its genre’: BURIED CHILD (Online review)
Buried Child is a family drama which transcends its genre and this excellent production enhances its already considerable reputation.
‘Delightfully playful & a sheer joy to listen to’: The Seth Concert Series With Karen Olivo (Online review) ★★★★★
The Seth Concert Series With Karen Olivo is as richly diverse musically as the rest of the series as well as being entertaining from start to finish.
‘Brings every detail of the character into the song’: THE SETH CONCERT SERIES – Norm Lewis ★★★★
Deeply engaging The Seth Concert Series continues with Norm Lewis discussing and performing songs from his impressive career catalogue.
‘It is emotional to watch from start to finish’: HAMILTON – Disney Plus (Online review) ★★★★★
Spectacularly unique and filled with passion, this filmed version of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton is exquisite to watch – no matter how many times you have seen it.
Do you know the 5 types of opening numbers used in musicals?
Analysing the opening moments of any musical tells you a lot about the writer’s intentions for the evening to come.
The return of the movie musical: 9 upcoming ones to look forward to
During the Golden Age of Hollywood, movie musicals were abundant and arguably the most popular genre. However, with the move towards pop culture in the 1960s, their popularity dwindled and gave way to a more rebellious style and tone.
The best play I’ve seen for each of the past 10 years (aka the agony-to-choose list)
Not to let a decade of theatre bloggery go by without marking the occasion, to kick things off, I’ve compiled a list of my favourite play for each year I’ve been blogging. It has been fun revisiting my best-of lists but absolute agony narrowing each list down to just one.
How’s your stagey lockdown? 7 ways to be theatrical during a pandemic
I hope no one minds these more chatty style posts, but with all that’s going on, I wanted to switch it up a little bit and bring some more relaxed posts about how we can keep ourselves sane, and of course stagey, in these trying times.
10 wish-list productions for future National Theatre At Home screenings
Following on from the instant success of National Theatre At Home streaming event, it’s got me thinking about all the other wonderful NT Live screenings that I’d love to come to the small screen as part of this series. I have narrowed it down to my top 10.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Girl From the North Country at Belasco Theater, New York
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Conor McPherson’s production of Girl From the North Country which has transferred to Broadway following runs at the Old Vic and the West End.
NEWS: Vincent Franklin & Rebecca Lacey join Janie Dee in the cast of Charing Cross Theatre’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Award-winning actress Janie Dee will be joined by Vincent Franklin, Rebecca Lacey, Michelle Asante, Charlie Maher and Lukwesa Mwamba in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike when it opens at Charing Cross Theatre later this month. Time to book your tickets!
NEWS: Bush Theatre celebrates the transfer of Baby Reindeer to the West End & New York
The award-winning Edinburgh Festival Fringe hit Baby Reindeer follows a sold-out season at the Bush last year by transferring to the West End’s Ambassadors Theatre from 2 April 2020 (press night is 6 April). The production then moves to BAM’s Fishman Space in New York from 21 May.
Broadway Album Reviews: The New Yorkers, Kiss Me, Kate! & Beetlejuice
Ought To Be Clowns tackles a trio of Broadway cast recordings in the shape of Cole Porter’s The New Yorkers, Kiss Me, Kate! and Beetlejuice.
Decade Round-Up: The Plays
This isn’t a ‘best of’ list it’s my best-of list, these are the plays that shaped me this decade and will stay with me well into the next.
REVIEW ROUND–UP: Tina – The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, show based on Tina Turner’s life and career, which has transferred to Broadway.
NEWS: Four wins for Sheffield Theatres’ Life Of Pi at the UK Theatre Awards
There were wins for Sheffield Theatres’ Life Of Pi at the 2019 UK Theatre Awards, revealed at London’s Guildhall.