Winners of the Offies 2020 Awards, held at Battersea Arts Centre, have been announced. It was the tenth anniversary year of the awards presented by Off West End.
FEATURED SHOW: ★★★★★ reviews are in for Crongton Knights – ‘this play hits exactly the right note’
“Long live the magnificent six!” Critics have quickly taken up the beat for Pilot Theatre’s beatbox adaptation of Alex Wheatle’s award-winning YA novel Crongton Knights. We’ve rounded up review highlights below. Time to get booking – it’s at Belgrade Theatre this week and then on tour.
VIDEO & PHOTOS: Pilot Theatre’s Crongton Knights cast are on a beatbox adventure
What an adventure! As rave reviews start rolling in for the new beatbox-infused adaptation of Alex Wheatle’s award-winning 2016 Young Adults’ novel Crongton Knights, we’re loving the colourful production photos and infectious show trailer. Have a look – and then get booking!
‘When I was at the read-through, I was falling off my chair’: Alex Wheatle on seeing his novel Crongton Knights adapted for the stage
What do you get if you bring together an award-winning YA novel, an inventive beatbox soundtrack, six courageous kids and the producing powerhouse behind 2019’s sell-out production of Noughts and Crosses? Writer and broadcaster Nick Ahad talked to novelist Alex Wheatle ahead of Crongton Knights’ stage premiere.
‘Oily Cart still put access at the heart of their work’: ALL WRAPPED UP – Touring
Oily Cart, the creators of All Wrapped Up, makes gently immersive, highly sensory performances for people under five years old, and people with complex needs.
REHEARSAL PHOTOS: Behind the scenes of the page-to-stage premiere of Crongton Knights
Can you stick to the beat? Looks like it’s a prerequisite for the cast of the new beatbox-infused adaptation of Alex Wheatle’s award-winning 2016 Young Adults’ novel Crongton Knights. Sneak a peek inside the rehearsal room – and then get booking!
NEWS: Belgrade Theatre premieres beatbox stage adaptation of Alex Wheatle’s award-winning Crongton Knights
After The Gift this month, Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre hosts another world premiere modern play ahead of a major tour and London transfer: the physical theatre adaptation of Alex Wheatle’s award-winning 2016 Young Adults’ novel Crongton Knights, which features an original beatbox soundscape. Time to get booking!
‘There are some clever moments’: THE CAT IN THE HAT – Turbine Theatre ★★★
‘There are some clever moments’: While Donna Easton is a little underwhelmed by The Cat in the Hat at the Turbine Theatre, her joyful daughter loves the show.
‘A really good all-round family show’: OI FROG & FRIENDS! – West End & Touring
Oi Frog & Friends! is an entertaining, musical romp through many of the well-known rhymes from the original books with a witty script and songs which are upbeat, catchy and full of clever lyrics.
New post-show talk: Join Terri for Olivier Award-nominated festive family fun Potted Panto
This one will get you into the Christmas spirit, guaranteed. I’m gearing up for the holidays with the hilarious duo of Dan & Jeff and their festive favourite Potted Panto, another in my series of post-show talks for producer James Seabright.
NEWS: Janine Duvitski, Sophie Isaacs & Lauren Stroud join Goldilocks & the Three Bears at London Palladium
Final casting has been announced for the 2019 London Palladium Pantomime, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, which runs for a limited five-week season from 7 December 2019 to 12 January 2020.
‘A rich tapestry of music brings the story to life’: ISLANDER – Southwark Playhouse
Finn Anderson’s stunning score for Islander at Southwark Playhouse is performed beautifully by Bethany Tennick and Kirsty Findlay who pull off Amy Draper’s ingenious concept & direction seamlessly.
‘Delightful performance’: THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF – Touring ★★★★
The Boy Who Cried Wolf, written by Mike Kenny with stage manager Kirsty Smith, sees York Theatre Royal working with Tutti Frutti once again, and they manage to put together a delight of storytelling, music, dance and acting to re-tell this well known classic tale.
NEWS: First casting announced for the RSC’s production of The Boy In The Dress
Rufus Hound, Irvine Iqbal, Natasha Lewis and Forbes Masson have been cast in The Boy in the Dress, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new musical which runs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 8 November 2019 to 8 March 2020 (press night is 27 November).
‘If you like the film, you will most likely enjoy the stage show’: SCHOOL OF ROCK – West End ★★★★
For anyone unfamiliar with the show, it is based on the 2003 film starring Jack Black as a wannabe rock-star who masquerades as a private school teacher and ends up taking his class to Battle of the Bands. If you like the film, you will most likely enjoy the stage show. On the flip side, don’t go in expecting big surprises.
‘Iris Theatre has managed to create almost an entirely new genre’: The Hunchback of Notre Dame – St Paul’s Church ★★★★
The concept of the piece was fascinating, with the production beginning with an introduction of the actors in a travelling performance group tasked with telling the story of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
‘An imaginative take on a classic story’: The Hunchback of Notre Dame – St Paul’s Church ★★★
Iris Theatre’s adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel is certainly an ambitious and refreshing take on the story – but can’t always make up its mind whether it wants to be taken seriously or not.
‘Michael Morpurgo’s story spoke to me about music’s power to save lives’: Olivia Wormald on making her debut in The Mozart Question
Recent Mountview graduate Olivia Wormald makes her professional debut this month in a regendered stage adaptation of The Mozart Question, Michael Morpurgo’s 2007 children’s book which she herself read as a child. We talked to her about inspiration and how music can save lives. Time to get booking!
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Mr Gum & the Dancing Bear at the National Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Mr Gum & the Dancing Bear, Andy Stanton and Jim Fortune’s musical based on the children’s books. It continues in rep at the National Theatre until 31 August 2019.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Peter Pan at Troubadour White City Theatre
Sally Cookson’s National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic production of JM Barrie’s classic story Peter Pan officially opens the Troubadour White City Theatre, where it’s booking until 27 October 2019. Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews.