Here are Shane Morgan’s picks of how 2020 in theatre has continued to do what it does best: transporting us by engaging the heart, mind and soul.
‘Will put a warm glow in your heart’: THE NUTCRACKER – Birmingham Royal Ballet (Online review)
Integral to the festive Birmingham experience, the chance to watch this delightful production of The Nutcracker from home is a rare silver lining in an otherwise troubled month for the performing arts.
NEWS: New Adventures & the Royal Albert Hall announce Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man
As part of the Royal Albert Hall’s 150th anniversary celebrations New Adventures and the Royal Albert Hall have announced that Matthew Bourne’s multi-award-winning dance thriller The Car Man will play 14 performances only at the venue from 17-27 June 2021. Casting to be announced soon. These will be the only performances of the show in the UK in 2021.
NEWS: Immersive audio experience We step outside and start to dance by Alison Carr is now available
We step outside and start to dance is a new immersive audio experience – now available – written by award-winning North East playwright Alison Carr.
NEWS: Three prizes each for & Juliet, Dear Evan Hansen & Emilia as Olivier Awards 2020 winners are announced
The winners of the Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard were announced in a special ITV programme filmed at The London Palladium, and on Official London Theatre’s YouTube channel.
‘A flawless piece of work’: WAIT FOR ME (Online review) ★★★★★
Dance musical Wait for Me beautifully captures life as seen through the eyes of one couple and the angels who bring them together.
‘A feast for the eyes & ears’: WAIT FOR ME (Online review)
Without pieces of art like Wait For Me – and this mixes music, theatre, ballet, cinema, storytelling and production – the world would be a far lonelier place.
NEWS: The Olivier Awards 2020 winners will be announced in an October TV special filmed at the London Palladium
The winners of this year’s Oliver Awards 2020 with Mastercard will be announced on 25 October 2020 in a special programme hosted by Jason Manford and broadcast on ITV and Magic Radio.
NEWS: The Black British Theatre Awards reveal 2020 nominees & announce the ceremony will be broadcast on Sky Arts
The BBTAs have revealed the 2020 Black British Theatre Awards nominee list, voted almost entirely by the public and representing some of the finest work by Black performers and creatives in UK theatre. The 2020 awards ceremony will air on Sky Arts this autumn, as part of the channel’s free to air line-up.
NEWS: Creative partnership between Birmingham Royal Ballet & Birmingham Repertory Theatre announced
A brand new partnership has been confirmed between Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Repertory Theatre, which will see the two established companies combine creative ingenuity to stage new dance works in the heart of Birmingham city centre.
‘A sheer spectacle with plenty of energy & passion’: CELTIC TIGER – The Shows Must Go On! (Online review)
This 2005 production of Celtic Tiger directed, produced and choreographed by Michael Flatley has some interesting concepts – but put together comes across as an incoherent show.
NEWS: Royal Ballet School, ArtsEd, LAMDA & the Royal Academy of Dance receive Lynne and Land Foundation grants
Today, on the second anniversary of the death of choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne, The Lynne and Land Foundation has announced grants to the Royal Ballet School, ArtsEd, LAMDA and the Royal Academy of Dance.
‘Strips back perceptions of what theatre should be’: ENTITLED – Quarantine (Online review)
Up to Manchester for this Zoom screening of 2011’s mix of movement and words from Quarantine, followed by a discussion with the creatives.
Entitled is “a show about nothing” on the surface, as we watch stage technicians set up for a dance performanc…
Lockdown has made me realise, as much as theatre, I’ve been missing live music
It feels slightly odd that my final show before the curtains came down wasn’t a play or musical – instead, it was a dance show.
‘I have never before truly appreciated the blinding power of physical theatre’: THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE – Gecko Theatre (Online review)
If you, like me at the moment, feel you are missing out on some of the familiar repetitiveness of life, this is thirty minutes you need to watch.
NEWS: Sadler’s Wells announces next dance performances & workshops on its digital stage
Sadler’s Wells has announced this week’s additions to its Digital Stage programme – a special matinee screening of balletLORENT’S Rumpelstiltskin this Friday 3 April 2020, and the first dance at home workshops for families and older audiences.
‘Truly beautiful, stunning & mesmerising to watch’: BALLETBOYZ: DELUXE – Sadler’s Wells (Online Review) ★★★★
Last year I was introduced to the BalletBoyz and their show Them/Us moved me to tears. I was looking forward to their new show Deluxe which, fortunately, was filmed before theatres closed and is available to watch online.
NEWS: Drew McOnie & the McOnie Company launch a Digital Dance Season
The McOnie Company has launched the first offerings as part of its Digital Dance Season. Hosted on the company’s social media channels, the season aims to connect the dance community and encourage collaboration during this period of social distancing and self isolation.
NEWS: Artists come together for new collective All the Web’s a Stage
Theatre Together, a new collective of over 50 artists and professionals, have announced All the Web’s a Stage, an online event featuring a variety of live performances to raise money for those in the arts facing hardship as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Message in a Bottle at the Peacock Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for the new dance production Message in a Bottle featuring the music of Sting and choreography by Kate Prince.