Are you allowed to call yourself a theatre fan if you haven’t seen The Mousetrap, the West End’s longest-running play? Possibly. But I’ve ticked that box now.
PHOTOS & VIDEO: In the rehearsal room with Philip Ridley’s Tender Napalm
Performances begin this week for Lidless Theatre’s revival of Philip Ridley’s “jaw-dropping, heart-stopping, expectation-topping” play Tender Napalm. We caught up with the company in rehearsals.
Who might you meet in the selfie queue at Back to the Future?
In our social media age, selfies outside the theatre are de rigueur. Outside the Adelphi after Back to the Future, a man waited patiently for my friends and me to finish our group gurning in front of the show poster.
INTERVIEW: Guy Masterson on bringing The Shark is Broken to the West End
Director Guy Masterson chatted to Love London Love Culture’s Emma Clarendon about bringing The Shark Is Broken to the West End’s Ambassadors Theatre.
Puppetry, top casting & other reasons you should see The Magician’s Elephant
The RSC’s brand-new musical, an adaptation of The Magician’s Elephant, started performances this week at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Earlier this month, the company opened its rehearsal room doors for a sneak peek. Why should you add this show to your list of autumn treats?
REVIEW ROUND-UP: White Noise at the Bridge Theatre
On LoveLondonLoveCulture, Emma Clarendon rounds up the reviews for Polly Findlay’s European premiere production of White Noise, by Pulitzer Prize-winning US playwright Suzan Lori-Parks.
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Behind the scenes in the rehearsal room for Indecent Proposal
Previews begin at the end of this week for the world premiere musical makeover of Indecent Proposal, the novel made famous by the 1993 Hollywood film. What’s been happening in rehearsals? Check out our behind-the-scenes video and photo gallery. Time to get booking!
‘Black, bleak & ultimately deeply moving’: THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE – Lyric Hammersmith
Martin McDonagh’s black comedy piece, co-produced by Chichester Festival Theatre and the Lyric Hammersmith, proves to be a deeper exploration of family conflict and secrets than his The Lieutenant of Inishmore.
Review Round-up: The Tragedy of Macbeth at the Almeida Theatre
On LoveLondonLoveCulture, Emma Clarendon rounds up the reviews for the Almeida Theatre’s new production of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth. It stars James McArdle and Saoirse Ronan, directed by Yael Farber.
Is ‘Zoom in the flesh’ the way to wake up producers’ creativity post-pandemic?
I recently tried a technical experiment with Zoom and believe we may have found a way to harness the power of distance connection with the desire for getting back in a room.
INTERVIEW: What is best for us versus what is best for those we love most? Roger Ajogbe on starring in the premiere of Proud
Roger Ajogbe stars as Roland in Proud, Bren Gosling’s powerful new drama tackling racism and homophobia. He took a break from rehearsals to tell us more about the play.
Why shouldn’t you hate musicals? Adam Lenson’s new book Breaking Into Song has the answer
Director Adam Lenson has something to say about musicals. In this essential text for theatre lovers, he challenges your perceptions of what a musical can, is, and might be.
VIDEO: How far would you go to right a wrong? Snowflakes post-show Q&A
How far would you go to right a wrong? Terri Paddock discussed with the cast and creatives of Robert Boulton’s debut play Snowflakes after a performance at the Old Red Lion Theatre.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Back to the Future at the Adelphi Theatre
On LoveLondonLoveCulture, Emma Clarendon rounds up the reviews for screen-to-stage musical, now receiving its West End premiere at the Adelphi Theatre.
VIDEO: What did the Victorians get up to in Vauxhall? The Pleasure Garden post-show Q&A
I was immediately hooked when Glenn Chandler told me he had written a new musical inspired by that history, staged at Above the Stag, which in its current home beneath the railway arches at Albert Embankment, actually borders the Gardens.
‘Entertaining, ambitious and educational ‘: TOKYO ROSE — Southwark Playhouse (UK Tour) ★★★★
Burnt Lemon Theatre’s Tokyo Rose shows that you don’t need a big budget to stage a compelling musical.
‘A lot of potential’: GOING THE DISTANCE — Lawrence Batley Theatre (Online)
Theatres were in trouble over the whole of 2020, and many are still waiting for audiences to return to their pre-pandemic levels.
‘Sombre mood, visual distortions, intense emotions’: THE HAIRY APE — Online
I remember a student I was once trying to get to read more saying “What’s the point, there are just too many books”. Perhaps I’m beginning to have the same reaction to digital theatre – there’s so much more of it out there than I had ever anticipated and although I think I can claim I’ve covered a fair amount of ground there is still plenty to get to grips with.
‘Didn’t I want to see it unfiltered by the opinions of others?’: Mark Shenton explores critical opinion and its influence on perception
One of the pleasures — but also the risks — of being a theatre critic is that you come first to a new production, ready to form your own opinions on what you’ve seen, before you’ve already encountered or digested the opinions of others.
‘Behind their fabrics is something that you have to search for’: Emma Clarendon chatted to Maia about directing and designing puppets in THERE’S A RANG-TAN IN MY BEDROOM
Emma Clarendon chatted to Maia about directing and designing the puppets for There’s a Rang-Tan in My Bedroom and Other Stories for the Little Angel Theatre.