There’s hardly a more insistent ear worm of a song in all of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ear-wormy repertoire than ‘Memory’, the breakout hit of his 1981 musical Cats, which last night celebrated the 40th anniversary of its premiere at the then New London Theatre (now itself renamed for Gillian Lynne, the choreographer whose work on the show ignited a revolution in global musical theatre, and accidentally created the West End’s first authentic dance-based musical).
Being in the room where it happens: How quickly are theatre audiences going to return?
As theatre next week starts to finally edge cautiously out of a full lockdown of over five full months, plus only very intermittent appearances in the nine months before that, the question arises will the audiences be there for it?
WATCH: Want to know more about S&S Theatre Productions? Terri Paddock chats to some the creatives
Even lockdown couldn’t stop some of the creative minds behind the recently launched S&S Theatre Productions (previously the S&S Award) getting together to talk about the new company, via Zoom of course.
‘Poignant. Hopeful. Honest’: Wayne Steven Jackson brings his show From Me To Us to BAC
Love London Love Culture chatted to Wayne Stephen Jackson about bringing his show From Me To Us to the Battersea Arts Centre, available to watch from 10-16 May.
As Phantom & Six announce reopening dates, plans speed up for Broadway’s return
It turns out New York is moving even faster, with the state (and its neighbours, New Jersey and Connecticut), according to the New York Times on Monday, “lifting almost all their pandemic restrictions, paving the way for a return to fuller offices and restaurants, a more vibrant nightlife and a richer array of cultural and religious gatherings for the first time in a year”.
Are we all going to rush to the theatre as soon as social distancing is no more?
Do we have to become responsible for our own Covid safety? So, the man who (allegedly) said he didn’t mind if the bodies were piled high, he didn’t want to impose another lockdown — until he, in fact, did — is now embarking on another experiment in which that may indeed turn out to be outcome. On 21 June, all social distancing is to be scrapped in the UK.
FEATURED POST: Mercurius Theatre’s Jenny Eastop looks forward to an exciting collaboration as director & producer with S&S Theatre Productions
Jenny Eastop, the multiple Offie-nominated director and producer for London-based Mercurius Theatre, will be playing a vital role in the transformation of the prestigious S&S Award into S&S Theatre Productions, dedicated to producing radical new musical theatre with partnerships between the UK and the USA.
Have theatrical producers of old forgotten how to treat the people who helped them reach the top in the first place?
Now we’ve seen Cameron Mackintosh here in London twice in the last year throw his original investors overboard on his two biggest hits: Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera.
FEATURED POST: Writing award co-founders Warner Brown & Caroline Underwood launch the transformation into S&S Theatre Productions
Since the early days of the S&S Award – given to the best new unproduced musical of the year – its founders, literary agent Caroline Underwood and writer Warner Brown, have longed to encourage links between the UK musical writing scene and that of the US. Now, with the Award becoming S&S Theatre Productions, Caroline and Warner will have the opportunity to do just that, presenting co-productions of new, radical musical theatre both Off-West End and Off-Broadway.
Change for the better: The door is opening for a whole host of new producing talent
In London, there are murmurings of change on the horizon. Some of this may take a while to reach fruition, but three brand-new production companies have emerged in the last few weeks.
‘It’s an inventive & hilarious modern adaptation of a classic’: Actor Tom Dixon stars in a new digital staging of The Importance of Being Earnest
The Lawrence Batley Theatre and The Dukes’ new digital co-production of The Importance of Being Earnest brings Oscar Wilde’s classic play up to date and transfers the action up north. I caught up with actor Tom Dixon, who plays Algy, to find out more.
‘It’s theatre like you’ve never seen it before’: Nemide May stars in the world premiere of represent.’s Money
Love London Love Culture chatted to Nemide May about starring in the world premiere of represent.’s production of Money, being streamed from 26 April until 15 May 2021.
Beneath contempt: Mark Shenton reacts to the empty promises made over the return of Phantom to the West End
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The post April 27: The rotten stench of contempt for people, from the government to its people and from producers to their orchestras and audiences first appeared on Shenton Stage.
‘It’s full of joy’: Matthew Harvey invites you to watch the digital production of his song cycle Now Or Never
Matthew Harvey chats about his new song cycle Now Or Never, streaming on demand through the Barn Theatre.
FEATURED POST: S&S Theatre Productions’ launch is a ‘natural extension’ of its namesake award, says composer & winner Tim Gilvin
In an exciting development the prestigious S&S Award has turned producer to become S&S Theatre Productions, dedicated to producing radical new musical theatre with partnerships between the UK and the USA. Literary agent Caroline Underwood and writer Warner Brown (who originally co-founded the Award in 2011) have joined forces with London-based, multiple Offie-nominated Mercurius Theatre and Kent Nicholson, doyen of new musical theatre …
Put another dime in the jukebox baby: Mark Shenton picks out his Top Ten jukebox musicals
Jukebox musicals have become a staple of Broadway and the West End for a while now; familiarity, you could say, breeds contented audiences. As Mamma Mia! used to tag the show in their advertising: “You already know you’ve going to love it!”
‘Each story is unique, real & thoughtful’: SAFE – Hackney Empire (Online review)
Safe is a verbatim play created and directed by Alexis Gregory (I reviewed his work previously in Sex/Crime). Previously performed at the Soho Theatre, this is now reimagined for the digital space.
Mark Shenton’s weekly chart of forthcoming theatrical comings & goings has some new entries
This weekly column keeps track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, as theatres prepare to re-open from next month onwards. It will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
Putting profits before people? Where is the original Phantom of the Opera we were promised?
When The Phantom of the Opera was unloaded from the Her Majesty’s Theatre last year, it produced the forlorn sight of the original Phantom chandelier resting on the pavement outside the theatre instead of poised over the proscenium from which it famously comes crashing down over the heads of those seated in the stalls.
‘This adaptation is a joy to portray’: Melanie Marshall stars in a new digital production of The Importance of Being Earnest
Actress Melanie Marshall chatted to us about the upcoming digital production of The Importance of Being Earnest – co-produced by the Lawrence Batley Theatre and The Dukes.