New play Overflow by Travis Alabanza returns as a digital stream and proves to be an intriguing hour about the politics of women’s bathrooms and who is allowed in them.
‘Would transfer well to a live onstage situation’: CUPID’S CORNER (Online review)
OnComm nominated production Cupid’s Corner features a young, committed ensemble cast which demonstrates potential.
‘Fun, witty & incredibly creative’: PUBLIC DOMAIN – Southwark Playhouse (Online review) ★★★★
The cast and creative team involved in Public Domain, streamed from Southwark Playhouse, succeeded in creating a brilliant show which is timely and incredibly thought-provoking.
‘A delight to watch from start to finish’: NUTCRACKER DELIGHTS – English National Ballet (Online review) ★★★★★
Having had its run of live performances cut short, thank goodness the English National Ballet recorded Nutcracker Delights, this gorgeous scaled back treat for audiences to enjoy at home.
From stage to screen (small & big): The adaptations keep on coming
In the last 30 years or more, roughly half of every new musical that arrives on Broadway or in the West End seems to be based on a film.
‘It’s still enormously relatable even in the modern day’: Charlotte Wakefield stars in the online revival of Gatsby A Musical
Actress Charlotte Wakefield chatted to us about the upcoming revival of Gatsby A Musical, being filmed at the Cadogan Hall and streamed from 12-14 February 2021.
‘There are some memorable songs’: PUBLIC DOMAIN – Southwark Playhouse (Online review)
Public Domain is a verbatim musical winner which lifts the lid on life online and joins an august group of productions streamed from Southwark Playhouse. Strongly recommended.
Mark Shenton kicks off his new ShenTens podcast with a top ten favourite musicals
I’ve launched a brand-new weekly podcast, called ShenTen, in which I will countdown my personal top tens in different theatrical categories.
‘The music in the show should feel like diving headfirst into the internet’: Francesca Forristal & Jordan Paul Clarke on their new musical Public Domain
Francesca Forristal and Jordan Paul Clarke spoke to Emma Clarendon about their new musical Public Domain being live streamed from the Southwark Playhouse on 15 and 16 January 2021.
‘Consistently delivers’: THIS EVIL THING (Online review)
Michael Mears’ committed and well thought out piece This Evil Thing about a tricky subject is dealt with empathetically and entertainingly.
’An intriguing piece of work’: ALIVE – Online@TheSpaceUK – Season 2 (Online review)
Alive feels a very sensitive exploration of close companionship despite clear differences, and the discussion around “letting go” were starkly presented, slickly directed by Penny Cole.
There’s nothing like it: TV dips into theatrical friendships from Staged to Dames
I’ve just gorged on the second series of Staged, the blissful second series of the actors-in-lockdown zoom show, directed and co-written by Simon Evans, with Michael Sheen and David Tennant playing (versions of) themselves.
NEWS: Finalists announced for new online theatre award OnComm
Since the start of the Covid pandemic closures in 2020, many independent, alternative and fringe theatre venues and companies across the UK and beyond responded to the challenges of lockdowns by taking their shows online – and OffWestEnd has responded to this whole new strand of theatre by launching a new award, the OnComm, for the best of this new stream of online theatre.
‘Brings to life another modern-day issue without any sugar coating’: WALK OF SHAME – Glass Half Full Theatre (Online review) ★★★★
Writers Stephanie Silver and Amelia Marshall-Lovsey bring to the online stage Walk of Shame, produced by Caley Powell for Glass Half Full Theatre.
NEWS: Janie Dee will star in a new digital production of Terence Rattigan’s All On Her Own
A brand new digital production of Terence Rattigan’s one-woman play All On Her Own will star award-winning actress Janie Dee and be directed by Alastair Knights, with Jack McCann as assistant director and original music by Lindsey Miller. The show will be available to stream for eight performances only via stream.theatre from 16 to 21 February 2021.
‘Whatever your taste, there’s bound to be something to appeal’: Online@TheSpaceUK – Season 2 (Online review)
A second online season from TheSpace has an eclectic range – even if what I saw was all comedy.
‘People can now have an audience for their work across the planet’: Mark Potter launches online company Crowd Pleaser Theatre
Director Mark Potter chatted about his new online theatre company Crowd Pleaser Theatre.
‘It’s raw, brave & controlled’: AVALANCHE – Bloom Theatre (Online review)
The beauty of Avalanche is not just in the poetry of its words, but also the honesty it displays on tough subjects within scene changes and forbidding musical motifs.
‘Will be just the kind of theatre magic we’ve all been waiting for’: SWINGIN’ THE DREAM – RSC (Online review)
The RSC, Young Vic and Theatre for a New Audience have a difficult but fascinating task ahead in re-creating lost work Swingin’ the Dream that honours the original while offering something new to modern audiences.
‘It’s a winning formula’: LETTERS LIVE FROM THE ARCHIVE (Online review)
There is something essentially life affirming about the whole idea of Letters Live and these documents will prove an invaluable way of connecting with others as the dark times close over us once again.