A highly-dramatic and first-class performance of Opera North’s Orfeo Ed Euridice was extremely well received with rapturous applause at the exquisite Grand Theatre, Leeds. This must be one of (if not the most) tragic love stories ever imagined; beautiful and disturbing.
‘There’s plenty of musical energy here’: PENELOPE: SEVEN WAYS TO WAIT – Arcola Theatre
Grimeborn’s “in-progress sharing” of Penelope: Seven Ways to Wait provides 40 minutes of intriguing and accomplished musicality, loosely themed around the concept of waiting, with the classical heroine Penelope (long-suffering, long waiting wife of Odysseus) at its emotional helm.
FROM DOWN UNDER: Lohengrin in Melbourne
In a mighty coup for Melbourne, world-conquering tenor Jonas Kaufmann graces the ranks of Opera Australia for a fully-staged production of Wagner gem Lohengrin.
‘Intimate & immediate’: LA BOHEME – King’s Head Theatre ★★★
Mark Ravenhill’s production of La Boheme is pared down to 90 minutes and four on-stage characters, with a piano taking the place of an orchestra. This makes it intimate and immediate.
NEWS: Pegasus Opera premieres The Aspern Papers, new Philip Hagemann opera based on Henry James’ novella
The Aspern Papers, a new opera by renowned composer Philip Hagemann adapted from Henry James’ 1888 novella, will premiere this month at the Royal Academy of Music’s Susie Sainsbury Theatre, running for three performances only on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April 2022. Time to get booking!
FROM DOWN UNDER: Broadway’s Fun Home in its Melbourne debut
Delayed over the past two theatrically arid years, multi-Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home finally makes its Melbourne debut, arriving in a superbly cast, sharply directed production.
‘Fails to connect’: DIE WALKÜRE – Hackney Empire
I have never known Die Walküre fail to connect before, particularly in the hands of a talented team. Let’s hope this cycle gets right back on track as they progress towards a future Siegfried.
NEWS: Edinburgh International Festival 2021 programme is announced
The Edinburgh International Festival, running from 7-29 August, has announced its 2021 programme which features over 170 classical and contemporary music, theatre, opera, dance and spoken word performances, including 15 new commissions and premieres.
FROM DOWN UNDER: La Traviata in Sydney
In celebration of the ongoing return to live theatre, Sydney turned on perfect conditions for the opening night of La Traviata on Sydney Harbour.
‘Musically it is a piece that hits you instantly’: The Musician: A Horror Opera For Children – Belfast Ensemble (Online review)
Conor Mitchell’s The Musician: A Horror Opera For Children reimagines the story of Pied Piper and is at its best during the darker moments of the story.
‘It does & should make a viewer think’: We Ask These Questions of Everybody – soundfestival (Online review)
Produced by HERA, We Ask These Questions of Everybody uses text drawn from real conversations; samples, soundscapes and singing. It is performed by a cross-genre, all-disabled ensemble, placing into sharp focus their experience of living under austerity.
NEWS: ENO & Imperial College announce the national rollout of the Breathe programme for people recovering from Covid-19
English National Opera and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust announce national rollout of ENO Breathe programme for people recovering from COVID-19.
‘Sweeps along effortlessly’: CINDERELLA – Northern Opera Group (Online review)
This charming and rarely performed chamber operetta, Cinderella, is given new life in Northern Opera Group’s new filmed version.
‘Wonderful delights galore’: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE – Palace Theatre
Sasha Regan’s All Male The Pirates of Penzance proves a feast for ears and the eyes in a glorious but short run at the Palace Theatre.
NEWS: Cast & further date announced for Sasha Regan’s All-Male The Pirates of Penzance at the Palace Theatre
Nimax Theatres have added a second night for Sasha Regan’s all-male take on W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance at London’s Palace Theatre. The show will now run on 12 and 13 December 2020.
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.
Building up to the Olivier Awards 2020 – the virtual way
Do fill your glass, glam up and get ready to join host Jason Manford in saluting the Olivier Awards 2020 winners and nominees. Oh and why not take a look at the social media build-up to the big night too.
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 2020 Olivier Awards are cancelled
This year’s Olivier Awards with Mastercard, which were due to place on 5 April 2020 at the Royal Albert Hall, have been cancelled.
NEWS: Coronavirus pandemic – An update on theatre closures in the West End & across the country
My Theatre Mates have been collecting official announcements of theatre closures up and down the country in the Twitter thread below and will continue to add updates as they come in.