How central are Gertrude, Claudius and Polonius to the story of Hamlet? If you remove those adult characters – the prince’s mother, uncle/stepfather and the father of his one-time girlfriend, respectively – and the scenes that revolve around them, what are you left with?
VIDEOS & PHOTOS: A post-show Q&A for Wickies at the Park Theatre delves into one of Scotland’s most enduring mysteries
For the post-show talk for new play Wickies: The Vanishing Men of Eilean Mor at the Park Theatre I was joined by writer Paul Morrissey and his all-Scottish, three-strong cast: Jamie Quinn, Ewan Stewart and Graeme Dalling.
VIDEO & PHOTOS: Theatre & politics make for a thrilling Triggered post-show Q&A
One of the few things I enjoy even more than theatre is talking politics. So chairing a post-show discussion about a brilliant new political play, written and directed by a Westminster insider and lifelong activist, really is my idea of bliss. At the White Bear Theatre, I got to do just that for Triggered, Emma Burnell’s new play about a fictional deselection of a Labour MP ahead of the 2019 General Election.
NEWS: Guinea Pigs premiere marks 70th anniversary of first British nuclear detonation
Guinea Pigs, a new play that shines a light on Britain’s decades-long nuclear testing cover-up, written by the daughter of a test veteran, premieres next month at London’s The Space, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Operation Hurricane, Britain’s first nuclear detonation.
‘Harold Shipman was my GP for four years’: Writer & performer Edwin Flay on depicting the serial killer in The Quality of Mercy
The Quality of Mercy, a new one-man play about notorious British serial killer Harold Shipman, premieres at London’s Courtyard Theatre this month. Taking a break from rehearsals, writer and performer Edwin Flay told us more about his very personal family connection to Shipman’s crimes.
NEWS: Harold Shipman records his confession in The Quality of Mercy premiere
A new one-man play about notorious British serial killer Harold Shipman, written by a former patient and relative of one of his victims, receives its world premiere this month in London. Time to get booking!
VIDEO & PHOTOS: A devilish Q&A with the company of Lazarus Theatre’s Doctor Faustus
What might entice you to sell your soul to the devil? Fame? Riches? Immortality? World peace? A rent-free London flat? Four pints of Guinness? At my post-show Q&A for a production of Doctor Faustus, that was an irresistible question to pose to the company. But before that, we covered much else to do concerning adaptation and the creative process, with a lot of fun and laughter.
VIDEO & PHOTOS: A memorable night of both sadness & celebration with the cast & creatives of Proforca’s Flashbang
The death of Queen Elizabeth II was announced just before my arrival at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre. Like the rest of the country, the theatre staff had been braced for the sad news. So the world premiere of Proforca’s Flashbang was preceded by a public address and collective silence.
FEATURED SHOW: ★★★★★ Flashbang is ‘full of the usual Proforca magic’. Reviews are in!
Flashbang, Proforca Theatre’s latest new play at London’s Lion & Unicorn Theatre, has attracted a slew of five- and four-star reviews for its premiere production, which must end this Saturday 17 September 2022. We’ve rounded up review highlights.
PHOTOS: Proforca Theatre’s latest explosive new play Flashbang premieres
Who are your mates forever? What would blow your world apart? Flashbang, Proforca Theatre’s latest explosive new play, premieres this week at London’s Lion & Unicorn Theatre. Check out the first-look production photos – and then get booking!
PHOTOS: Sneak a peek into rehearsals for the premiere of Proforca’s Flashbang
It’s just four weeks to go until the world premiere of Proforca Theatre’s latest explosive new play Flashbang, which has a strictly limited run launching the new autumn season at London’s Lion & Unicorn Theatre. Sneak a peek inside the rehearsal room – and then get booking!
‘There’s beauty in every story no matter how everyday it feels’: Fred Wardale on being one of the Flashbang boys
After acclaim last year in Lately, Fred Wardale returns to London’s Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Proforca Theatre’s new explosive premiere Flashbang, written by James Lewis and helmed by artistic director. We chatted to him about camaraderie, creativity and small-town underdogs.
Meet the cast: Four Ryans are ready for Flashbang, Proforca’s latest at Lion & Unicorn
Four up-and-coming actors will star in the world premiere of Proforca Theatre’s latest explosive new play Flashbang, which has a strictly limited run at the start of the new autumn season at London’s Lion & Unicorn Theatre. Meet the cast below – and then get booking!
FEATURED SHOW: ‘Spell-binding’, ‘jaw-dropping’ Coventry-set May Queen is back. Read the reviews!
Have you read the reviews for Frankie Meredith’s May Queen yet? Originally premiered last year as part of Paines Plough’s Roundabout season, this ‘spell-binding’ piece set in Coventry is now back for one week only at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre.
‘The idea was really rooted in Coventry’: Frankie Meredith on her play May Queen, now returning to Belgrade Theatre
Originally premiered last year as part of Paines Plough’s acclaimed Roundabout Season, May Queen returns to Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre for a strictly limited season. Midlands writer Frankie Meredith tells us more about the modern folk tale and how growing up in Coventry influenced it.
VIDEO: Exploring history onstage – The End of the Night writer Ben Brown & journalist Kurt Barling discuss how in Park Q&A
What is theatre’s role in exploring political and historical subjects? What echoes are there with contemporary events in Europe? Could The End of the Night be staged in Germany today – or in Russia? For this post-show discussion, Terri Paddock explores these issues with playwright Ben Brown and the award-winning journalist, author and academic Professor Kurt Barling.
‘Banquet waitressing is brutal’: Actor-turned writer Sally Rogers on the 1980s memories that inspired her debut play The Still Room
Remember the 1980s? Charles and Diana’s wedding? Sally Rogers does. The actor-turned-playwright draws on her own personal memories and experiences in her debut play, the 1980s-set, coming-of-age black comedy The Still Room, which premieres at London’s Park Theatre in June.
NEWS: Belgrade Theatre restages Paines Plough May Queen in Coventry, 25 Jun-2 Jul
After its successful premiere last year as part of Paines Plough’s Roundabout Season, Midlands writer Frankie Meredith’s May Queen returns to Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre for a strictly limited season this summer.
‘Who is entitled to sexual confidence? How to express desire?’: Lauren Morley on her new play The Collab, premiering this week
Lauren Morley’s new play The Collab, inspired by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing and YouTube sex abuse scandals, premieres this week at London’s The Space care of Aequitas Theatre. Lauren took a break from rehearsals to tell us more about the piece, political theatre, feminism and online consent.
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Sneak a peek behind the scenes of The Still Room rehearsals
We’re counting down to the long-awaited world premiere of Cold Feet actor-turned-playwright Sally Rogers’ debut play The Still Room, which opens at London’s Park Theatre next month. Sneak a peek behind the scenes in the rehearsal room. Time to get booking!