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.
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.
‘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.
From The Beatles to Brexit, from Cats to Covid, Mark Shenton reflects on the latest industry news
Now that I’m getting into a rhythm on these daily columns, I’m going to try to introduce some regular features. And starting today, I’m planning on launching the week with column of disparate “diary” items — some fun, some not, that of stories that have made the news in the previous week.
‘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.
‘The chaos unfolds beautifully’: HENRY V TAKE 2 – Cross-Stitch Theatre (Online review)
Cross-Stitch Theatre’s witty show Henry V Take 2 explores the frustrations of trying to put on a show over zoom.
‘One of the best online immersive entertainments out there’: THE INQUEST (Online review)
With continued twists and turns, The Inquest has many different possibilities as you work together with other audience members to ensure that the correct outcome is achieved.
How will the West End look when theatre is back in business?
It’s difficult to know exactly what the West End might look like when it finally returns: already there’s been some shape-shifting.
‘Highly original & entertaining’: The Neighbor / The 7th Voyage Of Egon Tichy – Theater In Quarantine (Online review)
Quirky in the extreme but great fun, Theater In Quarantine takes limited space performance to a new level in The Neighbor and The 7th Voyage Of Egon Tichy.
What productions Love London Love Culture is looking forward to in 2021
Emma Clarendon selects the shows that she is most looking forward to catching in 2021.
NEWS: Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution will return to London County Hall in May 2021
It has been announced that performances of Witness for the Prosecution will resume from 18 May 2021 at London County Hall on the Southbank. Cast to be announced soon.
NEWS: OffWestEnd announces 47 finalists for its Offies Awards 2021
OffWestEnd announces 47 finalists for its Offies Awards 2021, across 15 categories, covering 24 venues across London.