Oxford-based Creation Theatre is presenting its online production of Grimm Tales for Fragile Times & Broken People, a deliciously dark and twisted set of fairy tales, from 28 January to 14 February 2021.
‘We were involved in decisions’: Chris Grady pays tribute to influential theatre manager Gordon Stratford
What made theatre manager Gordon Stratford special for me, as a boss, was his passion for the theatre, his quick understanding of potential audiences, and his willingness to give his marketing team the chance to challenge him on proposed prices, deals, and even show choices.
NEWS: Curve announces plans to stream its production of The Color Purple
Following the success of its recent five-star production of Sunset Boulevard – at Home, Curve has announced plans to also stream The Color Purple online between 16 February and 7 March 2021, in association with Birmingham Hippodrome.
NEWS: Come From Away: The Concert is cancelled as ATG suspends performances at its UK venues until April 2021
A specially staged concert version of award-winning hit musical Come From Away, due to play at London’s Phoenix Theatre from 10-27 February 2021, has been cancelled following the Ambassador Theatre Group’s announcement that performances at the company’s UK venues have been suspended until 3 April 2021.
As commercial producers yearn for a return to normal, will subsidised theatre play it safe or break the mould?
Some commercial producers, it appears, wanted the old order to be restored and business to proceed as normal, hence the rush to re-open as quickly as it was legally possible to do so back in November after we emerged from the second lockdown.
‘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.
‘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.
NEWS: Theatremakers from all four nations are celebrated in The Stage 100 list
The Stage has unveiled its annual The Stage 100 list. The list has been re-imagined this year to celebrate individuals who have gone above and beyond in helping theatre survive the biggest crisis the industry has ever faced.
‘Will invite you to reflect on this annus horribilis’: UNTIL THE FLOOD – Traverse Theatre (Online review)
Watching the powerful set of monologues Until The Flood brings back powerful memories of the shared experience which we can only hope will return soon.
Powerful set of monologues stirs reflections on one of the other big events of 2020
NEWS: Winners of The Stage Awards include Kiln Theatre, Nica Burns, Wise Children’s Simon Baker & the Theatre Support Fund
The Stage has announced the winners of The Stage Awards, reimagined this year to celebrate theatrical organisations who continued to create great theatre, show innovation, and help ensure theatre survives in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
20 of the things that inspired, moved, amused & delighted John Chapman in 2020
I’ve selected 20 of the things that inspired, moved, amused and delighted, which have pushed the boundaries of what it possible and continued to fly the flag for theatre in the UK.
‘I wouldn’t count on us being safe until the summer at the earliest’: Mark Shenton shares his thoughts with a new daily blog for 2021
One of my new year resolutions — and one I intend to keep — is to revitalise this personal website ShentonStage as my primary editorial home this year.
NEWS: Sheila Hancock is made a Dame in the New Year Honours list 2021
Sheila Hancock has been made a Dame in the New Year Honours list 2021 with actors Toby Jones (OBE), Nina Wadia (OBE), Lesley Manville (CBE) and Sally Dynevor (MBE) also recognised.
‘Makes a virtue of its scratch staging’: SUNSET BOULVARD IN CONCERT – Leicester Curve (Online review)
Curve Leicester’s Sunset Boulevard certainly offers ‘new ways to dream,’ proving a beautiful and fitting finale to a year of considerable change for theatre.
‘I don’t want to forget the shows that happened’: A reflection on theatre in 2020
I resolutely wasn’t doing a round up for 2020. I mean what on earth were we going to round up? This year has, with no exaggeration, broken our hearts in theatre. There’s no other way to put it. We watched our industry disappear overnight. We…
‘Transporting us by engaging the heart, mind & soul’: How theatre-makers adapted in 2020
Here are Shane Morgan’s picks of how 2020 in theatre has continued to do what it does best: transporting us by engaging the heart, mind and soul.
’An undeniable triumph’: SUNSET BOULVARD IN CONCERT – Leicester Curve (Online review) ★★★★★
The Curve, Leicester’s production of Sunset Boulevard takes the streaming of live theatre to a new level, not only with its music and storytelling, all performed by a wonderful cast, but also in the way in which it showcases the skill and talent of the entire team both on and off the stage.
‘A festive wonder’: LITTLE ROBIN REDBREAST – Salisbury ★★★★★
Little Robin Redbreast is a wonderful Christmas musical, the socially-distanced crew is marvellous at portraying a festive wonder.
‘The perfect tonic to these darker times’: THE SNOW QUEEN – Ipswich (Online review) ★★★★
Full of joy and imagination with some hilarious jokes and great music choices, The Snow Queen at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich is guaranteed to brighten your spirits this Christmas.
‘Has all the good cheer you could want in a panto’: RAPUNZEL: THE PANTOMIME – Musselburgh (Online review) ★★★★★
While a live audience is oxygen to panto performers, recorded Rapunzel at the Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh is a triumph, and placing the trials of 2020 the heart of this retelling of this well-loved tale makes perfect sense.