Relatively obscure British crime writer Ethel Lina White’s greatest legacy is her 1936 novel, The Wheel Spins – two years after publication, Alfred Hitchcock directed the film The Lady Vanishes, widely regarded as one of British cinema’s greatest works, based on her book.
‘I knew if she didn’t act or feel like the character Charlotte Brontë created, I’d have failed’: Nick Lane on adapting Jane Eyre for the stage
“Having re-read the book, I was struck by how powerful Jane’s path was – and if it had made me feel that way in the 21st century, the effect on its readers when it was first published must have been seismic!”
‘Truly magical’: THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★★
In a world full of fear and worry, we all need a reminder that there’s still hope. Luckily, in The Man Who Planted Trees at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, two storytellers and their puppets are here to give us just that.
New post-show Q&A: Join Terri for Kander & Ebb’s Cabaret, starring John Partridge
As part of her ongoing post-show Q&A series, on Thursday 29 August 2019, Mates co-founder Terri Paddock heads to Bromley for the start of Cabaret’s new tour, starring John Partridge as the emcee. Got any questions?
‘Every moment is memorable & engaging’: A GAME OF DEATH & CHANCE – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★
In A Game of Death and Chance, the National Trust for Scotland’s first ever Fringe show, four characters from the 17th century – and death himself – have occupied an old Edinburgh tenement to tell stories of Scotland’s past.
NEWS: Emma Rice’s adaptation of Wise Children hits 250 cinema screens from 3 Oct
More2Screen has announced the cinema release of the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Angela Carter’s Wise Children, which will be screened in more than 250 cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Thursday 3 October 2019. Cinema tickets are on sale now at WiseChildrenCinema.com.
‘Straightforward entertainment’: SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER – Touring ★★★
It is difficult not to find yourself tapping your toes along to some classic songs and fabulously fun choreography by Bill Deamer.
Q&A video: Samantha Womack & The Girl on a Train company ride Paula Hawkins’ runaway success
What is it about a great whodunnit thriller? What makes us keep turning the page? How does that inquisitive excitement translate onstage?
‘A potent reminder of how easily & arbitrarily mental illness can strike’: EQUUS – West End
Touching on themes of religion, sexuality and more than one form of mental illness, the play asks some difficult questions and frequently makes for unsettling viewing, and yet Ned Bennett’s production remains utterly compelling from start to dramatic finish.
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on Peter Pan, The Worst Witch, Crystal Clear & more
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on Peter Pan, The Worst Witch, Shackleton’s Carpenter & more
‘If you catch it, you won’t forget it’: SHACKLETON’S CARPENTER – Touring ★★★★
Gail Louw’s play Shackleton’s Carpenter and Malcolm Rennie’s tremendous, unforgettable performance, were directed by Tony Milner of the New Vic before his death. This production – which tours single nights through autumn and winter, is in his memory. If you catch it, you won’t forget it.
‘A show that the world needs right now’: KINKY BOOTS – Touring ★★★★
Kinky Boots a show that will make you laugh out loud, shed a tear, and have your toe tapping throughout, and mixed with some glitz, glamour and drag queens, what more could you want?
‘Charming but old-fashioned’: MALORY TOWERS – Touring ★★★
The Malory Towers company deserves great plaudits for putting their all into such a high-intensity show; it’s a charming piece but one that undoubtedly feels like minor-key Rice.
FEATURED SHOW: ★★★★ reviews are in for Anthony Horowitz page-to-stager The Falcon’s Malteser
Husband and wife Feargus Woods Dunlop and Heather Westwell co-founded New Old Friends and have discovered a knack – and award-winning success – bringing detective stories to family audiences. We caught up with them as their adaptation of Anthony Horowitz’s The Falcon’s Malteser prepares for London premiere at The Vaults next month. Time to get booking!
‘Jodie Prenger is flawless’: ANNIE – Touring ★★★★★
With all of the uncertainty in the world we live in, a show full of hope like Annie is just what’s needed.
‘Quite literally roars on to the stage’: 10 Things I Hate About Taming of the Shrew – Touring
While most of us would probably be willing to admit that Taming of the Shrew is far from Shakespeare’s best, Canadian actor, writer and comedian Gillian English has gone a step further and made a list of everything that’s wrong with it.
‘Sheer exuberance & joy’: YOURS SINCERELY – King’s Head Theatre & Edinburgh ★★★
Yours Sincerely is a coming of age story from Will Jackson (also performing) and Lucy Bird, founders of Quick Duck Theatre, directed by Anna Himali Howard.
‘Just doesn’t ever take off’: VIENNA 1934-MUNICH 1938 – Bath
What may have worked as a leisurely memoir, consumed over a period of a few weeks, fails to ignite in Vanessa Redgrave’s Vienna 1934-Munich 1938.
‘I think we need to honour & keep revisiting LGBTQ history’: Ben SantaMaria’s Really Want to Hurt Me goes on tour
Writer and director Ben SantaMaria experienced for himself growing up as a gay man in 80s Britain. He wrote the autobiographical show Really Want to Hurt Me as a way to explore what has – and more importantly, hasn’t – changed since his own teenage years.
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on Joseph, Jesus, Kylie Jenner, Peter Gynt & more
It’s all in a name this week as our editor Lisa Martland picks out her Top Picks from the last week’s theatre in the West End, London Fringe or beyond.