A blend of Orwell’s 1984 and the American Horror Story TV series, The Messiah Complex is a dystopian thriller that explores the extremes of conflicting belief systems. It takes place in a society where religion is banned and treated as a mental illness, and those who oppose scientific dogma are prosecuted without scruples. Sethian, a prophet who grapples with inner conflict, is held captive in a complex where a scientist – someone really between a nurse and a political propagandist – attempts to correct his behaviour.
‘Filled with warmth & passion’: LIZA PULMAN: THE HEART OF IT – The Other Palace ★★★★★
Liza Pulman’s show is as much a musical education as it is an entertaining and gentle evening of entertainment. Filled with warmth and passion, it is always a treat to listen to Liza Pulman performing. Her precision and deep understanding of the songs that she is performing, combined with the way in which she naturally […]
‘I especially liked the slapstick-style comedy’: RAPUNZEL – Watermill Theatre, Newbury ★★★★
There’s nothing quite like reviewing a festive family production when the auditorium is full of excitement from the four busloads of primary school children sitting ready and waiting the wonders that are about to come alive on the stage. At 10.30am, spirits were running high for Rapunzel at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury.
‘Rich, funny & heart-rending’: SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR – Touring ★★★★
Sarah Kempton in the role of Doris and Kieran Buckeridge as George embark on two extremely challenging roles in Same Time, Next Year.
‘A touch of 1920s glamour & toe-tapping musical entertainment’: TOP HAT – Sonning
Jack Butterworth as Jerry Travers and co-star Billie-Kay as Dale Tremont dance their way through the confusion of mistaken identity as to whether they will or won’t get together.
‘A dramatic end with impressive lighting effects’: THE BALLAD OF MARIA MARTEN — Theatre Royal, Winchester (UK Tour)
The Red Barn murder in 1827 took place in Polstead, Suffolk it’s the notorious tale about Maria Marten who was brutally shot dead by her partner William Corder.
‘Delightful & informative’: Gilbert & Sullivan’s Improbable New Musical – Brighton Fringe (Online review) ★★★★
Coily Dart Theatre presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s Improbable New Musical, a brand new production for the Brighton Fringe 2021. This fully audio production tells the little known story of Helen Carte and the important contribution she made to the D’Oyly Carte Legacy.
NEWS: Birthday Honours for Maureen Lipman, David Suchet, Adrian Lester, Arinzé Kene, Tommy Steele & Judy Craymer
Recipients of this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours from the performing arts world include actors Maureen Lipman, David Suchet, Adrian Lester and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, writer and actor Arinzé Kene, entertainer Tommy Steele, choreographer Siobhan Davies and Mamma Mia! creator Judy Craymer.
NEWS: Anti-racism conference announced for UK theatre & dance sector
‘Speak – Listen – Reset – Heal’, an online anti-racism conference for the UK’s theatre and dance sectors is taking place in November 2020, presented by Inc Arts UK in partnership with Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre.
NEWS: Online premiere of one-man play Declan raises funds for The Actors Centre
Declan, a new play written and performed by Alistair Hall, is making its debut online to raise funds for London’s The Actors Centre.
NEWS: Critics’ Circle Awards sets date for 11 Feb, renames Best New Play in honour of Michael Billington
The next Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards, celebrating the best of 2019’s theatre, will take place at 1pm on Tuesday 11 February 2020 at the West End’s Prince of Wales Theatre, hosted by Critics’ Circle Drama Section Chairman Henry Hitchings and produced by (MyTheatreMates’ own) Terri Paddock. The ceremony is one of the best-loved in the theatre awards calendar with its …
NEWS: Director Jonathan Church launches new production company with Trafalgar Entertainment
Award-winning theatre director and producer Jonathan Church CBE, has announced the launch of a new production company Jonathan Church Theatre Productions supported by Trafalgar Entertainment’s Joint CEOs Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire.
NEWS: Six stars & Matthew Broderick amongst The Stage Debut Awards nominations
The Stage today (8 August 2019) announces the shortlist for The Stage Debut Awards 2019. The awards, now in their third year and presented in association with Access Entertainment, celebrate the best breakthrough talent in theatre, from actors and directors to designers, writers, composers and lyricists, all of whom have made their professional debuts in the past year.
NEWS: Roxana Silbert stages six premieres in her inaugural Hampstead Theatre season
Ahead of Hamstead Theatre’s 60th birthday next year, new artistic director Roxana Silbert recently announced her inaugural season at the north London venue, including six premiere plays written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Jordan Tannahill, Tom Morton-Smith, Al Blyth, Ruby Thomas and Chinonyerem Odimba.
CAMDEN FRINGE NEWS: Hit Brighton Fringe drama The Geminus comes to Tristan Bates Theatre
Following an award-nominated run at the Brighton Fringe earlier this year, Blue Devil Productions’ dark romance The Geminus comes to London’s Tristan Bates Theatre as part of the Camden Fringe 2019. Book you tickets now!
NEWS: Clive Owen will return to the West End for the first time in 18 years in The Night Of The Iguana
Clive Owen will return to the West End for the first time in 18 years to play the Rev. T. Lawrence Shannon in The Night Of The Iguana in a new production directed by James Macdonald. The production will begin performances at the Noël Coward Theatre on 6 July 2019 (press night is 16 July) and runs until 28 September.
NEWS: Joanna Murray-Smith’s Switzerland joins Honour & Songs for Nobodies in London
Lucy Bailey’s Theatre Royal Bath production of Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith’s Switzerland will transfer to the West End next month, running for a limited season at the Ambassadors Theatre just ahead of another Murray-Smith play, Songs for Nobodies, transferring from Wilton’s Music Hall. The West End transfers come hot on the heels of Paul Robinson’s star-studded London revival of Murray-Smith’s Honour, starting at the Park Theatre next week.
NEWS: Jasper Britton & Finty Williams star in Hugh Whitemore’s Pack of Lies at Menier
Jasper Britton and Finty Williams have been confirmed to star in Hugh Whitemore’s Pack of Lies, at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory. The production, directed by Hannah Chissick, runs from 20 September to 17 November 2018.
NEWS: Cast for UK premiere of Clare Barron’s new play Dance Nation at the Almeida includes Sarah Hadland & Manjinder Virk
The Almeida Theatre has announced the full cast for the UK premiere of Clare Barron’s new play Dance Nation, directed by Bijan Sheibani (running from 27 August to 6 October, with a press night on 4 September).
NEWS: West Yorkshire Playhouse to change its name to Leeds Playhouse prior to major development
West Yorkshire Playhouse today announced it will change its name to Leeds Playhouse. The name change marks a new chapter in the theatre’s 50-year history.