Here’s a selection of the latest updates from My Theatre Mates co-founders Mark Shenton and Terri Paddock, plus other contributors. To filter by author, date or category, fiddle with the controls to the right. You can also search all of our content by keyword using the universal search in the top right of the site’s navigation bar above.
‘Interesting & strangely intimate experience’: ANNA – National Theatre ★★★★
24th May 2019
Anna at the National Theatre is a taut thriller and an interesting and different play watching experience.Read more...
‘It’s rather a case of a good cast in search of a better show’: MAN OF LA MANCHA – West End ★★★
24th May 2019
Despite the best efforts of Kelsey Grammer in the lead role, this leaden and often down right confusing revival of Man of La Mancha at the London Coliseum is unlikely to give the show new impetus on this side of the pond.Read more...
‘The casting of this play is on point’: OUR TOWN – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
24th May 2019
All of the actors in Our Town create a beautiful puzzle of different personalities, dynamics and ages that really make their performance shine as a whole.Read more...
‘Wonderfully warm & affectionate’: BOOM BANG-A-BANG – Above the Stag Theatre ★★★★
24th May 2019
Jonathan Harvey’s delightfully funny comedy Boom Bang-A-Bang exploring relationships and how quickly they can disintegrate is sharply brought to life in this engaging production.Read more...
‘Tense, beautifully calibrated revival’: VINCENT RIVER – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★
24th May 2019
Philip Ridley and Robert Chevara’s production of Vincent River emerges as a masterful depiction of oppositional but mutual need unexpectedly producing a healing catharsis.Read more...
FROM DOWN UNDER: The Production Company’s Lazarus
23rd May 2019
Lazarus is unlikely to appeal to lovers of traditional musical theatre, but for those seeking theatre with an edge the production more than lives up to its tantalising promise.Read more...
‘Hard to beat’: THE DUCHESS [OF MALFI] – Edinburgh ★★★★
23rd May 2019
The blood-soaked events of The Duchess [of Malfi], a co-production between the Lyceum and the Citizens Theatre, are almost unwatchably intense at times. As a depiction of timeless and timely considerations, however, this production is hard to beat.Read more...
‘Sad that this show wasn’t available years ago’: Rejoicing at her Wondrous Vulva the Young Woman Applauded Herself – Ovalhouse ★★★★★
23rd May 2019
Bella Heesom explores the subliminal messages that girls assimilate from a young age in Rejoicing at her Wondrous Vulva the Young Woman Applauded Herself at Ovalhouse.Read more...
‘It could have been a piece of theatre magic & wasn’t’: DIDO – Unicorn Theatre
23rd May 2019
Musically Dido is okay, especially Eyra Norman’s Belinda and the spirited chorales. But it could have been a piece of theatre magic, and wasn’t.Read more...
‘Punchy, funny & ultimately quite uplifting’: SAD ABOUT THE COWS – Tristan Bates Theatre
23rd May 2019
First things first, how good a title for a play is Sad About The Cows? Pretty bloody good I would argue. It’s also a pretty bloody good play, as it happens.
Read more...
FIRST-LOOK PHOTOS: Julia Pascal’s Blueprint Medea premieres at the Finborough
23rd May 2019
Blueprint Medea, written and directed by Julia Pascal, receives its world premiere at the Finborough Theatre tonight (23 May 2019). Check out our first-look production shots gallery - and then get booking!Read more...
‘Plenty of panache & satirical social commentary’: OPERATION MINCEMEAT – New Diorama Theatre
23rd May 2019
The true story of a British intelligence operation is told with plenty of panache and satirical social commentary (and heaps of high camp) in smashing new show Operation Mincemeat.Read more...
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Salt at the Royal Court Theatre
23rd May 2019
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Selina Thompson’s award winning play salt, now playing at the Royal Court Theatre.Read more...
NEWS: Ned Bennett’s revival of Equus opens at Trafalgar Studios in July 2019 for a limited season
23rd May 2019
Award-winning director Ned Bennett’s bold revival of Peter Shaffer’s iconic psychological thriller Equus is transferring to the West End this summer. Following its successful run, the English Touring Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East production will open at London’s Trafalgar Studios on 6 July.Read more...
‘It’s striking how relevant this play remains’: VINCENT RIVER – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★
23rd May 2019
Vincent River written by Philip Ridley is a thought-provoking, highly-moving play which focuses on hate crime in the LGBTQ+ community whilst delicately and truthfully studying grief.Read more...
PHOTOS: Alastair Hill & David Kerby-Kendall mirror each other in 20:40 rehearsals
23rd May 2019
In new two-hander 20:40, Alastair Hill and author David Kerby-Kendall are onstage together as the same man at two different points in his life. Sneak a peek into their preparations ahead of the play's premiere at the Omnibus Theatre next month. Time to get.Read more...
‘The strength of the production is in its slow-build effect’: OUR TOWN – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
23rd May 2019
Thornton Wilder’s writing in Our Town feels as fresh and innovative as it must have done in the 1930s and taking an early season risk on a less conventional play ultimately pays off. Read more...
PHOTOS: Take a peek at myth-dispelling cabaret, Laura-Doe’s Vaudeville of the Vulva
22nd May 2019
A nun, a professor and cushions you wouldn't expect to see adorning your Nan's sofa - Have a first look at these production images from Laura-Doe's Vaudeville of the Vulva, then book your tickets! Read more...
FIRST LOOK: Post-its and poses – Check out the new production images from Sad About The Cows and see what’s being said on Twitter
22nd May 2019
"Brave and powerful storytelling" - The first audiences have been in to see Michelle Payne's dark comedy about one young woman's obsession with her body, Sad About The Cows, and they're shouting about it on Twitter. Have a look at what they had too.Read more...
‘Great writing, exciting direction, great attention to detail’: Richard Cant on his latest role in Wife at the Kiln Theatre
22nd May 2019
Actor Richard Cant chatted to Emma Clarendon about his latest role in Wife at the Kiln Theatre.Read more...