Louisa May Alcott’s timeless classic Little Women has gone from book to music to film in the century and a half that it has been out.
News, Reviews and Features
These are all of our in-house news and features as well as syndicated article excerpts from our 45+ theatre bloggers. You can also access All Our Mates' Posts in comprehensive list form and view individual author pages.
‘A panto mashup of mayhem, song & storytelling’: SLEEPING BEAUTY & THE BEAST – Battersea Arts Centre
Following the success of 2019 ‘slumber party panto’ Goldilocks and the Three Musketeers, Sleeping Trees are back for a live residency of mayhem, song, and storytelling in the Council Chamber at Battersea Arts Centre.
‘Reaching out for the meaning of those moments of eternity’: FOUR QUARTETS – West End ★★★★★
This is wonderful. Sometimes a simple short performance can shake, rouse, even change you.
‘A beautiful reunion for Michael Xavier & Emma Williams’: LOVE STORY 10th Anniversary Concert – Cadogan Hall
This 10th Anniversary Concert of Love Story was such a gorgeous way to spend a Sunday evening.
What won’t now come to pass: Stephen Sondheim was in the midst of writing a new musical
Stephen Sondheim – Broadway’s musical theatre’s greatest innovator and powerhouse over the last seven decades – left us, after 91 years, in the midst of writing another new musical that he revealed only weeks ago.
‘This play can’t help but end up as something of a disappointment’: MANOR – National Theatre
Despite the presence of Nancy Carroll and Shaun Evans, Moira Buffini’s Manor proves a disappointment at the National Theatre.
‘The questions that resonate really do feel pertinent’: ASSISTED – Golden Goose Theatre
Alexa who? Greg Wilkinson’s new play Assisted takes an amusing and assured look at the growing role AI takes in our lives.
‘Absolutely outstanding in just about every single aspect’: LIFE OF PI – West End
It’s only happened a handful of times in my theatregoing life, but at Wyndham’s Theatre, I had the urge to leap to my feet and instigate a standing ovation. In fact, I felt that way as the interval arrived, the show was that good.
‘An entertaining & engaging production’: RUMBLE! – Drayton Arms Theatre
Business and boxing collide in this revival of Yasir Senna’s play by Razor Sharp Productions. Alisha Harper-Gill is on the ropes, fighting for her career.
‘A perfect tour de force of visual, intellectual & emotional pleasure’: DEATH OF ENGLAND: FACE TO FACE – National Theatre/Sky Arts
One of the absolute highpoints of new writing in the past couple of years has been the Death of England trilogy.
NEWS: Ivo van Hove directs Ruth Wilson in West End run of Cocteau’s The Human Voice
Ruth Wilson will star in Ivo van Hove’s adaptation of Jean Cocteau’s The Human Voice for three weeks only at the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre from 17 March 2022.
My highlights from 20 shows seen over 13 nights in New York City
Here’s the final tally from my recent trip to New York City: across 13 nights, I saw 20 shows in all – 11 of them on Broadway, 8 off-Broadway, one in a cabaret room.
‘Don’t be too quick in judging the covetous old sinner’: Paul Nolan on playing Scrooge in A Christmas Carol in Coventry
Paul Nolan returns to the stage in Coventry to take on the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Albany Theatre’s new locally-set adaptation of A Christmas Carol. He took a break from final rehearsals to talk to us about the enduring nature of Charles Dickens’ festive classic, Scrooge’s secrets and Christmasses past and present.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Drifters Girl at the West End’s Garrick Theatre
On LoveLondonLoveCulture, Emma Clarendon rounds up the reviews for the world premiere of new music industry bio-musical The Drifters Girl.
‘Great writing can be interpreted & reinterpreted in any number of ways’: CONSTELLATIONS – Donmar Warehouse (Online review)
There’s a world (indeed, a universe) of possibilities in this intriguing play about decisions and repercussions.
‘A great night out thanks to two strong performances’: LOVE DANCE – Chiswick Playhouse
Rose is a career woman who wants a baby but not a relationship. Adam’s a deadbeat musician who had a bad childhood and has zero interest in procreating.
‘The music provides a haunting, grounding overlay’: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS – Barbican Centre (RSC)
It might seem a bit odd to come out of a Shakespeare play raving about the singing and music. Yet these elements are part of what lifts Phillip Breen’s captivating new RSC production.
‘All parents have embarrassing stories to tell’: THE GOOD ENOUGH MUMS CLUB – Touring
Female-led theatre covers every topic imaginable, but one subject that you would expect to be insightful is what’s motherhood REALLY like.
‘Chock-full of Chekhov references’: VANYA & SONIA & MASHA & SPIKE – Charing Cross Theatre
We meet Vanya and Sonia in their morning room, which overlooks the pond. We are in America, and they wait for the daily appearance of the blue heron.
Named by parents who loved Chekhov, they wait in their stagnant routine for a visit from their…
‘Raise your glass to your local pub’: THE CHOIR OF MAN – Arts Theatre
Here’s a sobering statistic: 2,000 pubs closed during lockdown. Lost forever.