Following Thriller and Waitress, 9 to 5 The Musical is the latest West End show to announce that it will not return once theatres do eventually reopen.
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.
Acting for Others: Tune in for Fleabag, Hear the West End Sing, All the Web’s a Stage & other online fundraisers
Theatrical charity Acting for Others has announced the formation of a separate Covid-19 Fund which will be available to its 14 member charities.
‘The arts knows how to survive in the face of adversity’: Interview with theatre PR Chloé Nelkin
We chatted to theatre PR supremo Chloé Nelkin about keeping the arts world alive during this difficult time as well as celebrating the 10th anniversary of Chloé Nelkin Consulting (CNC) last month.
‘It transported me away from the grim news & into another world’: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS – National Theatre (Online review)
Just as Hollywood produced slickly sweet, happiness-filled films during the Great Depression, this was the National’s attempt at lifting the nation’s spirits during the darkest times most of us have ever known – and it was a great success.
NEWS: We Will Rock You reschedules new UK tour for early 2021
Following the closure of all UK theatres during the coronavirus crisis, the 2020 UK tour of Queen & Ben Elton’s We Will Rock You has been rescheduled for early 2021.
NEWS: Chichester launches Keep Connected with free stream of Flowers for Mrs Harris
For the first time, Chichester Festival Theatre will stream a selection of its archive productions online, beginning with its award-winning 2018 musical Flowers for Mrs Harris from this Thursday 9 April 2020 ahead of the Easter weekend.
NEWS: Stephen Fry stars in radio play of The Understudy to raise funds for charity
A brand-new radio play of David Nicholls’ hit 2005 comic novel The Understudy will be performed by a stellar cast including Stephen Fry and released next month to raise funds for the theatre industry which is facing a devastating impact from the Covid-19 health crisis.
‘A success which I intend to repeat’: LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN – Marquee TV (Online review)
This production of Lady Windermere’s Fan is mostly a strong account of a play that will always be overshadowed by Earnest and a very pleasant way to spend a locked down afternoon.
‘This proves that staying in really does have its compensation’: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS – National Theatre (Online review)
These shows, originally filmed as part of the flagship’s NT Live project, are now available on its YouTube channel. The first is Richard Bean’s gloriously silly farce, One Man, Two, Guvnors, starring the irrepressible and Tony-award winning James Corden.
‘Given the success of TED Talks, lecture-performance seems particularly suitable to on-screen viewing’: Thinking Bigly (Online review)
Between Ben Yeoh and David Finnegan, there’s an impressive array of interests, knowledge and skills. Theatre, economics and climate change are among them.
‘I would be fascinated to see how this piece develops’: Orangutan – Cup of Brew (Online review)
Orangutan is presented by Cup of Brew, written by Toby King, directed by Fiona Kingwill, and performed by Louise Waller. We first meet Alice sitting on her messy bed, overflowing with cushions and clothes. Her mind shoots off in all directions. She’s surrounded on all sides by the audience.
Orangutan is presented by Cup of Brew, written by Toby King, directed by Fiona Kingwill, and performed by Louis…
‘Trying to capture just a spark of that charge that comes with live theatre’: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS – National Theatre (Online review)
National Theatre at Home is a huge success. The type of scheme that only large institutions can hope to really pull off but even so, managing the kind of appointment-to-view occasion that was its debut with One Man, Two Guvnors was still a remarkable achievement.
40+ ways to get your theatre fix online during lockdown
Are you fed up with not being able to go out to the theatre? Don’t be. There’s a wealth of stuff to watch online. Here’s a handy list of current opportunities. OK, so it’s not quite the same as sharing the communal experience with others, but beggars, as they say…
‘A story about isolation has a particular resonance’: THE CROFT – Original Theatre (Online review)
This touring theatre’s new tartan gothic thriller is complex, but also a bit overwrought and conventional.
‘As vibrantly funny as ever’: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS – National Theatre ★★★★★ (Online review)
It would be fair to say that right now what the British public need right now is a laugh – particularly if they are missing going to the theatre – which is why it was a stroke of genius for the National Theatre to stream One Man, Two Guvnors.
’An entertaining performance from a magnetic performer’: I, MALVOLIO – TOURING (Online Review)
I, Malvolio is Tim Crouch’s retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night through the eyes of the blighted and picked-upon puritan, Malvolio. It’s the fourth time Crouch has written such an adaptation, which he hopes will “unlock Shakespeare for young audiences”.
An exceptionally insightful period of shows means Chekhov’s secrets are finally emerging
Three Sisters at the National Theatre, Uncle Vanya at the Harold Pinter and The Seagull at the Playhouse Theatre have all taken very different approaches to reworking Chekhov, bringing fresh insight and relevance to a writer whose plays have often felt rather dry.
NEWS: The Actors Centre announces a week-long Graduate Festival for cancelled showcases
With drama school final year showcases cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Actors Centre has announced a week-long Graduate Festival, which will take place in its flagship venue, the Tristan Bates Theatre from 6 to 10 July 2020.
NEWS: Hairspray reschedules its London Coliseum season for this autumn
Producers have announced new dates for the return of Hairspray the Musical which, prior to the coronavirus crisis, had been due to run from 23 April to 30 August 2020 at the London Coliseum. The production will now run for a ten-week season from 1 September to 8 November 2020, with a press night on 8 September.
‘Re-living the past so intensely is eerie’: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS – National Theatre (Online review)
After the theatres closed, the National Theatre was quick to announce a free mini-season of online shows from their NT Live broadcasts, which immediately became the only evening bookings in thousands of newly empty diaries. The first Youtube show – Nicholas Hytner’s mid-2000s mega-hit, One Man, Two Guvnors – had a real sense of anticipation.