Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
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 glorious fever-dream of a show’: ISLANDER – Southwark Playhouse ★★★★★
Touching, heart-wrenching and totally original, Islander is the exploration of the turmoil and devastation of small communities in the light of gentrification.
‘It swells your heart & breaks it’: A DAY IN THE DEATH OF JOE EGG – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★
Peter Nichols’ 1967 comedy A Day In The Death of Joe Egg demonstrates both how far we’ve come in our treatment of and attitudes towards disability but equally how the moral dilemmas and struggles remain.
‘Proves riotous good fun’: GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES – Union Theatre
Some cracking choreography and two barnstorming lead performances make Gentlemen Prefer Blondes a musical treat at the Union Theatre.
FIRST-LOOK PHOTOS: The original Mischief Theatre company premiere Groan Ups
If these first-look photos of Mischief Theatre’s Groan Ups don’t put you in touch with your ‘inner child’, we don’t know what will. Just two days to go until the brand-new comedy officially opens. Time to get booking!
The Show People Podcast: Danny-Boy Hatchard blagged it all the way
The Show People Podcast is back and in this episode host Andrew Keates is joined by actor Danny-Boy Hatchard.
‘A slow build to an explosive picture’: MASTER HAROLD & THE BOYS – National Theatre ★★★★
Master Harold & The Boys is a play about lessons and devastating loss, about how you can’t dance around injustice and its impact.
‘Excellent, moving piece of theatre’: TICK, TICK… BOOM! – Bridge House Theatre
Before Jonathan Larson’s iconic musical Rent took the world by storm, there was the autobiographical show, Tick, Tick…Boom!
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Ian McKellen On Stage at the Harold Pinter Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Ian McKellen’s show in which he reflects on his career which arrives in London following a successful UK tour.
WATCH: Hit the building site with the trailer for new Ovalhouse show, We Dig
With heavy machinery, hard hats and shovels galore, check out the trailer for Emma Frankland’s hole-creating new show We Dig, then book your tickets!
‘A rich tapestry of music brings the story to life’: ISLANDER – Southwark Playhouse
Finn Anderson’s stunning score for Islander at Southwark Playhouse is performed beautifully by Bethany Tennick and Kirsty Findlay who pull off Amy Draper’s ingenious concept & direction seamlessly.
FIRST LOOK: Take a look at the modern setting for The Merchant of Venice with newly released production shots
Gold lame curtains, hoodies and hi-vis – we wouldn’t naturally associate them with Shakespeare, but this is the world of the new production of The Merchant of Venice, currently playing at Drayton Arms Theatre. Take a look at the production images, then book your tickets.
‘Adeptly traverses the conflicting genres of the original problem play’: MEASURE FOR MEASURE – Touring ★★★★
Intertwining ribald comedy with a morality tale is no easy feat, yet an outstanding cast and creative team reinforce this thought-provoking and immersive experience of Measure for Measure for all to enjoy.
FEATURED SHOW: They’ve created a monster hit – check out the reviews for Frankenstein
“Superb”, “modern and thrilling” and “pulls out every available stop” – take a look at what audiences and critics have said about Rona Munro’s new adaptation of Frankenstein, then head to the Belgrade Theatre to catch it this week before it heads back off on tour. Book now!
‘Class act from start to end’: WHAT’S IN A NAME? – Touring
Jeremy Sams’ translation of Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière’s 2010 play Le Prénom, What’s in a Name? proves to be a class act from start to end.
‘Spellbinding story of love, loss & belonging’: HURRICANE DIARIES – Blue Elephant Theatre ★★★★
Amanda Vilanova’s Hurricane Diaries is a moving and passionate tribute to her home country, Puerto Rico.
‘Issues raised remain vivid’: A DAY IN THE DEATH OF JOE EGG – Trafalgar Studios
This sharp and starry revival of Peter Nichols’ taboo-busting fantasia A Day in the Death of Joe Egg is pretty magnificent.
NEWS: Emma Frankland’s We Dig opens Ovalhouse’s Demolition Party season
As Ovalhouse brings its residency in its current South London home to a close, Emma Frankland opens its final season with We Dig, a show exploring the trans experience in which a giant hole will be dug within the venue. Book your tickets now.
Best of the Blogs: Master Harold, The Watsons, Mamma Mia!, The Open, Two Ladies &…
In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 6 October 2019), ranging from Libby Purves’ childhood reminiscences associated with Master Harold and the Boys at the National to Abba-fest Mamma Mia! The Party and reviews of new plays The Open, Two Ladies, The Watsons and more. Enjoy.
Terri trips: Watching Wise Children at the cinema with Emma Rice
I was disappointed not to see Emma Rice’s adaptation of Angela Carter’s much-loved final novel Wise Children last year at the Old Vic Theatre or on its extensive tour, but delighted to be given another chance to catch it last week thanks to More2Screen.