Smash hit musical Six by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss will become the first West End musical to resume performances in a West End theatre when the show temporarily moves from its home at the Arts Theatre to the Lyric on Shaftesbury Avenue for a limited 11-week run, running from 14 November 2020 to 31 January 2021.
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.
Rev Stan marks the Young Vic’s 50th Birthday with a pick of her favourite productions
The Young Vic is celebrating its 50th birthday and while I’ve only been visiting since 2007-ish, I’ve seen many fantastic and memorable plays there in that time.
’An insightful & fascinating journey of exploration’: ABOUT WE ARE SHADOWS – Brick Lane
Although I have visited Brick Lane a number of times over the years, much of We Are Shadows: Brick Lane this was refreshingly new to me and the adventure was a delightful experience.
NEWS: Nimax Theatres will open all 6 West End theatres in sequence from October 2020 with social distancing
Nimax Theatres will open all six West End theatres in sequence from 22 October 2020 with social distancing under Covid-19 secure government guidelines. The special season will beginning at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue with This is Going to Hurt, written and performed by ex-NHS doctor Adam Kay.
‘Maureen Lipman gives a magnificent performance’: ROSE – Hope Mill Theatre (Online review)
Magnificently played and realised by Maureen Lipman, Martin Sherman and Scott Le Crass, Rose is well worth viewing.
‘Wonderfully warm & enjoyable production’: PINOCCHIO GETS WOOD – Guildford Fringe Theatre Company (Online review) ★★★★
With this year being topsy turvy and in need of a few laughs, there is plenty to be found in the Guildford Fringe Theatre Company’s summer pantomime Pinocchio Gets Wood which contains all the elements for a fun hour’s entertainment.
NEWS: Wise Children announces full cast of Romantics Anonymous & live socially distanced Bristol show on final night of digital tour
Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic and Plush Theatricals has announce that Emma Rice’s critically-acclaimed Romantics Anonymous will be performed live to a socially distanced audience for the final performance of their ‘digital tour’ on 27 September 2020 at Bristol Old Vic.
‘Audiences can expect a very eclectic line-up of artists’: James Scotland explains how The Sunday Art Club festival celebrates diversity
James Scotland, co-curator of The Sunday Art Club, chats about The Sunday Art Club, a free outdoor spectacular celebrating diversity in the arts.
NEWS: Special installations & live theatre feature in Young Vic’s 50th birthday celebrations
Kwame Kwei-Armah, artistic director of the Young Vic, has announced the start of the Young Vic’s 50th birthday with a year-long programme of work entitled We are the New Tide, dedicated to the theatre’s milestone birthday.
‘A complex play which will make you laugh & cry’: ROSE – Hope Mill Theatre (Online review)
Martin Sherman’s intense play is revived by Hope Mill Theatre with an absorbing performance from Maureen Lipman as the 80-year-old recounting the events of her life.
‘It’s an opportunity to celebrate live theatre’: James Hillier directs Sunnymead Court at the Tristan Bates Theatre
Director James Hillier chatted to Emma Clarendon about Sunnymead Court by Gemma Lawrence, playing at the Tristan Bates Theatre from 22 September 2020.
‘The tale is in turns mystical & magical’: HOLLOW – The Space UK (Online review)
Included in the shows offered at this year’s digital Edinburgh Fringe, comes Hollow. It is a musical from performer David Kent and collaborator Dereck Walker, weaving supernatural stories with folk melodies.
‘Most certainly has made an impact in the immersive market’: PLAY DEAD LONDON (Online review) ★★★★
Play Dead London, a company specialising in immersive murder-mysteries, first arrived on the scene in 2012 and, judging by their reviews, it has most certainly made an impact in the immersive market.
NEWS: Back to the Future The Musical transfers to the West End in May 2021
Producer Colin Ingram (Ghost – The Musical) and Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale (creators of the Back To The Future film trilogy) have announced that Back To The Future The Musical will transfer to the West End’s Adelphi Theatre, previewing from 14 May 2020, following an out-of-town opening at Manchester Opera House in March 2020.
‘It’s a show that can make you belly laugh one minute & cry the next’: Dean Johnson is busy staging digital production First Date
Director Dean Johnson chats to Emma Clarendon about creating digital theatre and directing a digital production First Date, set to star Samantha Barks and Simon Lipkin.
‘A play we are sure to see again & again’: THREE KINGS – Old Vic (Online review)
Good things come to those who wait, an axiom that applies in duplicate to Stephen Beresford’s latest play Three Kings screened via the Old Vic’s innovative In Camera series for just five performances.
NEWS: A new play from James Graham will feature in Nottingham Playhouse’s reopening season
A line-up including a new work from playwright James Graham will feature in Nottingham Playhouse Unlocked, Nottingham Playhouse’s three-week reopening season which runs from 21 October to 7 November 2020.
‘An effortless watch’: SHIELDERS / THREE KINGS (Online review)
John Chapman ties up a few loose ends by catching up with short play/film Shielders as part of the Traverse Theatre Festival and the live stream of Stephen Beresford’s play Three Kings, starring Andrew Scott and streamed from The Old Vic.
‘Packs an emotional punch’: C-O-N-T-A-C-T – Various London locations ★★★★
Set adrift in the ocean of indifference and ineptitude of government guidelines, theatres and producers are finding creative solutions to stage shows, and this socially-distanced production of C-o-n-t-a-c-t is a wonderful way to experience an intriguing and uplifting play.
’It has been traumatic’: Iris Theatre’s Paul-Ryan Carberry on life for the company pre & post lockdown
Welcome back to Fringe Focus, putting a spotlight on smaller theatres. Following my attendance at Dear Peter last month, the series reopens with the artistic director of Iris Theatre, Paul-Ryan Carberry.