The use of fairytale, music and the goodie/baddie dichotomy remain in Pinocchio at the Unicorn Theatre, but the eggy, set gags and joke routines of panto are thankfully left out. Colourful, detailed design (by Jean Chan) and puppetry (by Chris Pirie) give the show a festive lushness, but it’s the performances that make this Christmas show shine.
‘A joyous celebration of the magic of theatre’: WISE CHILDREN – York Theatre Royal (Online review)
Emma Rice’s version of Angela Carter’s last novel is a beautifully bizarre celebration of alternative families.
’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”.
‘Both humorous & humane’: #WeAreArrested – Arcola Theatre
#WeAreArrested, a new RSC adaptation of Turkish editor Can Dündar’s prison memoir, is beautifully written and simply staged.
‘Quintessential tale of survival against the odds’: TOUCHING THE VOID – West End
David Greig’s much-lauded mountaineering survival story fails to reach the dizzy heights.
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!
FIRST LOOK: Celebrate the start of Halloween season with stunning production images from Frankenstein
Gothic, leafless trees, towering buildings, fork lightning; the design of Rona Munro’s Frankenstein is an Halloween treat full of theatrical tricks. Take a look at these fantastic production photographs, then book your tickets!
LISTEN: Actor Eilidh Loan on putting Mary Shelley back into Frankenstein
As actor Eilidh Loan prepares to brings Frankenstein to Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre, she talks about her first connection with the story, discovering more about Mary Shelley and overcoming a fear of reading created by dyslexia. Have a listen, then book your tickets!
BEHIND THE SCENES: Take a look at the making of a monster in rehearsals for Frankenstein
There are no bolts in sight; the monster in the new touring version of Frankenstein is made with pen and paper. Get a glimpse of its creation, and the action coming together, in these rehearsal images, then book your tickets.
NEWS: Mary Shelley takes centre stage in new adaptation of Frankenstein at Belgrade Theatre
Mary Shelley, who thought up Frankenstein when she was just 18 years old, will appear on stage alongside her famous creation in a new adaptation of her novel coming to the Belgrade Theatre this autumn as part of a UK tour. Time to book your tickets for what’s sure to be a monster hit.
‘A feat of ingenuity & organisation’: 80 Days: A Real-World Adventure – Underbelly Southbank
Guided by a web app, participants have 80 minutes to earn as much money as possible by answering cryptic puzzles. They must choose what equipment to spend their cash on before returning to the meeting place.
‘Our version is a true adventure’: Patrick Bayele on creating new adaptation of The Seagull, How To Save the World
“This is my first step into the realm of truly professional theatre-making, and, I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect it to be this tough!” Exciting young theatremaker Patrick Bayele doesn’t pull any punches as he tells us about creating new production How To Save The World. Read his fascinating interview, then book you tickets.
WATCH: Director Patrick Bayele and the cast of How To Save The World tell us how the new play is something we’ve “not seen anywhere else”.
“This play is going to change your life.” It’s a bold statement, but you can’t help but believe Patrick Bayele, director of How To Save The World, when you look into his eyes. He believes. Watch the behind the scenes interview with Bayele and his cast, then book your tickets.
NEWS: New epic reimagining of The Seagull teaches audiences How To Save The World
‘We could all be heroes’ promises new interpretation of Chekhov’s classic drama The Seagull, How To Save The World. To find out how, you’ll have to visit Studio 9294 later this month. Book your tickets now!
Text of the Day: The Hunt
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘Disappointingly middle of the road’: THREE SISTERS – Almeida Theatre
Chekhov classic from the team behind the West End hit Summer and Smoke is too middle of the road
The post Three Sisters, Almeida Theatre appeared first on Aleks Sierz.
‘Combines bravura acting with a battery of visual effects’: GRIEF IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS – Barbican Theatre
Enda Walsh’s adaptation of Max Porter’s contemporary classic gets the big-stage treatment, starring Cillian Murphy. With mixed results.
WATCH: Cherrelle Skeete & Nicola Alexis perform extracts from Gate Theatre’s hit A Small Place
Jamaica Kincaid’s A Small Place is being staged for the first time at London’s Gate Theatre. It may be difficult to know what to expect from an acclaimed non-fiction book being brought to the stage, so get a feel for the four-star show with footage of extracts performed by stars Cherelle Skeete & Nicola Alexis
FEATURED SHOW: Check out the fantastic reviews for the “bold & enlivening” A Small Place
The Gate Theatre’s staging of Jamaica Kincaid’s anger-filled essay on Antigua, A Small Place, is drawing audiences and critics to Notting Hill. With four-star reviews and assertions that the piece is “delightfully surprising”, “brilliantly poetic” and “urgent”, it’s easy to see why.
FIRST LOOK: Get a glimpse of how the Gate Theatre takes audiences to Antigua in A Small Place
Audiences are raving about the Gate Theatre’s production of A Small Place, as the Notting Hill venue brings Jamaica Kincaid’s book to the stage for the first time. Check out the Twitter buzz, then get a flavour for the show with Helen Murray’s production shots