Opening in London this month is the transfer of the NT’s Nine Night (now at Trafalgar Studios), Jailbirds at the Etcetera Theatre, Pinocchio at The Albany, One For The Road at the Rosemary Branch, Orpheus at Battersea Arts Centre and Pinter 5 & 6 will arrive at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
NEWS: Marianne Elliott confirmed to direct Wendell Pierce, Sharon D Clarke & Arinzé Kene in Death Of A Salesman as part of Young Vic season
The Young Vic’s artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah has announced the venue’s 2019 season which includes Marianne Elliott directinf Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, with Wendell Pierce, Sharon D. Clarke and Arinzé Kene cast as Willy, Linda and Biff Loman.
‘As someone who wrestles with depression, I’m heartened to see a show like Dust being so positively embraced’: Is there magic in the water at the Trafalgar Studios?
Trafalgar Studios seems to be mopping up the cream of the crop of smaller space transfers. There is definitely magic in the water there at the moment, as I’m seriously pining to see both of the shows they have on: Dust and Arinze Kene’s Misty.
‘A visual, aural, emotional & intellectual invigoration’: MISTY – Trafalgar Studios
Arinze Kene’s visceral writing for Misty places us from the offset within the throbbing organ that is London; packed night buses in its veins, we are its cells colliding against each other with our own truths.
‘This show needs to be seen & experienced’: MISTY – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
Misty is an outstanding, relevant, vibrant and moving piece of theatre written and performed by a theatrical genius. Arinzé Kene’s use of spoken word, movement, rhythm and singing is masterful and makes you feel as though you are with him every step of his journey.
Mark Shenton views the latest week of news & openings in the West End, across the UK & in New York
News, reviews, controversies and commentary from the West End and Broadway, including the first West End job share and the re-opening of the Kiln Theatre (formerly the Tricycle).
‘Unlike anything else you’ll see in the West End’: MISTY – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
Arinzé Kene’s play Misty has transferred to the Trafalgar Studios from a sell-out run at the Bush Theatre giving more people the opportunity to see a play that is unlike anything else you’ll see in the West End at the moment.
NEWS: Rachel Chavkin makes her Old Vic directing debut in 2019 season which also includes premiere of new Lucy Prebble play
Matthew Warchus’ fourth season as artistic director of The Old Vic completes with an Arthur Miller double-bill (featuring Rachel Chavkin’s Old Vic directorial debut), a world premiere by Lucy Prebble and a special One Voice performance.
‘A show about knowing (or not knowing) who you are’: WHITE – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★★
A show about knowing (or not knowing) who you are, with a focus on growing up mixed race – Koko Brown is an engaging & captivating performer.
NEWS: Additions to Bush Theatre season include Vinay Patel’s An Adventure & gig theatre All We Ever Wanted
The Bush Theatre’s artistic director Madani Younis has announced additions to the venue’s autumn/winter 2018 season. Highlights include six plays to end the theatre’s season – including three new commissions and two world premieres; full cast details for the world premiere of Vinay Patel’s An Adventure; news of Misty by Arinzé Kene transferring to the West End following an extended sell-out season at …
‘An effortlessly entertaining piece about the social issues of our time’: MISTY – Bush Theatre
Arinzé Kene is an exceptional performer, who clearly has the makings of a star. If he can make such an ambitious, complex and individual show work, it will be fascinating to see what he does next. Meanwhile, the Bush Theatre has delivered an original and effortlessly entertaining piece about the social issues of our time, which is pretty much a definition of its purpose.
Text of the Day: Misty
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘As theatre there are several memorable moments’: MISTY – Bush Theatre
At the centre of the show is Arinzé Kene himself. Having just finished his part in Conor McPherson’s Girl from the North Country in the West End, he devotes all of his considerable charisma to this meditation on the race politics of storytelling.
‘It’s simply one of this year’s best plays’: BLACK MEN WALKING – Royal Court Theatre
Black Men Walking is a hugely enjoyable show which embraces its audience in a warm clinch while zapping your brain with thought-provoking ideas. It’s not one of the best black plays of the year: it’s simply one of this year’s best plays.
‘A show that needs to be seen, heard & enjoyed’: MISTY – Bush Theatre ★★★★★
Make sure that this masterpiece is seen and heard. Give Misty the visibility that it deserves. Arinzé Kene is a genius, plain and simple.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Girl from the North Country at the Noel Coward Theatre
The hit Old Vic Theatre production transfers to the Noel Coward Theatre. But what have critics thought about it? Duluth, Minnesota. 1934. A community living on a knife-edge huddle together in the local guesthouse. The owner, Nick, owes more money than he can ever repay, his wife Elizabeth is losing her mind and their daughter… Read More
NEWS: Bush Theatre announces four premieres in 2018 season & three-year BAMER initiative
The Bush Theatre has today announced its new 2018 season. Highlights include: Eight plays announced – including two new commissions, three world premieres and one UK premiere This season sees the launch of Passing the Baton –a three-year programming initiative dedicated to revivals of work by BAMER (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee) artists beginning with Winsome Pinnock’s Leave Taking and including a …
Terri’s musicals diary & tweets: Girl from the North Country, Adrian Mole, Spoonful of Sherman
I have managed a few memorable evenings over the past fortnight that I can recommend: Bob Dylan-inspired Girl from the North Country at the Old Vic, page-to-stage adaptation The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and Sherman Brothers-infused cabaret A Spoonful of Sherman.
GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY – Old Vic
It’s a busy play, packed full of sorrow and soul, rueful realism and tentative hope, and is blessed by a crack cast filled with the likes of Ciarán Hinds, Shirley Henderson, Ron Cook, Debbie Kurup, Stanley Townsend and many more.
NEWS ROUND-UP: Cate Blanchett to star in Ivo van Hove’s All About Eve, Ciaran Hinds cast in new Bob Dylan musical
I have to admit that I wasn’t much enamoured by the prospect of a Bob Dylan musical but when I stopped to think about it, I don’t know why I was worried because I’ve long been of the opinion that Dylan’s songs are best sung by other people.