The Southbury Child is a fine play, sharply written with some really strong unexpected laughs and a heartstopping ending. Its subtleties of character ask a great deal (not in vain) from the cast.
‘Worth the wait’: THE UNFRIEND – Chichester
Delayed two years by the pandemic, one of the most hotly anticipated shows of 2020 finally makes it to the stage in 2022. The combination of TV writer and former Dr Who showrunner Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith proves irresistible as The Unfriend finally premieres in Chichester’s Minerva Theatre and it has been worth the wait.
‘A memorably murderous evening out’: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS – Chichester ★★★★★
Murder On The Orient Express at Chichester Festival Theatre is first class entertainment, packed with mystery, intrigue and standout performances. A memorably murderous evening out, highly recommended whether you are a fan of Agatha Christie or not.
‘The beauty of Shanley’s play is that nothing is black & white’: DOUBT – Chichester
Monica Dolan is more than worth the journey in Lia Williams’ striking production of Doubt: A Parable at Chichester Festival Theatre.
‘A powerful, intense & thought-provoking play of moral uncertainty’: DOUBT – Chichester ★★★★★
The story is told in 90 riveting minutes in conversations between just four actors who portrayed their characters with impeccable dynamism.
Year in review: My favourite digital shows 2021
Despite the fact that theatres were once again up and running for about half the year (varying from place to place), there was still a massive appetite for digital productions going into 2021.
NEWS: Nicholas Hytner directs Alex Jennings in the world premiere of The Southbury Child
Three-time Olivier award-winning Alex Jennings will lead the cast in the world premiere of The Southbury Child, the new play by BAFTA winner Stephen Beresford directed by Nicholas Hytner.
NEWS: National Theatre announces new productions including Nicola Walker in The Corn is Green
The National Theatre has published on-sale dates and further details of its next new tranche of productions, opening from now until May 2022 with tickets on sale to the public from 2 December 2021.
‘A sad & elegaic play that seems to have gained significance’: HOME – Chichester Festival Theatre
Although David Storey is a somewhat forgotten writer, wildly successful from the late 1960s to the late ’70s as both a playwright and novelist, but then just as suddenly out of fashion, Home is the play that is consistently revived.
‘Black, bleak & ultimately deeply moving’: THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE – Lyric Hammersmith
Martin McDonagh’s black comedy piece, co-produced by Chichester Festival Theatre and the Lyric Hammersmith, proves to be a deeper exploration of family conflict and secrets than his The Lieutenant of Inishmore.
‘A telling reminder of this country’s involvement in the slave trade’: THE LONG SONG – Chichester ★★★★
Chichester Festival Theatre’s premiere of Andrea Levy’s moving saga, The Long Song, doesn’t hit a wrong note both as a telling reminder of this country’s involvement in the slave trade and timely contribution to Black History Month.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Beauty Queen of Leenane – Chichester Festival Theatre/ Lyric Hammersmith
We round up the reviews for the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre co-production of Martin McDonagh‘s The Beauty Queen of Leenane.
‘In itself a celebration’: SOUTH PACIFIC – Chichester Festival Theatre ★★★★★
Almost the most magnificent part of Daniel Evans’ production of South Pacific is that it’s happening at all: despite the distanced glimmer of blue paper masks, Chichester affirms that big musical theatre is back with almost insane defiance:
‘Utterly joyous & joyful’: SOUTH PACIFIC – Chichester Festival Theatre
While it is sadly premature to say that the theatre is fully back from its enforced hibernation of the last 15 months that put paid entirely to last summer’s Chichester Festival Theatre season, it was a (socially distanced) delight to welcome back of my favourite regional theatres with the opening, at last, of its production of South Pacific originally planned for last year.
NEWS: A stage adaptation of Andrea Levy’s The Long Song & major revival of Martin McDonagh’s The Beauty Queen Of Leenane feature in Chichester’s new season
Four new productions to follow South Pacific in Chichester’s Festival 2021 have today been announced by artistic director Daniel Evans and executive director Kathy Bourne. Two world premieres: The Long Song, a new adaptation by Suhayla El-Bushra based on Andrea Levy’s novel, directed by Charlotte Gwinner The Flock, by Zoe Cooper, directed by Guy Jones Revivals of two great modern …
Mark Shenton picks out his favourite regional theatres for the latest ShenTens podcast
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The post ShenTens: My Top 10 Favourite Regional Theatre Venues first appeared on Shenton Stage.
There’s still uncertainties on the road to theatres’ recovery
We are just over a month away from the cautious re-opening of indoor theatre venues from 17 May, which will restore theatres to their pre-lockdown condition last December of being able to operate at 50% capacity, up to a maximum of 1,000 people.
NEWS: Nimax Theatres, the Criterion Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre & more receive awards in the Culture Recovery Fund second round
Nimax Theatres, the Criterion Theatre, Young Vic and Chichester Festival Theatre are among the 2,700 organisations being offered nearly £400 million in grants and loans as part of the CultureRecovery Fund’s second tranche of funding.
‘It’s a blunt force impact of emotion, building to a frenzy’: CRAVE – Chichester Festival Theatre
Crave is a blunt force impact of emotion, building to a frenzy and then, in a little under 50 minutes, it’s over and we leave. The world outside is just the same, but we’re refreshed – a vital dose of theatre to see us through winter months.
‘Feels like a statement of intent’: CRAVE – Chichester Festival Theatre
A Sarah Kane play is by no means a safe option for any theatre looking to attract audiences back to its auditorium, but this bold and intriguing production of Crave at Chichester Festival Theatre was worth the risk.