The week began with Andrew Lloyd Webber being mentioned by Boris Johnson, as he extended the lockdown from the originally hoped-for ‘Freedom Day’ of 21 June to 19 July, at which point theatres may be able to reopen without social distancing in place;
Remember all the many creatives who have brought us theatre online, not just the big-hitters
There’s no question that, apart from his undoubted brilliance as a composer of instantly memorable melodies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s greatest gift is as (self) publicist. He’s just wonderful at getting people to speak about him and his shows; and thereby promote them.
From online festivals to streaming platforms, here’s a digital theatre catch-up to lift your spirits
Welcome to our first 2021 round-up of digital shows available for you to watch in the next few weeks.
From large-scale musicals to Zoom experiences, student showcases to the Bard, film and comedy, children’s theatre to audio pieces, storytelling to…
NEWS: Coronavirus rules mean return to theatre lockdowns across UK
Scores of productions devised to comply with social distancing have become casualties of the national lockdown that will run for one month from 5 November to 2 December 2020 in response to the continuing Coronavirus crisis.
NEWS: Musicals The Color Purple & Sunset Boulevard kickstart Leicester Curve’s return to live performances
Live theatre will return to Leicester as Curve announces plans to reopen to the public from 23 November 2020. The theatre, which was forced to close on 16 March, will open again this autumn for re-imagined, socially distanced concert performances of acclaimed Made at Curve productions, using the building’s unique theatre design.
‘Brings a freshness to the piece’: GREASE – Touring
Nikolai Foster’s 2016 production of Grease returns to Curve as part of a major tour, and, while it doesn’t quite have the pizzazz of three years ago, the show remains a solid, thoughtful and energetic version of a much loved classic.
NEWS: Nikolai Foster’s production of Grease is to tour the UK & Ireland starring Peter Andre as Teen Angel
Following a sold-out eight-week run at Curve, the first new production in 25 years of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s musical Grease will tour the UK and Ireland in 2019, directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips and starring Peter Andre as Teen Angel at certain performances.
THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE – Menier Chocolate Factory
Against the odds, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ is an energetic, sharp and witty triumph. I say ‘against the odds’ because, in the over-extended franchise Olympics, Adrian Mole would be in a straight fight with Bridget Jones for the right to lose to Harry Potter in the final.
NEWS: Full cast announced for Curve’s Christmas revival of Grease
Curve today announces casting for its Christmas production of hit musical Grease. Dex Lee and Jessica Paul lead the cast as Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski.
Mark’s Critical Digest: Linda, Funny Girl, The Girls, Oliver!, Barbarians and Macbeth
Reviews digest of openings in London, Leicester and Leeds from national critics for new productions of Linda, Funny Girl, The Girls, Oliver!, Barbarians and Macbeth.
Diary of a theatre addict: Robert Lindsay and I make up, but I fall out with Harvey Fierstein in another busy week
I make up with Robert Lindsay and meet with the wonderful Mark Rylance, but I have more mixed emotions about Harvey Fierstein, even as I’ve seen three shows connected to him in the space of six days.