How many plays pass the Bechdel Test? Originally featured in a comic strip, and popularised in film criticism, it simply states that to pass this test your story has to have: 1) at least two women in it; 2) who talk to each other; 3) about something other than a man. Well, one of the brilliant things about Irish writer Margaret Perry’s new dark comedy, Paradise Now! is that it passes this test with an A Plus grade.
‘It’s taken us so long to get our head around it’: rehearsing theatre over Zoom #2
In the second of our series of Notes From The Front Line, I talk to Grace Church of Guttersnipe Theatre about their process of continuing to develop their devised project in lockdown over Zoom.
‘A powerfully resonant, relevant & riveting watch’: It’s True, It’s True, It’s True – Breach Theatre (Online review)
The BBC film version of a Renaissance rape trial is powerfully resonant, relevant and a riveting watch.
‘This proves that staying in really does have its compensation’: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS – National Theatre (Online review)
These shows, originally filmed as part of the flagship’s NT Live project, are now available on its YouTube channel. The first is Richard Bean’s gloriously silly farce, One Man, Two, Guvnors, starring the irrepressible and Tony-award winning James Corden.
‘It’s hard to be sure exactly what the play is saying’: THE WELKIN – National Theatre
Maxine Peake struggles to make the voice of reason heard in the rather reactionary feminist history play The Welkin at the National Theatre.
‘Writes with poetic vigour & concision’: A HISTORY OF WATER IN THE MIDDLE EAST – Royal Court Theatre
Sabrina Mahfouz’s feminist account of British imperialism in A History of Water in the Middle East is energetic and passionate but also turns out to be a very slender piece of theatre.
Text of the Day: Two Ladies
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘Part dance party, part therapy session, part orgy’: HOTTER – Soho Theatre
they have made a noticeable effort to share the experiences of many, to both hilarious and humbling effect in word, movement and dance.
‘It’s a play about taking up space’: Lucy Atkinson on A Hundred Words for Snow & the joy of directing monologues
A Hundred Words of Snow, Tatty Hennessy’s coming-of-age adventure story, officially received its West End premiere last night at Trafalgar Studios, where Gemma Barnett stars until 30 March 2019. Check out our gallery of brand-new West End production photography – and then get booking!
‘A fine mixture of interesting ideas & emotional desolation’: HOME, I’M DARLING – National Theatre
Laura Wades’s return to the stage is a bright satire about marriage and nostalgic fantasy
The post Home, I’m Darling, National Theatre appeared first on Aleks Sierz.
‘A milestone for women in the arts’: EMILIA – Shakespeare’s Globe
My hope of ever witnessing a true revolution for women in theatre began to disappear over the last year – until Emilia at Shakespeare’s Globe.
‘Reminds us that we can handle our obstacles’: SPARK – Edinburgh Fringe
Using the word ‘strong’ to describe women and girls is redundant. Putting up with all the trash that women have to deal with as a result of their gender, on top of everything else life throws at them, makes them strong by default.
‘Bring all your feminist pals’: Fringe Wives Club’s Glittery Clittery – Edinburgh Fringe
“We’re not here for your pleasure.” “Consent is hot.” The Fringe Wives Club need some merch with these slogans on. Glittery Clittery has everything you need for a cult feminist disco, plus a labia costume.
‘Who knew one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies could be funny?’: OTHELLO – Shakespeare’s Globe
Who knew one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies could be funny? Director and composer Claire van Kampen has tapped into a rare rhythm that sees Iago as a weaselly, clownish man lacking power and finesse, yet still manages to twist Othello into knots
PHOTOS: Rehearsing in the Garden of Eden with 21st-century Adam & Eve
Just a little over a week before Broken Silence Theatre’s acclaimed, modern-day take on Bible story Adam & Eve returns to London for a strictly limited run at the Hope Theatre. Sneak a peek at the new cast having fun in the rehearsal room – and then get booking!
WATCH: Chilling new trailer for Broken Silence’s modern-day Adam & Eve
Got your tickets yet for Broken Silence Theatre’s “utterly phenomenal” Adam & Eve? After a run last year at Brockley Jack, this modern-day Garden of Eden story transfers to London’s Hope Theatre for a strictly limited season from 22 May to 9 June 2018. Watch the chilling new trailer – and then get booking!
NEWS: Cast announced for Adam & Eve three-hander with a post-truth twist at Hope
Casting has now been announced for the return of Broken Silence Theatre’s critically acclaimed modern-day, feminist update on the Garden of Eden story. Adam & Eve runs at the Hope Theatre from 22 May to 9 June 2018.
Dames Q&A livestream: How has Denise Gough inspired the next generation of female actors?
I missed a trick with my questions last night at the world premiere of DAMES, the surreal comedy about six millennial women who meet in a nightclub loo, which marks the playwriting debut of Charlotte Merriam and the producing debut of Siberian Lights, the company she co-founded with three of her peers at Royal Welsh College of […]
NEWS: Feminist take on Adam & Eve transfers from Brockley Jack to Hope Theatre
Broken Silence Theatre’s critically acclaimed feminist take on the Garden of Eden returns to London next month. After success last year at west London’s Brockley Jack Theatre, Adam & Eve transfers north to Islington for a strictly limited season. The modern-day Genesis story will run at the Hope Theatre from 22 May to 9 June 2018, with a press night on 24 May.
Are women funny? Why are we still being asked this question?!
ShyGirl, a 30-something delving into the uncharted world of vlogging for the first time (and a.k.a. writer and performer Siobhan McMillan), brings her new show MIRRORS to London’s Leicester Square Theatre later this month. In her first-ever blog, exclusive to My Theatre Mates, she dissects the oft-asked question: “Are women funny?” Having recently observed different women discussing whether women can be funny …