My Theatre Mates have been collecting official announcements of theatre closures up and down the country in the Twitter thread below and will continue to add updates as they come in.
NEWS: West End & UK theatres to close with immediate effect
In light of the continued coronavirus emergency and advice from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that people should avoid “pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues” during the pandemic, SOLT and UK Theatre has announced that member venues will close from the evening of Monday 16 March 2020.
NEWS: Finborough postpones Hockey Mom & Women Without Men runs during coronavirus crisis
Amongst the rising tide of news about closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, London’s Finborough Theatre has postponed two of its forthcoming fortieth-anniversary-year productions, which had been due to run from this month until the end of July.
PHOTOS: Sean Rigby & Kristin Atherton hit the ice rink for Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad
Ahead of the forthcoming European premiere of Michael Melski’s Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad at the Finborough Theatre, stars Kristin Atherton and Sean Rigby got in character with a visit to the ice rink.
‘A snapshot of a past that recently bled into the present’: NOT QUITE JERUSALEM – Finborough Theatre
What makes Not Quite Jerusalem such a vivid and enjoyable play, is the nuanced and recognisable characters – backed here by exemplary performances from a talented cast.
NEWS: Winners of the 10th anniversary Offies 2020 Awards are announced
Winners of the Offies 2020 Awards, held at Battersea Arts Centre, have been announced. It was the tenth anniversary year of the awards presented by Off West End.
NEWS: Sean Rigby & Kristin Atherton star in the European premiere of Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad
Casting has been announced for the European premiere of Michael Melski’s hit Canadian two-hander Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad, which runs at London’s Finborough Theatre from 31 March to 25 April 2020. Time to get booking!
NEWS: Irish playwright Hazel Ellis’ Women Without Men gets UK premiere after 80 years
Following this month’s outing for Joseph Crilly’s On McQuillan’s Hill, another “lost” Irish play will get an overdue premiere as part of the Finborough Theatre’s 40th-anniversary season: Hazel Ellis’ Women Without Men.
“‘Old Ireland Free’ is closer than ever. Joe could never have foreseen that”: Director Jonathan Harden on staging his hit production of On McQuillan’s Hill
“It was never about money or career progression for any of us. For me, it was about getting the best actors we could and doing the best version of this play possible, for this audience, in this particular moment.” Take a look at what Jonathan Harden told us about bringing Joseph Crilly’s On McQuillan’s Hill to Finborough Theatre, then book your tickets for the final shows.
Best of the Blogs: Leopoldstadt, Far Away, Nora, People Show 137 & more
In our continuing series, editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 16 February 2020) including Maryam Philpott’s thoughts on Tom Stoppard’s new play Leopoldstadt at the Wyndham’s Theatre.
FEATURED SHOW: Have you seen the fantastic ★★★★★ reviews for “powerful play” On McQuillan’s Hill?
“First rate,” “wonderful” and “astonishing” – the superlatives are flowing for the English premiere of Joseph Crilly’s On McQuillan’s Hill. Take a look at our favourite reviews, then book your tickets.
FIRST LOOK: Take a look at the new production images of dark comedy On McQuillan’s Hill
Flags, whiskey and fighting – the cornerstone of all good family reunions! Check out the new production images from current Finborough Theatre hit, On McQuillan’s Hill, then book your tickets.
NEWS: Canadian hit Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad gets European premiere at Finborough Theatre
Michael Melski’s Canadian hit play Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad gets its European premiere in a new production directed by Proud Haddock’s Jimmy Walters. It has a limited four-week limited season at London’s Finborough Theatre, running from 31 March to 25 April 2020.
BEHIND THE SCENES: What’s happening in rehearsals for On McQuillan’s Hill?
It’s all fun and smiles until it gets physical! That’s certainly what rehearsals for On McQuillan’s Hill look like if these rehearsal images are anything to go by. Take a look, then book your tickets.
‘The right kind of funny in a stone-faced world’: SCROUNGER – Finborough Theatre
As an insight into a member of society failed by systemic stupidity and social illiteracy, Athena Stevens’ new play Scrounger is particularly relevant.
NEWS: Gina Costigan and Johnny Vivash lead the cast of On McQuillan’s Hill’s English premiere
A cast of Irish talent will star in Joseph Crilly’s On McQuillan’s Hill when it receives it English premiere at Finborough Theatre next month, two decades after it debuted in Belfast. Time to book your tickets!
‘Themes that resonate during periods of crisis’: THE WIND OF HEAVEN – Finborough Theatre ★★★★
The Wind Of Heaven at the Finborough Theatre is spot on, with the principal characters living within the skin of their respective roles.
‘Offers some time-worn comforts’: THE WIND OF HEAVEN – Finborough Theatre
Still, if you don’t mind the preachiness or the admonishment, The Wind of Heaven boasts a suitably earnest cast and fine staging.
‘Involving, emotionally harrowing two-hander’: CHEMISTRY – Finborough Theatre
Chemistry is an at times unsettling, but always compelling evening. It humanises the stigmatised and touches the soul using a wonderdrug – intimate performance.
‘Family drama that digs deeper’: GO BANG YOUR TAMBOURINE – Finborough Theatre
With Go Bang Your Tambourine, the Finborough Theatre has once more succeeded in digging out a purportedly dated play and bringing it to life in a manner which is faithful to the playwright but does not alienate a modern audience. Kudos to them.