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Why it’s an amazing time for diversity of style in ‘musicals’ on both sides of the pond

In Audio, Features, London theatre, Musicals, Opera, Opinion, Reviews by Edward SeckersonLeave a Comment

It’s an amazing time for diversity of style in “musicals” on both sides of the pond. Hamilton’s hip-hop, street poetry, storytelling, David Yazbek’s middle-eastern infused charmer The Band’s Visit, Jeanine Tesori’s Fun Home (newly arrived at London’s Young Vic while her dazzlingly original Caroline Or Change plays at the Playhouse Theatre).

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NEWS: Sheffield Theatres win big at 2016 UK Theatre Awards

In Awards, Children's theatre, London theatre, Musicals, Native, News, Plays, Press Releases, Regional theatre, Sticky, Touring by Press ReleasesLeave a Comment

UK Theatre has announced the winners of the UK Theatre Awards 2016 – the only awards to honour outstanding achievement in performing, producing and management in theatres throughout the United Kingdom. Sheffield Theatres is the big winner for its two Crucible musical productions of SHOW BOAT and FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS, nabbing five prizes in total.

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NEWS: UK Theatre Awards nominations announced, Ian McKellen recognised for Outstanding Contribution

In Awards, Children's theatre, London theatre, Musicals, Native, News, Press Releases, Regional theatre, Sticky by Press ReleasesLeave a Comment

UK Theatre has announced the nominations for the UK Theatre Awards 2016, which celebrate the breadth and depth of outstanding talent and achievement in theatre and the performing arts throughout the United Kingdom, on and off stage. Show Boat, which recently finished its West End run, receives the most nominations for a production (four), while fellow Sheffield Theatres’ musical Flowers for …

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FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS – Sheffield

In Musicals, Opera, Opinion, Regional theatre, Reviews by Edward SeckersonLeave a Comment

Taylor writes an altogether different kind of musical in which “songs” rarely arrive fully formed but rather are in the process of evolving – beginnings of songs which are content just being songful and serving as aides-memoires, melodic remanants which in some cases return again and again with all their emotional memory intact. Wagner called them leitmotifs.

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FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS – Sheffield

In Musicals, Opinion, Regional theatre, Reviews by Libby PurvesLeave a Comment

If Daniel Evans means to leave his acclaimed stewardship of Sheffield Theatre on a flood of tears, he’s chosen the right production for his directorial finale. There were definitely Kleenexes involved. Paul Gallico’s novella was an outlet for a bruised postwar nation, yearning over its clothes-ration coupons for the “ideal of civilized happiness” epitomized by the extravagant ballgowns of the New Look. A widowed charlady is content with her humble lot until she sees, in a rich client’s wardrobe, the marvel that is a Dior dress. She yearns to own one – “to come home to, not to wear”. Inspired by a small pools win, she trebles it with years of slaving, scrimping and squirrelling, and travels naive but determined to Paris.

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NEWS: Daniel Evans announces final season as Sheffield artistic director

In Musicals, Native, News, Plays, Press Releases, Regional theatre, Touring by Press ReleasesLeave a Comment

Daniel Evans today announces his final season as Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres. The new season opens with Folie À Deux Productions and From Ground Up Theatre Company in association with Sheffield Theatres presenting Kieran Knowles’ Operation Crucible directed by Bryony Shanahan. This is followed by a co-production with English Touring Theatre of D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover – in …