Written in collaboration with John Fletcher, Henry VIII is quite possibly Shakespeare’s final play – but, despite this country’s continued obsession with all things Tudor, it remains a rarely performed piece. Imagine the delight of Shakespeare completists everywhere when it was announced as part of the Globe’s 2022 summer season, this time in a slightly updated version that sees Hannah Khalil (resident writer) become the third collaborator; the original has a heavy male focus, thanks in part to the two (male) playwrights having to work around the expectations of the establishment to avoid censorship and arrest – but now 400 years have passed, it’s about time the female voices in this story were heard as well.
It’s going to be epic: What are you most looking forward to at the Globe this summer?
It seems like we’ve been made to wait an inordinately long time for this announcement, but it was definitely worth it as far as I’m concerned.
‘Significant piece of new theatre writing’: THE MOTHERHOOD PROJECT – BAC (Online review)
The likes of Hannah Khalil, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Sarah Niles and Juno Dawson deliver some excellent work in The Motherhood Project.
NEWS: Battersea Arts Centre launches spring season with new Pay What You Can pricing model
Battersea Arts Centre announces a season of groundbreaking and playful work (April to July 2021) which explores fresh ways of living differently and sharing experiences.
‘A triumph of ingenuity & responsiveness’: 15 HEROINES – Jermyn Street Theatre (Online theatre)
15 Heroines is an impressive and energised reworking of Greek myth that leaves the audience keen to find out more about each of these women and their remarkable lives.
Being a woman in Greek Mythology isn’t easy and for the most part they sit on the sidelines, forgotten sideshows to what are predominantly male narratives of war, conquest and feats of daring. Where women do feature, they are mere prizes to be won,…
‘Offers startlingly fresh perspective on these tales’: 15 HEROINES – Jermyn Street Theatre & Digital Theatre (Online review)
Reinterpreting the women of Greek mythology for today, the theatrical enterprise of 15 Heroines is a major achievement and a highlight of the year, digital or otherwise.
NEWS: Hampstead Theatre announces season of classics to celebrate ‘60 years of original theatre’
Hampstead Theatre has announced its spring/summer 2020 programme, Hampstead Classics, celebrating 60 years of original theatre.
‘Feels repetitive & frustrating’: A MUSEUM IN BAGHDAD – Swan Theatre, Stratford upon Avon ★★★
There is nothing wrong with having two periods onstage at once, and the fine cast does its best with the infuriatingly threadbare drawing of relationships, but The RSC’s A Museum in Baghdad feel like a bit of a mess.
NEWS: Mark Ravenhill, Robbie Williams & Guy Chambers will pen new musical version of David Walliams’ The Boy in the Dress in RSC winter season
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Winter 2019 season will include a new musical of David Walliams’ novel The Boy in the Dress with a book by Mark Ravenhill and music and lyrics by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, directed by Gregory Doran.
THE SCAR TEST – Soho Theatre
Khalil has turned her focus to the experience of female detainees at the notorious Yarl’s Wood detention centre and the many, many indignities suffered by those trying to work their way through the knots and prejudices of our immigration system.
NEWS: Bush reopens after £4.3m refurb with Euro premiere directed by Jamie Lloyd
In March 2017, following a landmark year taking plays into the communities of West London, the Bush Theatre will return home following a £4.3m revitalisation of the venue. The year-long redevelopment has been driven by the aim of realising Artistic Director Madani Younis’ vision for a theatre that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of London today. The Bush Theatre strives …