Ought To Be Clowns barely saw 250 shows this year, quiet by his standards. And as is the way of these things, here’s a rundown of some of the productions that moved me most…
Theatre review of the 2019 & what to see in 2020
With a new year fast approaching, it is an interesting time to reflect on small changes across the theatre landscape in 2019 that will continue to shape how UK theatre will look as it moves into a new decade.
NEWS: Arcola Theatre announces 20th anniversary season
London’s Arcola Theatre has announced its 2020 season, a special, year-long programme to celebrate the theatre’s 20th anniversary featuring familiar faces from the venue’s first two decades alongside exciting newcomers.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Three Sisters at the National Theatre
We rounded up the reviews for a new production of Three Sisters at the National Theatre.
‘Fascinating & engaging piece of theatre’: THREE SISTERS – National Theatre
Inua Ellams’ writing is always so multifaceted and beautiful and this interpretation of Three Sisters is no exception, whether you have strong feelings on Chekhov or not.
‘Challenging but exhilarating reworking’: THREE SISTERS – National Theatre
Inua Ellams’ relocation of Chekhov’s Three Sisters to the Biafran Civil War proves devastatingly effective at the National Theatre.
NEWS: Look who’s putting the party into Ovalhouse’s Demolition Party season
Ovalhouse’s Demolition Party season culminates with a series of actual parties, with Bar Wotever, Brazilian Wax and Cocoa Butter all hosting parties before Inua Ellams ends the season with an R.A.P. Party.
‘As finely-tuned a theatrical machine as you are likely to see’: BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES – Touring ★★★★
There is a winning combination of the playful and the profound in Barber Shop Chronicles which allies serious stagecraft and knowledge to sheer enjoyability.
NEWS: National Theatre announces 15 productions of new plays & fresh adaptations by leading writers
The National Theatre has announces 15 productions of new plays and fresh adaptations by leading writers. Olivier Theatre My Brilliant Friend 12 November 2019 to 18 January 2020 (Press day is 26 November). Plays in rep, with further performances to be announced Following a sell-out run at Rose Theatre Kingston, the two-part adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend by April De Angelis is reworked …
‘The kind of work that should open some doors’: BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES – Touring ★★★★
Theatre is tackling a constant diversity issue, a key component being how to attract an audience that rarely feels the theatre is open to them. Barber Shop Chronicles is the kind of work that should open some doors.
Text of the Day: The Half God of Rainfall
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘Geographical & emotional odyssey’: BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES – Touring
Barber Shop Chronicles is a bold and inexorable march towards changing the way we share stories, shifting the mainstream narrative and dealing with both joy and pain in equal measure.
‘Flies because of the vigour of the text & the electricity of the staging’: THE HALF GOD OF RAINFALL – Kiln Theatre
Poetic two-hander The Half God of Rainfall combines epic myth, family relationships and gender politics in an exciting evening.
‘Epic battle of gods anchored in contemporary culture’: THE HALF GOD OF RAINFALL – Kiln Theatre ★★★★
In the same way that the Marvel Universe mixes superpowers with mortal flaws, the scope of The Half God of Rainfall stretches to another galaxy but all the time remains profoundly human.
‘I was struck by the scope of Inua’s epic poem’: Rakie Ayola appears in The Half God of Rainfall at the Kiln Theatre
Actress Rakie Ayola chatted to us about her current role in The Half God of Rainfall at the Kiln Theatre.
‘A celebration of friendship, tradition & heritage’: BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES – Touring
Barber Shop Chronicles is a celebration of friendship, tradition and heritage. Ellams skilfully toes the line between sentiment, gaucheness, sincerity and wit while exploring issues of racial, social and gender identity with a keen eye for human foibles.
‘Life-affirming & vivid’: BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES – Touring ★★★★★
Barber Shop Chronicles is a hugely impressive production. Life-affirming and vivid. Putting lives on stage which have not been seen there before.
NEWS: National Theatre announces new season including cast of 40 for stage adaptation of Andrea Levy’s Small Island
Gershwyn Eustache Jnr, Leah Harvey and Aisling Loftus lead the cast of Small Island, adapted by Helen Edmundson from Andrea Levy’s prize-winning novel, directed by Rufus Norris in the Olivier Theatre, as part of the National Theatre’s new season.
NEWS: National Theatre’s new season features Andrea Levy’s Small Island, Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls & Lenny Henry as Richard Pryor
Rufus Norris has unveiled the National Theatre’s plans for 2019 and beyond. Highlights include the world premiere of Small Island adapted by Helen Edmundson from Andrea Levy’s novel, directed by Rufus Norris.
NEWS: Inua Ellams’ The Half God of Rainfall is a new addition to the Kiln Theatre’s inaugural season
Kiln Theatre’s artistic director Indhu Rubasingham has today announced that Inua Ellams’ The Half God of Rainfall joins the line-up for the opening season.
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