Ian McKellen has never been an actor to shirk a challenge — or do things by halves. Having first played the title role of Hamlet fully 50 years ago, aged 31 — the age that Hamlet is at the end of the play — he has now returned to it, aged 82.
Mark Shenton’s weekly chart of forthcoming theatrical comings & goings has some new entries
This weekly column keeps track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, as theatres prepare to re-open from next month onwards. It will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
Returning & new productions heading for the West End & beyond post-lockdown: Are you up to date?
Meanwhile, I want to start keeping track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, in a new feature here that will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
NEWS: Theatre Royal Haymarket will reopen with Love Letters starring Martin Shaw & Jenny Seagrove
A.R. Gurney’s play Love Letters starring Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove will reopen London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket for a strictly limited season from 19 May to 13 June 2021.
NEWS: Hamlet starring Ian McKellen will open Theatre Royal Windsor’s new season in June 2021
The Theatre Royal Windsor’s summer season will open with Shakespeare’s Hamlet, directed by Sean Mathias and starring Ian McKellen in an age-blind interpretation of the young Prince.
Shock or schlock? THE EXORCIST – West End ★★★★
It is a complicated logistical exercise to put on stage all the elements familiar from the film, and to deliver them with an authentic sense of menace. Often it works, the bed shaking and 360-degree head rotation are very effective.
THE EXORCIST – West End
With Stage Review’s editor, Anne Cox, still too traumatised from seeing the film as a teenager more than 40 years ago (yes, it’s true – ed), I was packed off, with nerves of steel and crucifix in pocket, into the pitch-black, creaking, dress circle of London’s Phoenix Theatre for The Exorcist.
THE EXORCIST – West End
With Stage Review’s editor, Anne Cox, still too traumatised from seeing the film as a teenager more than 40 years ago (yes, it’s true – ed), I was packed off, with nerves of steel and crucifix in pocket, into the pitch-black, creaking, dress circle of London’s Phoenix Theatre for The Exorcist.
THE EXORCIST – West End ★★★★
Be warned, The Exorcist is, quite rightly, billed as age 18+ and definitely not for the faint-hearted. An atmospheric and very dark evening’s entertainment.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Exorcist at the Phoenix Theatre
Classic horror film The Exorcist is brought to life on stage for the first time in this new production directed by Sean Mathias and running at the West End’s Phoenix Theatre until 10 March 2018. But does it thrill and scare audiences as it should?
THE EXORCIST – West End
After a premiere in Birmingham last year, Sean Mathias’ production of The Exorcist has resurfaced in the West End in the hope of recreating the chills and thrills of the 1973 movie, despite the fact that it is notoriously difficult to get horror right in the theatre.
Happy Halloween: Clare Louise Connolly talks about playing Regan in The Exorcist
We worked a few scenes during the audition run, including the iconic movie moment where Regan spins her head around. I made sure I told our director Sean Mathias that my neck was extremely flexible!
NEWS: Casting announced for West End premiere of The Exorcist
Jenny Seagrove, Peter Bowles, Adam Garcia and Clare Louise Connolly reprise their performances in the West End transfer of The Exorcist.
THE EXORCIST – Birmingham
The majority of us are familiar with the original horror film which was based on the novel by William Peter Blatty. To this day, it can still turn my stomach (not my head… fortunately!) and make my toes curl, so, looking for a play to watch on the run up to Halloween?
THE EXORCIST – Birmingham
There’s a well-earned hurrah (or should that be scream?) for this evening of hokum that’s currently playing in Birmingham over the Halloween fortnight. As the audience take their seats the house lights are gradually built up to a full on brightness before plunging the auditorium into a shriek-filled darkness and we’re off.
NEWS: The Exorcist gets UK stage premiere in Birmingham, Cast announced
A new production of The Exorcist, directed by Sean Mathias, will receive its UK premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from Friday 21 October to Saturday 5 November 2016. The cast features Jenny Seagrove in the role of Chris, Peter Bowles as Father Merrin and Adam Garcia as Damien.
HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES – West End
Sharp and comic timing is needed to really make this Alan Ayckbourn play really work – thankfully, the cast keep things moving with great pace and energy.
NEWS: How the Other Half Loves extends in West End, moves to Duke of York’s
Bill Kenwright’s West End production of Alan Ayckbourn’s farcical tale of matrimonial mishaps How The Other Half Loves is moving house. The comedy, which has enjoyed huge public and critical acclaim since it opened in March, will extend its West End run, transferring from the Theatre Royal Haymarket to the Duke of York’s from 7 July – 1 October 2016.
HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES – West End
Written before he had become one of the nation’s most prolific playwrights, yet as ever focusing upon his hallmark theme of domestic dysfunctionality, How The Other Half Loves is Alan Ayckbourn’s 1969 effort, viewed through the prism of well-performed comedy.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: How the Other Half Loves at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
Alan Ayckbourn’s 1069 tale of matrimonial mishaps is back in London for its first major West End revival. But what have the critics made of it? How the Other Half Loves continues until 25 June 2016 at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
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