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NEWS: Lenny Henry stars in August Wilson play as part of Nadia Fall’s inaugural season at Theatre Royal Stratford East

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Lenny Henry is to take on the role of smooth-talking hustler Elmore in August Wilson’s King Hedley II (17 May to 16 June 2019) as part of Nadia Fall’s inaugural season as artistic director of Theatre Royal Stratford East. This marks the first time Wilson’s work will be staged at the venue.

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#Vault2018: Lenny Henry recommends you watch director-magician Simon Evans’ make mankind vanish this week

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Theatregoers will be most familiar with Simon Evans as a highly accomplished director – did you know that he’s also a magician? In his latest magic show, reuniting with his fellow director-illusionist David Aula, he aims to make mankind vanish – until Sunday 4 February 2018 only at VAULT Festival.

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THE RESISTABLE RISE OF ARTURO UI – Donmar Warehouse

In London theatre, Opinion, Plays, Reviews by Ian FosterLeave a Comment

There’s something special in the timelessness of some pieces of theatre, their themes and arguments as relevant to audiences today as they were when they were written years, decades, even centuries ago. Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui falls into the middle category, written in 1941 as an allegorical response to his nation’s fall to Nazism, and was magisterially revived at Chichester a few years back.

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PHOTOS: Inside rehearsals with Lenny Henry & the Artuor Ui cast

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Rehearsals are well under way for Bruce Norris’ new translation of Bertolt Brecht’s satirical masterpiece The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, directed by Simon Evans with design by Peter McKintosh. The production, led by Lenny Henry who makes his Donmar debut playing the title role, runs 21 April to 17 June 2017, with a press night on 2 May. Rehearsals photos …

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What were our Top 10 news stories in November 2016?

In Features, London theatre, Musicals, Native, News, Plays, Press Releases, Sticky by Press ReleasesLeave a Comment

As it’s the first of the month, we’re taking a brief moment to remind ourselves of the biggest news stories from the month just closed. What were the headlines that got readers clicking most? Any surprises? Our Top 10 News stories from November 2016 are listed below with summaries and links to read more.

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NEWS: Donmar Power season includes Lenny Henry as Arturo Ui, new plays on Labour split & Kids Company collapse

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Artistic Director Josie Rourke and Executive Producer Kate Pakenham announce today the Power Season at the Donmar Warehouse. This spring season includes a new play by Steve Waters examining the 1981 split in the Labour party; a revival of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui starring Lenny Henry; and a new musical with book and lyrics edited from the transcript …

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Are black and Asian actors really losing out on Shakespeare?

In Features, London theatre, Native, News, Opinion, Plays, Regional theatre, Scotland, Touring by Susan ElkinLeave a Comment

Of course I want to see lots of excellent black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) actors cast in lead roles. No thinking theatre lover wouldn’t. The best and most suitable actors for every part, please. I am, however, disturbed by the distorted way in which last week’s report led by Jami Rogers for the University of Warwick and based on the Black and Asian Shakespeare Performance Database has been spun.

Diary of a theatre addict: Re-visiting shows and theatre trolls

In Features, London theatre, Opinion by Mark ShentonLeave a Comment

I’ve had a ‘slow’ week — or at least a slower one! By tonight, I’ll have seen just seven shows — but also three readings, too, so perhaps that makes ten. I’ve also done two big interviews — with singer Jane McDonald, ahead of her season in Cats in Blackpool, and with actor David Suchet, as he returns to the West End in The Importance of Being Earnest this coming week, both of which will run in The Stage on July 9.

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Oliviers: 23 priceless quotes and 8 more-than-words moments from the Royal Opera House

In Awards, Features, London theatre, Opinion by Terri PaddockLeave a Comment

This afternoon I caught up with the ITV highlights programme of last night’s Olivier Awards. While quite entertaining, it’s no surprise that the telecast missed out a lot of good stuff – sometimes right in the middle of a quote. (Ahem, see Kevin Spacey, oh what’s his name… Matthew Warchus.) The TV version was just […]