Pearl Cleage’s 1995 play Blues for an Alabama Sky creates a world, the world of dreamers in the fading Harlem renaissance, the Depression starting to bite. It’s domestic: Frankie Bradshaw’s fabulous set has two fire escapes, a hallway, steps, rooms high and low, balcony (where we glimpse other neighbours, sometimes with quiet harmonies sung). Outside the street is barred with lamplight.
‘Some may find it ponderous while others will be fascinated’: BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY – National Theatre
Looking across cultural representations of women in the past 100 years it is possible to draw connections between characters such as Hester Collier in Terence Rattigan’s The Deep Blue Sea, Patrick Hamilton’s Jenny from Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky, even up to Kyo Choi’s Kim Han-See in The Apology, all of whom are in pursuit of a fantasy life that will never be fulfilled. Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky, opening at the National Theatre, adds another unknowingly tragic heroine to that list, singer Angel who will grasp at an opportunity to get out of Harlem in 1930.
‘An excellent piece of deeply felt new writing’: HOUSE OF IFE – Bush Theatre
Beru Tessema’s drama House of Ife, about an Ethiopian-British family facing a tragic loss, is deeply felt and emotional and marks a good start to this venue’s 50th anniversary season.
‘Great stuff excellently performed’: THE ARRIVAL – Bush Theatre
Director Bijan Sheibani turns playwright in a fine two-hander about family and the crisis of masculinity in The Arrival at the Bush Theatre.
NEWS: The 2019 winners of The Stage Debut Awards are announced
The 2019 winners of The Stage Debut Awards, in association with Access Entertainment, were announced in a ceremony which took place at The Brewery, London this weekend.
‘Bright, warm & occasionally wonderfully joyous’: CHIAROSCURO – Bush Theatre
Lively gig theatre revival of Jackie Kay’s Chiaroscuroa, a 1980s account of the black lesbian experience doesn’t quite work.
‘Extremely empowering piece’: CHIAROSCURO – Bush Theatre ★★★★★
Lynette Linton brings together this story in a beautiful and explosive manner through her direction of Chiaroscuro.
NEWS: Lynette Linton’s inaugural Bush Theatre season includes six UK debuts
Lynette Linton has announced her inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre. The 2019-2020 season includes UK debut plays from six playwrights alongside a new production of celebrated poet and playwright Jackie Kay’s first play Chiaroscuro directed by Linton.
‘An absolute marvel’: SWEAT – West End
I really can’t recommend Sweat highly enough. It’s not just a great play, and a great production, it’s an actually important one.
‘Not only makes you perspire, but also cry’: SWEAT – West End
Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer-Prize-winning drama Sweat vigorously massages the wounded heart of rustbelt America.
NEWS: Clare Perkins & Leanne Best return for Sweat’s West End transfer, Further casting
Further West End casting has been announced for the Donmar Warehouse’s transfer of Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning and Olivier-nominated play Sweat.
NEWS: Martha Plimpton will reprise her role in Donmar Warehouse’s production of Sweat by Lynn Nottage when it transfers to the Gielgud
The Donmar Warehouse’s sold-out production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Sweat by Lynn Nottage will transfer to London’s Gielgud Theatre for a limited six-week run from 7 June 2019, with Martha Plimpton reprising her role as Tracey in Lynette Linton’s acclaimed production. Further casting is to be announced.
NEWS: Donmar Warehouse’s production of Sweat by Lynn Nottage extends run
The Donmar Warehouse today announces the extension, due to exceptional demand, for Lynette Linton’s acclaimed production of Sweat by Lynn Nottage. The production will now be booking for performances until Saturday 2 February 2019.
NEWS: Lynette Linton is announced as the new artistic director of London’s Bush Theatre
The Bush Theatre has announced Lynette Linton as its new artistic director from January 2019. Linton will succeed the current artistic director Madani Younis who announced in September his appointment as creative director of the Southbank Centre.
NEWS: Martha Plimpton will star in the UK premiere of Lynn Nottage’s play Sweat at the Donmar Warehouse
The Donmar Warehouse has announced full casting for Lynette Linton’s production of Sweat by Lynn Nottage (7 December 2018 to 26 January 2019, press night is 19 December). The line-up includes Martha Plimpton, Leanne Best, Patrick Gibson, Osy Ikhile, Wil Johnson, Stuart McQuarrie, Clare Perkins, Sule Rimi and Sebastian Viveros.
NEWS: As part of Black History Month, Ovalhouse launches free Black Women in Theatre event on 22 Oct
October is Black History Month. And this Black History Month, in the year marking two major UK milestones – the centenary of women’s suffrage and the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush generation – Ovalhouse launches a new annual event for Black Women in Theatre.
NEWS: Two new productions are announced as part of Josie Rourke’s final season at the Donmar Warehouse
Donmar Warehouse’s outgoing artistic director Josie Rourke has announced today two new productions as part of her final season, both with rising directorial talents at the helm.
NEWS: NYT London season includes world premiere of Josh Azouz’s Victoria’s Knickers & Facebook scandal play F-Off
Paul Roseby, artistic director and chief executive of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (NYT) has today announced the company’s summer and autumn programme for 2018, including its season in the West End.
ASSATA TOUGHT ME – Gate Theatre
Off West End Awards winner Frankie Bradshaw (Best Set Design, Adding Machine at The Finborough) strikes again – the Gate Theatre is transformed into a ramshackle Havana apartment for Assata Taught Me.