The 2021 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been awarded to US playwright Erika Dickerson-Despenza for her play about the Flint, Michigan water crisis, cullad wattah.
NEWS: Hampstead Theatre returns to live theatre with a production of Alfred Fagon’s The Death of a Black Man
Hampstead Theatre has announced its first live productions for 2021, beginning with Alfred Fagon’s The Death of a Black Man, running from 28 May to 10 July 2021, having originally premiered at the theatre in 1975. Dawn Walton, former artistic director of Eclipse Theatre Company, will make her Hampstead Theatre directorial debut.
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.
‘Irresistibly moving & thought-provoking’: THE COLOR PURPLE – Leicester
Celie’s journey from despair to belief, love and hope is, in T’Shan Williams’ hands, a believable and rewarding experience in The Color Purple.
NEWS: Jenna Russell will lead the company of The Bridges of Madison County at the Menier Chocolate Factory
Jenna Russell will lead the company for the UK premiere of Jason Robert Brown and Marsha Norman’s musical adaptation of Robert James Waller’s bestselling novel The Bridges of Madison County in a new staging by Trevor Nunn at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
THE COLOR PURPLE IN CONCERT – Cadogan Hall
The Color Purple’s book, movie and musical have all told the extraordinary story of a Celie, a brutally oppressed woman who against all odds, overcomes racism, abuse and misogyny to find her unique place in 20th century America. Not seen in London since the Menier’s sensational production in 2013, the musical returned to the capital this week for a one night only concert-staged fundraiser.
THE SECRET GARDEN – West End
Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of The Secret Garden, was the J K Rowling of her day.
ON BROADWAY: The Color Purple
It says much for London’s modest but acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory that their production of The Color Purple, first staged three years ago, has been shipped back to Broadway to a rave reception. John Doyle’s simple staging that worked so well in the Menier’s cockpit, all stripped-back wood and chairs, has been neatly expanded to fit the Bernard B Jacobs’ cavernous stage and the transition works well.