Here are Shane Morgan’s picks of how 2020 in theatre has continued to do what it does best: transporting us by engaging the heart, mind and soul.
NEWS: New Adventures & the Royal Albert Hall announce Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man
As part of the Royal Albert Hall’s 150th anniversary celebrations New Adventures and the Royal Albert Hall have announced that Matthew Bourne’s multi-award-winning dance thriller The Car Man will play 14 performances only at the venue from 17-27 June 2021. Casting to be announced soon. These will be the only performances of the show in the UK in 2021.
NEWS: Three prizes each for & Juliet, Dear Evan Hansen & Emilia as Olivier Awards 2020 winners are announced
The winners of the Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard were announced in a special ITV programme filmed at The London Palladium, and on Official London Theatre’s YouTube channel.
‘Beautifully enchanting’: Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes – Touring ★★★★
The entire New Adventures company prove once again in The Red Shoes why they’re so revered in this glorious looking and exceptionally assured production.
NEWS: Ian McKellen is the first actor to top The Stage 100
Stage and screen star Ian McKellen has been named number one in The Stage 100, ‘the definitive guide to the most influential figures working in the UK theatre and performing arts industry today’. He is the first actor to ever top the list.
‘An absolute treat’: THE RED SHOES – Sadler’s Wells ★★★★★
The Red Shoes is an absolute tour-de-force, and the perfect example of how to make dance (and ballet, in particular) accessible and engaging to a wider audience. It’s an absolute treat.
‘An evening of world class entertainment & dance’: THE RED SHOES – Sadler’s Wells & Touring ★★★★★
Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes returns to Sadler’s Wells three years after it first premiered – and while the score and dance remain exquisite, there is a depth to this ballet that has only matured over time.
‘Everything about this production is absolutely sumptuous’: THE RED SHOES – Sadler’s Wells
This new revival of Matthew Bourne’s romantic and dramatic take on the 1948 film The Red Shows is beautiful to watch unfold.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre
Richard Eyre’s production of the musical Mary Poppins has flown back into the West End – but what do the critics think of it?
‘A beautiful reinterpretation of the Shakespearean classic’: MATTHEW BOURNE’S ROMEO & JULIET – Touring ★★★★★
A beautiful reinterpretation of the Shakespearean classic, Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet at The Lowry modernises the tale of doomed love for a new audience.
NEWS: Adam Cooper & Ashley Shaw return to New Adventures’ The Red Shoes
Adam Cooper and Ashley Shaw will star in the return of Matthew Bourne’s double Olivier award-winning production of The Red Shoes for New Adventures.
‘Great music which finds so many ways into our hearts’: Celebrating the splendour of Tchaikovsky’s three great ballets
I was a little late to the party in respect of Vladimir Jurowski’s scintillating new recording of the original 1877 version of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake with the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia (Yevgeny Svetlanov’s orchestra) but I’ve been much absorbed by it, thrilled by it.
Best of the Blogs: The Lehman Trilogy, Anna, Vincent River, Our Town & more
As part of a new series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out seven of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (20-27 May 2019). Amidst her choices is the return of The Lehman Trilogy, impressing Jonathan Baz with its ‘sheer technical theatrical genius”, while Aleks Sierz asks whether wearing headphones during a performance of Anna at the National Theatre is all a gimmick or vital to the impact of the play.
‘This message really packs a punch’: MATTHEW BOURNE’s ROMEO & JULIET – Touring
Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet is a wakeup call to the conscious and unconscious abuse of children and adolescents – psychological, sexual, physical – that plagues our society.
‘Can you have too much of a good thing?’: Sex, plays and casting
Anything which makes me think about these plays in a new way is a bonus. I also want actors – irrespective of their sex – to have maximum opportunities.
‘Enchants the audience from start to finish’: SWAN LAKE – Touring ★★★★★
Thrilling and dynamic, Matthew Bourne’s production of Swan Lake stays with you long after the curtain has come down.
‘Remains fresh & innovative today’: MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE – Touring ★★★★
Swan Lake is a sumptuous production full of glorious moments which you’d be hard pressed not to revel in. A powerful, intricately choreographed and danced show, this is a must see for ballet regulars and newbies alike.
NEWS: Come From Away, Company & The Inheritance are top winners at the Olivier Awards
Come From Away, Company and The Inheritance led the way with four awards each at the Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard, announced at a ceremony tonight (Sunday 7 April) at London’s Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Jason Manford.
NEWS: Petula Clark & Joseph Millson join the cast of West End’s Mary Poppins
Petula Clark and Joseph Millson play the Bird Woman and George Banks in the new production of Mary Poppins which returns to its original West End home at the Prince Edward Theatre from 23 October 2019 to 29 March 2020.
NEWS: Matthew Bourne will receive a special Olivier Award
Matthew Bourne has been announced as the recipient of this year’s Special Award at the Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard, in recognition of his extraordinary achievements in dance.