Noises Off at the Phoenix Theatre is a fast-paced show that still demands an enormously skilled and precise technical performance from every member of its cast and Lindsay Posner’s team makes it look far easier than it really is. 40 years on, Michael Frayn’s play has still got it.
‘Tremendous & extravagant evening out’: Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs – New Wimbledon Theatre
If you want an interesting funny and fabulous evening out with the family that’s full of sparkle as well as wicked, then get yourself down to Wimbledon Theatre for Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, a tremendous and extravagant evening out.
‘It’s just all very beautiful’: NOISES OFF – Bath & Touring ★★★★★
Millions know it by now, but in case like my enthralled companions last night you aren’t among them, grant me a moment or skip the the penultimate paragraph. Noises Off has been a national treasure since 1982, written by Michael Frayn after realising that the hurtling backstage business of doors, props and actors under stress is funnier than most actual farces. He wrote a squib called EXITS, the great producer Michael Codron encouraged something fuller.
‘An exquisitely paced production’: REVEALED – Bristol ★★★★
Daniel J Carver’s Revealed at Bristol’s Tobacco Factory has been heralded as the most important work the space has ever presented. Perhaps the pitch pushes this conceit a little far, but what is presented is a cracking three-hander that explores what it means to be a black man in contemporary Britain.
‘Ensemble comedy in the British up-against-the-odds tradition’: GOING THE DISTANCE (Online review)
This latest star-studded digital offering from Henry Filloux-Bennett and the Lawrence Batley Theatre is a pleasing comedy about the tribulations of putting on a post-pandemic production.
NEWS: Jon Culshaw, Matthew Kelly, Jemma Redgrave & Adrian Scarborough star in online production of Barnes’ People
Original Theatre Company and Perfectly Normal Productions have announced the first revival of Barnes’ People, a series of four theatrical monologues starring Jon Culshaw, Matthew Kelly, Jemma Redgrave and Adrian Scarborough and directed by Philip Franks and Charlotte Peters.
‘Matthew Kelly & David Yelland are more than a match for each other’: A HABIT OF ART – Original Theatre (Online review)
Original Theatre’s touring production of The Habit of Art was one I missed in 2018. It was due to return this year, but circumstances being as they are, here is a streamed version available to purchase for a small donation.
10 wish-list productions for future National Theatre At Home screenings
Following on from the instant success of National Theatre At Home streaming event, it’s got me thinking about all the other wonderful NT Live screenings that I’d love to come to the small screen as part of this series. I have narrowed it down to my top 10.
NEWS: Online videos of Original Theatre Company’s The Habit of Art and The Croft to be released
In light of the closure of theatres across the UK due to COVID-19, the Original Theatre Company’s productions of Alan Bennett’s The Habit Of Art and Ali Milles’ The Croft, both of which were touring the UK, will now each have an online launch performance.
NEWS: The Habit of Art starring Matthew Kelly will be filmed in a closed performance for download
In light of the most recent government advice due to COVID-19, The Original Theatre Company’s production of Alan Bennett’s The Habit of Art, which was due to open at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne on 18 March 2020, will now perform a closed filmed performance on the same day 2pm.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Big the Musical at the Dominion Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Big, the musical based on the Tom Hanks film, now playing for a limited season at the Dominion Theatre.
‘Out of step & time’: BIG THE MUSICAL – West End
Big, the film, holds a special place in everyone’s hearts but this musical version is out of step and time.
‘Indulges entirely in cinematic nostalgia’: BIG THE MUSICAL – West End
Big doesn’t always mean better, size does matter, it’s not how big it is it’s what you do with it – whatever the pun, Big the Musical is a severe disappointment at the Dominion Theatre.
FEATURED SHOW: Barn celebrates ★★★★ Just So reviews & a nomination in The Stage Awards
What a great week the Barn Theatre had last week. After the final production in its inaugural year, Kirk Jameson’s actor-musician revival of Stiles & Drewe’s family musical Just So, opened to another batch of rave reviews, the Barn was celebrating a nomination for Fringe Theatre of the Year in the prestigious Stage Awards. Check out our round-up of review highlights below. Time to get booking!
PHOTOS: The Barn’s revival of Stiles & Drewe’s musical looks Just So brilliant
The Barn Theatre’s much-anticipated, actor-musician revival of Stiles & Drewe’s 1984 family musical Just So officially opened in Cirencester last night (10 December 2018). Check out our gallery of first-look production shots for proof that this really is #theatreworthtravellingfor – not to mention the video of audience reactions. Time to get booking!
‘Rudyard Kipling was the Roald Dahl of his day’: Kirk Jameson on directing Stiles & Drewe’s Just So
Rudyard Kipling Just So Stories, a collection of short stories about the origins of different animals, was first published in 1902. Director Kirk Jameson, now reviving Stiles & Drewe’s musical Just So, explains why they still resonate. Time to get booking!
Behind the scenes: Check out photos & video from Just So rehearsals at the Barn
We’re counting down to the opening of the Barn Theatre’s much-anticipated, actor-musician revival of Stiles & Drewe’s 1984 family musical Just So. After early rehearsals in London, the ensemble cast have now moved into their new home in Cirencester. Sneak and peek into how they’ve been getting on – and then get booking!
WATCH: Director Kirk Jameson talks to lyricist Anthony Drewe about Just So, revived next month
Rehearsals are well underway for the Barn Theatre’s much-anticipated, actor-musician revival of Stiles & Drewe’s 1984 family musical Just So. As part of his preparations, director Kirk Jameson paid a visit to legendary lyricist Anthony Drewe. Watch below – and then get booking!
‘Witty, insightful, knowledgeable’: THE HABIT OF ART – Touring ★★★★
Alan Bennett’s The Habit Of Art has returned to its meta-spiritual home this week, arriving at the Oxford Playhouse to amuse and entertain its erudite audience with in-jokes about the city’s gay scene and penises.
‘The play holds up even better ten years on’: THE HABIT OF ART – Touring ★★★★
It is nine years since Nicholas Hytner’s National Theatre of The Habit of Art opened Bennett’s fascinating play: high time we had it back, and this York-led collaboration does it proud.
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