I’ve just gorged on the second series of Staged, the blissful second series of the actors-in-lockdown zoom show, directed and co-written by Simon Evans, with Michael Sheen and David Tennant playing (versions of) themselves.
20 of the things that inspired, moved, amused & delighted John Chapman in 2020
I’ve selected 20 of the things that inspired, moved, amused and delighted, which have pushed the boundaries of what it possible and continued to fly the flag for theatre in the UK.
NEWS: Old Vic’s In Camera: Playback series gives audiences the chance to revisit past streamed productions
The Old Vic has announced In Camera: Playback, a limited series offering people the chance to revisit the first three live streamed Old Vic: In Camera productions.
‘A haunting & spellbinding play’: FAITH HEALER – Old Vic (Online review)
The third of the Old Vic’s ‘In Camera’ live streamed performances is Brian Friel’s 1979 play Faith Healer, often described as his masterpiece.
‘Showcases 3 actors at the top of their game’: FAITH HEALER – Old Vic (Online review)
Ultimately this Old Vic in Camera production of Faith Healer, starring Michael Sheen, David Threlfall and Indira Varma, is a flawless rendition of a deeply engrossing and emotional text.
NEWS: Michael Sheen, David Threlfall & Indira Varma star in Brian Friel’s Faith Healer as part of The Old Vic’s In Camera season
The Old Vic has announced the next in the Old Vic: In Camera series with a scratch performance of Brian Friel’s classic play Faith Healer. The production will star Michael Sheen, David Threlfall and Indira Varma.
‘You’ll be glad to share a bit of lockdown with Michael Sheen & David Tennant’: STAGED – BBC iPlayer (Online review)
As Simon Evans’ cheeky new comedy points out, when the Government finally gives the go-ahead, the best-prepared teams will have their pick of the playhouses and first dibs on an audience desperate to get back to live theatre.
Why is theatre so London-centric… even online? 11 must-watch streams from beyond the M25
‘Theatre is everywhere. It is regional. It is rural. It is poor. Now it is in your front room, it can be from anywhere.’
13 thoughts On Freedom: Belarus Free Theatre marks ten years by Staging a Revolution
Belarus Free Theatre (BFT), the underground theatre group routinely censored and persecuted in its state-controlled homeland, is celebrating its tenth birthday this month. Founded by human rights activist husband-and-wife Nikolai Khalezin and Natalie Koliada, joined by director Vladimir Shcherban, BFT’s inaugural production in May 2005 was Sarah Kane’s 4.48 Psychosis, which tackles Belarusian taboo subjects […]
Benn, Bevan, Michael Sheen and the NHS: Who Cares?
My newfound Tony Benn obsession has also got me thinking anew about the “most dangerous” Labour man in Parliament before him: the Welsh politician and founder of the National Health Service, Aneurin Bevan (1897-1960). And thinking of Bevan reminded me that I still hadn’t got round to blogging about actor Michael Sheen’s brilliant speech at […]
Suits you, Larry: Olivier lauded actors dress up and talk shop
As a way of raising the glamour stakes ahead of this Sunday’s Laurence Olivier Awards, last Saturday’s Times Magazine‘s cover story was a five-star effort. For the piece, three out of four of this year’s Best Actor nominees – James McAvoy, Mark Strong (for The Ruling Class and A View From the Bridge, both of […]
Michael Sheen’s speech on the NHS: 1 March 2015
On St David’s Day, Sunday 1 March 2015, Welsh actor Michael Sheen gave the performance of his life. Not at the National Theatre or any of the world stages (and screens) that he has graced, but in the pouring down rain at a political rally in the small town of Tredegar in Wales, birthplace of […]