In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre including Maryam Philpott’s thoughts about Conor McPherson’s emphasis on comedy scenarios and personalities in his adaptation of Chekhov’s timeless play Uncle Vanya at the Harold Pinter Theatre
‘It’s hard to be sure exactly what the play is saying’: THE WELKIN – National Theatre
Maxine Peake struggles to make the voice of reason heard in the rather reactionary feminist history play The Welkin at the National Theatre.
‘A historical epic that demands to be heard’: THE WELKIN – National Theatre
Lucy Kirkwood returns to the National Theatre with The Welkin, starring a brilliant ensemble led by Maxine Peake.
Ought To Be Clowns’ 10 favourite shows of 2019
Ought To Be Clowns barely saw 250 shows this year, quiet by his standards. And as is the way of these things, here’s a rundown of some of the productions that moved me most…
Decade Round-Up: The Plays
This isn’t a ‘best of’ list it’s my best-of list, these are the plays that shaped me this decade and will stay with me well into the next.
20 shows to look forward to in 2020
Looking ahead to some of 2020’s exciting shows, most with an emphasis away from the West End and instead focusing at the London Fringe and across the UK.
10 of Ought To Be Clowns’ top moments of the decade
Ever behind the curve, I present 10 of my top moments in a theatre over the last ten years (plus a few bonus extra ones because whittling down this list was hard, and it will probably be different tomorrow anyway!).
From Come From Away to The Antipodes: Top 10 Shows of 2019
Here’s our Top 10 list for 2019 with three musicals – Come From Away, Curve’s West Side Story and the touring production of Amelie dominating the top spots.
View From The Circle’s Top Ten Shows of the Year
It’s that time of year again… here’s View From the Circle’s Top Ten shows of 2019.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: The Ocean at the End of the Lane at the National Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for the stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Best of the Blogs: Curtains, Three Sisters, Peter Pan Goes Wrong & more
In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 23 December 2019), ranging from Jonathan Baz’s enjoyment of the musical and visual treat that is Kander and Ebb’s musical Curtains at the Wyndham’s Theatre.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Three Sisters at the National Theatre
We rounded up the reviews for a new production of Three Sisters at the National Theatre.
‘Fascinating & engaging piece of theatre’: THREE SISTERS – National Theatre
Inua Ellams’ writing is always so multifaceted and beautiful and this interpretation of Three Sisters is no exception, whether you have strong feelings on Chekhov or not.
‘Challenging but exhilarating reworking’: THREE SISTERS – National Theatre
Inua Ellams’ relocation of Chekhov’s Three Sisters to the Biafran Civil War proves devastatingly effective at the National Theatre.
Best of the Blogs: Cyrano de Bergerac, A Taste Of Honey, The Boy Friend & More
In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre including Love London Love Culture’s delight at watching Jamie Lloyd’s razor sharp West End production of Cyrano de Bergerac.
‘A mesmerising production’: THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE – National Theatre ★★★★★
The stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s 2013 novel The Ocean at the End of the Lane opens at the National Theatre and looks set to be a hit.
‘Feels as fresh & relevant as ever’: A TASTE OF HONEY – Trafalgar Studios
With its comment on the burden of expectation placed on women, class struggle, race and sexuality, more than six decades on A Taste Of Honey has lost none of its bite.
NEWS: Headlong announces Jeremy Herrin’s last season as artistic director
Headlong has announced its programme for 2020/21, the final season under current artistic director Jeremy Herrin.
‘Hard not to be impressed’: MY BRILLIANT FRIEND – National Theatre
Melly Still’s reworking of April De Angelis’ adaptation of My Brilliant Friend gives the show both a flowing and episodic quality as the interior monologue of the protagonist in the books is replaced by fully dramatised scenes.
More apprenticeships please
If more resources are not put into more apprenticeships, it will be a great pity for both for the creative industries & the many young people who simply don’t get the opportunity to make the best of their talents.