Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart receives a masterful revival courtesy of Dominic Cooke at the National Theatre, starring Ben Daniels.
‘A gripping & affecting piece’: THE NORMAL HEART – National Theatre ★★★★★
The Normal Heart is a play of fights. Set in the early 1980s in New York, gay men are dying, but gay activist Ned Weeks is struggling to get anyone to do anything.
‘This incredible play’: THE NORMAL HEART – National Theatre
Creating socio-political change and even recognition doesn’t just happen, somewhere, sometime, someone has to fight for it, and history is full of organisations who since the end of absolute monarchies (and arguably even before) have tried to make their voices heard.
NEWS: More details announced for National Theatre’s new season as the venue opens up for daytime visitors
The National Theatre has announces further details for its upcoming productions Trouble in Mind, Wuthering Heights and Small Island, as well as the return of daytime opening for visitors.
‘I respected the gesture more than I admired the art’: ROCKETS & BLUE LIGHTS – National Theatre
At its best, the subjective and poetic image creation in Rockets and Blue Lights at the National Theatre is both audacious and striking. At its worst, it is over-complex, confusing and overly didactic.
NEWS: Full cast is announced for Wise Children’s production of Wuthering Heights
Wise Children has announced the full cast and further tour dates for the world première production of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Adapted and directed by Emma Rice, the show is a co-production with the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Paradise at the National Theatre
Love London Love Culture round up the reviews for Kae Tempest’s play Paradise, reimagining a Greek legend now playing at the National Theatre.
‘Strikes gold’: PARADISE – National Theatre
Kae Tempest makes a stirring National Theatre debut with Sophocles adaptation Paradise, starring a superb Lesley Sharp.
As more West End shows have to cancel shows, industry figures respond to ‘inadequate’ Government insurance scheme
Though theatres are now operating at full capacity (if they choose to) — and audiences are wearing masks only if they choose to, as well — there is a great deal of uncertainty, as performances are being routinely suspended at the very last minute if a cast member proves positive or has come into contact with someone who has.
NEWS: National Theatre announces further casting for The Normal Heart, Hex, East Is East & Manor
The National Theatre, returning to performances with full capacity audiences from later this month, has announced further casting details for forthcoming productions of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart, original musical Hex, Moira Buffini’s new play Manor, and more.
‘Surprisingly beautiful’: AFTER LIFE – National Theatre ★★★★
Where Jeremy Herrin directs and Bunny Christie designs, you expect something pretty damn theatrical before After Life ends, and this we get.
‘In most respects a treat to watch’: UNDER MILK WOOD – National Theatre
The National Theatre’s staging of Under Milk Wood is far from the first time Dylan Thomas’ poem has been adapted for the stage. It’s easy to see the temptation to perform a work so packed with characters, drifting through a strange, semi-mythical setting encountering one another.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: After Life at the National Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Jack Thorne’s adaptation of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s film of the same name now playing at the National Theatre.
‘An unmissable joy’: UNDER MILK WOOD – National Theatre ★★★★★
Under Milk Wood is a perfect piece to contemplate after a year when the shrinking worlds of lockdown made every neighbourhood a village and every one of us was connected in fate and behaviour whether we liked it or not.
‘Beautifully pitched adaptation’: UNDER MILK WOOD – National Theatre
Making Under Milk Wood a story within a story is a risk but one that pays off, adding a tender father-son connection that ties that multifaceted sprawl of Dylan Thomas’ story together.
NEWS: National Theatre’s reopening programme includes new musical co-written by Rufus Norris & the return of playwright Alecky Blythe
The National Theatre has announced its programming until the start of next year with productions on all three South Bank stages as well as three major UK tours, two productions on Broadway, a return to cinemas, and a new feature film to be broadcast on television this autumn.
As restrictions lift, Mark Shenton offers a comprehensive update on opening nights in London & across the UK
This weekly column keeps track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, as theatres start reopening from tonight (17 May) in London and at other theatres in the UK.
Mark Shenton’s weekly chart of forthcoming theatrical comings & goings has some new entries
This weekly column keeps track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, as theatres prepare to re-open from next month onwards. It will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
‘This is contemporary Shakespeare at its finest’: ROMEO & JULIET (National Theatre / Sky Arts)
Jessie Buckley is astonishing as the National Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet makes the jump from stage to screen to extraordinary effect.
‘Manages to be inherently theatrical & a successful movie experience’: ROMEO & JULIET (National Theatre / Sky Arts)
National Theatre and Sky Arts’ hybrid theatre and film production of Romeo & Juliet has been a fascinating experiment resulting in a smart, interesting and entirely collaborative piece of art.