Alan Bennett writes that “I’ve always had a soft spot for George III”, for no better reason than that he had studied the monarch’s reign at secondary school and then again at uni.
‘Gillian Anderson’s performance is a scorcher’: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE – Young Vic Theatre (Online review)
World on fire: The NT Live recording of this classic Young Vic production stars Gillian Anderson and is genuinely unmissable.
‘It is also about the elemental longing of all of us for human connection’: FRANKENSTEIN – National Theatre (Online review)
The megahit NT Live version of this iconic tale of creative hubris features a dynamic acting duo, but it is not perfect.
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.
‘This proves that staying in really does have its compensation’: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS – National Theatre (Online review)
These shows, originally filmed as part of the flagship’s NT Live project, are now available on its YouTube channel. The first is Richard Bean’s gloriously silly farce, One Man, Two, Guvnors, starring the irrepressible and Tony-award winning James Corden.
‘You gain in a proximity to the action denied even to the front row’: NT Live screening – The Madness of King George III
The revival of Alan Bennett’s 1991 classic The Madness of King George III at Nottingham Playhouse couldn’t then be more relevant, a play that speaks to our interest in the people who govern us as well as concerns about fitness to rule, mental health and its treatment.
NEWS: National Theatre season features UK premiere of Anaïs Mitchell musical & Patrick Marber version of Exit the King
Details have been released of the National Theatre’s season from May to September 2018. Highlights include the Uk premiere of Hadestown, with music, lyrics and book by Anaïs Mitchell, the return of Follies and Patrick Marber’s new version of Eugène Ionesco’s Exit the King.
‘Without question a must-see’: JULIUS CAESAR – Bridge Theatre ★★★★★
Julius Caesar at the Bridge Theatre is a visceral and dynamic take on the classic Shakespearean political thriller with star performances and innovative staging.
Kris Hallet’s Year In Review
This was a year where the work touring into Bristol and the work I saw in Latitude, London, the cinema and New York dazzled.
NEWS: Young Vic’s West End Cat on a Hot Tin Roof will be screened via NT Live in February
The Young Vic’s West End production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, currently playing to capacity each night at the Apollo Theatre, will be broadcast to cinemas around the world on 22 February 2018, marking the fourth collaboration between the Young Vic and National Theatre Live.
Tech troubles NT Live Angels in America broadcast
I really enjoyed the NT Live screening of Angels in America. I particularly liked the way they did the CGI Apes, and the jungle was really realistic and I’m not one for CGI usually.Confused? So was I.I will get to a collection of thoughts on seeing Ang…
NEWS: Rufus Norris announces 2017 National Theatre season
artistic director Rufus Norris announced the flagship institution’s 2017 season which will include four world premieres – including a current work-in-progress on the state of Brexit Britain – two European premieres and new work by Inua Ellams, Yaёl Farber, DC Moore, Lindsey Ferrentino and Nina Raine.
NEWS: NT Live broadcasts The Threepenny Opera on 22 Sep
Rufus Norris’ production of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s The Threepenny Opera will be broadcast live to cinemas around the world as part of the NT Live season. The National Theatre’s new adaptation by Simon Stephens will screened live from the National’s Olivier Theatre on the 22 September 2016 at 7pm.
NEWS: £10 tickets for Benedict Cumberbatch’s Barbican Hamlet now on sale
Sonia Friedman Productions,in partnership with Sky Arts, has allocated 100 £10 tickets, spread throughout the auditorium for every performance of Lyndsey Turner’s production of Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role at the Barbican Theatre from 5 August 2015. 60 of the Sky Arts £10 tickets will be sold in advance via the Barbican website in an on-line ticket …
THE BEAUX’ STRATAGEM – National Theatre
Towering staircases and sliding panels transform the big stage from tavern to genteel house, with a pleasingly inexplicable intermittent folk-band lurking on the top landing. Here for two and a half frenzied hours Simon Godwin zingily interprets George Farquar’s Restoration comedy with a cast of 21, not one part a dud. It is farce bordering on panto, edged with songs, enlivened with scuffles, glorified with random absurdities and containing a hard nugget of feminist polemic.
Charting The Stage 100: Who are theatre’s biggest influencers and why?
In this new year gorgefest of lists, The Stage‘s annually compiled Stage 100 of the top influencers in theatre takes the cake. Launched in January 1997, The Stage 100 is now in its 19th year and always makes for fascinating reading – and, I’m sure, lots of behind the scenes disagreements on risers, fallers, inclusions and omissions. […]