One of the Urban Dictionary definitions of “nasty” is a word to describe something that is ridiculously good. Between that and the more traditional meaning of the word, I have no hesitation in proclaiming that Aleshea Harris’s literal firecracker of a play is one of the nastiest shows in town. Acclaimed and awarded upon it’s 2018 Off-Broadway premiere, it’s not hard to see why, especially in Ola Ince’s boldly inventive, fabulously cast new production for the Royal Court. It’s astounding.
‘The writing has a comic crackle & pop that sizzles & screeches’: IS GOD IS – Royal Court Theatre
American playwright Aleshea Harris’ dazzlingly satirical 2018 extravaganza is about two women seeking justice and getting even, and it comes to the Royal Court from New York, trailing shouts of enthusiasm.
‘This is not about romance, it’s about escape’: Romeo & Juliet – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★
Romeo & Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe is a new and vital take on the classic Verona tale, contextualising the characters’ motives – this is not about romance, it’s about escape.
NEWS: Royal Court Theatre announces its reopening programme
London’s Royal Court Theatre has announced its reopening programme, running from 16 June to 18 December 2021. Highlights include: seven methods of killing kylie jenner by Jasmine Lee-Jones, The Song Project created by Chloe Lamford, Wende, Isobel Waller-Bridge and Imogen Knight, Is God Is by Aleshea Harris, What If If Only by Caryl Churchill and Rare Earth Mettle by Al Smith.
NEWS: Shakespeare’s Globe reopens outdoor theatre from 19 May 2021
Shakespeare’s Globe is preparing to reopen its outdoor theatre for socially distanced performances on 19 May 2021, provided the conditions are met for Step 3 of the Government’s roadmap. The summer season 2021 opens with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, followed by Romeo & Juliet and Twelfth Night. The Globe Touring Ensemble will perform As You Like It, The Tempest and A …
’An acute emotional punch’: LIVING NEWSPAPER: A COUNTER NARRATIVE – Royal Court Theatre (Online review)
The promise of being “urgent, responsive and fast” may not always be achieved, but at its very best the Royal Court’s Living Newspaper: A Counter Narrative is both pertinent and full of joyous energy.
NEWS: The Black British Theatre Awards reveal 2020 nominees & announce the ceremony will be broadcast on Sky Arts
The BBTAs have revealed the 2020 Black British Theatre Awards nominee list, voted almost entirely by the public and representing some of the finest work by Black performers and creatives in UK theatre. The 2020 awards ceremony will air on Sky Arts this autumn, as part of the channel’s free to air line-up.
NEWS: Sherlock creators Steven Moffat & Mark Gatiss collaborate in Chichester Festival Season packed with world premieres
World premieres in Chichester Festival Theatre’s Festival 2020 include first plays by Steven Moffat and Kate Mosse and new work by Suhayla El-Bushra and Christopher Shinn.
NEWS: Shakespeare’s Globe announces its summer season 2020
Shakespeare’s Globe’s summer season 2020 will include Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night and Antony & Cleopatra.
‘Haunting, both actual & metaphorical, is at its heart’: APPROPRIATE – Donmar Warehouse
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play Appropriate is a brilliantly acute and entertaining, if a bit depressing, deconstruction of the great American family drama.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Appropriate at the Donmar Warehouse
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Ola Ince’s production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play Appropriate.
‘Fascinating stuff’: APPROPRIATE – Donmar Warehouse ★★★
Donmar Warehouse, London ***
Box office: 020 3282 3808 (No booking fees, £1 postage fee may apply) Telephone Mon-Sat 10am-6pm …
‘The past is never just the past’: APPROPRIATE – Donmar Warehouse
Jacobs-Jenkins explores how even fairly recent national history can be sanitised and reduced when examined from only one perspective in Appropriate at the Donmar Warehouse.
NEWS: Michael Longhurst announces inaugural season as Donmar Warehouse artistic director
Michael Longhurst has announced his first season as artistic director of London’s Donmar Warehouse, which will include one full-length world premiere, two UK premieres and two major revivals, the first helmed by Longhurst himself.
‘Shows just how far we’ve come and how far we have to go’: Stella Kanu on Black Women in Theatre
“It’s not enough to want the visibility, you have to know it’s going bring real change” As the second Black Women in Theatre event, taking place on March 6, draws closer, Ovalhouse’s Executive Producer Stella Kanu tells us what inspired the event celebrating the contribution of black women to British theatre and why we should come hungry for food as well as knowledge and inspiration.
NEWS: #CONNECT Black Women in Theatre returns for second evening of celebration at Ovalhouse
In the run up to International Women’s Day on 8 March, Ovalhouse is staging the second #CONNECT Black Women in Theatre event on Wednesday 6 March, to celebrate the contribution of black women to British theatre.
‘It’s hard to fault this fabulous production’: THE CONVERT – Young Vic Theatre
The Convert, at the Young Vic Theatre, a thrilling revival of Black Panther Danai Gurira’s 2012 play about Christianity and imperialism is a heartfelt cry for justice.
Mark Shenton views the week of openings, interviews & latest lists… in the West End & on Broadway
News, reviews, interviews and farewells of the week in London, New York and the regions, including social media influencers, Pinter in the West End and more.
‘This show makes you feel like gold’: POET IN DA CORNER – Royal Court Theatre
A semi-autobiographical coming of age story, Poet in da Corner at the Royal Court raps and jumps to the sounds of grime.