One of the few things I enjoy even more than theatre is talking politics. So chairing a post-show discussion about a brilliant new political play, written and directed by a Westminster insider and lifelong activist, really is my idea of bliss. At the White Bear Theatre, I got to do just that for Triggered, Emma Burnell’s new play about a fictional deselection of a Labour MP ahead of the 2019 General Election.
‘Given the success of TED Talks, lecture-performance seems particularly suitable to on-screen viewing’: Thinking Bigly (Online review)
Between Ben Yeoh and David Finnegan, there’s an impressive array of interests, knowledge and skills. Theatre, economics and climate change are among them.
‘I would love Cherie Blair to see the show, I’m sure she would relish every minute’: Lloyd Evans on why he wrote Cherie – My Struggle
Cherie – My Struggle, a one-woman play about Cherie Blair written by Spectator parliamentary sketch writer Lloyd Evans, returns to London’s White Bear Theatre in February. Evans told us why he wanted to write about the former prime minister’s wife and why he finds her so inspiring. Time to get booking!
PHOTOS: Mary Ryder is Cherie Blair in one-woman political drama Cherie – My Struggle
If Cherie Blair took to the stage to tell all, what would she say? Mary Ryder channel’s the former Prime Minister’s wife in Lloyd Evans’ acclaimed one-woman memoir Cherie – My Struggle. Can you see the resemblance? Check out our photos – and then get booking!
NEWS: Cherie – My Struggle gives a Downing Street inside view from Cherie Blair’s perspective
What was Cherie Blair thinking during the New Labour years? Has her contribution to Tony Blair’s success ever been fully acknowledged? Cherie – My Struggle provides an intimate look at a remarkable woman. Time to get booking!
‘There are scenes that will remain with you long after the performance is over’: THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS – Cervantes Theatre ★★★★
After a cinematic start with the characters caught in spotlights mid-activity, we tumble into The House of the Spirits with a series of brutal scenes – rape, bullying, exploitation, pain.
WATCH The House of the Spirits Q&A video: How does Isabel Allende’s novel work onstage?
Are you fans of Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits? Allende’s multi-award-winning debut novel, released in 1982, charts four generations of one family from the 1920s and the 1970s, and how tightly entwined their personal fortunes are with political winds of change.
WATCH The Good Scout post-show Q&A video: What lessons can we learn from the British Boy Scouts & Hitler Youth?
In The Good Scout’s final sell-out week at Above the Stag Theatre, Mate Terri Paddock returned to chair a post-show discussion with writer-director Glenn Chandler and his cast about the play’s frightening timeliness.
Q&A video: How much does the atmosphere at The Vaults add to The Permanent Way?
Did you know that David Hare’s The Permanent Way has a subtitle? It’s “La Voie Anglaise”… “The English Way”. This play is about more than just railways.
At Last Q&A video: Can kindness be a form of rebellion against fascism?
Are you worried about the state of politics and society in the UK today? That’s the question I asked at the start of my post-show Q&A for At Last at London’s Lion & Unicorn Theatre.
Q&A video: Why did Arrows & Traps reset Jekyll & Hyde during the US presidential race?
Arrows & Traps’ 18th production in its five-year history is also its tenth at London’s Brockley Jack Theatre, where it is now an associate company, and its third in a Gothic trilogy. And it’s a corker.
A Roundabout rundown: Six Paines Plough shows at Edfringe
The Paines Plough Roundabout is the most reliable, new writing venues at the fringe. With a collection of work that represents the width and breadth of the UK both geographically and thematically, this year’s offerings are universally strong.
Q&A video: Talking to Apphia Campbell about Nina Simone & Black Is the Color of My Voice
The “High Priestess of Soul” Nina Simone was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in Tryon, North Caroline in 1933, the sixth of eight children. Though she passed away, aged 70, in 2003, she lives on musically with her enduring standards including “I Put a Spell on You”.
WATCH: Brexit wins the audience vote, Adam Masters is the man to beat Bojo
What happens after the #ToryLeadershipContest? Tom Salinksy and Robert Khan’s Brexit [the play] has some hysterical – and worryingly plausible – predictions. What have celebrity guests and audiences been saying? Time to get booking!
PHOTOS: Will Trump check in to see how Brexit preparations are going at the King’s Head?
Welcome or not, Donald Trump has made clear his opinions on Brexit. During this week’s State Visit, will he make time to check how Brexit preparations are going at the King’s Head Theatre? Might he even change his mind about endorsing Boris Johnson?! Sneak a peek inside rehearsals – and then get booking!
WATCH: Brexit’s Adam Masters launches his bid to be our new Prime Minister
#BorisJohnsonShouldNotBePM, as they say on Twitter. Nor should Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, Andrea Leadsom or any of the rest of them. We’re lobbying for Adam Masters, who’s just launched his bid ahead of moving into Downing Street by way of the King’s Head Theatre. Watch his back-t0-back leadership pitches to the ERG and Britain for Europe. Time to get booking for Brexit [the play]!
‘For good or for ill, it will define politics in this country for a generation’: Co-writer & director Tom Salinsky on Brexit [the play]
As real-life Brexit chaos continues, Brexit [the play] returns to the King’s Head Theatre for a strictly limited run from 11 June to 6 July 2019. We caught up with co-writer and director Tom Salinsky about the dramatic appeal of politics and his long-time collaboration with Robert Khan. Time to get booking!
FEATURED SHOW: There’s a ★★★★★ Brexit that wins the people’s vote at the King’s Head
Want a really good way “to face the Brexit situation and laugh”? Brexit [the play] is the answer. While voters may be turning away from the Tories and Labour at the ballot box because of Brexit, they’re turning towards the King’s Head Theatre at the box office as Brexit [the play] returns by popular demand. To show you why, we’ve rounded up previous review highlights.
NEWS: Brexit goes ahead again at King’s Head with new cast members
A lawyer and an improv expert have created a version of Brexit that’s guaranteed to be delivered as promised. After two sell-out runs, Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky’s hit political comedy returns to London’s King’s Head Theatre this summer with a new cast.
Tony’s Last Tape Q&A video: Paying tribute to Tony Benn, from ‘most dangerous man’ to ‘national treasure’
Many in the audience at Clapham’s Omnibus Theatre knew and were influenced by Tony Benn and were happy to share memories and thoughts on what he would think about the play as well as today’s political situation.