Joyful, filthy, modern and messy – A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe will no doubt separate those who like their Shakespeare more reserved from those desperate for fresher takes on these old plays, but this one is fun, vibrant, socially conscious and current, with excellent performances.
‘Carnival reaches Southwark’: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★
Carnival reaches Southwark in this vibrant new A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with a lively cast &and colourful designs – and don’t get comfortable if you’re a groundling.
Best of the Blogs: Death of a Salesman, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Orpheus Descending & more
As part of a new series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out seven of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (29 April-6 May 2019). Amidst her choices are two more West End productions of classic American drama: Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman at the Young Vic (Emily Garside) and Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending at the Menier Chocolate Factory (Libby Purves).
‘A fresh perspective’: HENRY V – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★★
A fresh perspective on the classic Henry V, concluding Hal’s journey from errant prince to conquering king – an action-packed end to the trilogy.
‘Echoes through to modern-day instabilities’: HENRY IV PART 1 – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★★★
Henry IV Part 1 is a fast-paced, fun production that speaks to our politically unstable times – a great way to start the new season.
Text of the Day: Emilia
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘Its power & its joy is in storytelling’: EMILIA – West End
It is not to diminish the historical elements, the research and indeed the politics of the play, to say that its power and its joy is in storytelling.
‘Is there anything on the London stage more gracefully eloquent?’: EMILIA – West End
It’s a rare moment of beautiful subtlety in a play that is more often considerably bolder in its sentiment, but it’s also a mark of just how nuanced Nicole Charles’ production and Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s writing is.
NEWS: Elliott & Harper’s Company and Shakespeare’s Globe’s Emilia win at third annual Tonic Awards
Elliott & Harper Productions’ Company and Shakespeare’s Globe’s production of Emilia are among the recipients of the third annual Tonic Awards which have been announced at a ceremony held at The May Fair Hotel, hosted by Tracy Ann Oberman.
‘Shamelessly rousing & disappointingly crude’: EMILIA – West End
Triumphant, if crude, the West End transfer of Emilia is a heartfelt account of a Renaissance woman who has been hidden from history.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Richard II at Shakespeare’s Globe
Discover what critics made of Adjoa Andoh and Lynette Linton’s new production of Richard II at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
‘Intimacy largely works in the show’s favour’: EDWARD II – Shakespeare’s Globe
Though King Edward II’s sexuality and the history surrounding his death are disputed by historians, Nick Bagnall takes a definitive stance in Marlowe’s history play.
REVIEW ROUND-UP – Edward II at Shakespeare’s Globe
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Nick Bagnall’s production of Edward II at Shakespeare’s Globe.
NEWS: Further casting is announced for West End transfer of Shakespeare Globe’s Emilia
Further casting has been announced for Emilia, written by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and directed by Nicole Charles at the Vaudeville Theatre from 8 March to 15 June 2019, following its run at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2018.
NEWS: Shakespeare’s Globe announces details of summer season
Shakespeare’s Globe has announced its summer season 2019. The celebration and interrogation of ‘our sceptred isle’ through Shakespeare’s history plays continues with Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, and Henry V, while elsewhere there is A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Ben Jonson’s Bartholomew Fair, and the return of 2018’s As You Like It.
‘Wholly new & refreshing’: DOCTOR FAUSTUS – Shakespeare’s Globe ★★★
I love Christopher Marlowe. I love the raciness and rebel in him. And sometimes, particularly in Paulette Randall’s reframed version here at Shakespeare’s Globe with Doctor Faustus.
‘Offers plenty to consider & enjoy’: DOCTOR FAUSTUS – Shakespeare’s Globe
Doctor Faustus at Shakespeare’s Globe certainly provides an entertaining evening and, if it raises questions as well as providing answers, its approach is fresh, important and fascinating.
NEWS: Shakespeare’s Globe production of Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s new play Emilia transfers to the Vaudeville in March 2019
Following its sell-out run at Shakespeare’s Globe, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s new play Emilia, directed by Nicole Charles, will transfer to the Vaudeville Theatre for a strictly limited season from 8 March to 15 June 2019.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Macbeth at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Robert Hastie directs Michelle Terry and Paul Ready in this new production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews…
Are we in the middle of a golden age of Shakespeare productions?
So what can be done to make Shakespeare less boring, or prove that Shakespeare isn’t boring (depending on how you look at it)? It does feel to me that we’re in the middle of a golden age of Shakespeare productions.