I loved the recent outrageously lavish West End production of 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, but was annoyed I didn’t get a chance to return to see the recast before it finished earlier this year – which saw Bonnie Langford return the adaptation of this Hollywood Golden Age musical 25 years after she first starred as the show’s young ingenue.
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.
New post-show Q&A: Join Terri for Charles Dickens’ rarely seen mystery The Signalman
As part of her ongoing post-show talk series, Mates co-founder Terri Paddock heads to a Charles Dickens’ show in December… that isn’t A Christmas Carol! Got any questions for the team behind The Signalman at the Old Red Lion Theatre?
‘It’s a great introduction not just to a brilliant novel but to Latin-American history’: Actor Constanza Ruff on The House of the Spirits
Actor Constanza Ruff is a big fan of novelist, and fellow Chilean, Isabel Allende. We talked to her about performing the stage adaptation of Allende’s best-known novel The House of the Spirits in both English and Spanish in a brand-new bilingual production at the Cervantes Theatre.
Terri trips: Ibsen via India in When the Crows Visit’s world premiere
I’ve been remiss in not getting back up to Kilburn, where I lived for many years, since the reopening of Kiln Theatre. But I was able to put that right with a trip to artistic director Indhu Rubasingham’s world premiere production of Anupama Chandresekhar’s When the Crows Visit.
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.
New post-show Q&A: Join Terri & Sink the Pink for Escape from Planet Trash
As part of her ongoing post-show talk series, Mates co-founder Terri Paddock reunites with drag collective Sink the Pink for the second annual alternative Christmas offering at the Pleasance, Escape From Planet Trash. Got any questions?
WATCH: After #MeToo, should we stop staging The Taming of the Shrew?
As the RSC’s latest staging of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, here’s a throwback to when Mate Terri Paddock chaired a fascinating panel discussion in Stratford-upon-Avon around the themes in the play and production.
PHOTOS: First look at Isabel Allende’s bestseller The House of the Spirits onstage
Three generations and 500-odd pages of Isabel Allende’s best-selling 1982 novel The House of Spirits come to life onstage at London’s Cervantes Theatre in Paula Paz’s brand-new bilingual production. Have a look at sneak-peek production photo gallery – and then get booking!
WATCH: What was Frank Sinatra thinking on the eve of retirement?
After Rat Pack Confidential and Sinatra and Me, Richard Shelton wanted to take a new look at the life of Frank Sinatra, on the eve of his (short-lived) retirement. Terri Paddock chaired a Sinatra: Raw post-show talk.
12 quotable quotes from Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits
Caridad Svich’s award-winning stage adaptation of Isabel Allende’s best-selling 1982 novel The House of Spirits is now previewing at London’s Cervantes Theatre. We thumbed through the novel for a reminder of some of our favourite quotes. How many feature in the play?
WATCH Ages of the Moon Q&A video: Do British actors have a different take on Sam Shepard?
I’m a big fan of the late, Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright (and Oscar-nominated actor) Sam Shepard. How wonderful to be able to see and discuss one of his late plays, Ages of the Moon, which now receives its UK premiere two years after Shepard passed away.
WATCH Groan Ups Q&A video: What’s the secret of Mischief Theatre’s success?
As part of an ongoing series, I’ve chaired post-show talks with various Mischief Theatre casts this year, all of whom waxed lyrical about the brilliance of the company founders. Last week, I had a chance to pose questions to those original mischief-makers themselves at their brand-new comedy Groan Ups.
FEATURED SHOW: More ★★★★ reviews & an Offies nomination for The Good Scout in London
After its rave reviews and New Writing award at Edinburgh Fringe, Glenn Chandler’s new play The Good Scout has won another round of plaudits and an OffWestEnd.com nomination on its London transfer to Above the Stag Theatre, where it continues until 2 November. We’ve rounded up the review highlights. Time to get booking!
The Girl Who Fell Q&A video: How is social media damaging our children?
I feel like I’ve known writer Sarah Rutherford for years… that’s one of the positives of social media. (We follow each other on Twitter.) The irony is it’s her new play, The Girl Who Fell, about some of the negatives of social media that finally precipitated my meeting her in person.
Q&A video: What would Ionesco & Sally Challen think of absurdist drama Mites?
A philosophising cat, a famished dog and a family of mites all make appearances – and strong impressions – in Mites, a new play by up-and-coming young British playwright James Mannion, written in the best traditions of the Theatre of the Absurd.
New post-show talk: Join Terri for Olivier Award-nominated festive family fun Potted Panto
This one will get you into the Christmas spirit, guaranteed. I’m gearing up for the holidays with the hilarious duo of Dan & Jeff and their festive favourite Potted Panto, another in my series of post-show talks for producer James Seabright.
Terri trips: Attending opening night of Mischief Theatre premiere Groan Ups
Ahead of my post-show Q&A tonight, I was at the Vaudeville Theatre for the official opening of the world premiere of Mischief Theatre’s new comedy Groan Ups last Thursday (10 October 2019).
New post-show talk: Join Terri for the stage adaptation of Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits
I’m delighted to return to the Cervantes Theatre, London’s home of Spanish and Latin American drama, for my last of three post-show Q&As in the 2019 season. After new original plays The Reality and The Eyes of the Night, I’m back for this much-anticipated page-to-stage adaptation of Isabel Allende’s breakthrough debut novel The House of the Spirits.
WATCH: How to talk about disability & A Day in the Death of Joe Egg in 2019?
Mate Terri Paddock chaired a post-show discussion at the West End revival of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg with director Simon Evans and the cast.