The Entertainer is an interesting state-of-the-nation play, and although a period piece, it’s undeniably a prescient time to revive it.
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on Appropriate, The Doctor, Cabaret & more
Best of the Blogs: The Mates give their verdicts on Appropriate, The Doctor, Cabaret & more.
‘It’s cleverly done, if sour-tasting’: THE ENTERTAINER – Touring ★★★
John Osborne’s disgusted play The Entertainer about a washed-up, alcoholic comedian whose son is at war dates from 1957 – Suez and Macmillan – but Sean O’Connor has hauled it forwards to the 1980s
Year in Review: Shanine Salmon’s highs & lows of theatre in 2016
My blog has only been going since April 2016 so it isn’t a comprehensive look at the hits and misses of the year. I saw 80 shows this year, across London and the South East of England.
PHOTOS: Tom Hiddleston presents Kenneth Branagh with Evening Standard Award
By popular demand, here’s a special round-up of photos of Tom Hiddleston and Kenneth Branagh from this year’s star-studded Evening Standard Theatre Awards ceremony, held at the Old Vic last night
Celebrating Arnold Wesker at the Royal Court
Yesterday, I was extremely glad to attend the Wesker Celebration, which was organised by playwright David Edgar, professor Pamela Howard and publicist Anne Mayer, at the Royal Court.
Theatre Podcast: The Entertainer, Young Chekhov, Home Chat
This week, the London theatre bloggers discuss The Entertainer starring Kenneth Branagh, Chichester’s transfer of its Young Chekhov season to the National, and Home Chat at the Finborough.
Quote Unquote: 11 different takes on actors & acting
Is it pure coincidence that many of the plays I’ve seen recently feature actors as characters? And, consequently, a range of views on the life of actors and the nature of acting, which got my quote-taking pen twitching. For any actors or FFOAs (friends or family of actors) reading, please tell me which most closely sums up your perspective.
Text of the Day: The Entertainer
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
THE ENTERTAINER – West End
The Brannagh season at the Garrick comes to a close in style with John Osbourne’s classic ‘The Entertainer’. When curating the season it seems a fitting finale for Kenneth Brannagh, who takes on the fading song and dance man Archie Rice.Osborne’s play …
THE ENTERTAINER – West End
Kenneth Branagh’s final show in his West End season is a revival that is slick, but a bit passionless.
THE ENTERTAINER – West End
If you find yourself in an audience of maturer years , flee quickly at the final curtain, or someone will creakingly inform you that they saw Olivier as Archie Rice, John Osborne’s failing music-hall performer in 1957.
Text of the Day: John Osborne on playwriting
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
7 shows to look out for in August: The Entertainer, Yerma, Allegro, Unfaithful & more
The theatrical axis usually tilts north towards Edinburgh in August, but this year there’s still plenty happening in London as summer heads to a conclusion. Here are a few of the most notable London openings this month that you should keep an eye out for…
NEWS: Gawn Grainger replaces John Hurt in Branagh’s The Entertainer
Gawn Grainger has joined the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company production of The Entertainer, which began rehearsals this week. Gawn is playing Billy Rice and replaces John Hurt who, on the advice of his doctors, recently had to withdraw from the production.
NEWS: John Hurt withdraws from Branagh’s The Entertainer on doctor’s advice
It is announced today that on the advice of his doctors, John Hurt has had to withdraw from the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company production of John Osborne’s The Entertainer, the final production in the year-long Branagh Theatre season, which runs at the West End’s Garrick Theatre 20 August to 12 November 2016.
NEWS: John Hurt confirmed to return to stage in Branagh’s The Entertainer
Further casting has been announced for The Entertainer, the final production in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s Plays at the Garrick season. John Hurt will return to the London stage for the first time in a decade as legendary patriarch Billy Rice opposite Kenneth Branagh, who as previously announced, will play the unforgettable Archie Rice in Rob Ashford’s production.
NEWS: Kenneth Branagh screens The Winter’s Tale, Romeo & Juliet and The Entertainer to cinemas
It is announced today that the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, in partnership with Picturehouse Entertainment, will broadcast three productions of its year-long Plays at the Garrick season live to cinemas worldwide. The first Branagh Theatre Live production will be The Winter’s Tale at 19:00 on Thursday 26 November 2015. Tickets are now on sale.
NEWS: Zoe Wanamaker and John Dagleish join Kenneth Branagh repertory
Further casting for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s Plays at the Garrick season has been announced. John Dagleish and Zoë Wanamaker are to appear in Terence Rattigan’s Harlequinade, with John also joining the company of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. The two productions will play in repertory at the Garrick theatre from 17 October 2015 until 16 January 2016.