Offie nominee Beth Burrows stars as Princess Winnifred in rarely seen, 1959 Broadway fairy-tale musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress. It’s her fourth collaboration with director Mark Giesser, following Strike Up the Band, The Lady With a Dog and Sirens of the Silver Screen. What makes their collaboration so successful?
WATCH The Jury post-show Q&A: Can men be victims of domestic abuse?
Are you aware of your inherent biases about gender? How much do they affect your judgments about women or men are capable of? What about when it comes to a violent crime?
Best of the Blogs: Death of England, Endgame, Chaplin, The Jury & The Gift
In our continuing series, editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 9 February 2020), including Ian Foster seeing Rafe Spall give a career-defining performance in the National Theatre’s production of Death of England.
‘Can’t think of a single aspect of necessary improvement’: THE JURY – Upstairs at the Gatehouse ★★★★
None of the songs are too long in The Jury and they are all well written and never bore – this is a strong new musical and won’t vanish from the stages too soon.
NEWS: Cast & creatives announced for Broadway revival Once Upon a Mattress
Full cast and creatives have been announced for Alces Productions’ new production of Mary Rodgers’ rarely seen, 1959 Broadway fairy-tale musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress. Tickets are now on sale. Time to get booking!
NEWS: Broadway fairytale Once Upon a Mattress follows 42nd Street at Gatehouse
After its Christmas success with 42nd Street, Upstairs at the Gatehouse continues its string of Broadway revivals in 2020 with a brand-new production of Mary Rodgers’ rarely seen fairy-tale musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress in March, starring Offies nominee Beth Burrows. Tickets are now on sale. Time to get booking!
‘Well-crafted & executed storytelling’: THE MOZART QUESTION – Upstairs at the Gatehouse ★★★★
Michael Morpurgo’s story, The Mozart Question, is essentially about the solace and joy great music gifts us. For Paola’s parents, however, beautiful music presages pain and shame and guilt.
‘Camden has a reputation for introducing great work to the world’: Gary Phillpott on bringing Agent 14 to Camden Fringe
“The size of Camden Fringe festival allows creatives and performers to concentrate on their art rather than suffering the slings and arrows of Edinburgh’s outrageous misfortunes.” Off The Fence Theatre’s Artistic Director tells us what inspired spy comedy Agent 14 and why he is excited to to bring it to Camden Fringe. Book your tickets now!
CAMDEN FRINGE NEWS: One-man spy caper Agent 14 brings undercover laughter to Upstairs at the Gatehouse
If you like your fringe theatre served shaken, not stirred, Agent 14 could well up your dimly-lit, ominously deserted street. Book your tickets for the comic spy drama now!
FEATURED SHOW: The ★★★★ reviews are in for new farce Flat Out
“British farce at its best” – that’s the view of critics who’ve laughed their way through an evening at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, enjoying Jennifer Selway’s new comedy Flat Out. Enjoy our collection of the best reviews, and a smattering of enthused audience responses, then book your tickets!
FIRST LOOK: Check out the hilarious action from new farce Flat Out in these new production images
Questionable food choices, a doorway being blocked, a man in a wig – Darren Bell’s production images for Flat Out positively scream ‘farce’ at you… which is lucky considering that’s exactly the type of play Jennifer Selway has written. Take a look then book your tickets!
‘I wanted to write something that had no other function apart from making people laugh’: Jennifer Selway on new comedy Flat Out
When times are tough, we could all do with a laugh. That’s what was at the forefront of journalist and playwright Jennifer Selway’s mind when she created her new farce Flat Out. Discover her comedy inspirations and why she keeps returning to Upstairs at the Gatehouse in this interview, then book your tickets!
NEWS: Jennifer Selway premieres new comedy Flat Out at Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Flat Out, the new comedy from Jennifer Selway about real estate, mice and adultery, will premiere at Highgate’s Upstairs at the Gatehouse later this month. Book you tickets for the laughter-filled show now!
‘A great piece of escapism’: THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES – Upstairs at the Gatehouse ★★★★
The Marvelous Wonderettes is a frothy concert musical that is a nostalgic bit of escapism – two hours of beautifully performed classic pop tunes.
Terri trips: A Lesson from Aloes, A Hundred Words for Snow, Strike Up the Band
My recent theatre trips have included A Lesson from Aloes, A Hundred Words for Snow and Strike Up the Band. Here’s a round-up of my on-the-night reactions to each.
‘Impossible to ignore how relevant the story still is’: STRIKE UP THE BAND – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Occasionally bewildering and frequently ridiculous, Strike Up The Band is nevertheless always great fun.
Hurrah for pub theatres
Let’s hear it for pub theatres. Unheard of when I was a London teenager in the 1960s, there are now over 70 of them across the capital and they’re beginning to mushroom in other big cities too.
‘It’s one of those rare moments in history where the amazing happened’: The creators of The Giant Killers on the amazing true story that inspired their play
When Andrew and Eve Pearson-Wright first met while performing The Mousetrap, the greatest of detectives could not have deduced that it would lead to marriage, founding a theatre company and touring The Giant Killers. The play tells a fascinating tale about one of football’s most pivotal moments. Read what Andrew and Eve have to say, then get booking!
NEWS: EdFringe underdog hit The Giant Killers launches autumn tour & transfers to Gatehouse
Discover a fascinating story of footballing underdogs this autumn, as Long Lane Theatre Company tours its Edinburgh Fringe hit The Giant Killers around the UK before culminating with a week-long transfer to Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate, London, next month. Time to get booking!
FEATURED SHOW: Sirens of the Silver Screen at the Tabard Theatre, ★★★★ reviews are in!
Following a successful run last November at Highgate’s Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Beth Burrows’ one-woman cabaret Sirens of the Silver Screen has transferred to west London’s Tabard Theatre, where it continues until 14 July only. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite review highlights below. Time to get booking!