“Fame!” – we all know the infamous song. The lyrics, “I’m gonna live forever, I’m gonna learn how to fly, HIGH” are not well known just because of the original 1980 film, but because of the subsequent television series, film remake and musicals that followed.
‘Hauntingly good in its fluidity’: THE SON – West End
British theatre’s determination to adopt Florian Zeller as one of its own continues unabated as the Kiln Theatre’s production of The Son transfers into the Duke of York’s for the autumn.
‘Heart-wrenching performances’: APPROPRIATE – Donmar Warehouse ★★★★
Appropriate isn’t my favourite Branden Jacobs-Jenkins play but it has enough in it of what I love about his writing to enjoy.
Actually post-show Q&A: Grappling with the grey areas around truth & consent
Can we ever really know what happened between two people behind closed doors? That’s the question at the heart of Anna Zeigler’s provocative new two-hander Actually, and one the company, audience and I grappled with after last week’s performance at Trafalgar Studios.
‘If you like the film, you will most likely enjoy the stage show’: SCHOOL OF ROCK – West End ★★★★
For anyone unfamiliar with the show, it is based on the 2003 film starring Jack Black as a wannabe rock-star who masquerades as a private school teacher and ends up taking his class to Battle of the Bands. If you like the film, you will most likely enjoy the stage show. On the flip side, don’t go in expecting big surprises.
FEATURED SHOW: Reviews are in for ‘highly watchable’ European premiere of Actually
Yasmin Paige and Simon Manyonda exude “chemistry” in the “highly watchable” and the zeitgeisty European premiere of Anna Zeigler’s Actually, which is now running at the West End’s Trafalgar Studios until 31 August 2019. We’ve rounded up review highlights below – time to get booking!
‘Watch out, because the rhythm will get you!’: ON YOUR FEET! – London Coliseum ★★★★
One test of biography jukebox musicals is how much an uninitiated audience member ends up learning about the artist through the course of the show.
Post-show Q&A: How many different ways can one audience interpret Equus?
How many different ways can one play be interpreted? The company of Equus were very keen not to impose their opinions but the audience at last night’s post-show Q&A at Trafalgar Studios had plenty of their own. Which were right? All of them! And what a knowledgeable audience it was. Many had seen this or other previous […]
Text of the Day: The Night of the Iguana
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk…
FIRST LOOK: One night, two people, three truths & many photos of Actually’s European premiere
We’re counting down to the official opening of the European premiere of Anna Zeigler’s Actually. Yasmin Paige and Simon Manyonda star in this provocative new play by the author of Photograph 51. Check out our gallery of first-look production photography – and then get booking!
Four shows for the family in London this August: which to see?
A rare summer in the city for me means I can take in some of the family shows on in the West End right now – including Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear the Musical, The Scarecrow’s Wedding, Where is Peter Rabbit? and Monstersaurus.
Text of the Day: Johnny makes a point
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk. One from the archives…
WATCH: Yasmin Paige & Simon Manyonda discuss fake news, #MeToo & new play Actually on London Live
Onstage in Actually, Yasmin Paige and Simon Manyonda present different versions of the same event. Can they agree in this London Live interview about the play itself?! Watch their fascinating interview with presenter Helen Wadia – and then get booking! The European premiere of Anna Ziegler’s play starts previews tonight (6 August 2019) at the West End’s Trafalgar Studios, where it runs til 31 August.
PHOTOS: Behind the scenes with Yasmin Paige & Simon Manyonda Actually rehearsals
It’s nearly time for the European premiere of Actually, the new play by Photograph 51’s Anna Ziegler. Sneak a peek at what Yasmin Paige and Simon Manyonda have been getting up to in rehearsals ahead of the two-hander’s run at the West End’s Trafalgar Studios from 6 to 31 August 2019. Time to get booking!
NEWS: Yasmin Paige & Simon Manyonda star in the Euro premiere of Anna Ziegler’s Actually
Yasmin Paige and Simon Manyonda star in the European premiere production of Actually, a new play by Photograph 51’s Anna Ziegler, which will run at the West End’s Trafalgar Studios from 6 to 31 August 2019, with a press night on Monday 12 August and a post-show Q&A chaired by Mate Terri Paddock on Friday 9 August.
Text of the Day: Jerome Robbins on tough dancing
Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.
‘Expertly draws out the growing anticipation’: EQUUS – Trafalgar Studios ★★★★
Equus is an intriguing play, part psychological thriller, part mirror to the human condition and this is an almost thoroughbred production.
New post-show Q&A: Join Terri for Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train in the West End
As part of her ongoing post-show Q&A series, on Thursday 1 August 2019, Mates co-founder Terri Paddock is in the West End for the transfer of Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train, starring Samantha Womack. Unmissable! Got any questions?
‘There isn’t time to get bored’: THE ILLUSIONISTS – West End ★★★★
The Illusionists are back in London for the summer season with their mix of illusion, thrilling feats, humour and family fun.
‘A kind of homecoming for this modern classic’: NOISES OFF – Lyric Hammersmith
Michael Frayn’s meta-comic masterpiece Noises Off easily stands the test of time; even when things go wrong!