I resolutely wasn’t doing a round up for 2020. I mean what on earth were we going to round up? This year has, with no exaggeration, broken our hearts in theatre. There’s no other way to put it. We watched our industry disappear overnight. We…
NEWS: Coronavirus rules mean return to theatre lockdowns across UK
Scores of productions devised to comply with social distancing have become casualties of the national lockdown that will run for one month from 5 November to 2 December 2020 in response to the continuing Coronavirus crisis.
‘Full to the brim with theatricality’: THE SHOW MUST GO ON – The Lost Alhambra ★★★★★
The Show Must Go On is an immersive, cabaret dining experience which packs a punch. The night is complete with a three hour show, a two course meal, a welcome cocktail and bottomless Prosecco, you couldn’t really ask for more.
‘A brand new way to experience live musical theatre’: Shanay Holmes tells more about West End Musical Drive-In
This summer the West End Musical Drive-In brings West End superstars direct to your cars. Shanay Holmes, one half of the creative team making this event possible, explains more.
NEWS: West End production of The Mousetrap will reopen in October 2020
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap – the longest running show in the world, which had to be suspended when the Coronavirus pandemic resulted in the closure of UK theatres – is to reopen in the West End on 23 October 2020.
NEWS: SOLT issues update for West End ticketholders, rolling cancellations extended to 2 August 2020
The latest statement from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) – on behalf of the major commercial West End theatre operators – has been issued today, confirming that theatres will remain closed until 2 August 2020.
The return of the movie musical: 9 upcoming ones to look forward to
During the Golden Age of Hollywood, movie musicals were abundant and arguably the most popular genre. However, with the move towards pop culture in the 1960s, their popularity dwindled and gave way to a more rebellious style and tone.
The best play I’ve seen for each of the past 10 years (aka the agony-to-choose list)
Not to let a decade of theatre bloggery go by without marking the occasion, to kick things off, I’ve compiled a list of my favourite play for each year I’ve been blogging. It has been fun revisiting my best-of lists but absolute agony narrowing each list down to just one.
NEWS: SOLT issues update for West End ticketholders, rolling cancellations extended to 28 June 2020
The latest statement from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) – on behalf of the major commercial West End theatre operators – has been issued today, confirming that theatres will remain closed until 28 June 2020.
‘The top-notch cast sing as if it’s the first time they’re hearing the music’: Les Misérables – The Staged Concert (Online review)
Les Misérables – The Staged Concert is released on digital download, along with a bonus featurette which is highly amusing.
Lockdown has made me realise, as much as theatre, I’ve been missing live music
It feels slightly odd that my final show before the curtains came down wasn’t a play or musical – instead, it was a dance show.
Embracing the unknown: A lesson in trust & changed identity during lockdown
West End star Florence Andrews talks about the challenges in shifting from auditioning actress ready to return from maternity leave to home-schooling mother of two, and the surprising gifts this time of uncertainty has brought with it.
‘When You Believe has a choral majesty that is undeniable’: THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (Album review)
There was a moment in the last couple of days as I listened to ‘Make It Right’ for the umpteenth time that I wondered whether I’d been a bit harsh to The Prince of Egypt when it opened in late February.
NEWS: SOLT issues update for West End theatre ticketholders
A statement has been issued by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) on behalf of the major commercial West End theatre operators and the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) to provide clear information for theatre customers in light of this week’s shutdown and help ease the unprecedented strain on box offices and ticket agents.
NEWS: Coronavirus pandemic – An update on theatre closures in the West End & across the country
My Theatre Mates have been collecting official announcements of theatre closures up and down the country in the Twitter thread below and will continue to add updates as they come in.
NEWS: West End & UK theatres to close with immediate effect
In light of the continued coronavirus emergency and advice from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that people should avoid “pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues” during the pandemic, SOLT and UK Theatre has announced that member venues will close from the evening of Monday 16 March 2020.
‘The performances are outstanding’: THE PIRATE QUEEN – West End ★★★★
While audiences may find The Pirate Queen too repetitive to work as a fully realised production, it provides an evening of outstanding vocal talent and swashbuckling storytelling.
‘Mixes sharp wit & clever satire with utter silliness & slapstick’: UPSTART CROW – West End ★★★★★
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never seen Ben Elton’s TV comedy series Upstart Crow (I hadn’t) as the stage play is a stand-alone piece
‘It almost feels more relevant now than it was when it first was first conceived’: Rachel Tucker stars in The Pirate Queen
Rachel Tucker is taking on the role of Grace O’Malley in the one night only London premiere of the musical Pirate Queen. Rachel told us all about the show, her favourite moments and what it’s like to bring real life characters to life on stage.
‘It is Cumming’s performance which you are drawn to’: ENDGAME – Old Vic ★★★★
It is stuffed dogs, ladders and individual performances in Endgame which stay with me rather than anything more philosophical about the human condition.