It’s gratifying, at a time when light musicals so dominate mainstream theatre, to find a relatively small company tackling one of the dramatic masterpieces, and doing so in such a full-blooded a way. What makes Hedda Gabbler such a great play, the frustration of a newly-married, sensual woman bored by life with a good-hearted but… Continue reading Hedda
Month: March 2023
Brisson to play Vera Brittain in new musical
Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre have revealed the cast for their new co-production The Land of Might-Have-Been which opens in July 2023. The musical is built around the songs of Ivor Novello and is loosely based on incidents in the early life of Buxton’s pioneering feminist and pacifist Vera Brittain and the lives, loves and stories… Continue reading Brisson to play Vera Brittain in new musical
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Say what you like about Macbeth but the play is indestructible. Flabbergast Theatre has thrown the seemingly unimaginable at it—clowns, mud, party hats and puppets—and yet what emerges is a thrillingly primordial portrait of manipulated ambition. This production has been a long time coming. An R&D opportunity came from Wilton’s Music Hall in 2018, since… Continue reading The Tragedy of Macbeth
Robin Hood and the Major Oak
Robin Hood and the Major Oak is the fourth production from Derby Theatre to have integrated British Sign Language—and this is the most ambitious to date. Two of the actors, Adam Bassett who plays the Sheriff of Nottingham and Mia Ward who takes the role of Maid Marian, are deaf. A 10-strong ensemble features deaf… Continue reading Robin Hood and the Major Oak
Two-thirds ENO chorus may have to leave profession
Ahead of a meeting between English National Opera chorus members and a cross-party group of MPs and Lords on 28 March, actors’ union Equity claims that 67.9% of the ENO chorus are at risk of leaving the profession entirely if Arts Council England forces the company out of its London Coliseum home. In an Equity survey of… Continue reading Two-thirds ENO chorus may have to leave profession
Cosmic comedy at Court
Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre Studio stages Cosmic, a new comedy by Joe McNally about what happens when you look a bit too hard at everyday life for a bit too long. It stars Clare Hackett, Connor Henry, Andy McLeod, Mark Rice-Oxley and Kalli Tant and is directed by Deborah Yhip. Vinnie knows things that the average… Continue reading Cosmic comedy at Court
Talent spotting at Live
Live Theatre Newcastle celebrates its 50th birthday with a year that puts new talent at the heart of its programme. With major commissions going to writers and artists entirely new to Live Theatre, the Quayside venue sees four major productions offer a changing picture of the North East. The 2023 season kicked off March 2, running… Continue reading Talent spotting at Live
Twitchers afloat for Mikron
Mikron Theatre, one of the country’s most versatile touring theatre companies (if not its only floating one!) will be launching its 51st season with the première of Twitchers, Poppy Hollman’s new play with original live music. Springwatch is coming to RSPB Shrikewing nature reserve. Can Jess take inspiration from tenacious female founders and draw on its history… Continue reading Twitchers afloat for Mikron
When We Died on tour
Following a run at Vault Festival in 2020, writer and performer Alexandra Donnachie and Carbon Theatre are taking their one-woman production When We Died on tour this spring. Presenting an intimate tale of overcoming the past and fighting for control, this production follows a woman faced with the body of the man who raped her 11 months ago. It’s… Continue reading When We Died on tour
Sheffield shows to come
Sheffield Theatres announce new Crucible and Playhouse shows. They include Roger Mcgough’s adaptation of Molière’s The Hypochondriac; a new production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas; while the flexible Tanya Moiseiwitsch playhouse will stage two world premières: Anna Hibiscus’ Song and We Could All Be Perfect. These new shows join other productions previously announced for 2023.