Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest theatrical venture, the transforming of the St James Theatre in Victoria into The Other Palace, this year opened its doors with the gin-soaked jazz age musical The Wild Party. It featured a cast of 15, cavorting around an exuberant three-storey set that also housed the eight-piece orchestra. It was, by any standards, a spectacular production. Yet for all the spectacle, glamour and glitter, it was one of the dullest shows of the year. With tunes that you forget even while you’re ...
Read More »Features
Adventures in Theatreland: Brian’s
Brian picks runs down his pick of the year and awards the inaugural Reggies.
Read More »Riches to Rags: Two Takes on Opera in 2017
In late November I saw the world premiere of the contemporary opera Marnie at the London Coliseum. In addition to the dozen or so principals, I counted a chorus of 37 who appeared variously as office workers, funeral mourners and party guests. Plus 10 dancers who doubled as scene shifters, and four additional Marnie alter egos. That made an on-stage cast of over 60; add in the orchestra, the lighting engineers and the rest of the backstage crew, and it meant that well over 100 ...
Read More »Rob’s Top Shows Of 2017
Rob Warren picks his top shows of 2017
Read More »Clare’s Top Shows Of 2017
Clare Annamalai picks her top shows of 2017.
Read More »Dipping a Toe in the Edinburgh Fringe
When I arrived in Edinburgh on 22 August, the weather was as moody as I had expected it to be, changing from rain to sunshine and rain again during the short walk to my accommodation. A few months earlier, I had secured a room with the Network of Independent Critics and, for the first time in my life, I was about to experience the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. That first day went in a flash and provoked mixed feelings of discomfort, fear and excitement. Luckily, I ...
Read More »CASA Festival and the Importance of Collaborative Partnerships
CASA Festival artistic director Daniel Goldman describes how the festival's international mission relies on joining forces with London's top theatres.
Read More »Going for the Gut in ‘Mumburger’
'Mumburger' playwright Sarah Kosar shares how her 'stomach-churning' new play goes straight for the gut.
Read More »Bringing ‘Kiss Me’ to the West End Stage
Actress Claire Lams shares her journey of bringing 'Kiss Me' to the Trafalgar Studios — and why it pays to complain.
Read More »What’s in a BAME Name? Stretching the Limits of Diversity Casting
Writer/director Nick Myles explains how he discovered there's more to diversity casting than meets the eye.
Read More »