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05/01/03 - Hello 2003!
What lies ahead for British theatre in 2003?
06/01/03 - 2002: A Year of Change
Philip Fisher takes a look back at theatre in London during 2002
09/01/03 - London's Theatres
Peter Lathan reviews a beautifully illustrated look at 53 major London
theatres.
12/01/03 - Theatre on the Web - 2003
The government has just released its third annual report on online
Britain. We look at what it means for theatre.
14/01/03 - The Traverse Takes London by
Storm
Philip Fisher looks at the 2002 Fringe success from Edinburgh's Traverse
Theatre which are transferring to London.
19/01/03 - Theatre Funding: the Dangers
of the System
We have a very complex system for funding theatre and the arts in this
country, some one rogue element can have a serious impact. Peter Lathan
looks at the decision of Wandsworth Council to cut funding to Battersea
Arts Centre.
26/01/03 - Where Is the Musical Going?
Has the blockbuster musical reached its peak? How much longer can musicals
based on pop groups' back catalogues last? What is the next step for
the musical? Peter Lathan ponders...
02/02/03 - Performing at the Edinburgh Fringe
We're barely into February and already we are getting enquiries about
how one goes about performing at the Edinburgh Fringe. Here's the SP.
09/02/03 - Critics v Theatregoers
This week we have news of both the Critics' Circle Awards and the What's
Onstage Theatregoers' Awards. There's hardly any common ground between
them. Does that seem incredible? It shouldn't.
16/02/03 - Bits 'n' Pieces
Some thoughts on a variety of matters theatrical, including strong language,
ACE and Flash movies.
16/02/03 - Hampstead Renewed
Philip Fisher takes a look at the new Hampstead Theatre.
23/02/03 - Vaulting Ambition Which O'erleaps
Itself
In which we hope that these words will not be the verdict on Arts Council
England's new manifesto, Ambitions for the Arts.
02/03/03 - Congestion in the West End
The West End can be unpleasant and perhaps it does need a Giuliani to
clean it up, but reducing the amount of traffic is a good start. Peter
Lathan gives an outsider's view on congestion charging in London's West
End.
09/03/03 - A Diet of Ayckbourn
Thoughts on theatre programming.
16/03/03 - Words, Words, Words
Further thoughts on theatre programming: what about plays which shock
and offend?
23/03/03 - The End of the Line for the Mermaid
Peter Lathan reflects on the demise of the Mermaid Theatre and on the
Theatres Trust.
30/03/03 - ACE's Funding Plans
We look at the new three-year funding programme introduced by ACE.
06/04/03 - Small Grants - Big Impact
We make no apology for publishing this week what many would feel to
be out of place on a national theatre website - two longish pages of
small grants made by the Arts Council of Wales to community groups and
others.
13/04/03 - Theatre Newsgroups Revisited
We look at theatre on Usenet. Have much has changed since we last revisited
this topic in 2001?
20/04/03 - Theatre Ticket Sales: The Implications
If theatre did not have its magic; if it didn't grab you and make you
want to be part of it; if it wasn't as addictive as any Class A drug,
then it wouldn't exist. It simply couldn't financially!
23/04/03 - Victorian Sensation
A book review from Philip Fisher.
27/04/03 - Getting Physical: Total Theatre
and the British
Just why has non-text-based theatre not really caught on in this country?
04/05/03 - The Web and Copyright
Why the strict application of copyright law is essential for a healthy
arts community, in spite of the Internet.
11/05/03 - Film Stars, Not Actors!
Film and theatre are very different worlds, not only in the skills and
talents needed but also in their audiences, which is why the theatre
world would be perfectly justified in getting really rather annoyed
at the accolades given to and money earned by people who play themselves
when real actors are virtually unknown and, in comparison, paid peanuts!
18/05/03 - I'm a Celebrity - Worship!
One in three people in Britain is suffering from Celebrity Worship Syndrome
after becoming obsessed with their screen idol: so says research from
the Psychology department of the University of Leicester, published
last week. It makes you think!
25/05/03 - Reflecting the Nation
There is much discussion at the moment about cultural identity and theatre
in Scotland and Wales. Peter Lathan has some thoughts on the matter.
01/06/03 - As Trevor and I Were Saying...
Some thoughts inspired by the news of the musical based on Tolkien's
Lord of the Rings.
08/06/03 - The Greatest Living British
Playwright
An argument with a colleague got me thinking: who do people think is
our greatest living playwright?
15/06/03 - The Greatest British Playwright
- Part II
Is the greatest playwright the one who writes the greatest plays or
the one who has the greatest influence? There are no easy answers!
22/06/03 - The Musical: What's Happening?
More thoughts on the modern musical: success and failure.
29/06/03 - Changes Are Being Made, But
Are They Enough?
Well done, Westminster City Council! Well done, too, Cameron Mackintosh!
But CM and other theatre owners, isn't it about time that you started
addressing the many niggles that detract from the pleasure of a visit
to your theatres?
06/07/03 - Thanks for What You've Done,
Edward!
Edward Wilson is leaving his post as director of the National Youth
Theatre.
13/07/03 - You're Wrong, Sir Cameron!
Real British theatre and real British new writing are
alive and well and living outside of the West End. Long may they continue
to do so!
20/07/03 - Kids (and Parents) Beware!
A theatre noticeboard (forum) which should be shut down immediately.
27/07/03 - Public Funding for the Fringe?
William Burdett-Coutts, director of the Edinburgh Fringe venue the Assembly
Rooms, argues for public subsidy. We don't agree.
03/08/03 - It's a Hard Life
Becoming an actor - the necessity for the hard work of drama training.
31/08/03 - The Changing Face of the Edinburgh
Fringe
The Edinburgh Fringe is in a constant state of change. Thank goodness!
07/09/03 - Exactly What Does a Producer
Do?
Even those who have been involved in theatre for years are sometimes
unsure about the exact role of the Producer. Peter Lathan talks to James
Seabright of Bright Choice Productions.
14/09/03 - A Scottish National Theatre
- The Great Debate Begins
The foundation of a national theatre is a unique opportunity in the
cultural life of any nation and the widest possible debate is not only
healthy but essential. Scotland has the opportunity to either follow
the well-trodden path as exemplified by the RNT and other similar organisations
in other countries, or to take a bold and innovative step into the unknown.
18/09/03 - Hey Diddly Dee, A Theatre Life
for Me!
Lots of people would like a career in theatre but don't know where to
turn for advice. This article, which originally appeared on the Theatremonkey
website, attempts to answer their questions.
28/09/03 - A Theatre Diary
I usually get at least one email a week, asking what my personal involvement
with theatre is and it's sometimes a bit difficult to explain, because
I'm involved in so many different things. I thought that if I put a
typical week online, I could always point to that instead of having
to hunt through my email outbox, looking for last week's reply so I
can copy and paste into this week's.
05/10/03 - Good Thinking, Michael!
Michael Boyd's first season as the Royal Shakespeare Company's artistic
director takes the company back to its ensemble roots.
12/10/03 - A Step Too Far
It would be nice for regional theatre to have a London home (it already
has, to an extent, at the National) but not at the cost of reducing
subsidy for the regions. That is a step too far.
16/10/03 - Arthur Miller: A Life
Philip Fisher reviews Martin Gottfried's biography of the man who is
possibly America's greatest playwright.
19/10/03 - Something New!
Far too often we non-initiates tend to look down on children's theatre,
suspecting that it and its practitioners are somehow inferior. No way!
26/10/03 - Oh Dear! The British Public...
Is the British public really so obsessed with nudity onstage that it
won't go to see a play without any?
27/10/03 - National Service - A Diary
of a Decade
Philip Fisher reviews Richard Eyre's book about his time as director
of the National Theatre.
30/10/03 - Broadway, Jeeves? - the diary
of a theatrical adventure
Philip Fisher reviews Martin Jarvis' book about trying to take By
Jeeves to Broadway.
02/11/03 - Theatre in Wales
How, to an outsider, Welsh theatre seems to be in a constant state of
civil war.
09/11/03 - Musings
Some musings on regional theatre, the cost of renovating West End theatres,
theatre finance in general, and the Hampstead Theatre.
09/11/03 - Kenneth Tynnan - A Life
Philip Fisher reviews Dominic Shellard's biography of critic Kenneth
Tynan.
16/11/03 - Now We Are Two
The British Theatre Guide celebrates its second birthday this week.
Peter Lathan looks at its past, present and future.
21/11/03 - Scene/Unseen: London's West
End Theatres
Jill Sharp reviews the book from English Heritage which takes us front
of house and backstage in the West End's theatres.
23/11/03 - Divide and ...?
Just what does the word "theatre" include?
30/11/03 - Politicians Are Killing Theatre
How politicians and the press are debasing theatre's lifeblood, its
language.
30/11/03 - Shakespearean Afterlifes:
Ten Characters with a Life of the Own
Philip Fisher reviews the book by John O'Connor which looks at what
has happened to ten of Shakespeare's favourite characters in the centuries
since they first appeared.
30/11/03 - The Theatre Guide: A Comprehensive
A-Z of the World's Best Plays and Playwrights
Another book review by Philip Fisher.
07/12/03 - Ah! Wilderness, or, Come in
Chekhov, Your Time Is Up
Pete Wood asks, Is British theatre becoming too conservative?
09/12/03 - Pirate Jenny!
The trials and tribulations of bringing a musical to birth.
14/12/03 - Don't Subsidise: Invest!
Peter Lathan puts forward an alternative funding model for regional
producing theatres.
21/12/03 - It's That Time of Year Again
Yes, it's time for pantomime. We look at how panto is changing.
24/12/03 - What a Cheek!
Peter Lathan reacts to the news that Victoria Beckham might turn to
acting if her solo singing career fails.
28/12/03 - Looking Back: 2003 Reviewed
We look back at the theatrical news of 2003.
2003 - A Review of the Year (Part I)
Philip Fisher begins his review of the year in London theatre with a
look at the National, the RSC, the Barbican and the Globe.
2003 - The Year in the North East
Peter Lathan reviews the theatre year 2003 in the North East of England.
2003 - A Review of the Year (Part II)
Philip Fisher looks at the West End, the Donmar, the Old Vic and the
Arts in the second part of his review of London theatre in 2003.
2003 - A Review of the Year (Part III)
The third part of Philip Fisher's review of 2003, covering the Bush
Theatre, The Royal Court, The Young Vic, Soho Theatre and the Southwark
Playhouse
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