Features

Opening Open-Air Theatres (or not)

Philip Fisher asks whether the new rules on open-air theatres are anything more than a gimmick.

"PANTOMIMES" hit the headlines

As the Government announce a £1.57 billion investment in the arts, Simon Sladen reports on pantomime hitting the headlines and ponders what a socially-distanced panto season might look like.

Remembrance of Theatre Past 32–33: How Long to Write a Play?

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. In this section he talks about two plays at the beginning of his second freelance career, after retiring from teaching drama.

Don’t uncork the champagne just yet...

Philip Fisher offers an instant response to the Government's bailout package for the arts sector.

My Fantasy Theatre List

Anita Butler dreams up her list of historical theatre perfromaces that she would love to see on film.

We’re on the Roadmap to Nowhere

Philip Fisher is alarmed by the government's failure to address the impending closure of theatres and mass redundancies in the arts.

Remembrance of Theatre Past 29–31: The Weebles, The Dome and the Big River

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he remembers some of the major projects he was involved in as a drama teacher.

Black Lives Matter on stage

Keith McKenna revisits some of the plays performed in recent years that are linked in various ways to the Black Lives Matter protests.

Read 'em and weep

National news editor and London reviewer Sandra Giorgetti finds the recent figures announced by OffWestEnd brings tears to her eyes.

Theatre re-openings: uncertainty, confusion and even a little hope

Philip Fisher reports on a series of very recent developments, including the Government's first attempt at a plan for the future.

Remembrance of Theatre Past 28: Touring Panto

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he turns his attention touring panto around the North East.

Cinema but not theatre. Why?

Peter Lathan considers why theatres are not allowed to open when cinemas can.

Flying the flag for the fringe

National news editor and London reviewer Sandra Giorgetti talks to OffWestEnd's Geoffrey Brown about the new award recognising fringe theatre work presented online.

Remembrance of Theatre Past 26–27: Management

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he looks back at getting involved in management (something that still send shivers down his spine), including two council committees.

Where is theatre’s Marcus Rashford?

98 leading theatre figures have signed an open letter to Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Oliver Dowden pleading for the government to save the industry before it is too late.

What about the actors?

As ever, it’s the actors and other freelance workers who are forgotten in troubled times for theatres.

Pantoland: Let's Talk About Race

In this opinion piece, Simon Sladen shares his thoughts on pantomime casting, characters and narratives.

A Silver Lining from this Terrible Cloud?

Philip Fisher wonders whether the pandemic might yield a mass of brilliant new stage works.

Remembrance of Theatre Past 23–25: variety, the working men's clubs & Tommy Cooper

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he talks about his involvement in variety and the working men’s club scene, including an encounter with Tommy Cooper.

Theatre Makes Its Case in Parliament

Philip Fisher reports on the Department of Culture Media and Sport Parliamentary Select Committee Meeting 9 June 2020.