Features

The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson

Redemption or a Knockout Punch

Philip Fisher fears that removing Plan B measures will do theatres no favours.
Alexandra Gilbreath and Sir Antony Sher in The Winter's Tale

From A Sad Tale to Spring Awakening

Philip Fisher looks forward to a return to normality sooner rather than later and reminds us of the pleasures that theatre can bring.
Tia Bannon and Danielle Vitalis in Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner (which should have been at Under the Radar)

Theatre in Crisis?

Philip Fisher reports on the latest news from the front line and sees little to generate optimism in the short term.
Go!

North East theatre after Christmas

Peter Lathan looks at when North East theatres are restarting after the holiday period.
Peter Pan

Review of the Theatre Year... 2022

Rather than shedding tears over another disastrous year, Philip Fisher travels in time this week with a fantasy look back on the year to come.
Anna X

BTG reviewers' reflections on 2021

At the end of another disrupted year, our reviewers look back on their theatrical experiences and reflections of 2021.
Liverpool Theatre Fest at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church

North West theatre in 2021

David Chadderton summarises a mixed year in North West theatre as theatres have opened with both the work we loved before the pandemic and new innovations.
Passionate People. Passionate Places.

The Best of NE theatre in 2021? Oh, come on!

A very different kind of year needs a very different kind of “Best of…” says Peter Lathan.
Passionate People. Passionate Places.

North East theatre in 2021

Peter Lathan looks back at theatre in the North East in 2021—“From nowt to quite a lot, really.”
Wilkins Mickawber

A Lifeline – but Not a Very Strong One

Once again, theatres are closing but the government's financial support package looks fatally inadequate.
Hex

Please Sir, I Want Some More

Philip Fisher suggests that, as Omicron wreaks havoc across the sector, government support for theatres is already overdue.
The Auditorium exterior

Sunderland opens a new mid-scale venue

The 460-seat Auditorium at Sunderland’s Fire Station has opened with a special musical event. Peter Lathan was there.
Les Misérables

When did Uncertainty Become the Peak of Ambition?

As theatres try to get back to normal, the threatening Omicron variant has come on to the horizon.
Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre

Ring in the new…

Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre announces the 2022 season; David Cunningham was at the launch.
Boris Johnson

You Can’t Trust the Missus

As Omicron threatens Christmas, the Prime Minister is unmasked as Macbeth.
Jonny and the Baptists

Protecting Our Theatres

Philip Fisher wonders whether producers should be more proactive in defending themselves against coronavirus closure.
Marlowe Theatre receives £1m

Weasels take the credit: CRF3

Continuity Support and CRF 3 Emergency Resource Support announced this week.
The Plague Thing

Vaccine Pass(port)

Is it only a matter of time before the UK government follows Scotland and Wales and obliges theatres to demand vaccine passes?
21 Round For Christmas

Sick of Cinders and delighted by Dick [Whittington]

Sandra Giorgetti considers some geographically arbitrary alternative festive options with a dollop of [cranberry] sauce.
We’re all in this together

We’re all in this together

A reviewer looks at the complexities arising from expecting artists to be socially responsible and decides to run away.