Features

Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Who will survive?

Peter Lathan asks which theatres, apart from the “crown jewels”, will survive the effects of the pandemic.
Jack and the Two Metre Beanstalk

Pandemic Panto-monium!

Simon Sladen reports on the latest industry activity ahead of Panto Season 2020 including strategies companies are taking to produce COVID-secure productions. Updated 10/08/20
EU Flag

If the Pandemic Doesn’t Get the Arts, Brexit Will

Philip Fisher considers an open letter about EU and the arts written by Baroness Donaghy, Chair of the House of Lords EU Services Sub--Committee to Oliver Dowden.
"Adult Child Dead Child" performance in Germany

Remembrance of Theatre Past 45 – 47: Our Own Theatre Company

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he talks about KG Productions, the theatre company he founded.
The Mysteries: curtain Call in front of the Arbeia Roman Fort main gate

Remembrance of Theatre Past 42—44: Big Shows, Big Casts

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he talks about working with community casts on a series of large-scale shows.
Harold Pinter Theatre

Decimation of the Theatre Industry

Philip Fisher fears that the government's latest pronouncement is another step towards a disaster from which theatre could take a generation to recover.
Oliver Dowden

Government jump start funding for theatres and other arts organisations

The next stage of the government's funding for the arts has been announced. Many will see this complex package as too little too late.
To Wit: To Woo - Rachel Teate and Alex Kinsey reprise their roles in Romeo and Juliet (rehearsal pic)

Remembrance of theatre past 39–41: Oh, How I Missed Shakespeare!

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he looks back at the Shakespeare withdrawal symptoms he experienced after The Bard in the Park was cancelled.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag on Edinburgh Fringe

DCMS first report into the Impact of COVID-19

Philip Fisher summarises the first report published by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee into the impact of COVID-19 on theatres.
The Mousetrap

A Mystery to Rival The Mousetrap

Philip Fisher welcomes announcements about the reopening of some London theatres but questions the commercial rationale.
The Rye Hill home of the People's Theatre, Newcastle, in the 50s

Remembrance of Theatre Past 34–38: Shakespeare and Me

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he traces his love of Shakespeare right back to its beginnings in 1959 and its culmination 50 years later.
Glyndebourne

Opening Open-Air Theatres (or not)

Philip Fisher asks whether the new rules on open-air theatres are anything more than a gimmick.
New York Times Journalist Matthew Anderson and actor Samuel West exchange pantomime views via Twitter

"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.
The Sage, Gateshead

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.
James Graham's This House at the National Theatre

Don’t uncork the champagne just yet...

Philip Fisher offers an instant response to the Government's bailout package for the arts sector.
Geoffrey Streatfeild as Henry V for the RSC 2008

My Fantasy Theatre List

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

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.
The Weebles

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.
Jojo Morrall as Rosa Parks in Chickenshed's Blowin' in the Wind

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.
OffWestEnd report: £9m to save 100 theatres

Read 'em and weep

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