Features

Cinema but not theatre. Why?

25 June 2020

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

Flying the flag for the fringe

22 June 2020

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

19 June 2020

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?

18 June 2020

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?

16 June 2020

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

Pantoland: Let's Talk About Race

12 June 2020

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

A Silver Lining from this Terrible Cloud?

12 June 2020

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

12 June 2020

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

9 June 2020

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

Can the fringe save live theatre?

9 June 2020

With news that fringe theatre companies are hoping to offer plays from October, David Cunningham explores whether this development will help stimulate the return of live theatre.

The art of letters – another missive for Dowden

8 June 2020

National News Editor and London Reviewer Sandra Giorgetti is monitoring the letters landing on the doormat of DCMS Minister, Oliver Dowden.

Robert Tanitch’s fantasy theatre performance picks

7 June 2020

Robert Tanitch proposes his 10 fantasy performances from stage history, plus a bonus song.

First Glimmers of Hope

6 June 2020

Philip Fisher explores some prospective opportunities to see live theatre later in the year.

Panto season 2019: some reflections

5 June 2020

Simon Sladen looks back to Panto Season 2019.

Remembrance of Theatre Past (18–22): Ceolfrith Arts Centre

5 June 2020

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This instalment goes back to the late sixties / early seventies and Sunderland’s Ceolfrith Arts Centre and his own "Annus Mirabilis"!

A plague on whose House?

31 May 2020

National News Editor and London Reviewer Sandra Giorgetti looks at the response to the recently convened Cultural Renewal Taskforce.

Shakespeare Ancient and Modern

30 May 2020

Philip Fisher enters the debate on whether bringing Shakespearean productions into modern settings is a good idea.

Support your local theatres—please

29 May 2020

Amid all the concern for the dangers to West End theatres and the major national companies brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, Peter Lathan makes a plea that local theatre throughout the UK should not be forgotten.

Look back with caution, and context

29 May 2020

David Chadderton enters into the game of fantasy historical theatre recordings, but sounds a note of caution to anyone delving into the past in this way for pleasure or for research that context is everything.

Remembrance of Theatre Past (15–17): More on the Tynewear Theatre Company

29 May 2020

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This instalment looks at his time with the Tynewear Theatre Company at Newcastle Playhouse and Newcastle Theatre Royal and how it came to an end.