Features

Panto in Lockdown

Panto in Lockdown: A Roundup

Simon Sladen surveys the online pantomime initiatives keeping the genre alive during lockdown.
Alan Bennett signing at the Edinburgh Book Festival in 2007

Taking tea with Alan Bennett

Sally Jack remembers her nervous encounter with a 'National Treasure' at the National Theatre.
NRTF - National Rural Touring Forum

Size matters

Sandra Giorgetti considers theatre at this time of crisis, particularly the smaller venues and rural touring.
Sonia Friedman

Save Our Theatres

According to Sonia Friedman, "Theatre stands on the brink of ruin". Philip Fisher echoes her plea for government support before it is too late.
Kevin Whately in Lewis

Remembrance of Theatre Past (12–14): Tynewear Theatre Co

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.
The Art of the Artistic Director: Conversations with Leading Practitioners

Theatre Book Prize shortlist and latest news

In 1998, to mark the Golden Jubilee of its inauguration, the Society for Theatre Research established the Theatre Book Prize as an annual award for the best new book published in English about any aspect of British theatre. Details of this year's shortlisted books, judges, authors and entries.
Maria Callas as Tosca on the cover of the CD recording

Opera Nights to Dream About

Simon Thomas fantasises about great nights at the opera.
Bryan Cranston in Network

Theatre Closures

Philip Fisher looks at the future and fears a long wait before theatres across the UK reopen.
The cover of Frank Ifield's "I Remember You"

Remembrance of theatre past (10–11): panto in Sunderland

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This instalment features the stars of many pantos at the Sunderland Empire, plus some stories about panto chorus boys.
Ben Whishaw as Hamlet

The Virtual Theatre of My Dreams

Philip Fisher imagines the perfect shows for online viewing.
Slade at the Empire (composite of two pics)

Remembrance of theatre past (7–9): when punks came to Sunderland

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This instalment features the night the punks came to Sunderland Empire, a rather odd photo job and a few Green Room conversations.
Othniel Smith

Othniel Smith: 1962-2020

Writers' Guild of Great Britain Wales Co-Chair Manon Eames pays tribute to Othniel Smith, Secretary of the WGGB Welsh Committee for over 20 years as well as BTG's Cardiff reviewer.
Coronavirus Theatre Club

Let’s not confuse theatres with Theatre

Peter Lathan responds to the suggestion that theatres may not be able to re-open until 2021.
Seven Streams of the River Ota

What Next?

Philip Fisher considers what may happen to theatres in the near future and slightly further on.
Anthony Sher as Prospero in the 2009 production of The Tempest with Baxter Theatre Centre

The gardener shot my colleagues: two decades of reviewing the RSC

Colin Davison looks back on twenty years or more of reviewing the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford: the highlights, some low points, and a nod to his critical heroes.
The NYT (NE) production of Henry V

Remembrance of theatre past (4–6): National Youth Theatre, ballerinas and footballers

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This instalment focuses on his time at Sunderland Empire and features the National Youth Theatre, a major failure as a photographer and a “contest” between ballerinas and footballers.
The Globe Player web site

Global Community

David Cunningham looks at the online offerings from Shakespeare's Globe and compares them with his visits to the venue soon after it opened.
Burn This

A Great Night Out: Burn This—an unforgettable production with a personal prologue

Philip Fisher remembers a night out in a Portakabin with John Malkovich and Juliet Stevenson.
Daddy's Your Teacher Now! in the style of School of Rock

Thank you for the music

Sandra Giorgetti tries to keep track of the tracks available online during the current health crisis.
Vinyl record cover of Otello recording with Domingo from the Zeffirelli film

A Great Night Out: a top night at the opera

Simon Thomas picks his highlights from nearly half a century of opera-going.

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