Features

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.
Chris Honer rehearsing

Manchester theatre mourns passing of Chris Honer

The charming and much-admired Chris Honer, artistic director of Manchester’s Library Theatre from 1987–2014, died last week.
James McAvoy in Cyrano

Ticket Prices

Inflation is sending ticket prices out of the range of normal theatre-goers, let alone the young, and could threaten diversity in the longer term.
The Pantomime: Harlequin

North East Christmas productions 2021

Peter Lathan lists all the professional pantos and other Christmas shows in the North East between late November 2021 and early January 2022.
Macbeth at the Almeida Theatre

Not Quite the Real Thing – but Nearly

Philip Fisher considers the current coronavirus statistics and reminds readers about a new, happy medium.
When the Birds Land

Walking ‘The Walk’: Taking part in 'When the Birds Land'

A reviewer takes part in the climax of an event to raise awareness of challenges facing refugees by welcoming Little Amal to Manchester.
The Cast of The Mirror and the Light

The Budget v. The Pandemic

Philip Fisher outlines some Budget announcements that will help the cultural sector but also notes early closures of two major productions.