Features

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.
Sierra Boggess

Theatre re-openings: uncertainty, confusion and even a little hope

Philip Fisher reports on a series of very recent developments, including the Government's first attempt at a plan for the future.
The glamorous side of touring panto: Princess Jasmine (Christina Berriman Dawson) shifting the Aladdin scenery

Remembrance of Theatre Past 28: Touring Panto

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he turns his attention touring panto around the North East.
The ghost light still burning at Northern Stage, Newcastle

Cinema but not theatre. Why?

Peter Lathan considers why theatres are not allowed to open when cinemas can.
OnComm Awards - celebrating fringe work presented online

Flying the flag for the fringe

National news editor and London reviewer Sandra Giorgetti talks to OffWestEnd's Geoffrey Brown about the new award recognising fringe theatre work presented online.
St Peter's Church, Sunderland

Remembrance of Theatre Past 26–27: Management

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.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Where is theatre’s Marcus Rashford?

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.
Equity

What about the actors?

As ever, it’s the actors and other freelance workers who are forgotten in troubled times for theatres.
Opinion - Pantoland: Let's Talk About Race

Pantoland: Let's Talk About Race

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