Latest Articles - Page 323 of 729

An Officer and a Gentlemen – Alexandra Birmingham

28Feb

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

An Officer and a Gentlemen – Alexandra Birmingham

Like “Dirty Dancing” before it, yet another of the screen to stage transmutations which seem to proliferate currently, “An Officer and a Gentlemen” has a single, vibrant choreographic image around which all else might be considered mere dressing. He lifts her up (presumably where she belongs) and carries her from the factory surrounded by applauding workers and colleagues. So ingrained is that image in my mind I can recall it without any research 42 years after its release! Such is the power of screen, but what of stage? In the highest grossing movies of 1982 only ET and Tootsie* elbowed “An Officer and a Gentleman” into third place just above Rocky III - which, I’m sure, would make an excellent ballet - proving itself a huge success for Richard Gere, Debra Winger and the very shouty Lo...

The Vicar of Dibley – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

27Feb

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

The Vicar of Dibley – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Altrincham Garrick Playhouse’s The Vicar of Dibley transported audiences back to the quirky charm of the beloved TV series, delivering an evening of uproarious laughter and heartwarming moments. Directed by Pete Brassington, the production showcased the talents of a remarkable cast of amateur performers who breathed new life into the iconic characters. Meg Brassington shone as the irrepressible Geraldine Granger, infusing the role with wit, warmth, and a touch of sass. Opposite her, Hugh Everett embodied the pompous yet endearing David Horton, while Dan Ellis captured the bumbling charm of Hugo Horton. Helen Swain charmed as the sweet-natured but somewhat dim-witted Alice Tinker, eliciting plenty of laughs with her comedic timing. Christine Perry brought Letitia Cropley to life w...

The Merchant of Venice 1936 – The Criterion Theatre

26Feb

By Caroline WorswickNo Comments

London

The Merchant of Venice 1936 – The Criterion Theatre

Relocated from the traditional Venice of the 16th century, to 1930’s East End of London, this thoroughly re-worked and re-freshed version of The Merchant of Venice, uses a different period in history to tell its story. The outline of the story remains unchanged. Antonio (Raymond Coulthard) hopes to assist his friend Bassiano (Gavin Fowler) who wishes to court the wealthy Portia (Hannah Morrish); by obtaining a loan from Shylock (Tracey-Ann Oberman). Antonio suffers financial setbacks, and cannot repay the loan, unfortunately, the penalties for this are not financial, Shylock wants her pound of flesh. And yes, you noticed that Shylock is a woman! Oberman imagined a Jewish matriarch, inspired by her grandmother who fled an antisemitic country to arrive in Lon...

26Feb

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Musclebound – Camden People’s Theatre

Very niche and very funny! Rosy Carrick ruminates about the eroticised torture of bodybuilders in mainstream films of the 1980s and her personal sexual exploration through the years. Having co-hosted the poetry stages at Latitude and Glastonbury festivals for the last decade, Rosy has the gift of gab and will have your attention immediately after 'coming' into the room. It is not often that we have one-woman comedy take centre stage shamelessly about their first explorations around sex as a child, a teen, an adult, a mother of a teen, or an older woman pursuing exactly what she fancies. This new show is asking a lot of questions about the politics of female pleasure and untangling the creepers of shame, power, and torture around ideas of sexual exploration. Rosy has created a bra...

26Feb

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

The Offies Awards 2024 – The Winners

Celebrating the best and supporting inclusiveness The Offies celebrate the best of independent, alternative and fringe theatre – across Greater London and at selected fringe festivals around the UK. Their 2023 ceremony, on the evening of Sunday, 25th February, at the Woolwich Works, gave out over 50 awards across an exciting range of categories and to a hugely diverse range of recipients. Over 850 people attended to participate in the second live Offies ceremony since March 2020. This year, the winners from 2023 were invited to return to present the awards to this year’s winners, creating a sense of continuity and community. Other presenters included Linda Marlowe, actor and OffWestEnd Patron, Paul Roseby OBE, Director, National Youth Theatre, Ronnie Le Drew, Puppeteer and P...

Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 3 returns to Park Theatre

25Feb

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 3 returns to Park Theatre

Returning for a third installment, the hugely popular Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] will see over 45 famous faces take on the role of the Inspector in a murder mystery fundraising spoof. Without ever seeing the script and only hearing their lines via an earpiece moments before speaking, one celebrity from a star-studded line-up of comedians, actors, presenters and musicians will take to the stage to perform the lead role. Who it will be each night is the greatest mystery of all, and only revealed when the curtain goes up. New faces in this year’s line-up include award winning actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Beverley Knight, Adrian Lester and Jodie Whittaker who will be attempting to solve a series of grizzly murders aboard a train. The voice of Richard Kind joins Ian McKellen in providing the na...

Greenwich Theatre Announces 2024 in-house productions

25Feb

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Greenwich Theatre Announces 2024 in-house productions

The premieres of four new Greenwich Theatre productions are announced today. In its 2024 season, the company will present Greenwich Theatre productions of Bryony Lavery’s Frozen and Jez Butterworth’s The River alongside new family shows Beauty and the Beast in the summer and Dick Whittington and his Cat premiering for Christmas 2024. Greenwich Theatre’s 2024 productions feature acclaimed actors including Kerrie Taylor (Hollyoaks, Where The Heart Is, The Bay), Paul McGann (Withnail and I, Doctor Who, Luther), and James Bradshaw (Endeavour, Hollyoaks) whilst emerging talent is propelled behind the scenes including Beauty and the Beast writing duo Sidonie Welton and Brad Tutt. • Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival (29th March – 14th April 2024) in its 17th year • Bryony Lavery’s Fr...

Les Dennis to star in Not Too Tame and Shakespeare North Playhouse’s Twelfth Night!

25Feb

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Les Dennis to star in Not Too Tame and Shakespeare North Playhouse’s Twelfth Night!

Beloved actor, comedian, and TV Presenter, Les Dennis, is set to take to the Shakespeare North Playhouse stage as ‘Malvolio’ in Twelfth Night this June 7th-29th. Not Too Tame and Shakespeare North Playhouse proudly announce another dynamic co-production, bringing forth a brilliantly bold rendition of William Shakespeare’s timeless comedy, ‘Twelfth Night’. Following the resounding success of their previous collaboration, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, the producing duo return to captivate audiences with a signature blend of exhilarating and anarchic experimental theatre. Not Too Tame & Shakespeare North Playhouse give this classic comedy a contemporary revamp with a dose of riffs, ruffs, and riotous partying. Prepare to be transported into a world where the stage is set...

Bumper Christmas Season at Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse

25Feb

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Bumper Christmas Season at Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse

Christmas 2023 proved to be another bumper season at the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, with the annual Rock ‘n’ Roll panto Cinderella playing to full houses and standing ovations, while the West End hit The Woman in Black spooked audiences at the Playhouse. The theatres have already announced Rapunzel at the Everyman (16th November to 18th January), with Richard O’Brien’s global sensation Rocky Horror Show taking up residency for the festive season at the Liverpool Playhouse (3rd December to 4th January). Cinderella and The Woman in Black attracted a diverse audience of all ages, with performances enjoyed by over 45,000 people, a quarter of whom were children and young people attending as families, with schools and with youth groups. As the theatres share their plans for Christm...

25Feb

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

King Lear – Almedia Theatre

Tour de force contextualising King Lear in the here and now. Yaël Farber's directed recreations of Shakespeare have become synonymous with memorable action from the actors and actresses, moody lights and deep witnessing of self and others. The earthy elements of the wind, rain and soil are brought alive on stage with outstanding craftsmanship. Max Perryment's music is brought centre stage by the talented actors and actresses who break into songs and by the infinite variety of instruments on stage and in the background. The violinist often contoured in inverted postures, usually a background in position but centre stage by adding additional flavourful notes. Set designer Merle Hensel's delicate shimmering cascading fine chains curtain provides an aesthetic background...