Seeking inspiration from celebrated restraunteur and author Helen Tse’s (MBE) memoir Sweet Mandarin, In-Sook Chappell’s Mountains: The Dreams of Lily Kwok places a spotlight on Helen’s grandmother, Lily, a woman from modest beginnings in China who would later establish one of the first Chinese restaurants within the UK, located near Manchester. Her legacy lives on thanks to her three granddaughters, including Helen. Read on to find out more about the creation of the play!

Mountains: The Dreams of Lily Kwok will shortly start its UK tour, how are you feeling ahead of the run?

I’m really excited that the show will be able to be seen across the country. It’s a fantastic story that hasn’t been told and we’re going to be playing in some great theatres including the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, which is the theatre I went to as a child.

Tapping into the topic of cultural identity, Guleraana Mir’s latest play, ‘Coconut’ explores what it means to be of dual nationality. Pakistani by heritage and brought up in the UK, Mir’s experiences with familial and societal expectations have shaped this timely piece. Read on to find out more about what Guleraana would like for audiences to take away from the show, why she has chosen certain topics to explore and how the New Diorama BAMER programme has supported the show’s development.

One of Shakespeare’s most popular and iconic tragedies during his time and the modern day, Hamlet is considered to be the ultimate tale of revenge. Simon Godwin’s adaptation offers a unique take on the narrative, his production drawing on various African influences ranging from the West to South Africa. Taking on the role of Gertrude, Queen of Denmark; Lorna Brown speaks to Theatre Full Stop about how she’s approached taking on the complex role as well as tackling Shakespeare’s rich language.

A household name on the BBC’s much loved entertainment show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, Oti Mabuse has dazzled viewers with her ability to craft memorable showstopping routines as well as showcase her technical prowess during professional dance numbers. Strictly has once again finished for the year however fans of the show can watch Oti and fellow Strictly alumni Ian Waite embark on a tour with their debut show Rhythm of the Night. Find out what inspired Oti to become a dancer, how both Oti and Ian approached choreographing the show and what you can expect!

Yellow Earth are a theatre company renowned for their championing of diverse voices from the East Asian community. In their 22nd year, they continue to blaze the trail, broadening the range of characters represented on stage. Having worked with original Yellow Earth founding member Kumiko Mendl to develop her piece, ‘Zen’, Joyce Lee discusses how she’s crafted the show, the importance of speaking out about mental health and whether there are enough strong female protagonists represented on stage…

A crisp autumn frost is settling on the forecourt leading to the Barbican Centre. With it’s extensive brutalist architecture, the building itself is a much needed fort against the onslaught of winter. Tucked away in the Barbican Kitchen I am sat with actor Amber James, who in three weeks will be taking to the Barbican stage as Charmian in the RCS’s Antony and Cleopatra. Fresh from a run as Anna in Marlowe’s Dido, Queen of Carthage she’s looking forward to a few weeks of rest before she takes to the stage again. It feels perfect to be meeting Amber at the Barbican, just a stone’s throw away from Guildhall, the training ground that has helped propel her in the illustrious career that is falling at her feet.

From Thursday 9th to Friday 10th November, Chanje Kunda will bring her latest show, Superposition to Stratford Circus Arts Centre. A one woman show exploring female eroticism, a fusion of movement and poetry looks to challenge the commodification of women’s eroticism.

Courtesy of Stratford Circus Arts Centre.

A collaboration between Zest Theatre and Half Moon Theatre, What Once Was Ours places the thoughts and beliefs of a young generation at the fore. Two companies renowned for championing young voices, their collaboration brings us the worlds of Katie and Callum, two individuals drawn apart by distance, heritage and opportunities, but what binds them together? Their father. Half-siblings, their lives couldn’t be anymore different, however in times of need, can they set their differences aside to help one another?

The Women’s March will be marked in history as a protest that brought the world together. On Saturday 21st January, after the inauguration of President Trump, millions took to the streets in opposition to multiple statements made by the infamous president regarding women’s rights. Affected greatly by the cause and camaraderie present on the day, comedian Sajeela Kershi would seek inspiration for her latest show Fights Like a Girl! Read on to find out more about the show…

It’s been nearly 20 years since Bad Girls made its screen debut on our TV sets. A prison drama unlike any other, it placed the voices of women from all walks of life centre stage. Orange is the New Black continues to blaze the trail in our new age of streaming box sets as and when we like, again offering an alternative to the female experience. Expanding on the conversation of gender equality and imprisonment, Cassiah Joski-Jethi brings her show Under My Thumb, shortlisted for a RED Women Theatre Award to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Read on to find out more about the show…