We’re capable of incredible things, able to push the limits on what we originally thought possible and push humanity forward. We’ve forever had a fascination with the idea of flight and being able to subvert gravity and suspend over our concrete world. Driven by this fascination with the world up above, dancer and choreographer RachidOuramdane explores what it is to dare, to go above and beyond and experience the thrill that this anticipates in Corps extrêmes.
The SoA has announced shortlists for the ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award, the Betty Trask Prize, the Paul Torday Memorial Prize, the Queen’s Knickers Award, the McKitterick Prize, the Gordon Bowker Volcano Prize and the inaugural shortlist for the ADCI Literary Prize.
Justunder a couple of centuries on from when it was first staged, Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House – a radical feat at the time – continues to resonate. The tale of a young woman,Nora – a housewife who becomes disillusioned and dissatisfied with her condescending husband Torvald one that feeds in well with current conversations had around women’s rights. Currently playing at the Hudson Theatre, New York up until 10th June, the production has received critical acclaim, adapted by Amy Herzog and directed by Jamie Lloyd, the cast includesJessica Chastain, Arian Moayed, Tasha Lawrence, Tasha Lawrence, Michael Patrick Thornton, Okieriete Onaodowan and Jesmille Darbouze. Starring as Kristine Linde, actor, singer and dancer Jesmille tells us more about the show’s current run.
A film that catapulted the careers of the celebrated actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg and television presenter and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey, The Color Purple continues to inspire four decades on. Written by Pulitzer Prize winning author Alice Walker, the novel turned film concerns itself with Celie, an African American teen brought up in early 20th century rural Georgia to harsh realities, however empowered by powerful sisterly bonds formed by those she meets along her life journey. Adapted for the Broadway stage in 2005 by playwright Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray – the musical staged version went on to win two Tony Awards. Now set to take to our screens on 26th January 2024, and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones with direction by Blitz Bazawule, The Color Purple returns with an all star cast including Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino!
Award-winning actor, Sir Jonathan Pryce, has today expressed his determination to help people affected by dementia, following his appointment as an Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador. One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime. The acclaimed actor will use his voice and influence to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Society as a vital source of support for everyone affected by dementia.
A Spotlight On, a new streaming service aims to shine a light on everyone who makes theatre possible. Hosted by Radio and TV broadcaster Penny Smith, TV and West End theatre star Mel Giedroyc and deputy editor of The Stage, Matt Hemley, this highly anticipated platform launched last month.
TodayTix, the digital gateway to cultural experiences, is thrilled to announce the return of its 25 West End Shows at £25 campaign in London’s West End just in time for the summer season. Running from 22 May to 4 June, it features 25 of the hottest shows with tickets starting at £25.
The attitudes that we pick up and learn stem from our childhoods, our families the first port of call when it comes to this – our school experiences ones that further set in stone how we process the world around us. A celebration of uniqueness and camaraderie, writer Onjali Q. Rauf crafts The Hero Next Door, a tale of a three school peers – Musa, a young refugee, Haley, a girl with ASD and Melody, a school bully who are forced together by a revelation that poses dire consequences if not stopped in its tracks!
On paper, a promising night out at the Barbican, one of my favourite East London venues whose concrete wings stretch out into the City of London. The Meaning of Zong promises to tell an incredible tale based on a significant and buried piece of British history. Weeks before the King’s coronation there was an opportunity here to do something bold and spectacular, but it fell short in terms of ambition, execution, and critical commentary.
Leading up to its independence in 1960, Cameroon, a West African nation, experienced over a century of colonial rule. Taken over by various European powers, in what is known as the ‘Partition of Africa’, societal structures would fall into accordance of the ruling powers that be. Inspired by her grandmother’s story, having lived in Cameroon during the little known ‘Bamileke War’ during the 1950s (the conflict’s duration was from 1955 to 1964), writer and director Clarisse Makundul presents Under the Kundè Tree – a piece placing a young woman growing up during this turbulent time at the fore. Ahead of the show, to be staged from the 24th May until the 27th June at the Southwark Playhouse, Clarisse tells us more about exploring this important narrative further, accessing our post colonial era and what audiences can expect from the show.