Larger than life, postmodern, explosive, and chaotic, Daniel York Loh subverts the notion of the typical British Chinese experience in his latest play which premiered in London last week. The last time I felt such awe and excitement about the possibilities of theatre was when I saw Daniel’s last play at the Arcola Theatre, FORGOTTEN 遗忘 (2018).

Initially, one might wonder what more there is to say about identity politics. I myself thought this as we were forced multiple times to listen to all manner of racist slurs that are specifically directed to East and Southeast Asians. I thought to myself, do we really need to cover the same ground again and again? Can we not put our traumas to bed? But then I am rudely reminded on my Instagram feed where news broke yesterday that we live in a world where the Metropolitan Police are able to arrest multiple South Asian individuals for calling other South Asians a “coconut,” the subject clearly remains painfully relevant. So, this is the question the play is asking, what does it mean to be Chinese? And what does Dao mean? There is no straight forward answer to either.

Continue reading

Henny Finch & Timothy Sheader – Courtesy of Helen Murray

Tim Sheader and Executive Director Henny Finch announce Sheader’s first season as Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse. The season is comprised of the world premieres of 2 brand new plays, the UK premiere of an award-winning musical and a major revival. The Donmar also today announces a renewed commitment to developing younger audiences, making over 8000 tickets available at £20 for people aged 35 and under.

The season launches with the world premiere of The Fear of 13 by Lindsey Ferrentino, based on the true story of Nick Yarris who spent 22 years on Death Row. Directed by Justin Martin, and starring Academy Award winner Adrien Brody, both making their Donmar Warehouse debuts.

Sheader then directs the UK premiere of Dave Malloy’s Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. The multi-award-winning musical is inspired by a scandalous slice of Tolstoy’s seminal work War and Peace.

Anna Mackmin returns to the Donmar to direct the world premiere of her new play Backstroke – a tender new work that examines the mother/daughter relationship, and the impact when the roles are reversed. The cast is led by Celia Imrie who returns to the Donmar, and Tamsin Greig making her Donmar debut.

Continue reading

Today, the RSC announces the appointment of Despina Tsatsas as the Company’s new Executive Producer (London), working alongside Co-Artistic Directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans and Executive Director Andrew Leveson to define and deliver commercial producing opportunities for the RSC in London and internationally.

Despina joins the organisation with over 20 years’ experience across the subsidised and commercial theatre and entertainment sectors, and most recently created a new artist-led live experiences division for prominent UK music entity ATC Group plc. She takes up her role in September.

Despina Tsatsas said today:

“The ambition of Daniel and Tamara’s first season, and the range of artist collaborations within it, speaks for itself. I look forward to working with the Co-ADs, ED Andrew Leveson and the whole RSC team, to deliver meaningful commercial sector partnerships that bring RSC productions to the broadest range of audiences in the UK and internationally.”

Continue reading

Today WASLA announces its global comeback as the Arab alternative music & arts festival debuts in London this September after several successful editions in the Middle East. Taking place at London’s Outernet on September 3 & 4 2024, WASLA will bring a two-day event packed with celebrations of Arab music, art, food, and culture to the UK capital.

With a diverse line-up of the Arab world’s best up-and-coming performers and artists, this year’s festival live performances will come from Marwan Pablo, TootArd, Freek, DJ Habibeats, El Waili, Areej, Gharam Electric, and Rasha Nahas with both days including DJ sets from Maher and Mike Daniel, the Palestinian-Canadian siblings who will take turns on the decks to set the energy! Live performances will take place across Outernet’s venues, HERE and The Lower Third.

Tickets for WASLA will go presale from Wednesday 26^th June at 10am local time with a general sale following Friday 28^th June at 10am local time via LiveNation.co.uk.

Continue reading

Tanisha Spring/ Moulin Rouge. Lucy St Louis and Alexia Khadime/ Wicked – Courtesy of Danny Kaan

Over 70,000 people flocked to London’s Trafalgar Square this weekend (Sat 22 & Sun 23 June) for West End LIVE, Europe’s biggest free theatre festival which has been hailed as ‘Glastonbury for theatre lovers’. Theatre fans travelled from all over the UK and even further afield for this unique and hotly anticipated event, presented on the Saturday by theatre stars Bradley Jaden and Mazz Murray, and on the Sunday by Cedric Neal and Zizi Strallen.

Six the Musical/ Courtesy of Danny Kaan

The weekend was packed with 11 hours of performances from an impressive line-up of over 50 of London’s top shows.

Musicals on the bill included West End LIVE favourites Back To The Future The Musical, The Book Of Mormon, Cabaret, The Choir Of Man, Disney’s Frozen, Hamilton, Heathers The

Cabaret/ Courtesy of Danny Kaan

Musical, Disney’s The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, RSC’s Matilda The Musical, Les Misérables, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Phantom Of The Opera, Tina – The Tina Turner Musicaland Wicked.

Continue reading

5x Grammy winner and one of the most notable hip hop, R&B, and fashion/style icons of all time, Ms. Lauryn Hill is continuing where she left off – once again reuniting with The Fugees, to co-headline an extension of The Miseducation Anniversary Tour in honor of the landmark album that was just named the best album of all time by Apple Music. The tour will feature music from The Miseducation of Ms. Lauryn Hill, The Score and more.

Kicking off August 9th in Tampa, the 21-date tour will include US shows in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and more along with international dates in London, Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam. The Fugees will co-headline all dates and YG Marley will be joining as support. Ticketing information for the new dates and routing can be found below.

Continue reading

Legendary pop-punk rockers Sum 41 announced today that they will embark on a UK leg of their final worldwide tour this October & November – Tour of the Setting Sum. The band, known for hits like Fat Lip, In Too Deep and Still Waiting, is set to start the mosh pits across UK venues including London’s OVO Arena Wembley, Manchester’s Co-op Live, Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, and Cardiff’s Utilita Arena.

This tour news follows Sum 41’s explosive set earlier this month at Download Festival 2024. The band’s final festival performance at Donington Park gave fans a taste of what’s to come from the UK tour with a setlist of greatest hits and one last chance to jump to the sounds that defined our adolescence!

Tickets for Sum 41’s final UK shows will go presale from Tuesday 25^th June at 10am local time with a general sale following Friday 28^th June at 10am local time via LiveNation.co.uk.

Continue reading

Today, Cyndi Lauper announces UK and EU dates to her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour.  Produced by Live Nation, the colossal tour will head to Europe next February, marking Lauper’s first major run in a decade, with shows in Glasgow, Manchester, London, Birmingham, and Belfast before continuing onto Budapest, Lodz, Prague, Berlin, Dusseldorf and Paris. Throughout the tour, Lauper will be joined by special guests to be revealed at a later date. Tickets go on general sale Friday 28^th June at 10am local time via Livenation.co.uk.

Mastercard cardholders have special access to presale tickets in France, starting from Wednesday 26^thJune at 10am. Preferred ticket access is available to Mastercard cardholders in the UK on Friday 28^thJune at 10am. Visit www.priceless.com/music to find out more.

This announcement comes off the heels of the North American Farewell tour news announced earlier this month and follows the release of follows LET THE CANARY SING, a feature-length documentary film that explores Lauper’s extraordinary life and career. The documentary premiered exclusively on Paramount+in the U.S. and Canada on Tuesday 4th June. In celebration of the tour and the film, Lauper has was honored with an imprint ceremony at the prestigious TCL Chinese Theatre Hollywood in Los Angeles.

Continue reading

Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has announced the introduction of an innovative Performing Arts Centre. This visionary addition promises to enrich Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape and enhance the array of attractions within Qiddiya City. With stunning architecture, pioneering technology, and commitment to artistic innovation, the centre promises to redefine the cultural experience for residents and visitors alike. The first cultural asset of the newly announced Qiddiya City, the Centre is poised to receive over 800,000 visits every year.

The unveiling of Qiddiya City’s Performing Arts Center follows the announcement of many exciting entertainment, sports, and cultural attractions, including the world’s first multi-use Gaming and Esports District, the multi-sports Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, the motorsport track, the Dragon Ball theme park and Aquarabia, the first water theme park of its kind in Saudi Arabia.

Continue reading

After being recognized as Billboard’s Latin Woman of the Year, global recording artist Karol G officially kicks off the summer with the release of her highly anticipated new single, Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido. This merengue promises to capture the hearts of her fans worldwide, fulfilling the star’s promise on social media to deliver this year’s summer anthem. Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido, a track produced in partnership with Coke Studio, underscores the global impact of Latin music in mainstream pop culture, with Karol G as the main artist of this significant collaboration. The single is now available on all digital platforms. The song that officially kicks off the summer of 2024 is accompanied by a music video directed by Pedro Artola, produced by WeOwnTheCity and filmed in the Dominican Republic.

The story takes place in a cozy beachside establishment, where Karol plays the role of a waitress challenged and empowered by a fellow waitress to sing at the karaoke bar. As the artist begins to perform the song, a celebratory atmosphere spreads to everyone present to the point of becoming such a big party that not even the police can resist. The video captures the authentic Caribbean flavor, transmitting the vibrant energy of Karol’s music and of all the participants who dance with her.

Continue reading