Just under 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 includes Jessica 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.
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.
Courtesy of Jemima Yong.
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.
The media shapes how we learn about the issues of the day and dictates how we all manoeuvre. A powerful tool that forms ways of thinking and how our societies run. Almost a century ago, the General Strike of 1926 would grind many industries to a halt, a dispute that would see union workers demand better pay conditions lasting just over a week – with this, only a couple of news outlets – The British Gazette led by soon to be UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and The BBC, led by John Reith operating at the time. With one ending that same year, and the other going on to influence many up until the today, parallels to the early 20th century couldn’t be clearer. Drawing on this particular part of British history, writer Jack Thorne presents When Winston Went to War with the Wireless to show at the Donmar Warehouse from the 2nd to 26th June. Ahead of the production, performer Ravin J Ganatra talks about starring as influential figures, the Archbishop of Canterbury and J.C.C. Davidson – a British civil servant and Conservative party politician.
The Society for Theatre Research is delighted to reveal the shortlist for the Theatre Book Prize 2023 in its 25thyear.
