“We have reimagined what a night of illusion can be… I think we have liberated the magic show, it’s going to be a glorious thing”, quotes Derren Brown, renowned mentalist and illusionist recognised for his unique brand of magic which helped define the British magical landscape in the early naughties. Televisual feats defying expectation and putting magic on the map! Now crafting his latest stage show Unbelievable – a co-production with the Mercury Theatre Colchester, currently available to experience at the Criterion Theatre, Brown steps back from hosting and instead channels his skill through the charm and charisma of an ensemble of illusionists.

A rugged, broken down interpretation of ‘the magic show’, we’re invited to a few magical, behind the scenes secrets, plenty of audience participation and some of the world’s most famous magical feats. Magical history laced throughout the evening. From Prohibition America to modern day Britain, we’re treated with the joy of magic, Brown constructing an ambitious script never allowing for a dull moment to occur – there’s no doubt the show has an understanding of how to entertain.

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Elan Davies (c) Alex Brenner

The winners of The Stage Debut Awards, in association with ATG, have been announced at the annual awards ceremony in a star-studded bash at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, hosted by legendary drag artist, performer and songstress Divina De Campo.

This year, the spotlight fell on a total of 45 nominees across 8 categories, ranging from performers to composers and designers through to writers, lyricists and directors, whose work debuted on stages across the country. For the first time, this year’s winners also took home a share of a £10,000 prize fund.

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Sadler’s Wells is preparing for its East Bank venue launch next year, by inviting applications for its new innovative international choreographic school. Artists are invited to register their interest in Rose Choreographic School, which will be based at Sadler’s Wells’ new venue Sadler’s Wells East and launched on Tuesday 26 September. It is led by dramaturg and writer Martin Hargreaves with input from artistic faculty members and leading dance figures William Forsythe, Trajal Harrell and Alesandra Seutin.

Rose Choreographic School is an experimental research programme for artists to develop their practice through investigating questions of the choreographic, over a two-year period. They will have access to studio spaces, mentoring and a research budget and will engage in workshops, lectures and discursive events.

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The path towards achieving social mobility is an enduring one, one paved with ambition, ethic and resilience. The very notion of being able to move amongst the classes an aspirational feat ingrained within the British fabric. A phenomenon observed and tapped into well by George Bernard Shaw and his classic work Pygmalion – the production is a fascinating case study into the power of language, tone and confidence/demeanour.

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The Stage Debut Awards today unveils a star-studded line-up of guest presenters and performers taking part in the 7^th annual awards ceremony, held in association with Ambassador Theatre Group, recognising the best breakthrough theatre talent in the UK.

Some of the biggest names in the performing arts industry will join this year’s host legendary drag artist, performer and singer Divina De Campo on Sunday 1st October at 8 Northumberland Avenue to honour the achievements of this year’s cream of the breakthrough crop.  Forty-five nominees across 8 categories, from performers to composers and designers through to writers, lyricists and directors, all of whom have made their professional debuts in the past 12 months, will be celebrated.

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Monday 18 September: It has been announced that Mark Gatiss is the 2023 recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre Award. He will be honoured at the UK Theatre Awards ceremony, taking place on Sunday 8 October at London’s Guildhall. The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to honour and celebrate outstanding achievements in theatre throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by UK Theatre members.

Gatiss is a writer, director, producer, author and actor, and regional theatre has been at the heart of his long and varied career. From directing productions like The Unfriend at Chichester Festival Theatre and The Way Old Friends Do at Birmingham Rep, to starring in productions like the Madness Of King George III and his own adaptation of A Christmas Carol (both at the Nottingham Playhouse), it is clear to see his commitment to making world class productions in regional theatre, which he acknowledges as ‘the lifeblood of the industry’.

He is also an Olivier Award winning actor, and his stage work includes Coriolanus (Donmar Warehouse), The Boys In The Band (Park/Vaudeville Theatres) and Three Days In The Country (National Theatre: Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role). In December he will be reprising his role as Sir John Gielgud in The Motive and The Cue which transfers to the Noël Coward Theatre.

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Felicity Varah Harding OBE, distinguished daughter of Samaritans founder Chad Varah and esteemed Honorary President of Samaritans, is set to make a special appearance at the Greenwich Theatre on October 5th, 2023. She will be attending We Are What We Overcome, a groundbreaking production that delves into the complexities of mental health through captivating stories and songs.

Felicity Varah Harding’s presence will be a testament to her enduring commitment to mental health awareness and support. As part of this event, she will extend her gratitude to the show’s visionary creator, Matt McGuinness. Recognised for his collaborative efforts with the suicide prevention charity, McGuinness has been actively involving local branches as a source of support at each venue on his impactful UK tour to fundraise and offer emotional support.

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Thursday 14 September: Today, the nominees for this year’s UK Theatre Awards have been announced. The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to honour and celebrate outstanding achievements in theatre throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by UK Theatre members.

With nominees across the UK, this year’s shortlist showcases the creativity, originality and resilience of theatre. Leading the nominations, both with acknowledgements across five categories, are Lyric Theatre Belfast and Sheffield Theatres. Lyric Theatre Belfast’s nominations include Best Design, Best Director, Best New Play, Best Play Revival and Best Show for Children and Young People, while Sheffield Theatres is represented in Best Musical Production, Best Play Revival, Best Performance in a Musical and Best Performance in a Play.

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As the National Theatre prepares to mark 60 years of entertaining and inspiring audiences around the world on 22 October, a birthday present of 3,600 free tickets, 60 tickets for 60 performances in October, will be available for 16–25-year-olds to book for productions on the South Bank and in the West End. Productions include The Father and the Assassin, Death of England: Closing Time, The Effect, The Confessions, The Ocean at the End of the Lane and Dear England.

Tickets for the productions on all three stages of the National Theatre and at the Noël Coward and Prince Edward theatres in the West End will be made available to book for free via the National Theatre website on Monday 2 October from 12 – 6pm or whilst tickets last.

From the powerful exploration of oppression and extremism in Anupama Chandrasekhar’s The Father and the Assassin, to James Graham’s smash-hit new play Dear England, which tells the story of the England men’s football team under Gareth Southgate, there is a wealth of theatrical experience on offer for thousands of young people to experience for free.

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Globally renowned actor Brian Cox is the latest name set to join BBC Maestro’s online platform of world-class experts. His course, Acting, will shine a spotlight on how to deliver award-winning performances, capture — and hold — an audience’s collective attention, and embody a multitude of iconic characters. Brian’s dedication to his craft has garnered international and critical acclaim across six decades. A classically trained Shakespearean actor, his formidable performances as Logan Roy in Succession, Hermann Göring in Nuremberg, Detective Inspector Nelson in Rat in the Skull and the titular role in Titus Andronicus have earned him an Emmy, a Golden Globe Award, two BAFTAs, and two Olivier Awards.

Across his lessons, Brian will direct aspiring actors through practical exercises designed to help them master both stage and screen. Lessons will delve into character development, script analysis, and the essential techniques to take into their next audition. The course will include a discussion of the key components of acting, insights from a casting director, and a practical workshop led by Brian to help current drama students hone their craft.

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