Monday, November 17, 2025

Russell Tovey on pride, sexual power and politics: ‘The Green party slogan – make hope normal again – is what we need’ by Michael Cragg

One of the most prolific and popular actors of his generation, he reflects on therapy, homophobia, why he suspects now is the worst time in history for trans people, and his secret life as a…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:54AM

‘He caught what I thought was impossible’: Danny Boyle, Hanif Kureishi and others on the genius of Akram Khan by Interviews By Lyndsey Winship

Thikra: Night of Remembering is Akram Khan Company’s last touring show. Here, the choreographer and dancer’s collaborators recall how he motivated them Nitin Sawhney, composer, collabora…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:54AM

‘We say yes to what she gives us’: Perfect Show for Rachel, the hit comedy in which its learning disabled star calls the shots by Kate Wyver

This madcap variety show sees its titular lead direct proceedings from her control desk. Rachel, her co-star sister and their mum explain what it reveals about disability in the UK Rachel O…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:42AM
Sunday, November 16, 2025

Marianne Jean-Baptiste: ‘I’d work for Mike Leigh again in a heartbeat – in fact, I’ll pay him!’ by Amy Raphael

The actor moved to LA 22 years ago. Now she’s back in the UK to star alongside Bryan Cranston in All My Sons. She talks about the frightening rehearsal schedule, how she’d work again wit…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:32PM

The Royal Ballet: Perspectives review – intimate seduction, pure dance and enduring beauty by Lyndsey Winship

Royal Opera House, LondonIn an engaging triple bill, a new work from Cathy Marston explores the emotional charge of Britten’s Violin Concerto, while works by Justin Peck and George Balanch…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:06AM
Saturday, November 15, 2025

Greg McCarthy obituary by Louisa Davies-Foley

My friend Greg McCarthy, who has died aged 47 from a heart attack, was an in-character educator, and brought history to life for primary schoolchildren across the Midlands. Through his own c…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:02AM

Loop review – this warped tale of sexual fantasies could be wilder by Miriam Gillinson

Theatre503, LondonA young woman loses her grip on reality in writer-performer Tanya-Loretta Dee’s unsettling monologue At what point does infatuation tip over into something darker and mor…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:36AM
Friday, November 14, 2025

‘I’m not just putting on nice plays’: Hollywood star Alan Cumming’s plan to reignite theatre in the Scottish Highlands by Libby Brooks

What is the effervescent new boss at Pitlochry theatre planning for his first season? Huge names, undersung stars – and a King Lear played by ‘the woman who changed my life’ ‘Holy sh…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:12AM

Best foot forward: Justin Peck’s Royal Ballet debut – in pictures by Guardian Staff

The Royal Ballet’s Perspectives brings together a George Balanchine classic, a new work by Cathy Marston and Peck’s Everywhere We Go, with music by Sufjan Stevens All photographs by Tris…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:06AM

Sex, cash and intruders? The groundbreaking drama series Play for Today is back by Mark Lawson

The revered BBC strand that gave us Abigail’s Party and The Black Stuff makes a return … on Channel 5. Will it be as successful as in its heyday? In March 1977, BBC One screened Spend, S…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:02AM

Porn Play review – Ambika Mod excels as an academic undone by pornography addiction by Chris Wiegand

Royal Court theatre, London Sophia Chetin-Leuner’s drama toggles between digital and physical worlds as it traces a scholar’s grim compulsion ‘It’s not that deep,” Ani’s friend a…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:02AM
Thursday, November 13, 2025

Coven review – witchcraft musical cursed with cartoonish characters by Arifa Akbar

Kiln theatre, LondonThe accused of the Pendle witch trials are given a voice but this glib production fails to do them justice Rebecca Brewer and Daisy Chute’s musical, inspired by the Pen…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:54PM

After Sunday review – cookery class exposes simmering tensions in secure hospital by Anya Ryan

Bush theatre, LondonPerformed by an exceptional cast, Sophia’s Griffin’s debut play paints a vivid picture of men – and a system – in crisis The heat rises slowly, and then suddenly …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:12AM

Gasp-worthy, clunky, a moral problem? Critics react to The Hunger Games: On Stage by Guardian Stage

The reviews are in for the long-awaited adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ dystopian novel, presented in a purpose-built theatre in Canary Wharf The Super Bowl optics are all there from the of…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:54AM

Big Ange review – divided Britain faced down by a dinner lady by Mark Fisher

Live theatre, Newcastle Jamie Eastlake’s play addresses the forces pushing a young man towards the far right – and the school meals supervisor set on saving him When did society become s…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:42AM

Hilary Mantel story imagining Margaret Thatcher’s assassination to be staged in Liverpool by Chris Wiegand Stage Editor

Short story set in 1983, and published a year after the former prime minister’s death, considers ‘what happens when people feel they don’t have a voice’ says director John Young Hila…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:32AM
Wednesday, November 12, 2025

The Hunger Games: On Stage review – thundering fight to the death in a dazzling dystopia by Arifa Akbar

Troubadour Canary Wharf theatre, LondonEye-popping visuals and a strong lead performance energise Matthew Dunster’s production – but the emotion gets lost amid the action A luminous bow …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:02PM

‘I really enjoyed it’: new RSC curriculum brings Shakespeare’s works to life in UK classrooms by Sally Weale Education Correspondent

Starting with Macbeth, online platform using rehearsal-based teaching methods aims to transform study of the Bard Act 1. Scene 1. A classroom in a secondary school in Peterborough. It is a d…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:06AM
Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Hasan Al-Habib: Death to the West (Midlands) review – twinkling debut from British-Iraqi standup by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonThe comedian considers his Brummie and Middle East identities in a polished set about belonging British-Iraqi comedian Hasan Al-Habib’s eye-catching show is about comin…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:12AM

Ivo van Hove’s All My Sons extends the UK’s special relationship with Arthur Miller by Michael Billington

In his first hit play, now receiving another starry revival, the celebrated dramatist’s analysis of the American psyche is steeped in European tradition The British theatre’s long love a…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:54AM
Monday, November 10, 2025

The Queen of Versailles review – Kristin Chenoweth goes big in unwieldy Broadway musical by Adrian Horton

St James Theatre, New York The Wicked star reunites with composer Stephen Schwartz for a flashy yet exhausting adaptation of the acclaimed documentary Like the US Capitol a century later, Ve…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:41PM

Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden: ‘I feel more at home on stage than I do in life’ by Chris Wiegand

Speaking at a screening of hit play The Fifth Step, the actor reveals he is ‘not comfortable at all on camera’ Slow Horses star Jack Lowden has said it was a “relief” to return to th…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:06AM

Lake District theatre to be renamed after Victoria Wood and unveil new musical of her songs by Chris Wiegand

Old Laundry theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere will change its name next year and premiere show to mark 10th anniversary of comedian’s death A theatre in the Lake District is to be renamed f…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:06AM

‘She spread love and naughtiness’: Simon Callow on directing Pauline Collins in Shirley Valentine by Simon Callow

Her natural performance in Willy Russell’s masterpiece seemed effortless but Collins found it hugely challenging – and still made every day a party Pauline Collins was a unique phenomeno…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:48AM

Saturday Night Live: Nikki Glaser takes hold of raunchy, fast-moving episode by Rob Ledonne

Buzzy comedian becomes one of the only female stand-ups to host the show, following in the footsteps of Joan Rivers and Amy Schumer It was a night of fresh faces at Saturday Night Live. In t…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:42AM

Love The Traitors and Only Murders in the Building? Visit The Mousetrap, says bold new director of West End perennial by Chris Wiegand Stage Editor

Ola Ince, who has refreshed Agatha Christie’s record-breaking mystery, says ‘we all fancy ourselves as detectives’ Audiences left hungry for more suspense after the nail-biting Celebri…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:31AM
Sunday, November 9, 2025

‘We don’t want to leave people shocked and trembling’: inside the graphic new play tackling violent porn addiction by Zoe Williams

In the Royal Court’s Porn Play, Ambika Mod stars as an academic hiding a damaging addiction. She and the drama’s creators discuss the challenges of staging masturbation, and getting audi…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:06AM

Fatherland review – bristling banter and barbed exchanges on the bus by Arifa Akbar

Hampstead theatre, LondonOverbearing life coach Winston and reluctant daughter Joy take a road trip through repression and half-spoken feelings Nancy Farino’s debut play looks at the fault…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:02AM
Saturday, November 8, 2025

The Red Rogue of Bala review – outlaw comedy has glimmers of renegade spirit by Arifa Akbar

Theatr Clwyd, MoldThis could have been a powerful play about rebellion but a busy plot and flatly drawn central character make it a missed opportunity John Jones’s life is ripe for dramati…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:24PM

The influence of David Scase on British theatre has been overlooked | Letter by Guardian Staff

Responding to an interview with Anthony Hopkins, Colin Lovelace pays tribute to the artistic director who gave a break to him and many other actors Regarding your interview with Anthony Hop…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:12AM
Friday, November 7, 2025

Pauline Collins obituary by Anthony Hayward

Actor who earned an Oscar nomination for portraying Shirley Valentine, a dissatisfied housewife who sets off on a romantic quest in Greece The actor Pauline Collins, who has died aged 85 aft…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:24PM

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