All stories by Marianka Swain on BroadwayStars

Thursday, July 5, 2018

THE LEHMAN TRILOGY Leads July's Top 10 New London Shows by Marianka Swain

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a new theatrical epic to Shakespeare and musical spoof, here are some of this…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 04:32PM
Wednesday, July 4, 2018

BWW Interview: Director Emily Lim Talks PERICLES at the National Theatre by Marianka Swain

This August, a company of over 200 people from across London joins forces at the National Theatre to perform a new musical version of Shakespeare's Pericles.

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 05:18AM
Tuesday, July 3, 2018

The King and I, London Palladium review - the classic musical reborn with modern sensibilities by Marianka Swain

A golden production helmed by the incomparable Kelli O'HaraShall we dodge? (One, two, three) No, the brilliance of Bartlett Sher’s Tony-winning Lincoln Center revival – first seen o…

SOURCE: theartsdesk.com at 09:36PM
Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Fun Home, Young Vic review - a simply sublime musical memoir by Marianka Swain

Alison Bechdel's graphic novel becomes achingly intimate theatreIt seems only too fitting that David Lan’s luminous reign at the Young Vic should draw to a close with this bold, creat…

SOURCE: theartsdesk.com at 07:24PM
Thursday, June 21, 2018

BWW: KISS ME, KATE, London Coliseum by Marianka Swain

Cole Porter's 1948 love letter to showbiCole Porter's 1948 love letter to showbiz is brilliantly served by Opera North's big, bold and bawdy production - both soaringly romantic and packed w…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 08:12AM
Tuesday, June 12, 2018

BWW Review: THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE, Donmar Warehouse by Marianka Swain

The bells, the bells They're ringing out at the Donmar - ushering girls into class, and nuns into cloister. It's one of the creative ways in which director Polly Findlay reframes this belove…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 08:48PM
Friday, June 8, 2018

BWW Review: JULIE, National Theatre by Marianka Swain

Polly Stenham's updating of Strindberg's Miss Julie moves the action to contemporary London, and finds both contempt and sympathy for this new version of the idle rich. But, shorn of its 19t…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 08:32AM
Thursday, May 31, 2018

BWW Review: TRANSLATIONS, National Theatre by Marianka Swain

It begins with deep breathing, in order to access words that hold unimaginable power. And Ian Rickson's exquisite production of Brian Friel's masterpiece maintains that space throughout for …

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 09:54AM
Sunday, May 27, 2018

FUN HOME Leads June's Top 10 New London Shows by Marianka Swain

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a ground-breaking musical to a mighty modern classic, here are some of this m…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 07:54AM
Friday, May 18, 2018

BWW Review: AS YOU LIKE IT/HAMLET, Shakespeare's Globe by Marianka Swain

Michelle Terry's first season as Artistic Director of the Globe will be carefully scrutinised. Emma Rice's contentious exit raised important questions about the venue's purpose, its balancin…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 10:04AM
Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Central School Issues Statement In Response To Protests by Marianka Swain

Students from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama recently organised a walkout 'for equity, diversity and inclusion', protesting the institution's inequalities and comments made by …

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 06:48AM
Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Red, Wyndham's Theatre - Mark Rothko drama paints a vivid picture by Marianka Swain

Alfred Molina gives a towering performance as the self-absorbed artistThe band’s back together. Alfred Molina plays Rothko for the third time in Michael Grandage’s revisiting of John Log…

SOURCE: theartsdesk.com at 07:32PM
Thursday, May 10, 2018

Central Students Organise Walk Out for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion by Marianka Swain

Tomorrow, Friday 11 May, at 315pm, students fromThe Royal Central School of Speech and Drama have arranged a peaceful protest outside the institution.

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 12:18PM

BWW Review: DESCRIBE THE NIGHT, Hampstead Theatre by Marianka Swain

American playwright Rajiv Joseph's latest certainly doesn't lack for ambition, spanning 90 years, three countries, and mixing history and fiction in its form to make a point about, well, mix…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 06:54AM
Sunday, May 6, 2018

BWW Review: AN IDEAL HUSBAND, Vaudeville Theatre by Marianka Swain

Classic Spring's third Oscar Wilde production gains extra piquancy from Amber Rudd's resignation - dealing, as it does, with political scandal and social hypocrisy. It's another facet for Jo…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 11:54AM
Thursday, May 3, 2018

Review: MOOD MUSIC, Old Vic by Marianka Swain

Gendered power dynamics, the commodification of art, and abuse in the creative industries Joe Penhall's new play certainly feels of the moment, and there's a particular frisson in seeing suc…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 09:26AM
Tuesday, May 1, 2018

BWW Review: CHESS, London Coliseum by Marianka Swain

Chess, by Tim Rice and ABBA's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, hasn't had a major West End revival since its Eighties heyday, but it's back with a bang in a semi-staged production that fea…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 08:18PM
Monday, April 30, 2018

RED Leads May's Top 10 New London Shows by Marianka Swain

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. Frommeaty revivals to the open-air theatres opening their doors, here are some of …

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 01:47PM

Central School Principal Clarifies Comments On #MeToo And Student Diversity by Marianka Swain

Some students at the Royal Central School of Speech and Dramaraised concerns following remarks by its principalGavin Henderson during a QampA at a recent event,Dear White Central.

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 10:36AM
Thursday, April 26, 2018

BWW Review: ABSOLUTE HELL, National Theatre by Marianka Swain

The original version of Rodney Ackland's provocative work, The Pink Room, had a bruising reception back in 1952, losing thousands for investor Terence Rattigan amidst furious reviews. Since …

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 08:12AM
Tuesday, April 24, 2018

BWW Review: STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL, Piccadilly Theatre by Marianka Swain

Love is in the air, and revolution too. Baz Luhrmann's beloved 1992 film originally a student play, now back on stage as a musical is even more adamantly anti-establishment in this latest in…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 09:42PM
Thursday, April 19, 2018

Bat Out of Hell, Dominion Theatre review - the Meat Loaf musical returns, batty as ever by Marianka Swain

The booming behemoth is right at home in We Will Rock You’s old digsBack by feverishly popular demand, Jim Steinman’s mega-musical is no longer in danger of alarming unsuspecting operago…

SOURCE: theartsdesk.com at 08:12PM

BWW Review: CHICAGO, Phoenix Theatre by Marianka Swain

Chicago's hit West End revival which featured a constant revolving door of big names closed in 2012 after almost 15 years. Now, it returns with the requisite stunt casting Cuba Gooding Jr,…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 11:06AM
Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Tina, Aldwych Theatre review - new Tina Turner bio-musical is simply OK by Marianka Swain

★★★ TINA, ALDWYCH THEATRE - new Tina Turner bio-musical is simply OKPowerhouse Adrienne Warren is the saving grace of a show that plays it safeIt is, perhaps, a tale that suffers from …

SOURCE: theartsdesk.com at 06:36PM
Friday, March 30, 2018

BWW Interview: Emma Williams Talks AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN by Marianka Swain

Emma Williams's past work includesChitty Chitty Bang Bang, Half a Sixpence,Mrs Henderson PresentsandLove Story.She's currently starring in a new musical version of the iconic Richard Gere fi…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 04:00AM
Tuesday, March 27, 2018

TINA Leads April's Top 10 New London Shows by Marianka Swain

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a buzzy new musical to returning favourites, here are some of this month's mo…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 07:19PM
Friday, March 16, 2018

BWW Interview: Bunny Christie and Tony Grech-Smith On the JULIUS CAESAR NT Live Broadcast by Marianka Swain

On 22 March, the Bridge Theatre's production of Julius Caesar - directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Ben Whishaw, David Morrissey, David Calder and Michelle Fairley - will be broadcast v…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 06:00AM
Wednesday, March 14, 2018

BWW Interview: Jonny Labey Talks STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL by Marianka Swain

Jonny Labey's past work ranges from EastEndersand winning TV showDance Dance DancetoWhite Christmasand In the Heightson stage. He's now starring as rebellious Scott inStrictly Ballroom The M…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 05:06AM
Tuesday, March 13, 2018

BWW Interview: Adrian Lester Talks TRAUMA by Marianka Swain

Adrian Lester stars opposite John Simm in new psychological thrillerTrauma, as - respectively - a top surgeon and the father of a boy who dies after an unsuccessful operation, and who holds …

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 08:10AM
Thursday, March 8, 2018

BWW Review: CRAZY FOR YOU, New Wimbledon Theatre by Marianka Swain

The UK tour of Gershwin musicalCrazy for Youhas reached its London leg, and is still in fine, energetic form. Originally a Depression-era work, it joins retro pleasures like42nd Streetin pro…

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 05:08PM
Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Summer and Smoke, Almeida Theatre - exquisite renaissance of Tennessee Williams's neglected play by Marianka Swain

Patsy Ferran anchors a radiant coming-of-age taleThat this 1948 Tennessee Williams play is rarely performed seems nothing short of a travesty, thanks to the awe-inspiring case made for it by…

SOURCE: The Arts Desk at 09:19PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 15, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
TBA: Titanic