All stories by Chris Wiegand on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

'Look at the bloody tip!': Jason Manford blasts messy theatre audiences by Chris Wiegand

The comedian posted a video of the 'shocking' amount of litter left behind after his performance in a panto, saying, 'You wouldn't treat your own home like that, would you?' "It's behind you…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:02AM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 30, 2023

The best theatre to stream this month: The Old Man and the Pool, Bedbound and more by Chris Wiegand

Watch Mike Birbiglia's hit comedy about mortality, Colm and Brenda Meaney in Enda Walsh's two-hander or choose from a flock of Swan Lakes Here's Mike Birbiglia's pitch for his Broadway and …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:06PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Cinderella review " festive fairytale adds a sprinkling of socialism by Chris Wiegand

Derby theatreOur heroine is a straight-talker who is not bothered about the ball but still finds romance in Annie Siddons' lively version In her fresh version of the bridal fairytale, Annie …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:18AM[SHARE]
Sunday, November 26, 2023

Cinderella review " pop-powered Hammersmith panto looks sharp by Chris Wiegand

Lyric Hammersmith, LondonVikki Stone's playful fairytale is staged with fabulous costumes and high-energy songs but falls short of delirious comedy In 2021, Camila Cabello was a screen Cinde…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:24AM[SHARE]
Friday, November 24, 2023

The Lightbulb Princess review " sparkling electrickery for kids by Chris Wiegand

Half Moon theatre, LondonSarah Punshon's Christmas story for over-fours is about the importance of making " and saving " electricity Here's a lively show that recognises how, in many househo…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:48AM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 23, 2023

The Snow Queen review " flurry of fun needs more sense of adventure by Chris Wiegand

Polka theatre, LondonWorking best as an origin story, this new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale is poignant but lacks danger Why is Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen so c…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:24PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Hamilton review " revolutionary musical hits the road with a blazing new cast by Chris Wiegand

Palace theatre, ManchesterThe new tour of Lin-Manuel Miranda's blockbuster is delivered by an outstanding ensemble As this UK and Ireland tour is launched, it's tempting to say that Hamilton…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:02AM[SHARE]
Monday, November 20, 2023

Dancefloor disaster: Ayelen Parolin masters the choreography of comedy by Chris Wiegand

The show must go on for the trio of hapless performers in Parolin's new production Zonder, which finds the funny side in failure Contemporary dance and comedy don't exactly go hand in hand b…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:48AM[SHARE]
Friday, November 10, 2023

Hot Orange review " hoop dreams and true love in bittersweet teen drama by Chris Wiegand

Half Moon theatre, LondonAmal Khalidi and Tatenda Naomi Matsvai's touring play for over-13s evokes two friends' passions and pressures 'Hot orange" is the name given to a basketball in this …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:54AM[SHARE]

Sheridan Smith to star in Rufus Wainwright musical Opening Night by Chris Wiegand

Ivo van Hove will direct the West End production based on John Cassavetes' 1977 film about theatre Sheridan Smith is to star in a musical by Rufus Wainwright based on John Cassavetes' 1977 f…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:36AM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 9, 2023

The Box of Delights review " the RSC makes merry with Masefield's fantasy by Chris Wiegand

Royal Shakespeare theatre, Stratford-upon-AvonThis is a well-crafted, brilliantly acted version of John Masefield's novel about an orphan who travels through time Going small and swift are t…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:32AM[SHARE]

Regent's Park Open Air theatre appoints Drew McOnie as artistic director by Chris Wiegand

McOnie " who choreographed Jesus Christ Superstar, On the Town and Carousel " takes over from Tim Sheader Regent's Park Open Air theatre in London has appointed Drew McOnie as its new artist…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:32AM[SHARE]
Friday, November 3, 2023

Lizzie review " ferocious rock opera revisits 1892 double murder case by Chris Wiegand

Southwark Playhouse Elephant, LondonStrong voices, polished direction and pop choreography boost this uneven account of Lizzie Borden, accused of killing her father and stepmother Reclaiming…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:06AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

The best theatre to stream this month: Cloud Gate, Best of Enemies and more by Chris Wiegand

The Taiwanese group's compelling dance and William F Buckley Jr and Gore Vidal's heated debates are among November's offerings " plus an interactive theatrical quest Cloud Gate Dance Theatre…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:33AM[SHARE]
Sunday, October 29, 2023

To Wong Foo the Musical review " fabulous fantasia keeps it frothy by Chris Wiegand

Hope Mill theatre, ManchesterAdapted from the 1995 film, this musical about three drag queens stuck in a US small town is low on tension but has plenty of heart " and wigs Manchester's mini …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:13AM[SHARE]

Romeo & Juliet review " slow jams, Asda bags and trackie tops in a Manchester love story by Chris Wiegand

Royal Exchange theatre, ManchesterNicholai La Barrie's production edits out some of Shakespeare's characters, but amps up the modern-day relevance of this play about a divided community Rel…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:07AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Owners review " Caryl Churchill's 1970s housing comedy is still bleakly relevant by Chris Wiegand

Jermyn Street theatre, LondonOften outrageously funny, Churchill's play grimly reveals the costs and risks involved in private renting This revival of Caryl Churchill's pungent 1972 comedy a…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:07PM[SHARE]
Thursday, October 5, 2023

Laura Waldren wins Papatango new writing prize for Some Demon by Chris Wiegand

The playwright and actor's debut drama about life on an eating disorder unit will have its world premiere at the Arcola theatre in London next summer The Papatango new writing prize has been…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:55PM[SHARE]

'Deeply shocked' National Theatre Wales may close in six months after funding cut by Chris Wiegand

The Arts Council of Wales has withdrawn its long-term financial support of the English-language theatre company National Theatre Wales (NTW) has warned that it will be forced to close in six…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:25AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Mean Girls musical to be staged in London on film's 20th anniversary by Chris Wiegand

The Broadway hit, written by Tina Fey and now on its second North American tour, will open at the Savoy in June For Mean Girls fans, this is so fetch: the film's musical adaptation, which ra…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:19AM[SHARE]

Woody Harrelson returns to London stage in 'riotous' Ulster American by Chris Wiegand

The Hollywood star will appear alongside Andy Serkis and Louisa Harland in David Ireland's black comedy Woody Harrelson is to return to the London stage in a new production of David Ireland'…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:13AM[SHARE]
Sunday, October 1, 2023

The best theatre to stream this month: That Face, Macbeth and Dance Umbrella by Chris Wiegand

Our roundup of stage shows to watch at home includes a revival of Polly Stenham's debut play, London's international dance festival and Patrick Stewart suffering toil and trouble The first m…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:55AM[SHARE]
Thursday, September 28, 2023

Michael Gambon, star of Harry Potter and The Singing Detective, dies aged 82 by Chris Wiegand

The Olivier award-winning actor, whose major film roles included Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series, has died ' 'An actor who let his heart and soul crack open': David Jays on Micha…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:04AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, September 27, 2023

The Yellow Wallpaper review " Charlotte Perkins Gilman's story given hi-tech staging by Chris Wiegand

Coronet theatre, LondonAurélia Thierrée narrates the tale of a confined 'hysterical' woman while Fukiko Takase dances on a screen behind her The putrid wallpaper in Charlotte Perkins Gilma…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:07AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Steve Coogan to star in Armando Iannucci's Dr Strangelove play by Chris Wiegand

Coogan will follow in Peter Sellers' footsteps to play multiple roles in stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick's 1964 satirical war film Steve Coogan is to star in Armando Iannucci's stage ada…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:03AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, August 30, 2023

New version of The Nutcracker explores 'tough nut' masculinity by Chris Wiegand

Choreographer Drew McOnie's version of the festive sweet-treat ballet will have a male hero and aims to 'represent those who felt it wasn't for them' It is a sweet treat of a ballet that enc…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:13PM[SHARE]
Friday, August 25, 2023

Pilot review " party games and profound thoughts in a knotty fringe show by Chris Wiegand

Summerhall, EdinburghLekan Lawal's one-man multimedia performance mashes storytelling, comedy and dance into a richly stimulating hour This knotty and stimulating multimedia show created and…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:55AM[SHARE]

Heart review " revelatory romance told in the flush of love by Chris Wiegand

Roundabout @ Summerhall, EdinburghIn sync with beatboxer Grace Savage, Jade Anouka performs a fleet-footed and clear-sighted debut play Actor Jade Anouka's debut play, Heart, has been kept t…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:43AM[SHARE]

Brave Space review " no false moves in this wondrous up-close circus by Chris Wiegand

Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows, EdinburghThe US company Aloft invite audiences to assist them in an intimate and astonishing acrobatic show You have heard how it takes a village to r…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:13AM[SHARE]
Thursday, August 24, 2023

Fool's Paradise review " roll up for the clown wedding by Chris Wiegand

Summerhall, EdinburghBritt Plummer is waiting to get married to fellow clown Otto in this playful and wistful comedy Clowns at the Edinburgh fringe are proving that banana gags are far from…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:19PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, August 23, 2023

The 7 Fingers: Duel Reality review " rowdy circus riff on Romeo and Juliet by Chris Wiegand

Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows, EdinburghThe enthralling Canadian company offer up a fast-paced but often jarring show that treats Shakespeare like the Super Bowl Here is a twist on …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:25AM[SHARE]

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off