Tuesday, January 12, 2016
My first introduction to the theatre of German expressionist playwright Bertolt Brecht was as a kid when we did his The Caucasian
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 02:00AMWednesday, December 9, 2015
Why are there no gay characters in Chekhov? I found myself wondering that the other day. Think about it. He was the
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 02:00AMWednesday, October 28, 2015
Knowing I’d be covering a few of Mark Shenton’s blog spots while he was on holiday, I asked, via Facebook and other
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 03:00AMFriday, October 23, 2015
The signage outside every show that opens in the West End quotes some critic or other declaring it a triumph and the
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 02:00AMThursday, October 15, 2015
The answer is, of course, unequivocally, yes. An actor’s sexuality is no barrier to conveying the journey and sexuality of any character,
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 03:00AMFriday, August 14, 2015
Every August for more a decade I’ve made a big classical production and a family show that around 30,000 people watch for
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 02:00AMWednesday, August 5, 2015
I recently wrote a provocatively worded article, ruffling feathers from Islington to Charing Cross, proposing that, now Equity’s National Minimum Wage case
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 04:00AMTuesday, July 21, 2015
Is Equity’s ‘Year of the Fringe’ over yet? I do hope so. Let’s get the formalities out of the way. Like all
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 05:00AMMonday, June 1, 2015
For the last four weeks I’ve been directing The House of Bernarda Alba at the Court Theatre Training Company. Drama School work
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:00AMFriday, May 1, 2015
I’ve waited a little while to write this, until I don’t have a show running or about to open, so that it
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 03:00AMWednesday, April 1, 2015
Last week I wrote a satirical list of things I didn’t want to keep seeing in theatre. It got picked up across
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 07:00AMWednesday, March 25, 2015
Scratching your head about what to produce or write next? Here are some pointers for things to avoid… 21. Plays which reveal
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 08:00AMWednesday, March 18, 2015
When an old play by a long dead writer is little known and little loved, but you can see its faults whilst
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 06:00AMWednesday, February 25, 2015
Bored? Fancy a quick hit of artistic satisfaction? Try this. You’ll need 10 minutes when and where you won’t be disturbed and
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 04:00AMWednesday, February 11, 2015
We’re a pretty liberal bunch in British theatre and I don’t get the feeling that there’s anyone out there who’d consider what’s traditionally regarded as bullying – verbal and ph…
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 07:00AMWednesday, January 28, 2015
A glance through Facebook and Twitter suggests the biggest problem besetting performers and creatives at the moment is the winter blues. It’s not something that’s unique to artis…
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 07:00AMWednesday, January 14, 2015
As usual I’ve picked both experienced actors and newcomers for my current cast. Everyone benefits. The youngsters get to learn from the seasoned pros and they in turn bring fresh energy an…
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 04:00AMWednesday, December 17, 2014
Last week I had the privilege of watching Anthony Sher playing Falstaff. A masterclass in making every word clear, meaningful and motivated – and as a result truthful, poignant and funny. …
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 04:00AMWednesday, December 3, 2014
I was recently casting my adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry VI (now entitled Play of Thrones) for the Union Theatre. Casting a low budget classical show is often more of a slog because of …
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 04:00AMWednesday, November 19, 2014
Over two decades of going through the auditioning process five or six times a year (low paid and well paid, musicals and drama), I’ve identified 10 things I’d like actors to understand b…
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 04:00AMWednesday, November 5, 2014
It’s audition week. In some ways, for me, auditions are the most vital part of the production process. As such they always make me feel slightly anxious. On the one hand, I really want to&…
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 04:00AMWednesday, October 22, 2014
I’m alarmed to see Christmas is fast approaching. I love all the festivities but hate that dreary few weeks when I’ve finished directing panto and paid work starts again in Janua…
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 07:00AMWednesday, October 8, 2014
A number of theatre companies have recently announced their intention to pay the hourly minimum wage instead of the dreaded ‘profit share’ agreement under which most of us work when we�…
SOURCE: The Stage Registration at 04:00AMTuesday, March 11, 2014
While big musicals with big money behind them are closing in the West End, Phil Willmott has managed to keep his show Lost Boy flyingThere was a certain amount of unseemly glee from the medi…
SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:17AMSunday, February 2, 2014
If you're new to Lear, it's a clear, uncluttered account, the perfect introduction. If you're a Lear veteran, the freshness of the ideas will keep you hooked and allow you to rethink your pr…
SOURCE: CurtainUp at 03:44PM 
