LESYA UKRAINKA: UKRAINE’S GREAT POET—AND PLAYWRIGHT–OF HOPE by Robert Shuman

(Kate Laycock’s article appeared on DW, 3/8; Photo: DW.)   Ukrainian literary scholar and journalist, Tetyana Ogarkova, pays tribute to Lesya Ukrainka: the poet, playwright and activist w…

CONSTANT STANISLAVSKI (147) by Robert Shuman

The words and wisdom of Constantin Stanislavski: Even the externalizing of a role is greatly influenced by the subconscious. In fact no artificial, theatrical technique can even compare with…

TRAVELLING HOMER: HOW THE NATIONAL THEATRE IS STAGING A MULTI-CITY ODYSSEY by Robert Shuman

(Jessica Murray’s article appeared in the Guardian, 3/8; Photo: Patsy Browne-Hope and Frank Hickman in rehearsals for The Lotus Eaters, the first episode of NT Public Acts’ new five-part…

ACCLAIMED PLAYWRIGHT DAVID HARE OPENS UP ON HIS NEXT BIG CHALLENGE by Robert Shuman

(Kerrie O’Brien’s article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, 3/6/2023; Photo: Sydney Morning Herald.) What David Hare wants to write about at the moment is pretty simple: the fact th…

THE RUMBLE OVER RUSSIAN COMPOSER TCHAIKOVSKY AT AN ELITE UKRAINIAN CONSERVATORY by Robert Shuman

(Rostyslav Khotin’s article appeared on Radio Free Europe, 3 /4.) Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky had Ukrainian roots and was influenced by Ukrainian motifs. Should he stay or sh…

‘DOGS OF EUROPE’ (BELARUS FREE THEATRE, ADELAIDE FESTIVAL) by Robert Shuman

(Jansson J. Antmann’s article appeared in Limelight Magazine, 3/2/2023;  Photo: Dogs of Europe. Photo © Adam Forte, Daylight Breaks.) Exiled from their homeland, the performers of Belaru…

HOW ART, MUSIC AND DANCE AFFECT YOUR BRAIN AND BODY by Robert Shuman

(Bethany Brookshire’s article appeared in The Washington Post, 3/2; via the Drudge Report; Illustration: How art, music and dance affect your brain and body© George Wylesol for The Washi…

UKRAINE’S NATIONAL OPERA LOSES MEMBERS TO RUSSIA’S WAR, SAYS ART IS ALWAYS POLITICAL by Robert Shuman

(Olena Makarenko’s reporting appeared in the Kyiv Independent, 2/2/23.) Following a three-month break after the start of Russia’s all-out war, the National Opera of Ukraine resumed its p…

‘NOBODY CAN GO BACK – WE ALL FACE JAIL’: THE DISSIDENT THEATRE COMPANY OPENING ADELAIDE FESTIVAL by Robert Shuman

(Kelly Burke’s article appeared in the Guardian, 2/26/23; Photo: … Nicolai Khalezin and Natalia Kaliada of Belarus Free Theatre in London. Photograph: John Sibley/Reuters.) Belarus Free…

‘MEDEA’ REVIEW – SOPHIE OKONEDO IS MAGNIFICENT AS ANCIENT GREECE’S PREEMINENT REBEL WOMAN by Robert Shuman

(Arifa Akbar’s article appeared in the Guardian, 2/17; via Pam Green; Photo: Never an outright monster … Sophie Okonedo, right, and Ben Daniels in Medea. Photograph: Johan Persson.) Med…

FOR BURT BACHARACH, ‘PROMISES, PROMISES’ WAS ONE BROADWAY HIT TOO MANY by Robert Shuman

(Laurence Maslon’s article appeared in The New York Times, 2/13; via Pam Green; Photo:Burt Bacharach, at the piano, arrived in New York as rehearsals began in September 1968. He was joined…

RAQUEL WELCH, ‘ONE MILLION YEARS B.C.’ AND ‘THREE MUSKETEERS’ ICON, DIES AT 82 by Robert Shuman

(Carmel Dagan’s article appeared in Variety, 2/15; via Pam Green; Photo: Corbis via Getty Images.) Raquel Welch, the actor who became an icon and sex symbol thanks to films like “One Mil…

‘IT’S A GRIEF AND A HEALING’: WHY DANCE-MAKERS LOVE THE RITE OF SPRING by Robert Shuman

(Sarah Crompton’s article appeared in the Guardian, 2/12/23; Photo:  ‘I think you must do it just by feel’: Dada Masilo’s interpretation of The Rite of Spring, based on the traditio…

NEW OHIO THEATRE TO CLOSE AUGUST 31, 2023 by Robert Shuman

(via David Gibbs/DARR Publicity, 2/13.) New York, NY – After 30 years as an indispensable pillar of the downtown independent theatre community, New Ohio Theatre will conclude operations at…

THE TEMPEST REVIEW – ALEX KINGSTON IS A MAGNIFICENT PROSPERO by Robert Shuman

(Mark Lawson’s article appeared in the Guardian, 2/2; via Pam Green; Revelatory … Alex Kingston as Prospero. Photograph: Ikin Yum.) Royal Shakespeare theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Climat…

BURT BACHARACH, LEGENDARY POP COMPOSER, DIES AT 94 by Robert Shuman

(Chris Morris’s article appeared in Variety, 2/9; via Pam Green; Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images.) Songwriter, composer, producer and arranger Burt Bacharach, a dominant force in American…

VÁCLAV HAVEL: ‘AUDIENCE’ AT LA MAMA–THROUGH FEBRUARY 19 (REVIEW FROM NEW YORK) by Robert Shuman

by Bob Shuman Visit La MaMa Translated and Directed by Vít Hořejš Performed by Vít Hořejš & Theresa Linnihan Production design: Alan Barnes Netherton ‍Marionettes: Milos Kas…

ANCIENT GREEK PLAY ECHOES FIGHT TO PROTECT AMAZON (BRAZIL) by Robert Shuman

(Suzanne Cords’s article appeared in DW, 1/27; Photo from DW.) Activist Kay Sara portrays Antigone in Milo Rau’s modern-day tragedy about the Indigenous people’s fight for survival. An…

OTHELLO; THE UNFRIEND; ON THE ROPES – REVIEW by Robert Shuman

(Susannah Clapp’s article appeared in the Guardian, 1/29; via Pam Green; Photo:A tragedy in which ‘bludgeoning comes naturally’: Michael Akinsulire, centre, in the title role, and comp…

ALAN CUMMING HANDS BACK HIS OBE CITING THE ‘TOXICITY OF EMPIRE’ by Robert Shuman

(Tim Jonze’s article appeared in the Guardian, 1/27; via Pam Green; ‘I was incredibly grateful to receive [the OBE] in 2009,’ wrote Alan Cumming. Photograph: Kristina Bumphrey/REX/Shu…

A FREE SPIRIT AND A FEARLESS ARTIST: COLETTE AT 150 by Robert Shuman

(Olivia Salazar-Winpear’s, Jennifer Ben Brahim’s, Marion Chaval’s, and Magali Faure’s report appeared on France 24, 1/26.) A century and a half after her birth, Colette remains an ic…

40 YEARS SINCE NENA’S ’99 LUFTBALLONS’ BECAME A GLOBAL HIT by Robert Shuman

(Silke Wünsch’s article appeared in DW, 1/23/23; Photo: Singer Nena in the 1980sImage: United Archives/kpa/picture alliance.) Despite the recording company’s initial doubts about the so…

BETTY CAN JUMP AT THE PRAM FACTORY: THE RADICAL 1970S PLAY THAT BUILT A SCENE – AND CHANGED AUSTRALIA by Robert Shuman

(Kath Kenny’s article appeared in the Guardian, 1/18; photo: Betty Can Jump was raw and amateurish – but at the time it was so powerful it left women in tears. Photograph: Betty Can Jum…

CONSTANT STANISLAVSKI (146) by Robert Shuman

The words and wisdom of Constantin Stanislavski: An actor of our type is obliged to work so much more than others, both on his inner equipment, which creates the life of the part, and also o…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CARY GRANT! by Robert Shuman

Get to know the real Cary Grant for his 119th birthday, in Nancy Nelson’s acclaimed biography (he was born January 18, 1904). Recollections in His Own Words and by Those Who Knew Him Best …

‘IT’S A HARD TIME’: WHY ARE SO MANY BROADWAY SHOWS CLOSING EARLY? by Robert Shuman

(David Smith’s article appeared in the Guardian, 1/14; via Pam Green; Photo: KPOP, Almost Famous, Ohio State Murders. Composite: Getty; Handout.) A slew of well-reviewed productions have…

VACLAV HAVEL’S ‘AUDIENCE’, AT LA MAMA, Feb 2-19, 2023  (LET’S GO THEATRE) by Robert Shuman

VACLAV HAVEL’S ‘AUDIENCE’ ​February 2–19, 2023 Thursday–Saturday at 7PM Sunday at 2PM Ellen Stewart Theatre 66 East 4th Street, 2nd floor New York, NY 10003 Tickets: Adults: $30 …

BACK ON A HOT TIN ROOF—RUTH STAGE’S ‘CAT’ (STARRING FREDERICK WELLER/STARTING 2/24/23) by Robert Shuman

(via Michael Jorgensen, jorgensenpr.com) “(Tennessee) Williams would probably love Matt de Rogatis’ Brick.” 
– The New York Times 
 “Brilliant…intense…funny!” 
– WCBS…

‘WATCH ON THE RHINE’ REVIEW – LILLIAN HELLMAN’S CALL TO ARMS IS A MUST-SEE by Robert Shuman

(Arifa Akbar’s article appeared in the Guardian, 1/11/23; Photo: Channelling Bette Davis … Patricia Hodge in Watch on the Rhine. Photograph: Manuel Harlan.) Donmar Warehouse, London Patr…

SONGBOOK: PAUL ROBESON – OL’ MAN RIVER (SHOWBOAT – 1936) J.KERN O. HAMMERSTEIN II by Robert Shuman

CHARLIE CHAPLIN’S GRANDSON JAMES THIERREE ON LIFE AS A ‘CIRCUS FREAK’ by Robert Shuman

(Helen Pitt’s article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, 1/10/23; Photo: Swiss-French circus performer, violinist and actor James Theirree in Sydney.CREDIT:JAMES BRICKWOOD.) When perfo…