308 stories by "Helen McWilliams"
Gillian Lynne's original choreography is still a joy to behold, every dancer in the cast possesses amazing control and the ability to somersault in such a graceful way that would rival any c…
Captain Flinn It is based on a bonkers picture book which is full of colour, humour and swashbuckling! In directing it for the stage, I wanted to make something that entertained children jus…
Muted, A New British Musical premieres at The Bunker, London's new underground venue, where it runs from 7 December 2016 to 7 January 2017. I chatted to Sarah about the piece…
A man who watches Prime Minister's Questions like it's Match of the Day, former Labour Party advisor turned political comic Matt Forde is currently touring his 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe…
Steve Nallon is well known as the voice of Margaret Thatcher from Spitting Image. He plays the Iron Lady herself in Jonathan Maitland's play, Dead Sheep, which is now touring until 28 Novemb…
What more could you want when the nights are drawing in? A Dirty Dancing extravaganza which has you grinning from ear to ear, singing along and dancing in the aisles might do it!
The Doppel Gang is set in a failing theatre, in the last few years of the war, and follows a crap double act dodging conscription. Tommy wants to earn enough from the show to pay his debts a…
When I read the script for the first time, my mind was blown! I couldn't think of a more relevant piece of writing to highlight how a large part of our society has become driven by fame. Fro…
Arms and the Man was written by George Bernard Shaw, and was first performed at the Avenue Theatre in the West End in 1894. It received mixed reviews from the press, however extra matinees w…
The majority of us are familiar with the original horror film which was based on the novel by William Peter Blatty. To this day, it can still turn my stomach (not my head… fortunately!) an…
Amanda Coutts has been treading the boards in a number of shows and is now starring in An Evening Of Dirty Dancing, playing the role of Sylvia, on tour. I caught up with Amanda to find out a…
Longsight Theatre presents award-winning Edinburgh Festival 2015 sell-out smash hit, Where Do Little Birds Go? starring Jessica Butcher and directed by Sarah Meadows. This uplifting and beau…
I'm really excited to be directing Frankenstein. It's a taut, gripping thriller, an exciting gothic fairy tale for grown-ups and a morality play all rolled into one.
Amongst young leftwing activists in the early 1970s a debate was raging. It was about 'direct action': you say you are for revolutionary change but that's just words, what are you prepared t…
The piece is a musical reworking of a classic Gothic short story from one of the genre's masters. With that in mind, it's no wonder that my character is a classic Gothic trope, the nameless …
Bardolph's Box tours to schools and public venues this month. I chatted to Artistic Director. Nicola Pollard about the production that is opening up Shakespeare to younger audiences.
Imagine If Theatre Company present the world premiere of You Forgot the Mince UK Tour: October – November 2016 Francesca Joy’s debut play, You Forgot the M…
One of Sondheim's best-loved musicals was brought deliciously to life at Derby Theatre, last night. It has been ably directed by Daniel Buckroyd and his take on it has cemented the story far…
We didn't want to shy away from the rude and playful experiences of becoming an adult, which means we got up to lots of boisterous and theatrical things that helped develop the show's style.
Since 2010, homelessness has increased nationwide by 55%, with an unprecedented 100% increase in rough sleepers in London. With ongoing cuts to services, this trend is expected to continue. …
If there's one thing I've learned from the works of Emlyn Williams, it's that he writes a thriller or murder mystery, if you like, with a predictable culprit and lack of twist. However, it's…
I have always wanted to write a book. Like a lot of people, I expect. I always struggled with writing and I was found to be dyslexic ONLY when I went to university " Central, where they sent…
I have seen a variety of incarnations of The Sound of Music, from the ever popular film, to a selection of touring and regional productions and I also completed a hat trick at the London Pal…
I was lucky enough to be involved in the play from its outset. Jonathan Maitland is a neighbour and we had initial readings in his kitchen a couple of years ago. I always thought it had huge…
The show is much more personal than a Fascinating Aïda show, and though it's rude in parts, it's not quite as searingly blue…! I didn't want it to be "Fascinating Aïda lite" " so i…
