220 stories by "Laura Barnett"
'I was once called "the Asian woman Bengali writer". I thought, why not just call me a writer?'What got you started?Getting my play The Waiting Room on at the National [in 2000]. I'd be…
Dance is a fantastic way to convey the experience of social networking, says computer scientist Harold ThimblebyThis dance piece is all about sexual relationships, and whether or not they ca…
'I danced Juliet at 19. I remember standing in the wings on opening night, telling the director I was hungover'What got you started?Being a very naughty little girl. There was a very strict …
Junior doctor Sabrina Talukdar can't find a single medical inaccuracy in Nina Raine's play about the NHS " except the ultra-callous attitude of medical staffI'd hate for patients to think al…
'I don't like other actors much " they're mostly insecure and needy. I can't bear that "luvvy darling" thing'What got you started?Real ale. When I was 15 I joined the Glasgow Youth Theatre. …
After notching up impressive performances on stage and on TV, Lyndsey Marshal is hitting the big time " thanks to Clint EastwoodWhen Lyndsey Marshal told her mum she was going to be in …
Amphibians brilliantly catches the joy and intensity of competitive swimming " but its coach is a bit foul-mouthed!I found this play very moving. It's about two former Olympic swimmers, Max …
'I've been very lucky " I've worked consistently and I haven't had to kiss a lot of people on stage'What got you started?You're born with the performing gene. I was a show-off at school, so …
'I played a fairy in a Christmas show called Only Fools and Turkeys. It was set in a cafe " and builders took the mickey'What got you started?I thought I was funny as a kid. I used to play t…
Adam Night from Newcastle is happy to insinuate that your boss is an idiot, but he won't take a risk on hypnotising drunk peopleI do an average of 18 Christmas parties during December. Most …
It may be fun. It may be titillating. But let's not call it liberating or empowering to watch women remove their clothes in publicIt was the nipple tassles that did it. There they were, spin…
It may be fun. It may be titillating. But let's not call it liberating or empowering to watch women remove their clothes in publicIt was the nipple tassles that did it. There they were, spin…
'I don't relate to opera " I feel there's something decadent about it. But I'm trying to change my mind'What got you started?I wrote a play when I was 14, called The Fantasy Life of Gilbert …
Primary school teacher Miles Ridley hopes no one at his school suffers like the child protagonists in EV Crowe's play KinNo teacher can ever know everything that goes on at their school. But…
'People texted throughout my version of the Ring cycle " it's all part of the "me, myself and I" Facebook culture'What got you started?I studied as an actor at the theatre conservatoire in Q…
'Since The Office, people think that comedy is only good if it reflects the way that people really speak. Nonsense'When did you first realise you were funny? Looking back at my school report…
Battersea Dogs Home rehomer Deborah Butcher gives her verdict on the Russian opera where the main character is canineThe main character in this wonderful opera, written by Raskatov and perfo…
You've read our festive tips so now we want to know what you can't wait to see or do this ChristmasFrom Edinburgh's great Scottish Santa Run, to classic panto at the York Theatre Royal, to a…
'Satire is in danger of becoming strangled because celebrity culture has become so extreme'What got you started?I was a bit of an oddball at school, so I used humour to get people to like me…
The acting profession is facing tough times. How much can its union do to help? Laura Barnett puts your questions to the new boss of Equity, Malcolm Sinclair Continue reading...
