London Road: Murder, they sang by Maddy Costa

In 2006, Steven Wright killed five women in Ipswich. How did such a tragic event inspire a piece of musical theatre?During the winter of 2006, Alecky Blythe was in a brothel in Bournemouth, …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 4:46pm on April 10, 2011[SHARE]

Horsepower " review by Maddy Costa

Finsbury Park, LondonComing to Zippos Circus after years of seeing aerial dance and other tricks performed on a theatre stage feels a shock. Modern circus companies, and the directors who in…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:15pm on April 4, 2011[SHARE]

Michel Legrand puts his Umbrellas up indoors by Maddy Costa

The multi award-winning composer made his name on the very French 1964 musical film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. So why would he want a Cornish company to adapt it for the stage?In the spring…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:10pm on March 17, 2011[SHARE]

Toto recall: the Wizard of Oz hits the West End by Maddy Costa

The Wizard of Oz musical is about to open in London. Why is its director so worried about the audience throwing shoes?'From where I'm sitting," splutters Jeremy Sams, "I can't think of …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 4:59pm on February 27, 2011[SHARE]

Director Lucy Bailey: Thinking small by Maddy Costa

She made her name in large-scale productions, but director Lucy Bailey is opening a tiny new theatre in west London " in a time of harsh cuts. Why?Lucy Bailey has spent three decades as a di…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:43am on February 15, 2011[SHARE]

Frankenstein: Man or monster? by Maddy Costa

What's it like to play Frankenstein one night and his Creature the next? Maddy Costa meets Johnny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch as they tackle Danny Boyle's new production at the Nati…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 4:44pm on January 17, 2011[SHARE]

Matilda: Thank heaven for little girls by Maddy Costa

Matthew Warchus spent two years turning Matilda into a musical. So was it hard work? Not compared to Lord of the Rings, the director tells Maddy CostaFor many theatre directors, transforming…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:00pm on December 27, 2010[SHARE]

Bagpuss " review by Maddy Costa

Soho theatre, LondonThere is a dreamy quality to Oliver Postgate's 1974 TV series Bagpuss that makes it seem fustier than it is, which might be why the BBC cancelled it after only 13 shows. …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:15pm on December 21, 2010[SHARE]

Boing! " review by Maddy Costa

Bristol Old VicIt's bedtime for Joel and Wilkie. They've hung up their stockings and brushed their teeth; their teddies and pillows are present and correct. There's just one problem: Joel is…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:00pm on December 19, 2010[SHARE]

Flyboy's shadow puppetry by Maddy Costa

Matthew Robins used to perform as a transvestite monkey. Then he switched to shadow puppetry " and suddenly his career took off. Maddy Costa enters his worldIn the league of popular art for…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:00pm on December 14, 2010[SHARE]

Charged " review by Maddy Costa

Soho, LondonA writer sits in a drab meeting room, surrounded by female prisoners. Her cheerfulness feels awkward, and barely masks her bewilderment. Not wanting to impose, she doesn't ask th…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:01pm on November 15, 2010[SHARE]

A quick curtain call. Then bed: Child actors in adult theatre by Maddy Costa

How does it feel to act in a play you're too young to see? And how do you fit in your homework? Maddy Costa talks to child actors about late nights, tough auditions " and swearing on stageIt…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 4:30pm on May 5, 2010[SHARE]

On an Average Day, Comedy Theatre, London by Maddy Costa

Comedy Theatre, LondonKyle MacLachlan made his name in Twin Peaks trying to solve the mystery of a sinister figure named Bob; Woody Harrelson, meanwhile, became famous playing a man some pra…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:15am on August 9, 2002[SHARE]

Garth Marenghi's Netherhead by Maddy Costa

Soho Theatre, London More reviews Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:00pm on November 1, 2001[SHARE]