Indhu Rubasingham has been named as the National's new head. But elsewhere, theatres are ditching this once coveted role altogether. Can a theatre really manage without one? The king is dead…
One of the great postwar theatre directors, Blakemore " who has died aged 95 " had a vast range and was a formidable writer It is sadly ironic that the death of Michael Blakemore, at the age…
Actor plays Shakespeare's tragic prince in film shot at Theatre Royal Windsor, where he starred in a 2021 stage version Ian McKellen has reprised the role of Hamlet for a new film version ma…
'He's in his dressing room, minutes before going on stage as a panto dame. "Snap away," he said. "Whatever you like. You don't need to ask." So I felt free to get stuck in' Ian and I met se…
A superb, starry cast in the West End paid homage to the musical duo behind Carousel, Oklahoma! and South Pacific. If only the concert had also addressed their shows' contradictions The star…
Almeida, LondonLuke Thallon and Anya Chalotra are the lovers in this adaptation of PaweÅ‚ Pawlikowski's 2018 film, with Polish folk music and Elvis Costello songs In Conor McPherson's fir…
As she is named the National Theatre's first female director, those who have worked with Rubasingham praise her warmth, rigour and willingness to take risks "It's Indhu!" After months of spe…
The double Tony-winning director staged acclaimed productions by Michael Frayn, Peter Nichols and many others in the West End and Broadway Michael Blakemore, the actor turned theatre direct…
Swan theatre, Stratford-upon-AvonIsobel McArthur gives a giddy fresh spin to Thomas Heywood's 16th-century romp which sends a Cornish landlady, in her repurposed bar, to sea 'Not everything …
The NT's newly announced artistic director was an inspiring leader at the Kiln. She will bring experience, passion, canny ability " and the magnificently unexpected " to her new post Finally…
She started out doing panto tours of northern garden centres. But Arnstein is now emerging as a thrilling performer, turning the shocks of her life " sexual harassment, her mum's cancer " in…
After two hit movies, the children's books hero will lead a new theatre production from the company behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Paddington, Michael Bond's "very rare sort of bea…
Meeting presidents and a pope as well as migrants in cities from Lviv to Guadalajara, the 12ft puppet created by Handspring is an emblem of the global plight of refugees We were theatre peop…
Soho theatre, LondonBoris Johnson and his successors Less Trust and Riches Sooner are satirised in a superb political pantomime directed by Patrick Marber Keenly anticipated since its summer…
The actor, comedian and novelist on being a positive aunty role model and taking unsolicited advice on how to be funny Why did you start standup?It was by accident. My background is in actin…
Stephen Joseph theatre, ScarboroughNick Lane's witty and rounded adaptation stars a no-nonsense Rosabelle, and manages to convey fear and fun with pop hits If ever you find yourself in a sca…
The actor best known for her role in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, has died aged 87. Here we look back at her life and career Continue reading...
Shaftesbury theatre, LondonHi-vis hijinks are here aplenty as the Britain's Got Talent winner revisits his triumphant routines It's been quite the year for Viggo Venn. Twelve months ago, he …
Karon Davis's sculptures chart the emotional and physical effects of pushing one's body beyond its limits " and asks what it takes to be Black in a white Eurocentric industry It begins with …
The Egg theatre, BathGaming imagery blends with traditional adventure scenery in an exuberant present-day adaptation of JM Barrie's novel Within a fortnight of Wendy's birth, JM Barrie has M…
Old Fire Station, Oxford Alison Spittle's story of three women who meet and reconvene annually for a Christmas Day dip is fun nonetheless There's more to Christmas than Santa, Jesus and stuf…
The record-breaking show made twins Matt and Ross Duffer the saviours of Netflix. They talk about bringing the show to the stage and 'landing the plane safely' in its final season When Matt …
Festive variety show hosts Sanjeev Bhaskar and Jayde Adams are stodgier than Christmas dinner, with all the chemistry of a broken Bunsen burner To those of us of a certain age, few things a…
Northern Stage, NewcastleThis production rows back on panto excess, but boisterous audience interaction and bright songs keep it lively Directors Katy Weir and Jake Smith think it is time to…
Just after Laura Smyth quit her teaching job to be a comic, she was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. Here, the standup reveals what she learned about life " and the things you should n…