Jamila Wignot's documentary about choreographer Alvin Ailey has absorbing testimonies and a look at his secret private life Jamila Wignot's documentary is a tribute to the work of the Africa…
My new play Folk focuses on two Somerset sisters whose " uncredited " recall of traditional songs helped Cecil Sharp save the music from extinction. It's an ambivalent legacy My play began i…
A writer who had felt shut out from stage plays finds out how Curve Leicester's A Chorus Line is presented with audio description and a guide to the costumes Growing up, trips to the theatre…
Sverre Breivik took a lead in Angels in America while crafting masterfully melodramatic music, and this omnivorous new talent is now set on creating the perfect gig When Norwegian pop star M…
The ENB director has pulled the story forward to the Crimean war, based the female lead on Florence Nightingale " and adapted the choreography for today's more slender dancers When people ta…
From live music to glass sculpture, game-changing performances to fitness podcasts… our writers on cultural treats to light up the months ahead Kathryn Hunter appears in The Chairs, Eugèn…
Fresh produce is the real star of David Finnigan's live radio play, an 'apocalyptic romcom' for a Sydney festival crowd not afraid to get sticky A juicy watermelon is made to sound like cunn…
From Ian McKellen as Hamlet to elephants treading the boards, our photography maestro was in position to shoot theatre's glorious return Continue reading...
My husband, Chris Honer, who has died aged 73 of cancer, was artistic director of the Library Theatre Company (LTC) in Manchester for 27 years, from 1987 to 2014. While at LTC his many accla…
In a surprisingly class-conscious stage adaptation of the HG Wells-inspired musical from the Downton Abbey creator on Sky, Charlie Stemp radiates kindly innocence What's in a name? Quite a l…
Dancers burst back on to the stage, online performances reached new audiences, and we've Zoom to thank for Robert Cohan's final work Miranda Sawyer's best radio and podcasts of 2021 Read th…
Amy Adams makes her West End debut, immersive dance confronts mental health and Steve Coogan's alter ego embarks on a rare live UK tour ' Preview more cultural highlights of 2022 Continue re…
Despite cancellations due to Covid, Jack and the Beanstalk, Hackney Empire's Christmas pantomime, resumes this week. Photographer Leon Neal took a look behind the scenes Continue reading...
Almeida; Hampstead theatre; Menier Chocolate Factory, LondonA revival of a 2006 musical gives thrilling voice to a Covid generation, Tamsin Greig is Peggy Ramsay to a tee, and an Alan Bennet…
A short-time work scheme would help freelancers when the going gets tough It is not just the hospitality industry that is facing chaos in this moment of not-lockdown. The cultural sector, e…
As Omicron variant rips holes in casts and productions daily, theatres are forced to cancel shows " despite £30m support fund Just over a year ago, Anna-Jane Casey was forced to abandon t…
Little Amal stirred hearts, Chaucer hit Willesden, Cush Jumbo was a perfect prince, and once again James Graham said it all Read the Observer critics' review of 2021 in full here It was a ye…
A comeback year saw standout productions up and down the country. Here's your pick of the best More on the best culture of 2021 Curve, LeicesterI don't think I've ever seen anything quite li…
Almeida theatre, LondonRupert Goold's production of the alt-rock musical has a talented young cast and some striking moments but the songs are often banal It is audacious of Rupert Goold to …
The actor, who is playing Scrooge on stage, is a fan of Christmas games " and quizzes in particular. But there's one question he can't answer: why are Christmas cracker jokes so bad? Stephe…
Playhouse; Young Vic; National Theatre, LondonRebecca Frecknall's Weimar glamfest with Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley goes big and nails it (nearly); James Graham brilliantly revives a ba…
Birmingham Rep This 20-year-old comedy with the nightly surprise guest works its magic in a superb revival directed by its co-writer, the Rep's artistic director, Sean Foley As the title sug…
Soho theatre, LondonHigh-camp songs and OTT costumes grab the attention in drag duo's cheap-and-cheerful songs-from-the-shows extravaganza Good luck generating festive cheer on the same day…
Hampstead theatre, LondonAlan Plater's 60s-set play honouring agent Peggy Ramsay hasn't aged well " her once maverick ideas now look outmoded Henry Livings felt that "all plays about write…
Sadler's Wells, London; Curzon cinemas, Sky Arts, FreeviewMagic and melancholy combine to glorious effect in Bourne's Christmas classic. And the BalletBoyz make the Brothers Grimm look darke…