British Theatre Guide podcast
News, features and interviews from the world of professional theatre throughout the UK.
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Allan Stewart: fifty years in pantomime
12/23/2025
Allan Stewart: fifty years in pantomime
BTG’s Panto Editor Simon Sladen spoke to Allan Stewart, who marks an extraordinary milestone of 50 years in pantomime. Allan reflected on his early start as a teenage club performer, his unexpected first role as Buttons without ever having seen a panto and the lessons learned from mentors such as Jack Radcliffe and producer Paul Elliott. He shared stories from working alongside stars including Les Dawson, Danny La Rue and Frank Bruno and offered insight into the craft of comedy and the traditions that make pantomime unique. Simon and Allan also discussed his long-standing partnership with Andy Gray and Grant Stott, the enduring appeal of Edinburgh’s Kings Theatre and how pantomime has evolved from single microphones to spectacular, high-tech productions. Allan also considered the sense of family that develops within a company and why panto remains such an important introduction to theatre for audiences of all ages. Jack and the Beanstalk continues at until 11 January 2026. (Photo of Allan Stewart as Auntie May in Jack and the Beanstalk (c) Douglas Robertson)
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Big Tiny pantos across the North West
12/16/2025
Big Tiny pantos across the North West
The Big Tiny Productions Ltd, founded in 2019 by Will Cousins and Ben Richards, is producing four shows in the North West for Christmas 2025, three of which are pantos written by Ben and designed by Will. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to them both, with a few contributions from their dog, Toby, about the company and this year’s shows, as well as about the changing nature of panto, the balance between tradition and innovation (it’s like a lasagne…), choosing panto stories, Northern v Southern humour, funding spectacular shows in small venues and Ben’s panto-related PhD, amongst other things. ’s shows for Christmas 2025 are Rumpelstiltskin at Contact in Manchester from 9 to 31 December 2025, The Pied Piper of Hamelin at The Met in Bury from 6 to 28 December, Hansel and Gretel at Millgate Arts Centre in Saddleworth from 6 December to 3 January and Mrs Claus Saves Christmas at Bolton Octagon from 10 to 24 December. The set, prop and costume exchange service that Ben and Will mention in the interview is . (Photo of Will Cousins & Ben Richards, credit Howard Barlow)
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Study into effects of COVID on British theatre
12/04/2025
Study into effects of COVID on British theatre
The British Theatre Consortium, headed by playwrights Dan Rebellato and David Edgar, has followed up its reports on the state of the British theatre repertoire in 2013 and 2014 with a study into how things have changed in the industry between 2019, the year before the COVID lockdowns began, and 2023. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Dan Rebellato about the findings of the report, what it tells us about the problems, vulnerabilities and stability of British theatre over those four years and how it was changed by the pandemic. The report British Theatre Before & After Covid was published on 26 November 2025 by the British Theatre Consortium based on the work of a research team led by Catherine Love-Smith. The full 143-page report can be read at or downloaded .
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Playwright David Ireland: from 'The Troubles' to romantic comedy
11/29/2025
Playwright David Ireland: from 'The Troubles' to romantic comedy
David Ireland is an Irish playwright with a reputation for writing hard-hitting drama such as The Fifth Step, Ulster American and Cypress Avenue, but director Max Elton is reviving a very different play by him, Most Favoured, which can be seen at Soho Theatre in London over the Christmas period. BTG David Chadderton spoke to David about the play and his influences as a writer, as well as how his love of Shakespeare began in a Blackpool guest house at the age of 9 and why he wants to write romantic comedies and feels he couldn’t face watching some of his earlier plays now. Most Favoured, starring Lauren Lyle and Alexander Arnold, will run at from 11 December 2025 to 24 January 2026. (David Ireland photo credit Tommy Ga-Ken Wan)
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Inaugural production of new company honouring Buzz Goodbody
11/22/2025
Inaugural production of new company honouring Buzz Goodbody
Buzz Goodbody was the first female director at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford where she was instrumental in setting up the venue The Other Place. She died just 50 years ago at the age of 28, and her nephew, Adam Goodbody, has created a new theatre company, Buzz Studios, in her honour. The company’s first production is Petty Men at London’s Arcola Theatre. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Adam and his co-writer and fellow performer, John Chisham about the play and its creation, adapting Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar to create a modern piece, the importance of theatre and Shakespeare education and of course the legacy of Adam’s aunt, Buzz Goodbody. Petty Men runs at the in London from 19 November to 20 December 2025. (Petty Men image of John Chisham and Adam Goodbody, photography by Tom Dixon.)
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Watford gets giant Stephen Fry in panto
11/12/2025
Watford gets giant Stephen Fry in panto
Steve Marmion is currently in his second season as Chief Executive and Director of Programming for Watford Palace Theatre, but he also ran Soho Theatre in London for eight years and founded PantoCo Ltd. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Steve about the upcoming panto production of Jack and the Beanstalk with the voice of Stephen Fry as the Giant, but he also spoke at some length about the value of panto in general, the challenges of running and programming theatres for diverse communities, why theatres need to conquer TIkTok and how his social media reels resemble Sunday Night at the London Palladium. Jack and the Beanstalk will run at from 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026. Steve also mentioned Werewolf, which will run at the same theatre from 22 November to 24 December 2025, and The Mesmerist, running from 2 to 21 March 2026.
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Rebecca and Louise present Evita... the sequel?
11/06/2025
Rebecca and Louise present Evita... the sequel?
Rebecca Biscuit and Louise Mothersole, as Sh!t Theatre, have been making theatre together for fifteen years. They will be spending the 2025 Christmas season at London’s Southbank Centre with their new show Evita Too, set in the presidency of Argentina, like the other Evita, but they are looking at the perhaps more interesting story of Juan Perón’s second wife, Isabel, who became president after his death. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Rebecca and Louise about their discovery of the story of “gogo-dancer-turned-president” Isabel, how they turned this into a show and their research in Argentina and Spain, as well as how the company was originally formed and whether there are any regrets about its name. Evita Too from will be performed in the Purcell Room at London’s from 9 to 31 December 2025.
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30 years of Border Crossings—and Bruford online BA
10/28/2025
30 years of Border Crossings—and Bruford online BA
, a UK-based theatre company that collaborates with artists from around the world, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, formed in 1995 by Artistic Director Michael Walling. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Michael about the history, methodology and extensive catalogue of work of the company over three decades and what he views as the increasing urgency of bringing together people from different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds through theatre. David and Michael both teach on the online BA in Theatre Studies from UK drama school (David was in its first intake of students in 1996, and Michael one of his tutors), which is also celebrating its 30th anniversary. They talk about the innovative and transformative nature of the course, pay tribute to its late founder, Tony Hozier, and lament its recent cancellation.
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Flat earthers look for the edge of the world in Antarctica
10/22/2025
Flat earthers look for the edge of the world in Antarctica
Jessica Norman is a playwright and screenwriter whose play This Little Earth, which was long-listed for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting, will debut at this autumn. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Jessica a couple of days before the production opened about the play and its development, conspiracy theories and those who believe them and about writing in general. This Little Earth runs at the Arcola Theatre in London from 22 October to 15 November 2025. A post-show discussion with Jessica and journalist and author Gabriel Gatehouse, Emeritus Professor of Anomalistic Psychology Chris French and CEO of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust Camilla Nichol will take place on Thursday 30 October. The Antarctic Climate Café, allowing people to come and talk about the climate crisis, will be before the show on Thursday 13 November.
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Night Waking on Mull
09/19/2025
Night Waking on Mull
Rebecca Atkinson-Lord was Director of Theatre at London’s Ovalhouse (now Brixton House) until 2016, but has since moved to the island of Mull in the Scottish Hebrides as Chief Executive and Artistic Director of . BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Rebecca while she was in rehearsals for a stage adaptation of Sarah Moss’s novel Night Waking, adapted by Shireen Mula. She explained about the play and the process of adapting and rehearsing it, as well as the challenges of touring to rural venues and to theatres where some of your audience comes by boat and what she misses about working in London. Night Waking opens at Mull Theatre on 28 and 29 September 2025 before touring to Edinburgh, Stirling, Greenock, Wick, Inverness, Ullapool, Strathcarron, Castle Douglas, Dumfies, Fife, Paisley, Dunoon, Lochgilphead, Oban, Iona and back to Mull, finishing on 31 October.
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Martin Sherman, from the Boardwalk to Bent
09/13/2025
Martin Sherman, from the Boardwalk to Bent
Playwright Martin Sherman was born in Philadelphia and raised in New Jersey but has lived in London for more than forty years. His memoir On the Boardwalk is about to be released, covering the first part of his life up to his first major success as a writer with the play Bent at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 1979, which starred Ian McKellen, who has written a foreword to the book. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Martin about his life and work including his mother’s Huntington’s Disease which he feared inheriting, his father’s narcissistic personality disorder, his time at Boston University and Lee Strasberg’s Actors’ Studio, his failed productions before his introduction to Gay Sweatshop in London and the O’Neill in Connecticut, being represented by the great Peggy Ramsey and his success with Bent, where the book ends. On the Boardwalk will be released by the publisher on 25 September 2025.
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Marks and Gran ask if Freud could have saved the world from Hitler
09/07/2025
Marks and Gran ask if Freud could have saved the world from Hitler
’s most famous works are TV sitcoms such as Shine On Harvey Moon, Birds of a Feather, Goodnight Sweetheart and The New Statesman. They have also written for radio and for stage musicals such as Dreamboats and Petticoats, but their latest piece, currently running at London’s Upstairs at the Gatehouse, is a play called Dr Freud Will See You Now, Mrs Hitler. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Laurence and Maurice about the play’s story, history and long gestation as well as the extensive research that went into it, touching on how they have dealt with controversy over their work in the past, especially for their TV miniseries about Oswald Mosley, their writing process and much more. Dr Freud Will See You Now, Mrs Hitler opened at in London on 4 September and runs until 28 September 2025.
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Edinburgh 2025: Emily Woof looks back to '60s feminism and John Lennon
08/22/2025
Edinburgh 2025: Emily Woof looks back to '60s feminism and John Lennon
Actor and author Emily Woof is best known for her film and TV work such as Mandy in The Full Monty, Shannon in Velvet Goldmine and Nancy in Oliver Twist, but she has also written novels and devised her own theatre pieces. At this year’s , she is performing her own solo play, Revolver, directed by her husband, Hamish McColl, writer and co-founder of theatre company The Right Size. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Emily during her Edinburgh run about the play’s subject matter, its predecessor piece at the 1993 Fringe, her devising process and her other writing work. Revolver, produced by , opened at on 14 August and runs daily at 2:20PM until 25 August 2025. (Photo of Emily Woof in Revolver, credit Sheila Burnett)
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The Wedding Present musical to open in the band's Leeds birthplace
08/16/2025
The Wedding Present musical to open in the band's Leeds birthplace
Indie rock band The Wedding Present was formed in Leeds in 1985, achieving a huge critical success with its debut album, George Best. 40 years and 300 songs later, the band is still going, and Artistic Director of Engine House Theatre and Wedding Present fan Matt Aston has written and is directing a new musical, Reception, based on the band’s back-catalogue. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Matt during rehearsals for the show about how he put it together, his history as a long-time fan of the band and the challenges of producing an original musical. David also spoke to David Gedge, founder, lead singer and songwriter for the band, about his reactions to having a musical based on his songs, his reflections on what he has seen in rehearsals and his songwriting style and technique. Reception: The Wedding Present Musical will be performed at The Warehouse in Holbeck, Slung Low, Leeds from 22 August to 6 September 2025. Tickets can be booked at the . For more information about The Wedding Present, David’s other band, Cinerama, and his annual Brighton festival, see the web site. Photo: Matt Aston (furthest left) and David Gedge (furthest right) and the cast of Reception on the first day of rehearsals (credit: Northedge Photography)
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Edinburgh 2025: The 100-year-old clown and The Chase's Vixen on whether ABBA existed
08/12/2025
Edinburgh 2025: The 100-year-old clown and The Chase's Vixen on whether ABBA existed
This episode features two very different solo shows, which can both be seen at the 2025 . Thom Tuck is playing the titular 100-year-old clown, whose life story takes audiences though some of the major events of the 20th century, in Justin Butcher’s Scaramouche Jones, which he performed in Edinburgh in 2005, then again in 2015. His partner, Jenny Ryan, best-known as The Vixen on TV quiz programme The Chase, is performing her musical comedy show Björn Yesterday that unpacks her theory that ABBA never existed. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to them both together almost halfway through the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe about their shows, the current state of the Fringe, remembering lines and quiz answers, philosophy, the music they grew up listening to and lots more. Björn Yesterday runs every day at 5:30PM in the Cabaret Bar at Pleasance Courtyard from 30 July to 17 August. Thom Tuck is appearing in Scaramouche Jones at Hoots at Potterow at 2:45PM from 1 to 25 August 2025.
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Classic Thrillers return to Nottingham for 2025
08/09/2025
Classic Thrillers return to Nottingham for 2025
For almost 40 years, the Classic Thriller Season has been held during the summer at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham. It’s one of the few rep seasons left in the country. In 2025, the season has been reduced to three weeks instead of four and will feature plays by Peter Gordon, Ira Levin and Richard Harris. BTG Midlands editor Steve Orme spoke to Karen Henson from the producers as well as Mark Pearce, who’s taking part in his first Thriller Season as the incomparable Inspector Pratt, and Sarah Wynne Kordas, who will be appearing in all three plays. The Classic Thriller Season will run at the from 12 until 30 August. PICTURE: Sarah Wynne Kordas, Mark Pearce and Karen Henson.
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Scotland's The List celebrates 40 years in print
08/01/2025
Scotland's The List celebrates 40 years in print
While the various Edinburgh festivals are running, one of the many publications providing extensive coverage of them is The List magazine, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary. The List publishes year-round free print publications and online content on arts and entertainment in Scotland, but it will be producing seven print publications in six weeks dedicated to the festivals, as well as bringing back its cross-festival awards, which it inaugurated last year and this year has expanded with new categories. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to List Publishing Ltd’s CEO, Sheri Friers, about how The List started, how it kept going after lockdown nearly closed it down, expanding into Australia, the challenges of journalism in the 21st century and covering the Edinburgh festivals. To find out more and to read the magazine online, including back issues going back to 1985, see , or if you are in Edinburgh during August, you will be able to pick up a current issue in print from many different locations around the city.
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Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting winners 2025
07/28/2025
Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting winners 2025
The winners of the biennial , which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, were announced at a ceremony at Manchester’s on Monday 21 July 2025. Immediately after the awards were presented, BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to four of the five winners: Daisy Miles, who won the £10,000 North-West Original New Voice Award for her play R Lady’s, Terri Jade Donovan, who won a special commendation of £5,000 for Dog Dog Dog, Silva Semerciyan, who won the Judges’ Prize of £10,000 for her play Przewalski's Horses, and Tolu Okanlawon, who won the £20,000 overall prize for his play Shooters. The winner of the International Award of £10,000, Jesús I Valles, for his play Spread was not able to attend the ceremony. (Photo of winners Silva Semerciyan, Daisy Miles, Tolu Okanlawon and Terri Jade Donovan in the Royal Exchange Theatre following the ceremony, credit: Ellie Kurttz.)
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New Mosse family novel—from theatre writing specialist Greg
07/23/2025
New Mosse family novel—from theatre writing specialist Greg
was the founder of the based at the Criterion Theatre in London’s West End in 2015 and has written and produced 25 plays and musicals at venues including Chichester Festival Theatre, Portsmouth Guildhall and Worthing Theatre. Since lockdown, he has turned to writing novels, despite being married to best-selling novelist Kate Mosse, and his latest book, The Coming Fire, the third in a series that he began writing during lockdown, was published by on 17 July 2025. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Greg just before the new book was released about the series and how he came to write it, as well as about the Criterion New Writing programme—for which he encourages mid-career theatre writers to apply—having two writers working in the same house and lots more about the process of writing and the current new writing scene in British theatre. Applications for the 2026 Criterion New Writing programme will open on 1 September 2025.
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New play features Jason Isaacs as the head of William Burroughs
07/15/2025
New play features Jason Isaacs as the head of William Burroughs
Lorenzo Allchurch and Alex Helfrecht, the writer and director of new play Lost Watches, which is to première at in London this summer, met when Alex directed Lorenzo as a child actor ten years ago in the film The White King. For his debut full-length play as a writer, Lorenzo will star alongside a sculpture of the head of the author William Burroughs voiced by Jason Isaacs, star of, amongst others, The Salt Path, The White Lotus, The Death of Stalin and the Harry Potter films, in the latter as Lucius Malfoy. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Lorenzo and Alex about the play and how to stage something with a surreal style and lots of technical challenges, the writing and development process, the differences between film and theatre directing, finding a gap in Jason’s busy schedule and lots more. Lost Watches can be seen at Park Theatre in London from 30 July to 23 August 2025.
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Deafinitely's Vagina Monologues on short UK tour
07/07/2025
Deafinitely's Vagina Monologues on short UK tour
Paula Garfield MBE, Artistic Director and co-founder of Deafinitely Theatre, is taking her adaptation of The Vagina Monologues by V (formerly Eve Ensler) on a short tour. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Paula a couple of weeks before the performances about her adaptation for both deaf and hearing audiences of a play that was a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1990s, as well as about her reasons for co-founding the company in 2002 and its range and methods of working. Paula’s words are voiced by BSL interpreter . The production will be performed at Exeter Northcott Theatre on 15 July, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield on 17 July and The Rep in Birmingham on 19 July 2025. For more information, see or contact the theatre box offices for tickets.
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Gatsby in Pitlochry and Derby
06/04/2025
Gatsby in Pitlochry and Derby
Elizabeth Newman, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres, has adapted F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, which is now 100 years old, for the stage for the theatre she recently left, Pitlochry Festival Theatre. It will be co-produced by Derby Theatre, where it will also open that venue’s 50th anniversary season, and will by directed by Derby’s Artistic Director, Sarah Brigham. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Sarah and Elizabeth about the production, the story’s continuing appeal and how their adaptation works, as well as about Derby’s anniversary, Elizabeth’s move from Scotland to South Yorkshire… and snooker. Elizabeth Newman’s adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, directed by Sarah Brigham, will run as part of the summer repertory season at in Scotland from 27 June to 25 September 2025 before transferring to from 3 to 25 October.
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Brits Off Broadway takes UK theatre to New York
04/01/2025
Brits Off Broadway takes UK theatre to New York
in New York City has presented a regular Brits Off Broadway season of British theatre productions since 2004. This year, the season runs from 22 April to 29 June and features eight productions that were recently performed in the UK. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Val Day, 59E59’s Artistic Director, and Brian Beirne, Managing Director, about the origins of the season, their selection process, the financing of this theatrical ‘unicorn’ (as Brian calls it) and the productions in the 2025 programme: The Last Laugh, written and directed by Paul Hendy, from Evolution Productions and Jamie Wilson Productions from 22 April to 25 May. The Ungodly, written and directed by Joanna Carrick, from Red Rose Chain from 23 April to 11 May. The Mistake by Michael Mears, directed by Rosamunde Hutt, from Essential Theatre from 24 April to 11 May. Gertrude Lawrence: A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening written and performed by Lucy Stevens and directed by Sarah-Louise Young from Astor Theatre from 13 to 25 May. Shellshocked, written and directed by Philip Stokes, from Richard Jordan Productions and 412, from 14 May to 8 June. A Special Relationship by Tim Marriott and Brian Dykstra, directed by Margarett Perry, from 29 May to 29 June. Pride and Prejudice adapted by Abigail Pickard Price, who also directs, with Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches from Guildford Shakespeare Company from 30 May to 29 June. Kafka, written and performed by Jack Klaff and directed by Colin Watkeys from Twilight Theatre Co from 12 to 29 June.
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Hayman tours as Miller's Willy Loman
03/24/2025
Hayman tours as Miller's Willy Loman
Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman is regarded as one of the greatest plays of the 20th century. A new production is touring the UK. BTG Midlands editor Steve Orme spoke to David Hayman, who plays Willy Loman, and director Andy Arnold about the previous production they worked on as well as their current project. Death of a Salesman runs until 3 May. Further information is available at the .
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Emma Rice brings Hitchcock thriller to the stage
03/18/2025
Emma Rice brings Hitchcock thriller to the stage
The next production from theatre company will be a new stage adaptation of the 1959 Alfred Hitchcock Cold War thriller North by Northwest, adapted and directed by Emma Rice. The roles of Roger Thornhill and Eve Kendall, played in the film by Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, will be taken by Ewan Wardrop and Patrycja Kujawska. A week before previews at York Theatre Royal, BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Patrycja about the production and about the working process of a company and a director with whom she has had a long association. North by Northwest runs at York Theatre Royal from 18 March to 5 April 2025 before touring to HOME Manchester, Liverpool Playhouse, Bath Theatre Royal, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Alexandra Palace Theatre in London. (Rehearsal photo of Patrycja Kujawska as Eve Kendall and Ewan Wardrop as Roger Thornhill, credit Steve Tanner)
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Manchester International Festival programme launch 2025
03/13/2025
Manchester International Festival programme launch 2025
The programme for the tenth biennial Manchester International Festival for 2025 was announced on 11 March at Aviva Studios. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to John McGrath, Factory International’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director, and Creative Director Low Kee Hong, as well as Jonathan Watkins, director and choreographer of A Single Man, and the writer, Ntombizodwa Nyoni, and director, Monique Touko, of Liberation. The 2025 Manchester International Festival runs from Thursday 3 to Sunday 20 July. A Single Man, produced with The Royal Ballet and created by Jonathan Watkins from Christopher Isherwood’s 1964 novel with new music by Jasmin Kent Rodgman and John Grant, will be at Aviva Studios from 2 to 6 July. Liberation, written by Ntombizodwa Nyoni and directed by Monique Touko, will be at the Royal Exchange Theatre from 27 June to 26 July. For more information about all of the events in the festival, see . (Photos of Monique Touko, Ntombizodwa Nyoni and Jonathan Watkins courtesy of the artists; photo of John McGrath, credit Tarnish Vision.)
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New Perspectives on Jane Upton's (the) Woman
02/27/2025
New Perspectives on Jane Upton's (the) Woman
Playwright Jane Upton has taken her experiences of motherhood and included them in a new play, (the) Woman. Nottinghamshire company New Perspectives is touring the play which will also have a five-week run in London. Midlands editor Steve Orme spoke to Jane Upton and New Perspectives artistic director Angharad Jones about the play and how it was conceived. (the) Woman is on tour until 15 March and will be at London’s Park Theatre from 24 September until 25 October 2025. (Photo: Jane Upton and Angharad Jones, credit Steve Orme)
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Pilot brings Mary Wollstonecraft back to East Yorkshire
01/26/2025
Pilot brings Mary Wollstonecraft back to East Yorkshire
Mary Wollstonecraft, famous for her work A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, was born in London in 1759 but spent some of her early life in Beverley near Hull in Yorkshire. Playwright Maureen Lennon and actor Laura Elsworthy will together bring her back to the region in Maureen’s play Mary and The Hyenas, in which Laura will play Mary. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to Maureen and Laura while the play was in rehearsal in Hull about Mary’s life and legacy, the continuing relevance of her message, bringing her story to life on stage and the flourishing arts scene in Yorkshire. Laura Elsworthy stars in the title role of Mary and The Hyenas by Maureen Lennon for Hull Truck Theatre and Pilot Theatre, directed by Esther Richardson with music by Billy Nomates, which runs at from 7 February to 1 March 2025 before transferring to in London from 18 to 29 March.
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Mama G takes the panto dame from stage to picture book
12/09/2024
Mama G takes the panto dame from stage to picture book
is an award-winning year-round storyteller whose work is driven by the magic of pantomime. She has appeared in professional pantomimes across the UK for almost twenty years and this year stars in Aladdin at the Beck Theatre, Hayes. She has also written, directed and produced pantomimes for numerous holiday parks and theatres, including Stanley Arts Centre, South Norwood. Since 2018, Mama G has been sharing stories with children and their families about being who you want and loving who you are. The work has taken her to libraries, theatres, schools and festivals throughout the United Kingdom and in 2023 she appeared Off-Broadway with her show The Magic Bookmark. In October 2024, Mama G released of her first traditionally published picture book, Oh Yes I Am!, which celebrates the power of pantomime and is set to receive its first stage adaptation in the West End this December. Mama G speaks to BTG Panto Editor Simon Sladen about her career to date, the evolution of her Daming and her many ventures including appearing on Britain’s Got Talent.
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20 years of Evolution pantos
11/22/2024
20 years of Evolution pantos
Leading pantomime company will this year celebrate its 20th anniversary with ten productions at theatres right across England. BTG Editor David Chadderton spoke to the conpany’s founders, Paul Hendy and Emily Wood, about their upcoming panto season and about what goes into making their pantos, as well as about Paul’s play The Last Laugh, which will follow a very successful run at the last Edinburgh Fringe with a West End run early next year. Evolution Productions’ twentieth anniversary panto season in 2024 will run at theatres in Canterbury, Sheffield, Northampton, York, St Albans, Crawley, Dunstable, Shrewsbury, Lichfield and Basildon. Paul’s play The Last Laugh will run at London’s Noël Coward Theatre from 25 February to 22 March 2025.
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