Posts with the label plays
Showing posts with label plays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plays. Show all posts
Wednesday, 15 January 2025
Galloping Through the Heart: War Horse Stirs the Soul
War Horse (Tour)
New Victoria Theatre
War Horse returns to the stage with all the emotional resonance and technical mastery that have solidified its place as an iconic theatrical experience. Directed by Tom Morris, with revival direction by Katie Henry, this production feels especially poignant in today’s world, where themes of resilience, connection, and hope resonate more profoundly than ever.
The centrepiece of this production is the breathtaking puppetry, crafted by the visionary Handspring Puppet Company. Joey and Topthorn are engineering marvels, made from lightweight materials that allow for lifelike movements while retaining a skeletal elegance. Each flick of an ear, swish of a tail, and laboured breath is brought to life by the outstanding puppeteers. Matthew Lawrence (Joey- Head), Rafe Young (Heart), and Felicity Donnelly (Hind) infuse Joey with a remarkable blend of power and vulnerability, while Rianna Ash (Head), Chris Milford (Heart), and Thomas Goodridge (Hind) give Topthorn a commanding presence that is as awe-inspiring as it is poignant. It's quite amazing how quickly you fall in love with these animals, and just shows how effective the puppetry is.
The lighting design (Rob Casey), masterfully executed, plays a crucial role in elevating the production’s emotional intensity. Harsh, angular beams during battle sequences evoke the chaos of war, while softer, golden hues in pastoral scenes create a sense of peace and nostalgia. The transitions are seamless, guiding the audience’s emotions as effectively as the narrative itself.
The atmospheric sound design and Adrian Sutton’s stirring score further immerse the audience, evoking the thundering hooves of cavalry charges and the haunting quiet of the battlefield. The interplay of sound and visuals heightens the emotional impact, ensuring each scene lands with maximum resonance. While there are moments where the graphics feel a little basic, they do fit with the general vibe and can't really detract from such a wonderful production.
Joey’s foalhood is depicted with exquisite charm by Eloise Beaumont-Wood (Head), Diany Samba-Bandza (Heart), and Jordan Paris (Hind), whose synchronised movements perfectly capture the playful innocence of a young horse.
Another heart of this emotionally charged production is Tom Sturgess as Albert Narracott, whose heartfelt performance anchors the story with warmth and authenticity. Sturgess masterfully captures Albert’s unyielding determination and deep bond with Joey, imbuing the character with a raw vulnerability that resonates throughout the play. Whether he’s expressing tender affection for his beloved horse or grappling with the horrors of war, Sturgess commands the stage with a magnetic presence that keeps the audience firmly invested in Albert’s journey. His portrayal adds an essential human dimension to the sweeping narrative, making the connection between man and horse all the more poignant.
This production transcends traditional storytelling, blending artistry and innovation into a truly immersive experience. As one character wisely observes, “Where there’s life, there’s hope.” In a world fraught with uncertainty, War Horse is a timely reminder of our shared humanity, perseverance, and capacity for love.
From the remarkable puppetry to the evocative lighting and sound, War Horse is a technical and emotional triumph that gallops straight into your heart. This is theatre at its finest- unmissable and unforgettable.
★★★★★
Reviewed on Tuesday 14th January 2025 by Olivia
Photo Credit: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
Full Cast Announced for The Lonely Londoners at Kiln Theatre; Extended Run Due to High Demand
Kiln Theatre and Jermyn Street Theatre have announced the full cast for the highly anticipated run of The Lonely Londoners, adapted by Roy Williams from Sam Selvon's iconic novel. Directed by Ebenezer Bamgboye, the production features a stellar ensemble cast including Tobi Bakare, Shannon Hayes, Solomon Israel, Gilbert Kyem Jnr, Carol Moses, Aimée Powell, and Romario Simpson. Due to popular demand, the run has been extended, with performances now scheduled from 10th January to 22nd February 2025, at Kiln Theatre, with the official press night set for 16th January.
Bamgboye, returning to direct this critically acclaimed adaptation, remarked:
Sam Selvon’s novel, The Lonely Londoners, is a timeless masterpiece... I feel doubly lucky for the opportunity to return back to it a second time, at a perfect venue, alongside a truly stellar group of actors and creatives.”
Set in 1950s London, The Lonely Londoners tells the story of Henry ‘Sir Galahad’ Oliver, a Trinidadian immigrant who arrives in London with dreams and optimism, only to encounter the harsh realities faced by a generation of Caribbean migrants. As he meets others from the Windrush generation, he is confronted with the challenges and complexities of building a home in a city that often views him as an outsider. This adaptation explores the Windrush generation’s hopes, resilience, and camaraderie in a society shaped by prejudice.
Creative Team:
Director: Ebenezer Bamgboye
Set Designer: Laura Ann Price
Costume Designer: Anett Black
Lighting Designer: Elliot Griggs
Sound Designer: Tony Gayle
Movement Director: Nevena Stojkov
Voice and Dialect Coach: Hazel Holder
Casting Director: Abby Galvin
Kiln-Mackintosh Resident Assistant Director: Imy Wyatt Corner
Associate Sound Designer: Bella Kear
Literary Consultant: Susheila Nasta
Stockard Channing Joins Brie Larson and Star-Studded Cast for the Thrilling West End Revival of Elektra
The timeless power of Greek tragedy is set to take the West End stage as Empire Street Productions announces additional casting for Elektra, Sophokles’s renowned drama, featuring a new, visceral translation by the award-winning poet Anne Carson. Academy Award-winner Brie Larson, previously announced as the lead, will make her West End debut alongside an impressive lineup: the internationally celebrated Stockard Channing (The West Wing, The Good Wife), Marième Diouf (Romeo and Juliet, The Globe), Greg Hicks (Grapes of Wrath, Coriolanus), and Evening Standard Award-winner Patrick Vaill, fresh off his acclaimed performance in Oklahoma! and Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
Directed by the visionary Daniel Fish, known for his groundbreaking Tony and Olivier Award-winning revival of Oklahoma!, this production of Elektra promises a powerful, haunting experience. Fish's return to Sophokles’s masterpiece marks the first major revival of the classic Greek tragedy in over a decade. The creative team behind Elektra features Annie-B Parson (Choreography), Jeremy Herbert (Set Design), Doey Lüthi (Costume Design), Adam Silverman (Lighting Design), Max & Ben Ringham (Sound Design), and Ted Hearne (Composer), with Kate Godfrey (Voice & Dialect) and casting by Heather Basten CDG.
The production begins its journey at Theatre Royal Brighton on January 13, 2025, before moving to London’s Duke of York’s Theatre for an exclusive 11-week season starting January 24, with a press night scheduled for February 5. This staging of Elektra promises an intense exploration of vengeance, grief, and survival, as Elektra, haunted by her father’s murder, awaits the return of her brother Orestes, who she urges toward a harrowing and irreversible act of revenge.
Empire Street Productions brings this much-anticipated Elektra revival to life following their acclaimed projects like Prima Facie with Jodie Comer and The Pillowman starring Lily Allen. The full cast lineup for Elektra will be announced soon. For tickets and more information, visit ElektraPlay.com.
Friday, 1 November 2024
2:22 - A Ghost Story Returns for Spine-Chilling 2025 UK Tour: Thrills Await Across the Nation!
This Halloween season brings a thrilling announcement for supernatural theatre fans: 2:22 A Ghost Story will embark on an extended UK tour starting August 4, 2025, at the Manchester Opera House, sweeping across the nation until June 2026. With its gripping blend of suspense and paranormal intrigue, this award-winning play by Danny Robins has captivated audiences worldwide, having premiered in London’s West End with seven seasons of sold-out performances and reaching over a million viewers in 17 countries. Following its highly successful first UK tour in 2023-24, 2:22 is back to haunt theatres, revisiting previous cities and venturing into new ones to thrill fresh audiences with its chilling narrative.
2:22 A Ghost Story follows Jenny, who’s convinced her new home is haunted, and her skeptical husband, Sam. Their argument with dinner guests Lauren and Ben about the existence of ghosts leads to a night of tension and fear, with the group vowing to stay up until the mysterious hour of 2:22 to finally uncover the truth. This paranormal thriller first premiered at London’s Noël Coward Theatre in 2021 with Lily Allen, Julia Chan, Hadley Fraser, and Jake Wood, quickly garnering critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. Since then, the play has attracted top actors including Stephanie Beatriz, Tom Felton, Laura Whitmore, Sophia Bush, and Joe McFadden, each adding unique depth to Robins’ chilling story.
Written by Danny Robins, the acclaimed creator behind BBC’s Uncanny, and directed by Matthew Dunster, 2:22 immerses audiences in a suspenseful exploration of belief versus skepticism, set against a backdrop of eerie sound and lighting design by Ian Dickinson and Lucy Carter, with expert illusions from Chris Fisher. Designer Anna Fleischle’s atmospheric set and Cindy Lin’s costume design contribute to the haunting ambiance, intensifying every moment as secrets unfold.
Reflecting on the overwhelming reception, Robins expressed his excitement for the upcoming tour, saying:
I am genuinely humbled by how well the production continues to be received… Hopefully this new tour will bring 2:22 A Ghost Story to new people, as well as those who are hungry for more.”
For those daring enough to confront the unknown, tickets for the 2025 2:22 A Ghost Story tour are a chance to experience the unforgettable thrill that only live theatre can deliver. Get ready to uncover the truth- if you dare.
The Last Laugh Brings Comedy Legends to London’s West End: Don’t Miss This Unforgettable New Play!
Following a successful, sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Last Laugh is heading to London’s West End for a limited engagement at the Noël Coward Theatre, running from 25 February to 22 March 2025, with tickets available now.
Written and directed by Paul Hendy, this unique production reimagines the lives and legacies of three of Britain’s greatest comedic legends: Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, and Bob Monkhouse. Audiences will experience a blend of classic humour and heartwarming stories as the show revives the wit and charisma of these beloved icons. Portraying the three comedy greats, Bob Golding (as Eric Morecambe), Damian Williams (as Tommy Cooper), and Simon Cartwright (as Bob Monkhouse) will reprise their critically acclaimed roles from Edinburgh.
Producer Jamie Wilson shares his enthusiasm:
The timeless appeal of these comedy legends captivated us in Edinburgh, and we knew more audiences needed to experience their genius. This play allows long-time fans to revisit these icons while introducing them to a new generation.”
With its blend of nostalgia and humour, The Last Laugh is poised to become a must-see in London before heading to New York and on a UK tour. Be ready for a moving, laugh-out-loud performance that celebrates the enduring legacy of Britain’s comedic treasures.
photo credit: Pamela Raith
Bush Theatre Announces 2025 Season: Showcasing New Talent and Unmissable Stories on Stage
Bush Theatre has unveiled an exciting 2025 lineup filled with world premieres, returning stars, and original plays that bring fresh voices and unheard stories to the stage. Committed to launching, establishing, and sustaining careers for emerging writers, Bush Theatre’s new season promises innovative storytelling and compelling performances. Tickets for the new season, available today, start at £15, offering theatre fans an accessible way to experience ground-breaking shows at the forefront of modern theatre.
Kicking off in the Holloway Theatre, the Bush Theatre’s main house, is Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew by Bush Theatre’s Emerging Writers’ Group alum Coral Wylie. Directed by Debbie Hannan, this world premiere follows one family’s journey of reconciliation. Starring Omari Douglas (of It’s a Sin and Constellations), alongside Wil Johnson and Pooky Quesnel, the play is both moving and unapologetically queer. Later in April, Speed, written by Mohamed-Zain Dada and directed by Olivier-nominated Milli Bhatia, explores the secrets and absurdities of daily life with humour and warmth.
In Bush Theatre’s Studio, the January debut of ...blackbird hour by babirye bukilwa, directed by malakaï sergeant, promises to be a standout. A raw look at self-love, belonging, and identity, this play features creative captioning and audio description for an inclusive experience. For those looking for more stories that explore human connection, Tender, directed by Emily Aboud, will run in November and highlights the serendipitous bond between two people searching for meaning.
The Bush Theatre’s 2025 season showcases its dedication to fresh perspectives and inclusivity, supported by its new Bush Theatre Producers' Circle, which aims to foster the next generation of playwriting talent. Artistic Director Lynette Linton reflects on the season, saying:
It’s a bitter-sweet feeling to announce my penultimate season as Artistic Director of The Bush, though exciting as it shows just what we’re all about, developing new writers and creatives and inviting them into the Bush family."
For fans and newcomers alike, Bush Theatre’s 2025 season is a must-see for those looking to experience the best of modern theatre with stories that resonate.
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Critically Acclaimed Production The Years Transfers to the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre
Sonia Friedman Productions has announced the West End transfer of The Years, a critically acclaimed adaptation of Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux’s semi-autobiographical novel Les Années. Directed and adapted by Eline Arbo with an English version by Stephanie Bain, this production captivated audiences in its sold-out run at the Almeida Theatre, following a successful premiere at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. The Years will run at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 24 January to 19 April 2025.
Critics have praised The Years as a “masterpiece” (The Guardian) and an experience that “moves in ways theatre often tries to but rarely achieves” (The Independent). The production features powerful performances from Deborah Findlay, Romola Garai*, Gina McKee, Anjli Mohindra, and Harmony Rose-Bremner, who collectively portray the life of one woman, capturing her experiences against the evolving landscape of the 20th and 21st centuries.
With each “click” of memory, Ernaux’s story unfolds: a child growing up amidst post-war ruins, a student exploring new freedoms, an activist championing rights, a wife, mother, lover, and grandmother – each phase of life layered with personal and political significance. This staging captures Ernaux’s meditation on memory with depth, surprise, and theatrical virtuosity, leading audiences through a journey that pairs “the dead with the living, real with imaginary beings, dreams with history.”
The creative team includes Music Supervisor and Sound Designer Thijs van Vuure, Set Designer Juul Dekker, Costume Designer Rebekka Wörmann, Lighting Designer Varja Klosse, and Casting Director Amy Ball CDG. Associate direction is by Yasmin Hafesji. Originally produced by Het Nationale Theater as De Jaren in 2022, The Years has gained acclaim across Europe and is poised to offer a poignant theatrical experience in its West End debut.
Note: Romola Garai will perform until 8 March, with additional casting to be announced.
Casting Announced for Cyrano at Park Theatre
Cyrano, the Fringe First award-winning, gender-flipped retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, is set to light up Park Theatre, London, from December 11, 2024, to January 11, 2025, following a sold-out European premiere at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre. Written and performed by Australian actress and playwright Virginia Gay (Colin from Accounts, Winners & Losers), this reimagining redefines the classic with bold humour, heartfelt romance, and a fresh modern sensibility. Joining Gay as Cyrano are Jessica Whitehurst (Ridley, The Comedy of Errors) as Roxanne and Joseph Evans (Coronation Street) in his stage debut as Yan, alongside Tessa Wong, David Tarkenter, and Tanvi Virmani.
Directed by Clare Watson, Cyrano combines humour, aching romance, and musical interludes to tell the story of Cyrano, a witty wordsmith who conceals a personal shame behind her sparkling intelligence and charm. Cyrano, captivated by the brilliant and beautiful Roxanne, finds herself in a love triangle when Roxanne falls for Yan, a man with looks but few words. As Cyrano pours her heart out under the guise of Yan’s voice, she creates an unforgettable rom-com for the ages- filled with wit, longing, and the undeniable magic of theatre.
Described as “big-hearted, irreverent, and joyous,” Gay’s Cyrano is a tribute to hope, the search for connection, and the beauty of language. It’s an ode to the timeless power of theatre and its ability to draw out both laughter and tears.
Thursday, 24 October 2024
: Louis McCartney Returns as Henry Creel in Stranger Things: The First Shadow for His Broadway Debut
Louis McCartney, the breakout star from the West End production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, is set to reprise his role as Henry Creel for his highly anticipated Broadway debut. McCartney's performance in the West End earned him widespread acclaim, including The Stage 2024 Debut Award for Best Performer in a Play and the Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Newcomer. Praised by top publications as "spellbinding" (Daily Telegraph) and "breathtaking" (Deadline),
McCartney’s portrayal of the complex character Henry Creel has firmly established him as a rising star in the theatre world. He will take his final bow in the West End on November 10, 2024, before heading to Broadway to continue his run in this Olivier Award-winning production.
The Broadway adaptation of Stranger Things: The First Shadow will begin performances on March 28, 2025, at the iconic Marquis Theatre. Directed by the acclaimed Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Billy Elliot) and co-directed by Justin Martin (Prima Facie), this gripping prequel transports audiences back to 1959 Hawkins, where a young Henry Creel arrives in town, setting off a series of dark events that connect deeply to the mythology of the global Netflix sensation. With an original story co-created by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Kate Trefry, the production offers fans an enthralling, fresh narrative with stunning visual effects and heart-pounding performances that dive deep into the origins of the Stranger Things universe.
With a star-studded creative team, the Broadway run promises to be just as mesmerising as its West End counterpart, with many eagerly awaiting McCartney’s U.S. stage debut. Ticket sales are already underway for this must-see event, and theatre fans and Stranger Things devotees alike are excited to experience the early days of Hawkins on Broadway.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow has already proven to be a massive success in London, winning two Olivier Awards, including Best Entertainment. This thrilling theatrical event is set to captivate new audiences with its intricate set design, haunting soundtrack, and McCartney’s unforgettable performance as Henry Creel.
photo credit: Polk & Co
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