Aliya Al-Hassan - Page 2

There has been much hype about Cole Escola's comedy play, Oh, Mary!, spoofing the lives of a former US President and his wife Mary in the days leading up to his assassination. Its Off-Broadway run was extended twice, moved to Broadway where it is still playing and now lands in the West End. So does it merit the buzz? Yes, and no.

James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape their past, but they soon discover that places aren’t haunted, people are… Inspired by the iconic, terrifying film series, Paranormal Activity is a new story live on stage. What did the critics think?

If your festive wish-list includes being whisked away to a land of shimmering magic and charming story-telling, ENB have the ideal antidote to the winter drizzle outside with the first revival of their version of Nutcracker that debuted last year. Aaron S. Watkin and Arielle Smit bring a welcome change from the confused storytelling of Wayne Eagling's previous iteration, with a sugary delight of a show.

What happens after Happily Ever After, after all? In Sondheim and Lapine’s beloved musical retelling of the Grimm classics, a parade of familiar folktale figures find their way “Into the Woods” and try to get home before dark—under the guidance of Mark Lamos, who dazzled us with A Little Night Music in 2008. What did the critics think of Jordan Fein's revival?

Having brought their extraordinary theatrical concepts to the all-conquering Fiddler on The Roof, director Jordan Fein and designer Tom Scutt reunite to bring lucky London audiences a gorgeously dark and heartfelt version of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's Into The Woods. 

The Rose Theatre's Cinderella is definitely not a pantomime, but nor is it a straightforward re-telling of the story. Updates to classic fairy tales are not new, but co-writers Chris Bush and Roni Neale give us a recognisable story with several twists along the way; where blended families and friendship are celebrated to create a fun and festive show for the whole family.

At this time of year, theatregoers are tripping over versions of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. The story of redemption and hope over greed and despair is one that never ages, but one that creatives often want to reinvent. However, sometimes the old ways are the best. Immersive storytellers The Lost Estate return for the eighth year with their glorious version of a show to fill your soul- and your stomach.

For many, Christmas cannot begin until The Old Vic is staging Jack Thorne's A Christmas Carol. This year's iteration shows yet again why it is a festive must-see. Brimming with emotion, but never tipping into mawkishness, it will make you laugh, cry and gasp with child-like wonder, no matter what your age. What more could you want from a Christmas show?

Community choirs and performers from all around the Liverpool city region and Halton have been working hard with Jay McWinen over the past few months for a collaborative festive concert which celebrates diversity, culture, age, ethnicity, ability or disability coming together as one to show how our region of the Northwest of England can example community inclusion through the art of group singing.

The Vaults will launch the new immersive parody musical Ancient Grease on March 4, 2026, expanding the venue’s repertoire into original musical theatre. Inspired by Grease and set on Mount Olympus, the adults-only production will feature an original script and score by emerging writer Lady Aria Grey.

Based on the original Hunger Games story, this gripping tale of courage, defiance and unbreakable human spirit, follows the fearless heroine Katniss Everdeen on her journey of self-discovery, as she emerges as a beacon of rebellion and hope. Multi award-winning playwright Conor McPherson (Girl from the North Country, The Weir) and Director Matthew Dunster (2:22 – A Ghost Story, Hangmen, The Pillowman), will bring this powerful story to life on stage, using extraordinary stunts and illusions in an epic, unforgettable, theatrical experience.

Patricia Highsmith's psychological thriller The Talented Mr Ripley was published 70 years ago, but remains fascinating due to her brilliant writing, but also movie and Netflix versions that have kept the story alive. This excellent new stage adaptation, written and directed by Mark Leipacher, strips back the story and takes us to the dark heart of Highsmith's most famous character.

'O, beware, my lord, of jealousy' Tom Morris’s new West End production of William Shakespeare’s Othello is now open, starring David Harewood as Othello, Toby Jones as Iago and Caitlin Fitzgerald as Desdemona. Directed by Tony Award-winner Tom Morris with music by PJ Harvey, this epic story of manipulation, jealousy and toxic masculinity explores the darker side of power, rage and desire. What did the critics think?

Director Tom Morris has been busy running the Bristol Old Vic, but now returns to the capital to start a five year partnership with Chris Harper Productions to direct Shakespeare plays for the West End. His Othello looks impressive, is well acted, thoughtful and glossy, but lacking in sufficient darkness.

Composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and his partner Rachael Hewer eschewed making banana bread during the Covid lockdown and decided to write an opera. After the pandemic, they went on to work on other projects, but unexpectedly Glyndebourne agreed to stage their new work, which made its world premiere last week.

There can be a tendancy to eye-roll at the prospect of a new interpretation of a classic play. However, Tanika Gupta's new take on Ibsen's Hedda Gabler at the Orange Tree is a genuinely innovative and fascinating take on the tale of the destructive nature of manipulation and the complexities of marriage.

Directed by Daniel Raggett, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s brings a new version of Macbeth to the small studio space in Stratford-upon-Avon. Starring Sam Heughan, best known for his role in the series Outlander, and Lia Williams as Lady Macbeth. This staging imagines the play in a gangland pub in 20th-century Glasgow, with its characters as violent criminals.

Just missing 'Back to the Future Day' on 21 October (the date Marty McFly and Doc Brown travel to in the sequel), the iconic film Back to the Future film is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. A re-release is coming to cinemas at the end of this month and the stage version keeps on growing, showing the public appetite for this beloved film shows no signs of slowing down.

Celebrated choreographer and director Lynne Hockney has been involved in Sir Peter Hall’s iconic version of Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Glyndebourne since 2001. Now playing for the first time in the venue’s Autumn season, the production has been revived regularly since its premiere in 1981, bringing Shakespeare’s enchanting story of magic and mayhem to life. BroadwayWorld spoke to Hockney about her long association with the production, Sir Peter Hall’s enduring vision and how no one involved in the production is more important than anyone else.