Craig Blake

Review: TARTUFFE (REMIXED), starring Mark Rylance
by Cindy Marcolina - Sep 12, 2026

Adapting classical theatre for a new audience is an exciting task and Darren Raymond has relocated Molière’s farce to a Nigerian-Jamaican family living in England. We are all preparing for Adanna and Sinclair’s impending nuptials, with relatives from both sides gathering at her childhood home. When Oga, Adanna’s father, invites Pastor Blake to stay, alarm bells go off for the younger generation. The smooth talking, duplicitous, sleazy old man infiltrates the household, feigning piety. The core of Molière’s work props up a vibrant production that’s infused with colour and music. Written in rhyming verse, this version of Tartuffe is truly charming, but runs long and its humour tends to be overplayed.

Photos: TARTUFFE (REMIX) In Rehearsal with Mark Rylance and More at Marylebone Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 13, 2026

First look rehearsal photos have been released for Tartuffe (Remixed), Darren Raymond's new adaptation of Molière's classic comedy starring Oscar and Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance.

Photos: Mark Rylance in Rehearsals for TARTUFFE (REMIXED)
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 13, 2026

Get first look inside rehearsals for the World Premiere of Tartuffe (Remixed) starring Oscar and Olivier-Award winner Mark Rylance, running in the West End this fall.

Review: PIPPIN at Short North Stage
by Paul Batterson - Aug 10, 2026

What did our critic think of PIPPIN at Short North Stage? Production director Edward Carignan said PIPPIN is a “legacy” show – a performance that can be pulled out of the vault, dusted off, and re-released every five years or so. SNS last did this Stephen Schwartz musical (a personal favorite of Carignan’s) in 2019. However, this time it isn’t simply a rehash of the past production. It’s a reinvention.

Cast and Dates Set For TARTUFFE (REMIXED) Starring Mark Rylance
by Stephi Wild - Jun 30, 2026

Tickets for the World Premiere of Tartuffe (Remixed) starring Oscar and Olivier-Award winner Mark Rylance will go on general sale this week for a strictly limited 7-week season. Learn more here.

THE HARDER THEY COME Reveals Full Cast at Stratford East
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026

Stratford East announced full casting for THE HARDER THEY COME, the reggae musical adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks, returning for a new run with Natey Jones reprising his role as Ivan.

Stratford East Extends THE HARDER THEY COME By One Week
by Stephi Wild - Sep 24, 2025

Stratford East has announced an extension for the critically acclaimed new production of THE HARDER THEY COME, the newly adapted reggae musical based on the cult Jamaican film of the same name.

Review: AMERICAN IDIOT at at Short North Stage
by Paul Batterson - Sep 7, 2025

What did our critic think of AMERICAN IDIOT at At Short North Stage? In Short North Stage’s production of AMERICAN IDIOT, everything isn’t meant to be okay. The characters are disappointed, disillusioned, and defiant, and their story is depressing, dark, and disturbing.

Photos: THE HARDER THEY COME in Rehearsal at Stratford East
by Stephi Wild - Aug 20, 2025

Stratford East has released first look rehearsal images for The Harder They Come, the newly adapted reggae musical based on the cult Jamaican film of the same name. Check out the photos here!

Cast and Creative Team Set For THE HARDER THEY COME at Stratford East
by Stephi Wild - Jul 15, 2025

Stratford East has announced the full cast and creative team for the UK premiere of THE HARDER THEY COME, the newly adapted reggae musical based on the cult Jamaican film of the same name.

Review: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at Short North Stage
by Paul Batterson - May 11, 2025

Although the cast took a wrecking ball to the fourth wall separating the audience from the actors and the show within a show is intentionally light on plot, The Drowsy Chaperone serves up a cocktail that is two shots of Golden Age musicals, a jigger of acerbic wit, three parts parody, and a half ounce of honesty.

Interview: Jeremy Blaustein of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at the Short North Stage
by Paul Batterson - May 1, 2025

'It’s full of satire, especially of the musicals of the 1920s before they had figured out story structure, character development, or basically anything else Rodgers and Hammerstein figured out in OKLAHOMA.' Jeremy Blaustein

Cast Announced For Shakespeare's Globe's SHAKESPEARE IN THE ABBEY
by Stephi Wild - Mar 29, 2023

As celebrations continue for the 400th Anniversary of the First Folio across 2023, Shakespeare’s Globe will return to Westminster Abbey for the hugely popular Shakespeare in the Abbey for six special performances beginning this evening and running until Friday 31 March.

The Beautiful City Project To Present SUMMER ART FEST This Month
by Stephi Wild - Jun 6, 2022

The Beautiful City Project announces the cast of its June fundraising cabaret SUMMER ART PROJECT, with proceeds to benefit Project Onward, an organization that exists to give artists with disabilities a 'visual voice' to tell their stories and change the perceptions of the world.

GET UP, STAND UP! THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL Breaks Lyric Theatre Box Office Record
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 4, 2021

Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical has broken the box office record at the Lyric Theatre for the highest grossing week last week.

GET UP, STAND UP! THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL Extends Booking Period Through 18th September 2022
by Stephi Wild - Oct 25, 2021

The West End production of Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, which opened last week at the Lyric Theatre, has extended its booking period until 18th September 2022. Hailed as a major cultural event the landmark production about Bob Marley's life began performances at the Lyric at the start of the month.

Review Roundup: GET UP, STAND UP! THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL Opens at Lyric Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 22, 2021

With unlimited access to Marley's magical, revolutionary songs and a book by award-winning Lee Hall, acclaimed director Clint Dyer channels the creative quest and spiritual power of a universally embraced icon. The production brings a dynamic company of performers, led by Arinzé Kene as Bob Marley, that fuse with the finest reggae musicians to bring this exhilarating story of struggle, freedom and transformation from Trenchtown to the West End.

Photos: First Look at the Cast of GET UP, STAND UP! THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - Oct 19, 2021

Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical officially opens on the West End  at the Lyric Theatre tomorrow, 20 October. Check out all new photos of the cast in action here!

Photos/Video: Rehearsals Begin For GET UP, STAND UP! THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - Aug 4, 2021

Check out the all new photos and footage from rehearsals for this world premiere musical, and learn more about how to attend!

Full Cast Announced For GET UP, STAND UP! The Bob Marley Musical
by Stephi Wild - Jul 9, 2021

This new production celebrates the immense life and timely message of Jamaican soul rebel Bob Marley - from a life of poverty to visionary international superstar. Crucial fellow soul rebels in the cast include the sensational Rita Marley and the I Three and his inspiring brothers in arms, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Lee 'Scratch Perry'.