Review: MISS MYRTLE'S GARDEN, Bush Theatre
by Cindy Marcolina - Jun 7, 2025
Miss Myrtle’s garden is an oasis caught in the jaws of gentrification. As her mind starts to go, her grandson Rudy moves in with his “friend” and prods her for answers about their shared past. The generational gap is an abyss of doubt, but is that what’s making it hard for her grandson to be open about his life? Danny James King writes a sophisticated exploration of memory, grief, and identity, which, directed by Taio Lawson (the Bush Theatre’s incoming Artistic Director), becomes a touching, beautiful piece of theatre. King surrounds the stigma of dementia with lots of breathing space rooted in the unsaid, sweetening uncomfortable truths with surprising circumstantial humour. A finely tuned balance is set up: though frankly hilarious at times, the show bottles up that unbearable wave of sadness you get when you see an old person sitting by themselves.
Review: WEDDING BAND, Lyric Hammersmith
by Cindy Marcolina - Jun 7, 2024
Interracial marriage has been legal in the United States for less than six decades. To put it into perspective, sliced bread was first sold forty years earlier. Set in 1918 South Carolina, Wedding Band is a blistering portrayal of unjust laws and discrimination, of conscious and unconscious bias, of finding love inside hopeless prejudice. Alice Childress’ American classic describes a Deep South riddled with hatred and stigma, a picture that’s uncomfortably close to a certain party’s opinions and that, sixty years later, remains unfortunately topical. A white baker and a black seamstress defy public opinion in this sombre drama.
Cast Set For WEDDING BAND at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 16, 2024
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for the UK premiere of Alice Childress’ Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White, directed by Stage Debut Award winner Monique Touko, who returns to the Lyric after the smash-hit production of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play.
NT Live's Benedict Cumberbatch-Led HAMLET Broadcast Breaks Records
by BWW News Desk - Oct 16, 2015
Yesterday's October 15th live international broadcast of Academy Award nominee Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role of Lyndsey Turner's production of William Shakespeare's HAMLET was seen by more than 225,000 people, making it the largest global audience for a live broadcast day of any title in National Theatre Live history.
STAGE TUBE: Watch First Trailer for Cumberbatch-Led HAMLET, to be Released in Cinemas Worldwide
by Sally Henry Fuller - Sep 26, 2015
The National Theatre Live has released the first trailer for HAMLET, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. The production started performances on 5 August and officially opened 25 August at the Barbican Theatre for an exclusive run through 31 October 2015. The play is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions. Below, check out the trailer for the production, to be screened in cinemas worldwide starting 15 October through the National Theatre Live! Click here to find a screening near you.
VIDEO: Benedict Cumberbatch Urges Fans to Not Record HAMLET Performances
by Sally Henry Fuller - Aug 9, 2015
Following a recent performance, the HAMLET star addressed the audience directly. "I can see cameras, I can see red lights in the auditorium," he told the crowd at the London stage door. "It's mortifying and there's nothing less supportive." Watch his full speech below!
Broadway Theatre Owners Scout Benedict Cumberbatch-Led HAMLET
by Jessica Khan - Aug 6, 2015
Lyndsey Turner's production of William Shakespeare's HAMLET, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role, is currently underway at the Barbican Theatre. As previously reported, the SHERLOCK star has a full schedule following his run in the play, but now the Daily Mail is reporting that Broadway theatre owners have begun scouting the show (a good sign!), which runs for just 12 weeks.
London Publications Under Heat for Publishing Early Review of Benedict Cumberbatch-Led HAMLET
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 6, 2015
Lyndsey Turner's production of William Shakespeare's HAMLET, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role, just began performances at the Barbican Theatre, and already a popular publication is under heat for their recent coverage of the production. The Times' Kate Matby released a negative review for the play, calling it 'Shakespeare for Kids,' after attending the first preview. The show doesn't officially open until August 25.