Joan Littlewood

Revolutionising musical theatre when it first premiered in 1963, Joan Littlewood’s Oh What A Lovely War found humour in expressing its anti-war sentiments to songs popular for the period, even garnering a film adaptation directed by Richard Attenborough.

When I began re-reading the original material I instantly felt drawn to a circus backdrop in terms of design and aesthetic. A troop of entertainers, from the Ringmaster to the clowns, coming together to put on a show in a worn-out tent filled with the ammunition needed to put on a touring show, travelling away from home.

Blackeyed Theatre presents a major revival of Oh What a Lovely War to mark the 60th anniversary of Joan Littlewood’s epic anti-war musical.  Check out all new production photos here!

On Sunday 13 August friends, colleagues and loved ones came together to raise a glass and celebrate the life of actor, archivist and author Murray Melvin. The event was organised by Murray’s close friend and mentee, Artistic Director Kerry Kyriacos Michael. The day consisted of performances, tributes and speeches.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that British actor Murray Melvin has died at age 90. Murray made several stage and screen appearances, including The Phantom of the Opera, A Taste of Honey, Torchwood and Barry Lyndon.

Musician and lyricist Robert Hyman dedicated this adaptation of the classic tale, Cinderella, to the late and much-admired performer, Jo Melville. She once said, 'there's nothing like this, that sheer euphoria that theatre, that panto can give' and yes, hats off to that.

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced that Amanda Ryan joins the company as Magdalena for the world première of Terry Johnson's The Sex Party – joining the previously announced Will Barton (Tim), Lisa Dwan (Gilly), John Hopkins (Jake), Timothy Hutton (Jeff), Jason Merrells (Alex), Pooya Mohseni (Lucy), Molly Osborne (Hetty) and Kelly Price (Camilla). Amanda Donohoe has had to withdraw for personal reasons.

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced the full casting for the world première of Terry Johnson's The Sex Party – Johnson directs Will Barton (Tim), Amanda Donohoe (Magdalena), Lisa Dwan (Gilly), John Hopkins (Jake), Timothy Hutton (Jeff), Jason Merrells (Alex), Pooya Mohseni (Lucy), Molly Osborne (Hetty) and Kelly Price (Camilla).

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced programming for its Autumn 2022/Spring 2023 season. Learn more about the full season here!

San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Follies by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. The musical will run on the San Francisco Playhouse Mainstage from June 30 through September 10, 2022. Bill English will direct, with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer. This marks the first fully staged professional production of Follies in San Francisco.

San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Follies by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. The musical will run on the San Francisco Playhouse Mainstage from June 30 through September 10, 2022.

Guest contributor David Appleford's review of Stray Cat Theatre's production of Stephen Sondheim's ASSASSINS, directed by Ron May. Runs through May 21st at Tempe Center for the Arts. A stunning reminder about the kind of emotional power that only a live theatrical experience can create.

Kenneth Danziger, the British actor whose humor and intelligence charmed audiences in London and regional theaters across the United States for decades, died on December 12, 2021. He was 76.

A brilliant new collection of voices has just hit bookshelves. 50 Women in Theatre, published by Aurora Metro, shines a light on the invaluable contributions of women across all disciplines and fields of stagecraft. From stage designers to actors, the volume is an inclusive and all-around eye-opening account of how theatre has changed from the post-war period to now.

Designed to provide culture by, for, and with everyone, 2021 marks the eighth free annual Fun Palaces weekend of action, connecting people through arts, science, craft, tech, digital, and heritage activities.

An exclusive live theatre event to celebrate the publication of 50 Women In Theatre at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare's Globe will be presented on Sunday 3 October 2021 at 6pm.

As communities and culture across the UK and the world begin to re-emerge, Fun Palaces launch their 2021 campaign online and announce a brand new pair of co-directors. Fun Palaces will continue to celebrate the strength, solidarity and creativity in communities, which has been so vital in the last year.

Ah, just when we need it the most, here is the perfect tonic for our troubled times! The Marsh is bringing back comedic legend Geoff Hoyle in his latest work 'What Will I Be When You Grow Up?' Presented for one night only on Saturday, March 20th at 7:00PM PDT, this filmic version of Hoyle's show will be followed by a live post-performance Q&A with The Marsh Founder/Artistic Director Stephanie Weisman. Visit The www.themarsh.org for more information. Born and raised in England before coming to America in the 1970a??s, Hoyle has had a fascinating career and at this point has become a veritable Bay Area institution. After first coming to local attention as part of the Pickle Family Circus, he went on to perform with Cirque du Soleil, create the role of Zazu in the original Broadway company of The Lion King, act in plays at virtually all the major Bay Area theater companies, and create numerous solo shows, many of them at The Marsh. BroadwayWorld recently caught up with Hoyle by phone from his home in Inverness, California.

Blackeyed Theatre have today announced that their highly acclaimed production of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's novella by Nick Lane, will be performed to a socially-distanced audience at the Wilde Theatre in Bracknell, Berkshire, on Friday 18 September and be available to watch LIVE online and on demand.

Two prolific, award winning artists, Carl Hancock Rux and Mallory Catlett, both former artists in Mabou Mines' Resident Artist Program, embody the company's mission to foster the next generation of experimental theater artists and bring with them a strong vision for the future of Mabou Mines.