Kumiko Mendl

New Earth Theatre Will Host The Uk's First Exhibition Celebrating British East and Southeast Asian Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Aug 28, 2025

New Earth Theatre has announced the launch of the company's Living Archive - the UK's first public archive dedicated to celebrating British East and Southeast Asian (BESEA) theatre.

Photo: MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO Releases New Artwork Showing Totoro for the First Time
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 7, 2025

You can now get a first look at new artwork for the stage adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro in the West End. See the photo here and learn more about the production!

Video: First Look at Totoro in New MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO Trailer
by Stephi Wild - Jul 9, 2025

A brand new trailer has been released for the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro. Check out the video here!

Photos: MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO Extends in the West End
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 19, 2025

The stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro will extend in the West End. To celebrate the extended season over 20,000 tickets have now been released for £25 or under, with brand new production images also released. See photos here!

MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO Sets West End Cast
by Stephi Wild - Jan 15, 2025

The full West End company has been announced for the multi-award winning stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli's My Neighbour Totoro. Learn more about the cast here!

The New Vic Theatre's Kiln Sparks Residency Training Programme Returns
by Stephi Wild - Feb 7, 2024

Kiln Sparks, a one-week backstage training programme led by the New Vic in association with New Earth Theatre, returns this summer. Learn more about the programme here!

Ailin Conant Joins New Earth Theatre as Artistic Director
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2024

New Earth Theatre has announced the appointment of Ailin Conant as the company’s new Artistic Director who will officially take up the post later this month.

Kumiko Mendl Steps Down as Artistic Director of New Earth Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Aug 9, 2023

Kumiko Mendl, founding member of leading British East and South East Asian (BESEA) theatre company New Earth Theatre, has announced her decision to step down from her role as Artistic Director after 11 years, leaving the company in 2024. 

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and New Earth Theatre Reveal Associateship 
by Stephi Wild - Jul 24, 2023

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (Central) and New Earth Theatre have announced a new associateship, which will bring higher education arts training and the industry closer together.    

New Vic Theatre, New Earth Theatre and Tiata Fahodzi to Provide Opportunities for Emerging and Entry-Level Theatre Personnel
by Stephi Wild - Mar 17, 2023

Kiln Sparks, a new one-week course as part of the New Vic Theatre's Kiln Network development programme in association with New Earth Theatre and tiata fahodzi, will provide an opportunity for emerging and entry-level theatre personnel from under-represented groups to get experience working in-the-round at Staffordshire's New Vic Theatre.

NEW PLAYS: JAPAN Presented at the Royal Court Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Feb 3, 2023

'New Plays: Japan' was presented at the Royal Court Theatre in London, U.K. from 26 to 28 January 2023.

Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Announce 2023 Season and New Associate Companies
by Stephi Wild - Dec 2, 2022

Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse has announced a 2023 season that boasts four re-imagined classics on stage and the introduction of six new Associate Companies.

New Earth Theatre Announces Recipient of the 2022 Constellation Creatives Drama Student Bursary
by Stephi Wild - Jul 11, 2022

New Earth Theatre announced that it has awarded the 2022 Constellation Creatives Drama Student Bursary to Ami Tredrea from LAMDA.

New Earth Theatre and Arcola Theatre Announce The World Première Of THE APOLOGY
by Stephi Wild - Jun 22, 2022

New Earth Theatre and Arcola Theatre, in association with The North Wall, today announce the world première of Kyo Choi's The Apology, which explores the 'comfort women' of the Second World War and the subsequent political cover-up.

Cast and Creatives Announced For TSUNAGU/CONNECT LIVE at New Earth Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Mar 28, 2022

New Earth Theatre today announce the cast for Tsunagu/Connect Live, created by Kumiko Mendl and Kazuko Hohki. This theatre production was developed in response to an oral history project launched in 2020, that conducted over 30 interviews with Japanese women living in the UK.

New Earth Theatre Announces Launch Of New Earth Academy 2022
by Stephi Wild - Mar 8, 2022

New Earth Theatre announces today that they are launching their annual New Earth Academy programme. The only programme of its kind in the UK, New Earth Academy provides free, specialist training and opportunities for British East and South East Asians (BESEA) aged 18+ who are interested in developing their skills and engagement in theatre-making and performing arts.

New Earth Theatre Announces TSUNAGU/CONNECT
by Stephi Wild - Feb 7, 2022

New Earth Theatre today announces Tsunagu/Connect: The Exhibition and Tsunagu/Connect Live, created by Kumiko Mendl and Kazuko Hohki. This exhibition and theatre production were developed in response to an oral history project launched in 2020, that conducted over 30 interviews with Japanese women living in the UK.

Book Review: 50 WOMEN IN THEATRE
by Cindy Marcolina - Oct 13, 2021

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.

50 WOMEN IN THEATRE Live Panel Discussion Announced
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 1, 2021

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.

New Earth Theatre Announces Recipient Of The 2021 Constellation Creatives Drama Student
by Stephi Wild - Jun 14, 2021

This year the judging panel included John Cannon (Casting Director, BBC), Bryony Jarvis-Taylor (Casting Director, National Theatre), Orion Lee (Actor and sponsor of the Bursary), Kumiko Mendl (Artistic Director of New Earth Theatre) and Hannah Miller (Casting Director, RSC).