Matthew Xia

THE HARDER THEY COME To Return To Stratford East In 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 3, 2026

THE HARDER THEY COME will return to Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2026 following its 2025 run. The reggae musical is adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Matthew Xia, with performances scheduled from May 16 through July 4.

THE HARDER THEY COME to Return to Stratford East This February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 2, 2026

​Stratford East will present the reggae musical The Harder They Come. The production is based on the cult Jamaican film produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone.

Cast and Creative Team Set For Matthew Xia’s SMALL ISLAND at Leeds Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Jan 20, 2026

The cast and creative team have been announced who will be joining director Matthew Xia on an unforgettable journey from the sun-drenched shores of Jamaica to the cold, grey streets of 1940s London in Small Island.

Last Chance to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards; JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 29, 2025

This is the last chance to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Final Weeks to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 22, 2025

We're in the final weeks to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards; JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 15, 2025

The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 8, 2025

The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Interview: 'Come. Be A Part of The Conversation': Artistic Director Lisa Spirling And Executive Director Hanna Streeter on Their Big Plans For Stratford East
by Kat Mokrynski - Dec 3, 2025

Artistic Director Lisa Spirling and Executive Director Hanna Streeter have announced their first season at Stratford East, with exciting plans for the venue as a whole. The new season includes Here There Are Blueberries by Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich, BLOODSPORT: After Helen of Troy by Ava Pickett and Choir Boy by Tarell Alvin McCraney. We had the opportunity to talk with both Spirling and Streeter about their first season at the theatre. We discussed what made each of them want to join Stratford East, some of their favourite shows they’ve seen at the venue and all about about the upcoming season!

First Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards!
by BWW Awards - Dec 1, 2025

The first standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

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: THE HARDER THEY COME, Theatre Royal Stratford East
by Franco Milazzo - Sep 24, 2025

One minute you’re in an East London street, the next you are immediately transported to early-1970s Kingston: the style, the sounds, the rhythms, the smell of ambition and frustration. The Harder They Come at Stratford East is a vivid, energetic production that honours the cult classic film while breathing new life into it.

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!

Actors Touring Company Appoints Five New Trustees
by Stephi Wild - Aug 5, 2025

Actors Touring Company (ATC) has announced the appointment of five new trustees, Laila Alj, Eleni Gill, Sarita Godber, Feeroza Patel and Teunkie Van Der Sluijs.

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.

Nottingham Playhouse Appoints Benjamin Wilson as New Associate Artist
by Emmy Rice - Jul 6, 2025

Ben is a blind actor, theatre maker and audio description consultant based in Nottingham. Ben was previously the Ramps on the Moon Agent for Change at Sheffield Theatres and Trainee Artistic Director at Extant Theatre.

Cast Set For THE LAST STAND OF MARY WHITEHOUSE at Nottingham Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Jun 18, 2025

Nottingham Playhouse has announced that Tony and Olivier-nominated Samuel Barnett completes the casting for the world premiere of Caroline Bird's The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse, alongside the previously announced Maxine Peake.

FEELING AFRAID AS IF SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN Will Make its DC Debut
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2025

Award-winning one-person comedy Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible is Going to Happen will be taking the final slot in Studio Theatre's 2025-2026 season lineup, produced by Francesca Moody Productions.

Cast Set For Mojisola Adebayo's STARS at Brixton House
by Stephi Wild - May 7, 2025

Mojisola Adebayo's STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey will return to London following outstanding 5-star responses to its premiere at the ICA in 2023, for which it won the Off West End Theatre (Offie) Award.

Review: TAMBO & BONES, Stratford East
by Kat Mokrynski - May 1, 2025

Tambo and Bones are trapped in a minstrel show. Tambo and Bones have taken the world by storm with their rap music. Tambo and Bones are the leaders of the revolution. Are Tambo and Bones real? Or are they simply characters in a play? Written by Dave Harris and directed by Matthew Xia, Tambo & Bones asks an impossible question to its audience - how do you know what’s real?

Photos: TAMBO & BONES At Actors Touring Company
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 12, 2025

Actors Touring Company has released production photos of their acclaimed production of Dave Harris’ Tambo & Bones which will return for a national tour from 7 March - 24 May 2025.