Mei Mac

There are few things more life-affirming than christenings, orgies and operas. And few works are more life-affirming and cathartic than Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

For their 20th season, BYMT will fully produce seven brand new British musicals and develop another seven new musical theatre ideas in week-long camps - working with venues, creatives and young people from across the United Kingdom. Learn more about the season lineup here!

Last night, (Thursday 30 November), Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) celebrated the official opening night of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro, which returned to the Barbican centre early this month for a strictly limited run.

Recently, we had the chance to speak with Ami Okumura Jones, who returns to the role of Satsuki, Mei’s older sister. We discussed what it has been like to be part of both the original and current production of the show, how it feels to be part of an adaptation of a classic Studio Ghibli film, and even her first reaction to seeing the puppets!

The full company has been announced for the multi-award-winning stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro which will return to the Barbican theatre for a strictly limited run from Tuesday 21 November 2023 to Saturday 23 March 2024. Find out who is starring and check out a rehearsal video here!

Directed by Roy Alexander Weise, the project is structurally disruptive but ultimately too meandering and overlong. A narrator (Rochelle Rose) lays the tropes bare with bitter observations. She amplifies the intentional faux pas, but the framework gets a bit stodgy by the second round of narrative repetition.

Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Mei Mac, who stars as Kim in untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play at the Young Vic. We discussed what it is like to portray Kim’s journey through a hundred years of cycles, how Mac separates the traumatics subjects of the play from her own experience, and Mac’s own mentorship scheme, Rising Waves.

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 full cast for Kimber Lee's untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play directed by Royal Exchange Joint Artistic Director Roy Alexander Weise has been announced by Royal Exchange Theatre, Factory International on behalf of Manchester International Festival, Young Vic Theatre and Headlong.

The Coronation Concert stage design has been developed with a unique vision to respond to its historic site and occasion. For the first time ever, the East Terrace of Windsor Castle will host a spectacular live concert that will also be seen in over 100 countries around the world, and attended by 20,000 members of the public from across the UK.

The biggest night in theatre, the Olivier Awards, was celebrated at the Royal Albert Hall on 2 April. Hosted by renowned stage and screen actor Hannah Waddingham, a three-time Olivier Award nominee herself, the Olivier Awards celebrate the world-class status of London theatre, and are Britain's most prestigious stage honours. Here are this year's award winners!

The biggest night in theatre, the Olivier Awards, is nearly upon us. BroadwayWorld UK's editor Aliya Al-Hassan and reviewers Kerrie Nicholson and Cheryl Markosky discuss the main nominations: who should win, who will win and who missed out!

The biggest night in theatre, the Olivier Awards, celebrates the brightest and best of London's world-leading theatre industry with a starry ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 2 April. Check out a full list of nominations!

Triumphant re-imagining of the film that, incredibly, manages to add edge and poignancy to its extraordinary source material

Last night (Tuesday 18 October), Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) held the official opening night for the global stage premiere of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican in London. Check out photos from the opening night carpet here!

All new production photos have been released for the global stage premiere of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro. The production welcomed its first audiences to the Barbican during previews this week and will open officially next Tuesday, 18 October.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has released rehearsal photos for the global stage premiere of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro, which will begin previews at the Barbican next week.

The full company has been announced for the global stage premiere of Studio Ghibli's My Neighbour Totoro, opening at the Barbican this Autumn.

K-pop is everywhere and ever-growing in popularity, but a British East and Southeast Asian (BESEA) perspective is rare to find!  Asians Have Feelings Too is a beautifully composed song written in solidarity with the #StopAsianHate movement. 

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.