Alistair Beaton News

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From two buzzy Shakespeare productions and satirical opera to dance at the Old Vic, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…

James Graham's critically acclaimed political drama THIS HOUSE will transfer to the Garrick Theatre, following its upcoming run at Chichester's Minerva Theatre.

Casting has been announced for A VIEW FROM ISLINGTON NORTH, an evening of imaginative, provocative and hilarious political satire from some of the UK's most celebrated playwrights, directed by Max Stafford-Clark, playing at the Arts Theatre in London from 18 May until 2 July, with a press night on 24 May.

Acclaimed director Max Stafford-Clark will team up with some of the UK's most celebrated playwrights for an evening of political satire: A VIEW FROM ISLINGTON NORTH, opening at the Arts Theatre in London on 18 May until 2 July, with a press night on 24 May.

Jonathan Church and Alan Finch announce the Chichester Festival Theatre 2016 season - the last under their leadership as Artistic Director and Executive Director. 

Ria Parry will direct Patti Love in the title role of Rebecca Lenkiewicz's Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern. The world premiere production, from Out of Joint, Watford Palace Theatre and Arcola Theatre in association with Eastern Angles, will tour the UK from September 2015 to January 2016.

Ria Parry will direct Patti Love in the title role of Rebecca Lenkiewicz's Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern. The world premiere production, from Out of Joint, Watford Palace Theatre and Arcola Theatre in association with Eastern Angles, will tour the UK from September 2015 to January 2016.

Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage - the critically-acclaimed play about Gareth Thomas, the first professional rugby player to come out while still playing - comes to Arcola Theatre this spring (20 May - 20 June 2015) following its current tour. Directed by Max Stafford-Clark, and written by Robin Soans, the play is a co-production by Out of Joint, National Theatre Wales and Arcola Theatre.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) continues its seventeenth Mainstage season with the satirical dark comedy "The Arsonists" by Max Frisch, and translated by Alistair Beaton. Inspired by the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1948, this absurdist allegory satirizes the way in which people can be manipulated into accommodating their own destruction. In the play, fires are becoming something of a problem, popping up all over town, but Mr. Biedermann has it all under control. A respected member of the community, he tries to live a life of blameless middle-class decency. It is this sense of bourgeois propriety that renders Biedermann defenseless when two strangers finesse their way into his home and settle in. But when they start filling his attic with petrol drums, will he help them light the fuse?

Based on the number of U.S. residents who participated in the recent midterm elections, the lowest turnout since 1942, Kitchen Dog Theater's recent production of "The Arsonists", written by Max Frisch in 1953 is a stark reminder the old adage "art imitating life" can easily be rephrased to say "art IS life." And the parallels between this play and the inertia of the American voting public, which seems to get worst, is a somber cue that if citizens don't take serious the business of their daily lives, individuals with misplaced and misguided intentions are more than willing to cajole them and turn their lives upside down. Now to be certain, this story pulls you in IMMEDIATELY and you will laugh at what you see because it seems very 'familiar', and actually, it IS familiar. It is us. It is our story. We live it every day. As Americans, we love baseball, apple pie, cooing babies, and happy endings. You know, the perfect Norman Rockwell picture ending. We are nostalgic to a fault and want everything to blissfully continue without too much changing. In fact, we detest change despite our words to the contrary.

National Theatre Wales' first production in 2015, and the last of its fourth season, will be a new, touring, verbatim play made with Out of Joint and directed by Max Stafford-Clark.

Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath Autumn has announced casting for there 2014 season, including the three black comedies, including 'Play Strindberg,' 'The Father,' and 'Exit The King.'

Strawdog Theatre Company and Artistic Director Hank Boland have announced the first production of their 2014 - 2015 season, Max Frisch's The Arsonists through September 27, direction by Matt Hawkins and adapted by Alistair Beaton, at Strawdog Theatre Company, 3829 N. Broadway St. The opening night performance is Monday, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. An industry performance is Monday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. Single tickets are currently on sale for $15 for preview performances, $50 for the Board Preview performance that includes appetizers, open bar and a reception immediately following the production, and $28 for the regular run. Subscriptions, group, senior and student discounts are also available. Tickets may be ordered online at strawdog.org or by calling OvationTix toll-free: 866-811-4111.

Strawdog Theatre Company and Artistic Director Hank Boland have announced the first production of their 2014 - 2015 season, Max Frisch's The Arsonists, today, August 15 - September 27, direction by Matt Hawkins and adapted by Alistair Beaton, at Strawdog Theatre Company, 3829 N. Broadway St.

Strawdog Theatre Company and Artistic Director Hank Boland have announced the first production of their 2014 - 2015 season, Max Frisch's The Arsonists, August 15 - September 27, direction by Matt Hawkins and adapted by Alistair Beaton, at Strawdog Theatre Company, 3829 N. Broadway St. Preview performances are Friday, Aug. 15 and Saturday, Aug. 16, Thursday, Aug. 21 and Friday, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. is the Board Preview. The opening night performance is Monday, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. An industry performance is Monday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. Single tickets are currently on sale for $15 for preview performances, $50 for the Board Preview performance that includes appetizers, open bar and a reception immediately following the production, and $28 for the regular run. Subscriptions, group, senior and student discounts are also available. Tickets may be ordered online at strawdog.org or by calling OvationTix toll-free: 866-811-4111.

The Ustinov Studio, Bath is delighted to announce its Autumn 2014 season, which will comprise three black comedies from some of the greatest names in European drama: Friedrich Durrenmatt's Play Strindberg, Florian Zeller's The Father and Eugene Ionesco's Exit the King.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is proud to announce its 2014-2015 Mainstage season. MET's seventeenth mainstage season will run from September of 2014 through June of 2015 and will feature a classic Shakespeare comedy, a German masterpiece, a World Premiere original, and contemporary crowd pleasers. Season subscriptions are on sale now at a special early bird rate. MET Artistic Director Tad Janes shared his excitement about all the plays, 'This season brings such great plays to the MET! Two very exciting newer plays, Clybourne Park and Good People, both have a great sense of humor, but also have a real depth of message. The Arsonists is a very funny, bordering on absurd, comedy, and we feature two excellent timeless pieces with The Elephant Man and Twelfth Night. Next season also brings a new MET created piece, brought to us by MET Mainstage writing alumni Reiner Prochaska.'

Strawdog Theatre Company and Interim Artistic Director Hank Boland are proud to announce their 2014 - 2015 season, 'Deniable Truths / Undeniable Lies.' The 27th season takes place at the Strawdog Theatre space in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, 3829 N. Broadway St. Subscriptions for the season are available now at Strawdog Theatre's Box Office, 773.528.9696, or go to strawdog.org. Single tickets for each production go on July 1, 2014.

What is the great evil we are failing to face up to today? Award-winning Bay Area auteur Mark Jackson (Salomania, Metamorphosis, Salome, Miss Julie) returns to Aurora Theatre Company to direct British playwright Alistair Beaton's elegant new translation of THE ARSONISTS, Max Frisch's classic comic parable about appeasement (sometimes known as Beidermann and the Firebugs or Fire Raisers). Featuring Dan Hiatt, Tim Kniffin, and Michael Ray Wisely, along with Kevin Clarke, Tristan Cunningham, Gwen Loeb, Dina Percia, and Michael Uy Kelly, THE ARSONISTS plays tonight, April 5 through May 12 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley.

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company, now celebrating its 21st season, lit up the night on Saturday, March 23 with an evening of heavenly wining and dining at Aurora Borealis, the company's 15th annual benefit, held at The Claremont Hotel in Berkeley. Over 218 guests attended the fundraising fete honoring Robert B. Hetler (Berkeley), and co-chaired by Ellen Levine (Oakland) and Jacquelin Ewing (Walnut Creek); the event raised upwards of $200,000. Funds raised at Aurora Borealis will support Aurora Theatre Company's outstanding live performances, innovative education program, and the Global Age Project new works program. Individual tickets to the invitation only event sold for $295, with tables going for $3000-$7,500.