Bijan Sheibani News

Shelagh Delaney's A Taste of Honey has returned to the West End for the first time in 60 years following a successful 2014 run at the National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre and a UK tour.

Last night' was the opening night of A Taste of Honey at Trafalgar Studios, followed by a party at Jack Solomons. Celebrities including Dame Vivienne Westwood, Alison Steadman, Neil Morrisey, Dame Kelly Holmes, Bruno Tonioli and John Partridge joined actor Jodie Prenger (who plays Helen) and the cast to celebrate the opening of Shelagh Delaney's era-defining play, which returns to the West End after 60 years.

Barber Shop Chronicles is a unifying, enriching, thought-provoking and captivating theatrical experience that solidifies Ellams' position as a griot worthy of upholding the rich African ancestry of storytelling traditions, and an exciting new poet and playwright making his mark on the world's stage by sharing slices of life that dive deeply into the culture and concerns of the contemporary black man.

Bijan Sheibani's (Barber Shop Chronicles, The Arrival) production of A Taste of Honey returns to the West End for the first time in 60 years this week, opening on Thursday at Trafalgar Studios. The remarkable taboo-breaking 1950s play written by Shelagh Delaney when she was just 19 will play a limited 12-week run in a co-production with Trafalgar Theatre Productions, with a press night on Monday 9 December.

a??a??a??a??a??a??a??Tom and Samad have spent their entire lives separated. When one was given up for adoption, the other was raised with their biological parents. But despite their distance apart, when the pair finally meet, they realise they aren't so different at all. Award-winning director Bijan Sheibani's debut play is a tender a?" but at the same time - harrowing examination of family loyalty and betrayal.

Following two sold out runs at the National Theatre in London, a successful run at London's Roundhouse, and a world tour, Nigerian-born playwright Inua Ellams' acclaimed Barber Shop Chronicles makes its New York and BAM debut December 3-8. The sold-out sensation explores the diversity of Black male identity via the intimate community of the barber shop, where men across the African diaspora have gathered for 2 generations to discuss the world and their lives.

The National Theatre has announced its upcoming lineup for December 2019 - June 2020.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a starry revival to musical comedies and an incendiary Pulitzer winner, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!

Following two sold-out runs at the National Theatre in London, a successful run at London's Roundhouse, and a world tour, Nigerian-born playwright Inua Ellams' acclaimed Barber Shop Chronicles makes its New York and BAM debut December 3a?"8. The sold-out sensation explores the diversity of Black male identity via the intimate community of the barber shop, where men across the African diaspora have gathered for generations to discuss the world and their lives. Filled with passion, humor, and honesty, the celebrated work is inspired by Ellams' own experiences as an immigrant.

Shelagh Delaney was known for putting working class women centre-stage. It is remarkable to think that she was only 19 when she penned A Taste Of Honey, a bleak depiction of working class life in post-war Britain where people did not live, but simply tried to exist. It is even more significant that she was a young, uneducated, Northern woman succeeding in a theatrical world that was run for and by an educated elite of men. The National Theatre's excellent 2014 version now returns for a national tour before transferring to the Trafalgar Studios next year.

Rebekah Murrell made her professional acting debut in Natasha Gordon's award-winning Nine Night, which opened at the National Theatre before transferring to Trafalgar Studios. Earlier this year, she followed that up with her directing debut: J'Ouvert at Theatre503. She can now be seen performing in Glass at the Royal Court, one of four new plays written by Caryl Churchill and directed by James Macdonald. BroadwayWorld spoke with Rebekah about the rehearsal process, Churchill's work, and what changes she would like to see in the theatre industry.

The National Theatre today announced that Bijan Sheibani's (Barber Shop Chronicles, Dance Nation) production of A Taste of Honey, the remarkable taboo-breaking 1950s play written by Shelagh Delaney when she was just 19, will transfer to the West End immediately following a nine-week UK tour. A Taste of Honey will play a limited 12-week run at Trafalgar Studios from 5 December in a co-production with Trafalgar Theatre Productions, with an opening night on Monday 9 December. Tickets will go on sale to the general public from 11 October.

Jodie Prenger stars in the National Theatre's production of A Taste Of Honey at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury.

The National Theatre has announced its productions on-sale for October 2019 a?' March 2020

Jodie Prenger stars in the National Theatre's production of A Taste Of Honey at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, next month.

Get a sneak peek inside rehearsal for the National Theatre's UK tour of A Taste of Honey.

Never before has there been a show filled with such exuberance, or has there been a play that fires the audience up in such a way. Before the action even starts, people are up dancing and laughing along with the 12-strong ensemble. There's so much joy happening in the centre, and the buzzing enthusiasm beams across the auditorium, being felt by everyone.

Inua Ellams's Barber Shop Chronicles returns to London after a tour around the world to play the Roundhouse in Camden for a limited six-week run. The play had an overwhelming success at the National Theatre back in 2017, and David Webber has been part of the cast since its inception. We caught up with him ahead of their new opening to hear about the tour, its reception overseas, and why the play is so successful.

Lynette Linton has this morning announced her inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre. The 2019 - 2020 season includes UK debut plays from six playwrights alongside a new production of celebrated poet and playwright Jackie Kay's first play Chiaroscuro directed by Lynette Linton. Five Senior Artistic Associates have been announced as actress Adjoa Andoh, movement director Polly Bennett, producers Shawab Iqbal and Tobi Kyeremateng and actress Martha Plimpton. The associates will support an expansion of the Bush Theatre's initiatives to involve new writers and theatre practitioners in the theatre industry.

The National Theatre has announced 15 productions of new plays and fresh adaptations by leading writers.