Ellen McDougall News

Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell were two of America’s most brilliant poets. From 1947 - 1977 they wrote over 400 letters to each other; spanning decades, continents and political eras.  Their connection was messy and profound, platonic yet romantic, distant and intense. A love that resists easy definition.

Gate Generations is the creative digital response to the theatre's extraordinary 40-year history from the venue's Young Associates.  It offers an unprecedented opportunity to glimpse into the Gate's celebrated archive with five intriguing vignettes inspired by some of its landmark productions. 

The Gate Theatre has announced the appointment of Shawab Iqbal as its new Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive. Shawab will take up the position in January 2021, succeeding Lise Bell who leaves the company to start a new position as Executive Director of The Director's Theatre Writer's Theatre.

From the team who created the Gate's critically acclaimed production of Dear Elizabeth, Letters is a funny and often moving reflection on the global situation we find ourselves in.

The Donmar Warehouse announces casting for Ellen McDougall's new production of Suzan-Lori Parks' play In the Blood. Nikki Amuka-Bird will return to the Donmar in the role of Hester alongside April Koyejo-Audiger, Paul Bazely, Ginny Holder, Martins Imhangbe, Sinead Matthews and Sule Rimi.

A nameless woman starts writing a novel in Mexico City. She is regularly interrupted by her family as she tells about a younger version of herself living wildly in New York and little known poets in need of translation. Her reality interweaves with memories from different, distant lives as she transcends narratives through exceptionally vivid storytelling. Valeria Luiselli's 2011 novel Faces in the Crowd (originally translated by Christina McSweeney) is directed and adapted by the Gate Theatre's artistic director Ellen McDougall in a quiet but intense production.

The first production in this season will be Pulitzer Prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks' modern epic IN THE BLOOD (17 April a?" 6 June 2020). Ellen McDougall will direct the first major UK production.

Shakespeare's Globe has announced full casting for the next two productions opening in the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in February: The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Maria Gaitanidi, and Thomas Middleton's Women Beware Women, directed by Amy Hodge.

Ellen McDougall directs her vivid adaptation of Valeria Luiselli's dazzlingly original debut novel Faces in the Crowd, a bold and playful multi-layered story about identity, poetry, and nationality. 

As part of the Gate's 40th Anniversary season, Artistic Director Ellen McDougall is continuing the venue's renowned reputation for championing European Theatre with rare opportunity to see the best of Danish theatre in a mini-showcase.

Jeremy Herrin announced today that after 7 years as Artistic Director of Headlong he will be stepping down in 2020 to pursue a career as a freelance director. During the seven years Herrin has led the company it has experienced remarkable success with his own productions such as the ground-breaking The Nether which played at the Royal Court and in the West End; the multi-award-winning People, Places and Things by Duncan Macmillan which played at the National Theatre, on tour in the UK, in the West End and at St Ann's Warehouse; Jack Thorne and Stephen Warbeck's Junkyard on tour in the UK; James Graham's This House on tour in the UK and in the West End; and Graham's Olivier Award-Winning play Labour of Love in the West End.

Casting is announced for two upcoming Gate Theatre productions: MEPHISTO [A RHAPSODY] and LAND WITHOUT DREAMS (LANDET UDEN DRØMME)

The first production for Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's summer 2019 season is a revival of Thornton Wilder's 1938 play, Our Town. It's a show that is constantly being revived, particularly popular in the United States where the play is set. It was last on the London stage at the Almeida in 2014 in a production directed by David Cromer.

Birth; marriage; death. And everything in between. As day breaks on another ordinary day, the townsfolk of Grover's Corners go about their business: newspapers are delivered; people go to work; gardens are tended to. And a boy and girl fall in love. But as life's events unfold and a community comes together, one question remains: 'do any human beings ever realise life as they live it? Every, every minute?'

Paines Plough and Tamasha have today announced the full UK tour dates for I WANNA BE YOURS. A tender, funny, lyrical play about finding love and holding onto it with everything you've got, I WANNA BE YOURS is the debut play from London Laureate and Roundhouse Poetry Slam Champion Zia Ahmed. In partnership with Tamasha and directed by former Paines Plough trainee director Anna Himali Howard, the play will tour to Canada Water, Barking, Luton, Whitehaven, Liverpool, Lyme Regis, Ventnor, Brighton, Bracknell, St Albans, Havant, Peterborough, Canterbury, Bordon, Tunbridge Wells, Guildford, Bolton, Middlesbrough, Banbury, Bromsgrove, Derby, Beverley, Doncaster, Maidenhead, Norwich, Lincoln, Manchester, Preston, Washington, Selby, Halifax and Berwick-upon-Tweed

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From timely plays to the beginning of open-air theatre season, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre have today announced full casting for Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Our Town. Directed by The Gate Theatre's Artistic Director, Ellen McDougall, the cast is led by Natalie Klamar in the central role of Stage Manager.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre have today confirmed the full Creative Team behind Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Our Town. Launching their 2019 season on 16 May, designer Rosie Elnile joins the already announced director, Ellen McDougall. Also confirmed are Sasha Milavic Davies (Movement Director), Orlando Gough (Composer), Lizzie Powell (Lighting Designer), Tom Gibbons (Sound Designer) and David Ridley (Musical Director). Casting is by Jacob Sparrow and Barbara Houseman is Season Associate Director (Voice and Text).

The North Wall today announce the full programme for Alchymy Festival 2019, running from 12-14 April at The North Wall Arts Centre. The programme includes performances, industry events, work-in-progress showings, and workshops, as well as performances from winners of the inaugural Alchymy Company Award and Alchymy Writing Residencies. The festival was programmed by The North Wall co-directors John Hoggarth and Ria Parry, and producer Ellie Keel, and is supported by Arts Council England.

The fifth edition of the Shubbak Festival starts on the 28th June bringing exciting, bold, poignant and urgent work by Arab artists questioning the norm to London's stages, concert halls, cinemas, outdoor locations, galleries and museums.