So many musicals wish they were as cool, progressive, provocative as Spring Awakening still is since its premiere Off-Broadway in 2006. More than 15 years later and a bunch of awards garnered across the world, it’s still as fresh and stunning in Rupert Goold’s monumental production at the Almeida. Based on a 19th Century banned German play and delicately exploring topics like sex, homosexuality, abortion, and rape in a disapproving, hyper-conservative community, Steven Sater (book and lyrics) and Duncan Sheik’s (music) rock musical has become an evergreen show that society as it is won't be able to surmount thematically.
As the Almeida revival of Spring Awakening opens in London, writer Steven Sater talks about his relationship with the show over the years, as well as his new Grammy-nominated concept album with Burt Bacharach.
As theatre comes roaring back, this autumn and winter see plenty of exciting new productions, including big West End musicals and intriguing plays. Here are the shows that we’re most looking forward to seeing.
Shows will include and breathe..., Hymn, Once Upon a Time in Nazi Occupied Tunisia, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Spring Awakening, and The Key Workers Cycle.
A week before lockdown was announced, some of our greatest playwrights were asked to write stories exploring every aspect of human life and interaction during the coronavirus pandemic. As part of BBC Arts' Culture in Quarantine initiative, all plays were filmed and produced during lockdown, with all fourteen plays now available on the BBC iPlayer. Episode One takes three very different situations and begins with the most successful of the three; James Graham's Viral.
Tyrone Huntley today announced the nominations for the 20th annual WhatsOnStage Awards via WhatsOnStage's social channels, the only major theatre prize-giving decided entirely by the theatregoers themselves. The announcement of the nominations marks the opening of the final voting stage (until 27 January), with winners announced at the annual Awards Concert held on 1 March 2020 at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
Today, the Evening Standard announces the 2019 shortlist for the 65th Evening Standard Theatre Awards in association with Michael Kors. Across nine award categories, the shortlist features the biggest names and emerging talents from the London stage over the last twelve months. Among the contenders are some strong commercial hits that have transferred or are about to move onto the West End or Broadway a?' including Betrayal, Death of a Salesman, Fiddler on the Roof, The Son and Sweat.
After a stellar run at the Kiln, Florian Zeller's The Son transferred to the West End last month. We caught up with Amaka Okafor to hear about the journey of the show and its harrowing themes.
Following a critically acclaimed sell out run at Kiln Theatre, Michael Longhurst's production of Florian Zeller's The Son, in a translation by Christopher Hampton, transfers to the West End. The production opened at the Duke of York's Theatre on 2 September, with previews from 24 August, and runs until 2 November. Amanda Abbington, Laurie Kynaston, John Light and Amaka Okafor reprise their lauded performances for the strictly limited 10 week run. The Son marks the first West End transfer for the Kiln Theatre since it reopened last September, and is presented in the West End by Fiery Angel and Gavin Kalin Productions.
After an astonishing success at the Kiln Theatre earlier in the year, Florian Zeller's The Son (in a translation by Christopher Hampton) transfers to the West End. Director Michael Longhurst has the entire cast reprising their roles, with John Light and Amanda Abbington playing the parents of Laurie Kynaston's Nicolas once again. The jarring exploration of teenage depression is tighter and even more poignant in this second incarnation, having filled in those small gaps that kept the ending too anchored to the ground the first time. They are assured in their gut-wrenching pace, with Light delivering what could be the performance of a lifetime.
Following a critically acclaimed sell out run at Kiln Theatre, Michael Longhurst's production of Florian Zeller's The Son, in a translation by Christopher Hampton, transfers to the West End. The production opens at the Duke of York's Theatre on 2 September, with previews from 24 August, and runs until 2 November.
London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a landmark musical and Caryl Churchill to Wall Street and ABBA immersion, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!
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