Lisa Spirling News

Review: BLOODSPORT: AFTER HELEN OF TROY, Stratford East

by Cindy Marcolina — September 11, 2026

After discussing gossip and patriarchy with Anne Boleyn in 1536, Ava Pickett keeps exploring the female spheres through the figure of Helen of Troy in Bloodsport.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld August 29, 2026- JERSEY BOYS Prepares To Hit the Road and More

by — August 31, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is August 31, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.

Video: Watch the New Trailer For BLOODSPORT: AFTER HELEN OF TROY

by Stephi Wild — August 28, 2026

A new trailer has been released for writer Ava Pickett’s Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy, directed by Stratford East Artistic Director Lisa Spirling.

Photos: Michelle Dockery and Laura Aikman in Rehearsal For BLOODSPORT: AFTER HELEN OF TROY

by Stephi Wild — August 21, 2026

New rehearsal photos have been released, giving a first look at award-winning writer Ava Pickett’s Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy, ahead of its world premiere at Stratford East.

Photos: Michelle Dockery, Laura Aikman and More in Rehearsal for BLOODSPORT: AFTER HELEN OF TROY

by A.A. Cristi — August 21, 2026

See rehearsal photos of Michelle Dockery, Laura Aikman and the cast of Ava Pickett's Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy, making its world premiere at Stratford East in September 2026.

APPLICATION 39 Will Embark on UK Tour in September

by Stephi Wild — August 5, 2026

Ahmed Masoud's APPLICATION 39 will begin previews at Bristol Old Vic on September 24, 2026, before touring to Newcastle, Ipswich, Manchester and London's Stratford East.

Cast Set For BLOODSPORT at Stratford East

by Stephi Wild — July 29, 2026

Full casting has been announced for Ava Pickett's BLOODSPORT, set to run at Stratford East this autumn.

Michelle Dockery Will Return To The Stage In BLOODSPORT: AFTER HELEN OF TROY

by Marissa Faith Curley — July 3, 2026

Michelle Dockery, best known for her role in Downtown Abbey as Lady Mary Crawley, will return to the stage at Statford East in Bloodsport: Before Helen of Troy, a new play written by Ava Pickett.

Tickets On Sale For World Premiere Of BLOODSPORT

by Stephi Wild — March 3, 2026

The highly anticipated world premiere of BLOODSPORT: AFTER HELEN OF TROY by Ava Pickett will open in March 2026.

Review Roundups: HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES Opens at Stratford East

by Chloe Rabinowitz — February 13, 2026

UK premiere of Here There Are Blueberries, a co-production between Tectonic Theater Project and Stratford East is now running at Stratford East.

Review: HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES, Stratford East

by Cindy Marcolina — February 12, 2026

Sometimes a play is far more valuable than what the four walls of a theatre can hold.

THE HARDER THEY COME To Return To Stratford East In 2026

by A.A. Cristi — February 2, 2026

THE HARDER THEY COME will return to Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2026 following its 2025 run.

HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES Announces Initial UK Cast at Stratford East

by A.A. Cristi — November 26, 2025

HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES will make its UK premiere at Stratford East in early 2026, marking a major new collaboration with Tectonic Theater Project.

Interview: 'Come. Be A Part of The Conversation': Artistic Director Lisa Spirling And Executive Director Hanna Streeter on Their Big Plans For Stratford East

by Kat Mokrynski — December 3, 2025

Artistic Director Lisa Spirling and Executive Director Hanna Streeter have announced their first season at Stratford East, with exciting plans for the venue as a whole.