Martin Nelson News

Gary Naylor sees an old favourite that never gets stale.

Gary Naylor finds much that reminds him of present day Rome in an opera written in 1642 about events 2000 years ago. What's Italian for plus ca change?

One of the earliest operas, written in the 1640s, Monteverdi's The Coronation of Poppea, is to get a fresh treatment by Mark Ravenhill and Alex Silverman, with a new jazz-inspired orchestration, and featuring a cast of exciting singing talents.

The world premiere of a new opera production directed by directed by controversial Britrish playwright Mark Ravenhill (who wrote Shopping and F**king) proved too much for one front row audience member who collapsed as one of the actors slashed his wrists last night.

The Prince of Wales Theatre in London's West End - home to Mamma Mia! since 2004 - will be host the 2011 Whatsonstage.com Awards. The awards are in their 11th annual presentation this year. Actor Christopher Biggins, perhaps best known for his various comedy roles for the better part of three decades, will host the event.

The Prince of Wales Theatre in London's West End - home to Mamma Mia! since 2004 - will be host the 2011 Whatsonstage.com Awards. The awards are in their 11th annual presentation this year. Actor Christopher Biggins, perhaps best known for his various comedy roles for the better part of three decades, will host the event.

Anna Francolini and Gary Waldhorn will be joining the Royal Opera House's new production of Into the Woods next month

Beverley Klein, Anne Reid and Clive Rowe are to star in a new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's acclaimed Into the Woods at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House opening on 18 June 2007.

Chekhov, Burton, Martin, Nelson and company provide a theatre experience that reminds us why we go to see live theatre