Natasha Chivers News

Sonia Friedman Productions is today celebrating as the full Olivier Awards Nominations list included 20 potential winners for productions the company is behind.

The nominations for the Olivier Awards 2016 with MasterCard, the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar, were announced today (Monday 29 February) by past winners Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton at Rosewood London, the awards' official hotel partner.

The nominations for the Olivier Awards 2016 with MasterCard, the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar, were announced today (Monday 29 February) by past winners Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton at Rosewood London, the awards' official hotel partner.

The horrific future depicted in George Orwell's cautionary tale '1984' feels that much more frightening in 2016 because so much of the oligarchical world predicted by the visionary author in his dystopian 1949 novel has come to fruition. The power gap between the haves and the have-nots is alarming. Politicians use doublethink to twist hypocrisies into mind-numbing (and brainwashing) campaign slogans. Three-second sound bites and 140-character tweets are the newspeak that distills thought into easily regurgitated propaganda.

Upon hearing the term 'ballet' one typically envisions fluffy tutus and satin pointe shoes: the very epitome of girlish grace and beauty showcased in lithe bodies adorned in tulle and rhinestones. Ballerinas are given the stage as the protagonists, while oft times the men are utilized simply as support systems to drive the plot and lift the girls. Balletboyz, an all male company from the United Kingdom, is making great strides to break the streak of heternomativity in the dance world by giving men the right to all the 'good parts' of ballet. Company founders and Co-Artistic Directors, Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, spearheaded this company with the revolutionary plan to bring men to the forefront of the ballet stage, not simply as backup to the female roles. In doing so, the hope of these collaborators is to bring the art and athleticism of ballet to broader audiences.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Paulus and Executive Director Diane Quinn, presents George Orwell's 1984, in a new adaptation created by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan. 

Hussein Chalayan is an internationally renowned fashion designer and artist whose collections are known for innovative design, bold use of technology and elegant minimalism. He was named British Designer of the Year in 1999 and 2000 and has designed costumes for Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's Faun, Michael Clark's current/SEE and Sasha Waltz & Guests' Passion with Pascal Dusapin. In his practice as a visual artist his work is regularly shown in major galleries including Musée Des Arts Décoratifs at the Louvre, London Design Museum and National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo.

The Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse and Almeida Theatre five star production of 1984 must end its limited run at the Playhouse Theatre on 5 September 2015. Following hugely successful runs at the Almeida and in the West End last year, two national tours and prior to a forthcoming international tour, 1984 has been revived to continued success at the Playhouse Theatre this summer.

The Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse and Almeida Theatre five star production of 1984 must end its limited run at the Playhouse Theatre on 5 September 2015. Following hugely successful runs at the Almeida and in the West End last year, two national tours and prior to a forthcoming international tour, 1984 has been revived to continued success at the Playhouse Theatre this summer.

The Almeida Theatre's critically acclaimed, sold out production of Oresteia, by Aeschylus, re-imagined for the modern stage by Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke (The Fever, Mr Burns, 1984) will transfer to the Trafalgar Studios in the West End from August. Press night September 7th.

ORESTEIA, in a modern reimagining by Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke, will be transferring to Trafalgar Studios late next month -- original company intact.

THE FOUR FRIDAS is a spectacular, outdoor theatre production celebrating the life and work of the legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, taking place this week, 1 - 4 July at 10pm, as the centerpiece to this year's Greenwich+Docklands International Festival* at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich, SE18.

The Almeida Theatre launches its new season: Almeida Greeks.

 Julia will be played by Janine Harouni until 25 July, and then Hara Yannas from 27 July to the end of the run. Simon Coates, Tim Dutton, Stephen Fewell, Christopher Patrick Nolan, Ben Porter, Gavin Spokes and Mandi Symonds complete the cast.

Matthew Spencer will play the role of George Orwell's Winston Smith in the hit West End stage production of 1984 this summer.              Julia will be played by Janine Harouni until 25 July, and then Hara Yannas from 27 July to the end of the run. Simon Coates, Tim Dutton, Stephen Fewell, Christopher Patrick Nolan, Ben Porter, Gavin Spokes and Mandi Symonds complete the cast.

THE FOUR FRIDAS is a spectacular, outdoor theatre production celebrating the life and work of the legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, taking place from 1 - 4 July at 10pm, as the centerpiece to this year's Greenwich+Docklands International Festival* at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich, SE18.

The Four Fridas is a spectacular, outdoor theatre production celebrating the life and work of the legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, taking place from 1 - 4 July at 10pm, as the centerpiece to this year's Greenwich+Docklands International Festival*.

Casting is today announced for Oresteia, reimagined for the modern stage by Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke (The Fever, Mr Burns, 1984), in its first major London production in more than a decade.

The Almeida Theatre announces its new season: Almeida Greeks.

Casting is announced today for Fireworks, a new play by Palestinian playwright and poet Dalia Tala. Directed by the Royal Court's International Associate Richard Twyman and set in Palestine, the play is inspired by recent events in Gaza and gives new insight to the impact of war on childhood. The Royal Court has been working in Palestine since 1998, the first workshop was held at the Paradise hotel in Bethlehem and led by playwright Stephen Jeffreys, director Phyllida Lloyd and Royal Court International Director Elyse Dodgson. Fireworks has been developed with The Royal Court International Department over the last two years, and marks the first full production by an emerging Palestinian playwright which has been developed and staged by the company.