Oliver Townsend News

Gary Naylor sees a scaled back but utterly compelling version of Offenbach's Tales of Hoffmann, that makes the occasional compromise with the stories, but none at all with the quality of the singing nor the sets.

This winter the Lyric Hammersmith will stage two delightful productions that are sure to add some sparkle to the festive season. This year's Lyric pantomime, CINDERELLA, will dazzle audiences in the Main House while the charming and lovable Raymond Briggs' FATHER CHRISTMAS returns to enchant under 6s in the Lyric Studio.

English Touring Opera's Autumn 2015 season, touring England this October and November, features three classics of French opera.

Islands at the Bush Theatre is both written by and stars Caroline Horton as the grotesque character Mary, a self-proclaimed god who lives in Haven with her two very camp assistants Swill (Seiriol Davies) and Agent (John Biddle). Floating safely 30 feet in the air above Shitworld, the inhabitants are free to make their own rules as they look down on the citizens below them through a drain in the floor.

After the record-breaking success of last year's Christmas season, this Winter the Lyric Hammersmith will stage two productions that are sure to delight festive audiences. Lyric pantomime returns to the Main House with Dick Whittington and his Cat, and family favourite Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas flies back to charm and thrill under 6s in the Lyric Studio.

Grounded had its UK premiere at the Gate Theatre Notting Hill last year to critical acclaim, following achieving the 2012 Smith Prize from the National New Play Network in America and a 2013 Fringe First award. George Brant's play is a fast paced monologue delivered by a female F16 fighter pilot who is juggling her military life and her family life.

Achieving a perfect blend of an excellent idea on what which to base a story, script, direction, acting, and production concept, it's - put succinctly - one of the best solo shows I've seen in recent memory.

The 2013 Off West End Theatre Awards were presented tonight at London's Unicorn Theatre, with the Broadway bound production of TITANIC, presented by Southwark Playhouse, taking home four awards. The production won 'Best Musical Production,' Cressida Carre won for her choreography in the production, David Woodhead won for his costumes in TITANIC (as well as LIZZIE SIDDAL at the Arcola Theatre), and Howard Hudson took home the prize for lighting, in addition to working on LIZZIE SIDDAL at the Arcola.

Mercury Theater Chicago's production of THE COLOR PURPLE, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, opened last night, Monday, August 26 at 7:30p.m., and will continue through October 27, 2013. THE COLOR PURPLE stars Trisha Jeffrey (Broadway's Rent, All Shook Up, and Little Shop of Horrors and the first National Tour of Sister Act) as 'Celie,' Jasondra Johnson (Crowns at Goodman Theatre) as 'Sophia,' and Adrienne Walker (Marriott Theatre's Dreamgirls) as 'Shug.' This highly anticipated production is led by multiple Jeff Award winners L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director), and Brenda Didier (Choreographer). Check out a look back at last night's festivities below!

Festival Of Chaos presented a classic play, THE BACCHAE, up-dated and re-imagined and directed by Royal & Derngate's Artistic Director, Laurie Sansom. Staged in the striking setting of a disused print works in the town centre, The Bacchae runs from Friday 18 May to Saturday 30 June and takes to the Royal stage from Friday 25 May to Saturday 30 June. Festival of Chaos is part of the London 2012 Festival. We have a first look at the production shots below!

Festival Of Chaos opens with two world premieres of two classic plays, both up-dated and re-imagined and directed by Royal & Derngate's Artistic Director, Laurie Sansom. Staged in the striking setting of a disused print works in the town centre, The Bacchae runs from tonight 18 May to Saturday 30 June and Blood Wedding takes to the Royal stage from Friday 25 May to Saturday 30 June. Festival of Chaos is part of the London 2012 Festival.

Festival Of Chaos opens with two world premieres of two classic plays, both up-dated and re-imagined and directed by Royal & Derngate's Artistic Director, Laurie Sansom. Staged in the striking setting of a disused print works in the town centre, The Bacchae runs from Friday 18 May to Saturday 30 June and Blood Wedding takes to the Royal stage from Friday 25 May to Saturday 30 June. Festival of Chaos is part of the London 2012 Festival.

Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be by Lionel Bart and Frank Norman will receive a major new revival directed by Phil Willmott at the Union Theatre from Tuesday 10th May to Saturday 4th June.