Robert Icke News

Are audiences genuinely reluctant to see new plays from outside the UK? Are new European plays really so different to new British plays? In order to explore these questions, I've organised a mini-festival of reading of European plays at the Yard Theatre in London this week, including seven European plays and one British play.

Shakespeare's Globe is delighted to announce the full cast of Paulette Randall's Doctor Faustus, opening in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse on Saturday 1 December.

Kevin Harvey returns to the Almeida (that is a truth), for his seventh (that is a lie) first Ibsen play: The Wild Duck. Catching up during rehearsals, Kevin talks to us about tackling Ibsen, the relevance of the play today, and reuniting with director Robert Icke.

Robert Icke's updating of The Wild Duck gains in contemporary relevance, but loses a little of its heart en route.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues its 25th Anniversary Season at The Otto M. Budig Theater with "1984", a new adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel by Robert Icke and Duncan MacMillan. "1984" runs October 12 - November 3, and is directed by Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips and features Resident Ensemble Members Justin McCombs and Sara Clark. This regional debut production will feature a revolutionary multimedia design by Brave Berlin, the Founding Creative Directors of Blink and LumenoCity, of light and sound that will create an immersive Orwellian theatrical experience!  This production is generously sponsored by The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, JR./U.S. Bank Foundation.

Papatango today announce full casting for Iman Qureshi's The Funeral Director - winner of their 10th annual New Writing Prize. Hannah Hauer King directs Aryana Ramkhalawon (Ayesha), Maanuv Thiara (Zeyd), Tom Morley (Tom) and Jessica Clark (Janey).

The Donmar Warehouse today announces the appointment of Henny Finch as the new Executive Producer from 7 January 2019, succeeding Kate Pakenham. Henny will support and work alongside newly appointed Artistic Director Michael Longhurst in the creative and organisational running of the Donmar Warehouse, ahead of his first season in 2019.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From gender-flipped Sondheim to David Hare and Martin McDonagh, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues its 25th Anniversary Season at The Otto M. Budig Theater with "1984", a new adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel by Robert Icke and Duncan MacMillan. "1984" runs October 12 - November 3, and is directed by Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips and features Resident Ensemble Members Justin McCombs and Sara Clark. This regional debut production will feature a revolutionary multimedia design by Brave Berlin, the Founding Creative Directors of Blink and LumenoCity, of light and sound that will create an immersive Orwellian theatrical experience!  This production is generously sponsored by The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, JR./U.S. Bank Foundation.

The Almeida Theatre today announces a new production of Henrik Ibsen's The Wild Duck, in a new version created by Almeida Associate Director Robert Icke.

The Almeida Theatre today announces two new Almeida Young Company shows.

After 'sealing the deal' with critics and audiences alike during its smash hit West End run, Sam Yates' unmissable production of one of David Mamet's greatest and most lauded plays, Glengarry Glen Ross will embark on a nationwide tour from 14 February 2019 opening at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking. The hard-nosed sales team in this darkly funny classic will then visit Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Richmond, Brighton and Cardiff with further tour dates to be announced shortly.

After 'sealing the deal' with critics and audiences alike during its smash hit West End run, Sam Yates' unmissable production of one of David Mamet's greatest and most lauded plays, Glengarry Glen Ross will embark on a nationwide tour from 14 February 2019 opening at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking. The hard-nosed sales team in this darkly funny classic will then visit Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Richmond, Brighton and Cardiff with further tour dates to be announced shortly.

Michelle Terry's first season as Artistic Director of the Globe will be carefully scrutinised. Emma Rice's contentious exit raised important questions about the venue's purpose, its balancing of tradition and innovation, new and returning audiences, and about how we engage with Shakespeare in the 21st century.

If you've never read George Orwell's 1984, the seminal classic examining a world that's fallen under the rule of the nameless Party and their omnipotent leader Big Brother, stop what you're doing and read it now. Or you can just see Scena Theatre's new production playing at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. The show takes a while to amp up but the thrilling climax is performed with such vigor and authenticity that the true dangers of Orwell's devised society come to fruition.

Chichester Festival Theatre is a place of firsts for Tracy-Ann Oberman. Last year, she performed in The Fiddler on the Roof, her first professional musical. This Spring, she returns to CFT once again for her first Noel Coward play, Present Laughter. With tech week coming up, Tracy-Ann spoke to us about why she wanted to take on Coward, what else is on her wish list, and what audiences can expect from Present Laughter. 

Further events are today announced for Almeida For Free - Summer & Smoke, the Almeida Theatre's free festival for anyone aged 25 and under taking place from Tuesday 3 - Thursday 5 April.

The girl who said 'no' - she doesn't exist anymore, she died last summer - suffocated in smoke from something on fire inside her. In the heat of summer - under the wings of an angel - Alma meets John. Trapped between desire and fear in a life of obligation, her world turns upside down in the search for salvation. Check out photos from the production below!

Jobsite Theater brings George Orwell's dystopic literary masterpiece 1984 to life in a gripping stage adaptation by Michael Gene Sullivan from April 27 - May 20, 2018, in the Shimberg Playhouse at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts where they are resident theater company.