Simon Wilkinson News

The shortlists for the 2026 Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland which have been released today, Thursday May 7

The major new folk musical Ballad Lines, produced by Aria Entertainment & KT Producing enters its final three weeks of its run at Southwark Playhouse Elephant running until 21 March 2026.

Producers Aria Entertainment and KT Producing have released an in-rehearsal music video of “Prologue” from BALLAD LINES, which will have its London premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant.

Full casting has been announced for the London premiere of Ballad Lines, a major new folk musical by Finn Anderson (Islander, Streets) and Tania Azevedo (Mayflies, But I’m a Cheerleader).

Tom, trapped in a soul-crushing job and burdened with the weight of supporting his overbearing mother, Amanda, and painfully shy sister, Laura, longs for escape. When he invites Jim, a charming but well-meaning acquaintance, to dinner, Amanda seizes the moment to secure Laura’s future happiness.

The winners of the UK Theatre Awards 2025 were announced at a ceremony hosted by Faye Tozer. Now in its 30th year, the annual celebration honours creative excellence and outstanding achievements across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Find out all of the 2025 winners here.

The nominees for the UK Theatre Awards 2025 have been announced. The winners will be announced at this year's ceremony, taking place next month. Check out the full list of nominations here!

Aria Entertainment & KT Producing have today announced the London premiere of major new folk musical Ballad Lines, which will run for eight weeks at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 23 January - 21 March 2026.

Dundee Rep Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for a major new production of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, directed by Dundee Rep Theatre’s Artistic Director, Andrew Panton.

Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey, an international collaboration between Glasgow-based Vanishing Point and Kanagawa Arts Theatre of Yokohama, Japan (in association with Tramway) picked up four awards at the 2025 CATS, which were presented at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre today, Sunday June 8, 2025. The special guest presenter was leading writer, director and panto dame extraordinaire Johnny McKnight.

The finalists for the OffWestEnd Awards (Offies) have been announced, as the UK’s foremost awards for independent theatre mark their 15th anniversary. Learn more here!

When oil giants Shell announce plans to dump the defunct Brent Spar oil store in the ocean, a small group of activists have other ideas. Under the cover of night, they sail out to the North Sea and occupy the structure. As their campaign gains momentum, pressure mounts on those in power and political battles ensue at sea and on land.

Punchdrunk, the internationally-acclaimed company that pioneered the breakthrough of immersive theatre in the UK, has announced the final extension of Viola's Room, which will conclude its run at Punchdrunk's Woolwich home on 23 December.

Punchdrunk, the internationally-acclaimed company that pioneered the breakthrough of immersive theatre in the UK, has announced an extension of Viola’s Room, which is now booking until 3 November.

Punchdrunk has announced an extension of Viola's Room, which is now booking until 15 September.

Ben Harrison and David Paul Jones will present the World Premiere of Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me, Songs and Stories of An Eighties Teenager.

In a sudden lurch away from their epic 2022 creation The Burnt City, immersive specialists Punchdrunk’s next effort is a far more cosy affair. Small barefoot groups walk their way through the Nineties fairytale world of Viola’s Room with the story relayed over headphones by Helena Bonham Carte

Love Letter to the Big Yin from the People of Scotland among shows in line for prestigious awards.

Punchdrunk has announced Helena Bonham Carter as the narrator for the world premiere of new production, Viola's Room, at the company's home in Woolwich this May for a limited run.

Now on tour, a new musical makes landfall at Olney Theatre Center with a fantastical song worthy of our attention