The National Theatre of Great Britain News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the National Theatre of Great Britain's award-winning production of JB Priestley's classic thriller An Inspector Calls, hailed by the Evening Standard as "an epic for our epoch, a thrillingly physical piece of theatre-with the power to stir the heart as much as the mind." The production is staged by Stephen Daldry, whose extraordinary career spans genres from the hit Netflix series The Crown; to films, with Oscar-nominated pictures like The Reader, The Hours, Billy Elliot, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close; to the stage, where his Billy Elliot the Musical was honored with ten Tony Awards, and his current production of The Inheritance is enjoying an acclaimed run in London's West End.

Just in time for the holiday season, THE WOMAN IN BLACK is inviting guests to try something new this year with a holiday ticket package. For those looking to bond over a spine-tingling live theater performance, THE WOMAN IN BLACK will include a drink from the bar with the purchase of a ticket using the code HOLIDAY through January 6, 2019. An experience surely not to miss, the production has been called "Spectacular" by the Chicago Sun-Times, and "Brilliant" by Chicago Theater Review, receiving rave reviews from critics across the board. 

Works & Process at the Guggenheim is pleased to announce its spring 2019 season. Since 1984 the performing arts series has championed new works and offered audiences unprecedented access to leading creators. Programs explore the artistic process through stimulating discussions and riveting performance highlights. Each 70-minute program takes place in the intimate Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Peter B. Lewis Theater. Additional information is available at worksandprocess.org.

Mark St. Germain's Gertrude and Claudius, based on the novel by John Updike, commissioned and produced by Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF runs from February 20 - March 23, 2019. Gertrude and Claudius will play in repertory with Shakespeare's Hamlet. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

William Shakespeare's Hamlet produced by Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF runs from February 6 - March 24, 2019. Hamlet will play in repertory with the world premiere of Gertrude and Claudius by Mark St. Germain. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

Heresy Records has announced the release of Testamenta new album by theater composer Mel Mercier, the son of Peadar Mercier, (one of the founders of The Chieftans) who was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Play, and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Sound Design.Testament is an album of eleven music compositions by Mel Mercier (born. 23. December, 1959), and holds the titles of Composer/Percussionist/Professor, and Chair of Performing Arts at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick.

Due to popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company extends its critically acclaimed world premiere production of Downstate by Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. A co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain, Downstate  transfers to London in spring 2019 and features an American and British cast and creative team.  In a ? ? ? ? (out of 4) star review, The Chicago Tribune calls the play, "a must-see…one of the more incendiary and thus important productions in the illustrious history of the Steppenwolf" and The New York Times makes Downstate a Critic's Pick, calling it "a great, squirmy moral-thrill-ride of a play."

Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, EON Productions today announced they have hired film, television, and theater producer, Patrick Daly, as Overseeing Consultant, in charge of production and development across all theatrical projects. Independent of his work with EON Productions, Daly will continue to run the company he launched last year, Caledonia Productions, in producing and developing its own upcoming slate of stage and screen projects.   

Steppenwolf Theatre Company opens its 43rd season with a fiery, provocative new work from Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. Downstate is a co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain.

On Friday 25th January 2019 Heresy Records will release Testament, an album of eleven compositions by Mel Mercier (b. 23. December, 1959), Composer/Percussionist/Professor and Chair of Performing Arts at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. Mel was first introduced to music by his father, Peadar Mercier, a member of the Chieftains, who taught him to play the Irish traditional percussion instruments, the bodhrán and bones. As one of the world's leading Irish percussionists He has performed and recorded with many of the leading artists in this genre including, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Donal Lunny, Pallé Mikkleborg, Martin Hayes, Liam Ó Maonlaoi, Alan Stivell, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Caitríona O'Leary and Bill Whelan.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company opens its 43rd season with a fiery, provocative new work from Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. Downstate is a co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain.

Theater takes center stage in 2018/2019 as the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents some of the finest work from local, national and international artists featuring the return of For the Record'sLove Actually Live as a full-length, expanded production, the development of the new documentary musical Witness Uganda, National Theatre of Great Britain's landmark production of An Inspector Calls, the return of Hershey Felder in Hershey Felder as Claude Debussy:A Paris Love Story, the powerful solo performance The Bitter Game, and several family-friendly options including PigPen Theatre Company'sThe Old Man and The Old Moon,Trusty Sidekick Theatre Company's Shadow Play and the return of Story Pirates.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Big in Belgium-Chicago, a series of three acclaimed theatrical events representing the next wave of boundary-pushing European theater. Featured productions include a sweeping tribute to 2,500 years of oration, an engaging examination of free will-and the manipulation of it-in political elections, and a chilling look at tragedy and terror through the eyes of children. Curated by Chicago Shakespeare, Richard Jordan Productions, and David Bauwens, Big in Belgium-Chicago will be presented in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, beginning with BigMouth on September 12, 2018. All Big in Belgium productions are performed in English.

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company opens its 43rd season with a fiery, provocative new work from Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. Downstate is a co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain. This exciting collaboration will premiere at Steppenwolf in fall 2018 and transfer to the National Theatre in spring 2019 featuring an American and British cast and creative team. Previews begin September 20, 2018, opening is September 30 at 6pmand the production runs through November 11, 2018 in the Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Single tickets ($20-$99) are now on sale through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) today announces the appointment of Simon Godwin as its next Artistic Director. Godwin, currently the Associate Director at the National Theatre of Great Britain (NT), previously served as Associate Director of London's Royal Court Theatre and Associate Director at the Bristol Old Vic in the United Kingdom. He will succeed Michael Kahn, who has been at the helm of STC since 1986.

The Magik Theatre will present three shows at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre (226 N. St. Mary's St.) in its 2018-2019 Season. The Magik Theatre has produced shows at the venue since spring 2015, and historically has presented two shows a year, one during the holidays and one in the summer months. This year, the theatre expands its programming to include a Spring Break performance. Tickets for all shows go on sale Friday, September 7 at 10AM.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company opens its 43rd season with a fiery, provocative new work from Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. Downstate is a co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Big in Belgium-Chicago, a series of three acclaimed theatrical events representing the next wave of boundary-pushing European theater. Featured productions include a sweeping tribute to 2,500 years of oration, an engaging examination of free will-and the manipulation of it-in political elections, and a chilling look at tragedy and terror through the eyes of children. Curated by Chicago Shakespeare, Richard Jordan Productions, and David Bauwens, Big in Belgium-Chicago will be presented in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, beginning with BigMouth on September 12, 2018. All Big in Belgium productions are performed in English.

This August 21, the Jacob Burns Film Center (Pleasantville, NY) will be screening the original 1933 classic King Kong before it comes alive on Broadway this fall. Following the screening will be a Q&A with the Musical Creative Team, including Olivier Award-winning director & choreographer Drew McOnie, Helpmann Award-winning set & projection designer Peter England, Helpmann Award-winning creature designer Sonny Tilders and lead producer & Global Creatures CEO Carmen Pavlovic, the discussion will be moderated by four-time Tony-winning Broadway producer Dori Berinstein.