Verity Johnson

Riley Elton Mccarthy's IVORIES to be Presented at East Village Basement
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 17, 2026

Riley Elton McCarthy's darkly comic horror play Ivories will make its New York premiere at East Village Basement. The production stars John Yi and follows a couple who inherit a relative's home and uncover disturbing secrets.

Guest Blog: '​​​​​​​Representation is Vital for our Mental Health' Playwright Charlie Josephine on Their New Play ONE OF THEM ONES
by Guest Blog: Charlie Josephine - Mar 21, 2023

When Pentabus Theatre approached me to write a play for them I knew instantly that I wanted to write a queer love story. Because the hetero-ghetto is wild right now, especially in the UK, it’s a very challenging time to be trans and queer. But the love is always louder than the fear, and I believe in the power of good theatre.

British Youth Music Theatre Announces Spring/Summer 2023 Season
by Stephi Wild - Mar 10, 2023

​​​​​​​The UK's leading new musical theatre company for young people 11-21 years old has announced their 2023 season of Easter & Summer performances led by new Chief Executive and Creative Director Emily Gray, who has ensured the voices and ideas of BYMT's Young Company Panel are at the heart of the programme choices. This new season is filled with brand new musicals, returning BYMT favourites, and dance led work.

BWW Review: FLEDGLINGS, Nuffield Southampton Theatres
by Jo Fisher - Oct 18, 2019

Change can be tricky - not least when you're a teenage girl going through puberty, loss, and friendship trouble. Written by Tamsin Daisy Rees, directed by Emily Collins, and produced by Holly Mitchell, Fledglings is a touching tale of birds, best friendships and blossoming young women.

BWW Review: MAGGIE MAY, Finborough Theatre
by Cindy Marcolina - Mar 31, 2019

Liverpool, 1960s. Maggie May Duffy is a prostitute who's in love with her childhood sweetheart Patrick Casey, a sailor and son of a union leader who's been at sea for some time. She tries to rekindle their feelings when he finally comes back but his struggles with accepting his legacy and her reputation are difficult to leave to the side.

BWW Review: BURY THE DEAD, Finborough Theatre
by Cindy Marcolina - Nov 2, 2018

Finborough Theatre end their series dedicated to the Great War by bringing back Irwin Shaw's Bury The Dead. Directed by Rafaella Marcus and the first London production in 80 year, the piece works as a monumental metaphor to stand up for the truth.

BWW Review: UNEXPECTED JOY, Southwark Playhouse
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Sep 8, 2018

Take a feuding mother and daughter, a rebellious teenager granddaughter and throw in an outspoken lesbian feminist and you have the recipe for an unexpected treat at the Southwark Playhouse. Unexpected Joy is a new musical, written by Janet Hood and  Bill Russell, making its UK debut and follows a turbulent week in the life of one family. Hippy baby-boomer Joy is planning a memorial concert for her late singing and life partner Jump, who she never married. After inviting daughter Rachel and granddaughter Tamara, Joy must pluck up the courage to tell them that she is finally getting married the day after the concert. To a woman.

Photo Flash: First Look at the European Premiere of UNEXPECTED JOY at Southwark Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Sep 6, 2018

The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy is underway. The powerful all-female cast is made up of:Janet Fullerlove (Fortune's Fool, The Beggar's Opera) as Joy; Jodie Jacobs (Myth, Rock of Ages) as Rachel; Melanie Marshall (Guys and Dolls, Jane Eyre) as Lou; and Kelly Sweeney (Ronald William White Acting Through Song Prize Winner 2018) as Tamara.

TV: Get A Sneak Peek At New Musical UNEXPECTED JOY
by Jamie Body - Aug 31, 2018

The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy transfers from its Off-Broadway run, at the York Theatre Company, to London's Southwark Playhouse from 5 September 2018. Watch a video from rehearsals below!

TV: Meet The Creatives Behind New Musical UNEXPECTED JOY
by Jamie Body - Aug 30, 2018

The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy transfers from its Off-Broadway run, at the York Theatre Company, to London's Southwark Playhouse from 5 September 2018. Watch a video interview below!

TV: Meet the Cast of New Musical UNEXPECTED JOY
by Jamie Body - Aug 29, 2018

The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy transfers from its Off-Broadway run, at the York Theatre Company, to London's Southwark Playhouse from 5 September 2018.

Janet Fullerlove, Jodie Jacobs, Melanie Marshall, and Kelly Sweeney Join the Cast of UNEXPECTED JOY
by Stephi Wild - Jul 9, 2018

Casting for the European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy has been announced. The powerful all-female cast is made up of: Janet Fullerlove (Fortune's Fool, The Beggar's Opera) as Joy; Jodie Jacobs (Myth, Rock of Ages) as Rachel; Melanie Marshall (Guys and Dolls, Jane Eyre) as Lou; and Kelly Sweeney (Ronald William White Acting Through Song Prize Winner 2018) as Tamara.

RoL'n Productions Presents HALF ME, HALF YOU at the Tristan Bates Theatre and Tabard Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 16, 2018

Jess and Meredith are a married, interracial, gay couple living in New York in 2017 - the era of Trump - weathering a new wave of intolerance, discrimination and oppression, which is sweeping the nation and seeping into their home.

UAL Announces New Total Performance School
by Julie Musbach - May 23, 2018

University of the Arts London has unveiled ambitious plans to become the leading international performance institution - by announcing a major expansion of performance at Wimbledon College of Arts.

BWW Review: HILDA AND VIRGINIA, Jermyn Street Theatre
by Cindy Marcolina - Mar 2, 2018

Jermyn Street Theatre continues their pursuit of strong women presenting Maureen Duffy's A Nightingale in Bloomsbury Square and The Choice as a double bill directed by Natasha Rickman.