Review: THREE BILLION LETTERS, Riverside Studios
by Cindy Marcolina - August 14, 2025
We are delighted to report that real fringe theatre is back. The invigorating, daring, challenging, form-subverting kind of venture that makes the stage its playground. We haven’t encountered anything like this since before Covid. There isn’t a lot of theatre with specifically scientific research as its core, either. Commercially, The Effect (Lucy Prebble’s play about a clinical trial) had a revival in 2023 with Jamie Lloyd at the helm and Caryl Churchill’s evergreen reflection on human-cloning, A Number, was on just the year before (curiously, both starred Paapa Essiedu). Looking away from the West End, it’s even harder to find something that sits firmly at the junction with science. Three Billion Letters swoops in at the rescue and begs you to think. Created by TAKDAJA, the piece is a heady mix of data and experimentalism. Does our DNA control more than our eye colour and predisposition to illness? How do we determine our identity? There’s so much gene-ius in it.
by Cindy Marcolina - August 14, 2025
We are delighted to report that real fringe theatre is back. The invigorating, daring, challenging, form-subverting kind of venture that makes the stage its playground. We haven’t encountered anything like this since before Covid. There isn’t a lot of theatre with specifically scientific research as its core, either. Commercially, The Effect (Lucy Prebble’s play about a clinical trial) had a revival in 2023 with Jamie Lloyd at the helm and Caryl Churchill’s evergreen reflection on human-cloning, A Number, was on just the year before (curiously, both starred Paapa Essiedu). Looking away from the West End, it’s even harder to find something that sits firmly at the junction with science. Three Billion Letters swoops in at the rescue and begs you to think. Created by TAKDAJA, the piece is a heady mix of data and experimentalism. Does our DNA control more than our eye colour and predisposition to illness? How do we determine our identity? There’s so much gene-ius in it.
Insert Laughter Here’s SPIN-A-PLAY To Return To London For Camden Fringe 2025
by BWW News Desk - August 14, 2025
Insert Laughter Here will return to London for Camden Fringe 2025 with Spin-a-Play, a fully improvised comedy show where the audience chooses the genre, story, and ending. Two performances will take place at the Museum of Comedy on August 16.
by BWW News Desk - August 14, 2025
Insert Laughter Here will return to London for Camden Fringe 2025 with Spin-a-Play, a fully improvised comedy show where the audience chooses the genre, story, and ending. Two performances will take place at the Museum of Comedy on August 16.
SPID Theatre At Kensal House Reopens Its Doors With Open House Festival Refurbishment
by BWW News Desk - August 14, 2025
SPID Theatre (Social Progressive Interconnected Diverse) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and marks the refurbishment of its base at North Kensington’s Kensal House. SPID's newly renovated base is open to the public as part of Open House Festival on Sunday 21 September.
by BWW News Desk - August 14, 2025
SPID Theatre (Social Progressive Interconnected Diverse) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and marks the refurbishment of its base at North Kensington’s Kensal House. SPID's newly renovated base is open to the public as part of Open House Festival on Sunday 21 September.
Glynis Barber & Bob Barrett Join DEATH ON THE NILE
by BWW News Desk - August 14, 2025
Additional cast members have been revealed for the UK & Ireland Tour of DEATH ON THE NILE. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets to the tour here!
by BWW News Desk - August 14, 2025
Additional cast members have been revealed for the UK & Ireland Tour of DEATH ON THE NILE. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets to the tour here!
Exclusive: Marisha Wallace Sings 'I Cain't Say No' from New Album LIVE IN LONDON
by BWW News Desk - August 14, 2025
Olivier-nominated West End and Broadway star Marisha Wallace will release her new album Live in London on August 15, 2025. Recorded at the Adelphi Theatre, the album features stage favorites, pop classics, and new arrangements, alongside an exclusive fan pledge campaign for a deluxe vinyl edition.
by BWW News Desk - August 14, 2025
Olivier-nominated West End and Broadway star Marisha Wallace will release her new album Live in London on August 15, 2025. Recorded at the Adelphi Theatre, the album features stage favorites, pop classics, and new arrangements, alongside an exclusive fan pledge campaign for a deluxe vinyl edition.
Cast Set For MARY PAGE MARLOWE at the The Old Vic
by BWW News Desk - August 14, 2025
The Old Vic has announced the full cast and further creative team for the UK premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning Tracy Letts’ play Mary Page Marlowe. Learn more here!
by BWW News Desk - August 14, 2025
The Old Vic has announced the full cast and further creative team for the UK premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning Tracy Letts’ play Mary Page Marlowe. Learn more here!
Guest Blog: Josh Maughan on Indulging in the Queer Rom-Com Ahead of OUR 1972 at Riverside Studios
by Josh Maughan - August 13, 2025
When Our 1972 premiered last year, I thought I’d written the next big queer protest drama. But on night one, and in the run that followed, the increasing laughter and swooning from the audience seemed to declare otherwise. Suddenly, it was a rom-com. I was taken aback and, if I’m honest, annoyed. I challenged myself to work out why, and realised I’d been holding back from fully embracing the queer rom-com myself. In talking to others who felt the same, It became clear that queer joy on stage, and the queer rom-com in particular, still feels oddly taboo.
by Josh Maughan - August 13, 2025
When Our 1972 premiered last year, I thought I’d written the next big queer protest drama. But on night one, and in the run that followed, the increasing laughter and swooning from the audience seemed to declare otherwise. Suddenly, it was a rom-com. I was taken aback and, if I’m honest, annoyed. I challenged myself to work out why, and realised I’d been holding back from fully embracing the queer rom-com myself. In talking to others who felt the same, It became clear that queer joy on stage, and the queer rom-com in particular, still feels oddly taboo.
Review: THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, The Other Place, Stratford upon Avon
by Debbie Gilpin - August 13, 2025
Joanna Bowman brings Shakespearean Italy to The Other Place at the RSC with her new production of his first play, The Two Gentlemen of Verona. At a pacy 90 minutes (without an interval) and set in the round, the play is reimagined for the present day with a talented cast of actor-musicians - an ideal way to introduce old and new alike to this piece of work.
by Debbie Gilpin - August 13, 2025
Joanna Bowman brings Shakespearean Italy to The Other Place at the RSC with her new production of his first play, The Two Gentlemen of Verona. At a pacy 90 minutes (without an interval) and set in the round, the play is reimagined for the present day with a talented cast of actor-musicians - an ideal way to introduce old and new alike to this piece of work.
Natalie Grove’s JELLO BRAIN Adds New Early Showtime At Olive Studio, Greenside
by BWW News Desk - August 13, 2025
Natalie Grove’s acclaimed solo show Jello Brain—about caring for her mother with early-onset Alzheimer’s—now plays daily at 4:00 p.m. at Olive Studio, Greenside @ George Street, Edinburgh, through August 23. Directed by Terra Mackintosh, the heartfelt and comedic pie
by BWW News Desk - August 13, 2025
Natalie Grove’s acclaimed solo show Jello Brain—about caring for her mother with early-onset Alzheimer’s—now plays daily at 4:00 p.m. at Olive Studio, Greenside @ George Street, Edinburgh, through August 23. Directed by Terra Mackintosh, the heartfelt and comedic pie
Photos: Brendan Gleeson and More in THE WEIR
by BWW News Desk - August 13, 2025
All new production photos have been released for The Weir, written, and directed for the first time, by Conor McPherson. Check out the photos and learn more about the show here!
by BWW News Desk - August 13, 2025
All new production photos have been released for The Weir, written, and directed for the first time, by Conor McPherson. Check out the photos and learn more about the show here!
GOLDEN DAYS Musical Theatre EP From Composer Ben Ward Will Be Released
by BWW News Desk - August 13, 2025
New musical theatre EP Golden Days will be released on Friday 19th September, created by Ben Ward, co-composer of TURING. Learn more about the upcoming release here!
by BWW News Desk - August 13, 2025
New musical theatre EP Golden Days will be released on Friday 19th September, created by Ben Ward, co-composer of TURING. Learn more about the upcoming release here!
Photos: First Look at 2:22 - A GHOST STORY New UK Tour Cast
by BWW News Desk - August 13, 2025
Ahead of opening night at Manchester Opera House, all new production images have been released of the 2025 cast for the UK tour of 2:22 - A Ghost Story.
by BWW News Desk - August 13, 2025
Ahead of opening night at Manchester Opera House, all new production images have been released of the 2025 cast for the UK tour of 2:22 - A Ghost Story.
Review: A ROOF ABOVE MY HEAD, The Lion And Unicorn Theatre
by Amber-Rae Stobbs - August 12, 2025
Youthful dialogue, reflecting the modern times we are in, while perfectly encapsulating what it means to be a person in your mid-twenties in London: the constant battle of trying to have a life rather than just an existence, while working 6-day weeks. A play for young people, by young people.
by Amber-Rae Stobbs - August 12, 2025
Youthful dialogue, reflecting the modern times we are in, while perfectly encapsulating what it means to be a person in your mid-twenties in London: the constant battle of trying to have a life rather than just an existence, while working 6-day weeks. A play for young people, by young people.
Review: BRIGADOON, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
by Aliya Al-Hassan - August 12, 2025
Last seen in London over 35 years ago, Drew McOnie's inaugural season as Artistic Director of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre ends with him directing and choreographing a new production of Lerner & Loewe’s Scottish fantasy musical Brigadoon.
by Aliya Al-Hassan - August 12, 2025
Last seen in London over 35 years ago, Drew McOnie's inaugural season as Artistic Director of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre ends with him directing and choreographing a new production of Lerner & Loewe’s Scottish fantasy musical Brigadoon.
A BIG BIG ROOM FULL OF EVERYBODY'S HOPE to Premiere at Lilian Baylis Studio
by BWW News Desk - August 12, 2025
A Big Big Room Full of Everybody's Hope will run October 2 and October 3 at Lilian Baylis Studio. The show runs 50 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are on sale now.
by BWW News Desk - August 12, 2025
A Big Big Room Full of Everybody's Hope will run October 2 and October 3 at Lilian Baylis Studio. The show runs 50 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are on sale now.
Interview: 'I Still Don't Know What The Hell I'm Doing': Actor Robert Sean Leonard on Acting Origins, Auditions and Performing in INTERVIEW at London's Riverside Studios
by Kat Mokrynski - August 12, 2025
Recently, we had the chance to speak with Leonard about taking on the role of Pierre Peters. We discussed how he first got started in the world of theatre, what it’s like to perform in a new piece of theatre versus a revival of a classic work and what he thinks audiences will be talking about on the way home after the show.
by Kat Mokrynski - August 12, 2025
Recently, we had the chance to speak with Leonard about taking on the role of Pierre Peters. We discussed how he first got started in the world of theatre, what it’s like to perform in a new piece of theatre versus a revival of a classic work and what he thinks audiences will be talking about on the way home after the show.
Nicola Roberts From Girls Aloud Will Join HADESTOWN in London
by BWW News Desk - August 12, 2025
International music artist Nicola Roberts from the BRIT Award-winning group Girls Aloud, will join the West End production of multi award-winning Hadestown in the role of Persephone.
by BWW News Desk - August 12, 2025
International music artist Nicola Roberts from the BRIT Award-winning group Girls Aloud, will join the West End production of multi award-winning Hadestown in the role of Persephone.
Review: DEAR YOUNG MONSTER, Soho Theatre
by Katie Kirkpatrick - August 11, 2025
Unusual and unflinching, Dear Young Monster delves into the parallels between the creation of Frankenstein’s Monster as a ‘man-made man’ and the experience of a trans coming of age. Playfully incorporating horror and the gothic, it’s a queer hidden gem of this summer’s theatre offerings.
by Katie Kirkpatrick - August 11, 2025
Unusual and unflinching, Dear Young Monster delves into the parallels between the creation of Frankenstein’s Monster as a ‘man-made man’ and the experience of a trans coming of age. Playfully incorporating horror and the gothic, it’s a queer hidden gem of this summer’s theatre offerings.
Guest Blog: Director Alex Jackson On Why Nurturing New British Musicals Offers a Lifeline For All Theatres
by Guest Author - August 11, 2025
It’s no secret that the British theatre industry has been going through a tough period recently. In the West End, tourism is back and venues are generally on a more even footing (excepting a recent downturn in May widely reported and perhaps due to hotter than normal weather). As a freelance director, I know that it’s more of a mixed picture regionally. Especially for mid scale venues for whom the pipeline of new shows is unpredictable and producing is increasingly tough.
by Guest Author - August 11, 2025
It’s no secret that the British theatre industry has been going through a tough period recently. In the West End, tourism is back and venues are generally on a more even footing (excepting a recent downturn in May widely reported and perhaps due to hotter than normal weather). As a freelance director, I know that it’s more of a mixed picture regionally. Especially for mid scale venues for whom the pipeline of new shows is unpredictable and producing is increasingly tough.
Review: THE BADDIES, Cadogan Hall
by Christiana Rose - August 11, 2025
It’s not often that villains are the stars of children’s shows, but Freckle Productions’ adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Baddies gleefully flips the script. At Cadogan Hall, this wickedly silly romp delivers a charming, high-energy musical, which keeps its youngest audience members giggling, while slipping in theatrical polish to keep the grown-ups engaged.
by Christiana Rose - August 11, 2025
It’s not often that villains are the stars of children’s shows, but Freckle Productions’ adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Baddies gleefully flips the script. At Cadogan Hall, this wickedly silly romp delivers a charming, high-energy musical, which keeps its youngest audience members giggling, while slipping in theatrical polish to keep the grown-ups engaged.
Camden Fringe Review: THE PUBLICIST, Libra Theatre Cafe
by Clementine Scott - August 11, 2025
There’s a make-or-break moment towards the end of The Publicist, where Julia Pilkington’s titular PR professional stands trapped on a phone call between two rails of clothing, a TV producer and former friend berating her on one side, her client trying to severe their professional relationship on the other. It’s an inventive bit of staging, and emblematic of this work of new writing’s approach to portraying the incestuousness of the media industry, the way it eats itself from the inside.
by Clementine Scott - August 11, 2025
There’s a make-or-break moment towards the end of The Publicist, where Julia Pilkington’s titular PR professional stands trapped on a phone call between two rails of clothing, a TV producer and former friend berating her on one side, her client trying to severe their professional relationship on the other. It’s an inventive bit of staging, and emblematic of this work of new writing’s approach to portraying the incestuousness of the media industry, the way it eats itself from the inside.
Sheffield Theatres and Royal Exchange Announce Cast and Creatives for DANCING AT LUGHNASA
by BWW News Desk - August 11, 2025
Sheffield Theatres and the Royal Exchange Theatre will present Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa, directed by Elizabeth Newman, at the Crucible Theatre September 13–October 4, 2025, before transferring to Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre October 10–November 8. The production stars Martha Dunlea, Kwaku Fortune, Frank Laverty, and Laura Pyper.
by BWW News Desk - August 11, 2025
Sheffield Theatres and the Royal Exchange Theatre will present Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa, directed by Elizabeth Newman, at the Crucible Theatre September 13–October 4, 2025, before transferring to Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre October 10–November 8. The production stars Martha Dunlea, Kwaku Fortune, Frank Laverty, and Laura Pyper.
National Theatre Reveals Full Cast of HAMLET Starring Hiran Abeysekera
by BWW News Desk - August 11, 2025
The National Theatre has announced full casting for Hamlet, directed by newly appointed Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge), with Olivier Award winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) in the title role.
by BWW News Desk - August 11, 2025
The National Theatre has announced full casting for Hamlet, directed by newly appointed Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge), with Olivier Award winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) in the title role.
THE 419 Exhibition by Inua Ellams and Oluwamuyiwa “Logor” Logo to Open at Somerset House
by BWW News Desk - August 11, 2025
Fuel will present The 419, a new poetry and photography exhibition by award-winning poet and playwright Inua Ellams (Three Sisters, Half God of Rainfall) and acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Oluwamuyiwa “Logor” Logo, at Somerset House’s West Wing Gallery from 8–14 September 2025.
by BWW News Desk - August 11, 2025
Fuel will present The 419, a new poetry and photography exhibition by award-winning poet and playwright Inua Ellams (Three Sisters, Half God of Rainfall) and acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Oluwamuyiwa “Logor” Logo, at Somerset House’s West Wing Gallery from 8–14 September 2025.
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