‘I’d gladly watch ANY theatre right now’ Stagey Blog Chat with Mark Johnson (Beyond The Curtain)
Mark Johnson is a blogger over on Beyond The Curtain, sharing reviews and features of all things stagey. During the lockdown, he has worked to raise money for Acting for Others and continued to support the arts. I chatted to Mark all about his favourite shows, his...
Not Just For Christmas? : Could Panto work at Easter?
Let’s be completely honest here, coronavirus and the government’s handling of it all has completely paralysed the theatre industry, and everything has been a horrendous struggle. And it doesn’t look like it is going to be getting much better any time soon. With the...
‘If you should ever hit New York’ – On The Town at the Proms (2018) review
Originally staged on Broadway in 1944, On The Town is one of Leonard Bernstien’s many success stories. Featuring many a now famous song including ‘New York, New York’, ‘I can cook too’ and ‘Ya Got Me’, On The Town tells the story of three young sailers on 24 hours...
‘My hope is that the theatre industry will come out stronger than ever’ – Life in Lockdown with Justin Hornback
Before the coronavirus pandemic caused a global performing arts lockdown, Justin Hornback was working as Box office manager at the Hardin Country Schools Performing Arts Center in Kentucky. With the theatre doors still closed, I talked to Justin about how he has been...
Angels Assemble! – Raise You Up Charity Concert Review
Kinky Boots, in all of it’s high heeled, high kicking fabulousness, has proved massively popular all over the world, and in a time where our beloved theatres still stand in darkness, a pandemic continues and fights for social justice are ongoing, it’s exactly what we...
‘Trust Me, We’ll Be Fine’ – Songs For A New World Streamed Performance Review
It is no secret that music has this power to find something in us, something that words sometimes cannot reach. It has a power to speak to us and sometimes put things into context when we are struggling to find the words to explain how we feel. And sometimes, at a...
‘What’s Your Story?’ – Showstopper: The Socially Distanced Improvised Musical Review
Normally it takes a very long time to put together a musical. Someone needs to write the story, and the songs, and the music, the list goes on and on and it all takes a long time to organise and create. But for the Showstoppers, a small group of talented performers...
‘Are You Happy Now?’ – The Space Between Review
The continuing shutdown means that theatre doors are still closed up and down the country, with only open air theatres currently able to stage productions, but that does not mean that many creative minds are sleeping. No, there is still work going on, ideas flying...
‘You’re still glowin’, you’re still crowin’, you’re still goin’ strong’ – Hello Harry! online concert review
It’s a dark time for theatre, that cannot be denied, but even in times of great trouble and darkness, the theatre industry remains a beacon of light and finds reason to celebrate. After 40 years of working at the stage door, Harry Gabriel is as much a part of the...
Poignant, Important and Needed – Turn Up Review
In a special concert put together by Nicole Raquel Dennis and Ryan Carter, Turn Up was live streamed over three nights putting black voices from across the West End, Broadway, activism and community leadership in the spotlight. The concert was recorded with a live...
‘Just focus on weathering the storm’ : Life in Lockdown with Simon Gordon
Actor Simon Gordon has a number to stage credits to his name including performing in The Girl From The North Country at the Gielgud Theatre, covering the role of Strat in Bat Out Of Hell at The Dominion Theatre and performing as Christian in Moulin Rouge for Secret...
‘I am the freak show’ – The Grinning Man (Bristol Old Vic Archive) Review
Based on Victor Hugo’s novel The Man Who Laughs, The Grinning Man tells the dark and gothic story of Grinpayne, a young man with a horrifically mutilated face. He attempts to flee the horrors of his childhood, saving a baby (a girl later named Dea) from a snow storm...