The fact that a major player in the industry such as Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to bypass the company and go straight to the press to announce the closure of the same show twice in two continents is not only disappointing, but utterly unacceptable. Your employees deserve better.
I'm just a girl, standing in front of a production team, begging them to include pronouns in their programme so that we can refer to people with their correct identity rather than having to stalk them online for a review.
Things that are giving me the ick in theatre right now: Operation Mincemeat's Broadway campaign, Starlight Express, the barrage of new podcast, lack of transparency from some influencers, bleak minimalism. Don't let me go on.
Funny story. I was given a running time of 60 minutes last night, so when the hour promptly ended, I left. WELL. It was only the bloody interval. The show was actually 2hr10 long. I gave it two stars. I would like the ground to open up and swallow me whole.
The National Theatre is adding clowning to their 2023 resumé. The absolute gall of doing this while they have a verbatim play about Grenfell on. Shame on you.
It's great to hear about all these screen-to-stage adaptations, but I can't help but feel for the new playwrights who are out there struggling to take their original ideas to the stage. It seems like:
stage adaptations : theatre industry = sequels : film industry
Well that's me done with
@VAULTFestival
2023. 55 shows (it would have been more but my immune system said no). It won't be officially over until I've written this last review, but I had a marvellous time.
I ended up reviewing *that* Hamlet today and there was a Q&A afterwards. When someone asked the panel (all the company bar few actors) what role they'd like to play, Sir Ian McK came out with a blunt "I'm frankly looking forward to playing Yorick". Is that the Hamlet effect?
Someone just dislocated both knees in the very first few minutes of Macbeth, someone else who's previously done the role is in the audience and will take over on book in 15 minutes. This is incredible. Details to follow re the hero who's saving the show etc.
All I'll say is that if you don't want reviewers to review your show, don't invite reviewers to review your show. It's that simple. I've seen so much incredible work this past week, but not everything deserves five-stars.
I say this completely understanding that this is what Big Theatre pays him to make. People lap it up, they recoup, everyone's happy. But I think we can stop pretending it's avant-garde and disruptive. It used to be, now it's trite.
Confirmation emails have started to stream in and
@VAULTFestival
is starting to feel real! Big up to Hannah at
@chloenelkin
for handling my wild spreadsheet like a trooper.
Today's rant:
Your invite goes to the bottom of my list/gets automatically binned if:
- you address me as BroadwayWorld
- you address me as somebody else/another platform
- you address me as "to whom it may concern" (my email literally is my name and surname)
- don't even say hi
Just one more thought on this because it's been bothering me a lot. Michael Billington wrote the intro and Danny Boyle the foreword. I'd be curious to read what they had to say about him, but mostly how they justify their contribution to the book.
Max Stafford-Clark has spoken out for the first time about the sexual harassment allegations that led to his exit from Out of Joint and to "the collapse of my world”, in a new book in which he also discusses his plans for a new theatre company
I'm just a girl, metaphorically standing in front of important theatre people, asking them to let her build their creative development and innovation department.
I've seen a lot of hot takes yesterday and, as much as I dislike everything about this, I would rather have a delay than an audience checking their phones while the main star isn't giving his best because he's thinking about the footie.
Alright,
@edfringe
, you've been a darling. It was the longest, quickest week I've ever had in my life and I'm officially on my way back to real life. Let's do it again next year?
WELL do you guys remember this? I start a masters' degree in Dramaturgy NEXT WEEK. Had my induction yesterday. Everyone looks very young. BUT IT'S SO EXCITING. Give me a year and I'll be ready for all your dramaturgical needs.
So
@VAULTFestival
here we go again. Off to see my first shows and cover for
@StagedoorLDN
do say hello if you spot me, and do feel free to pitch me your shows. Can’t promise to review but even if I can’t I will know something about your work and passions as a theatre-maker.
I have a number of shows that I always mention when people ask what's some of the best theatre I've ever seen. Like the kids say these days, "
@OceanWestEnd
entered the chat"
The fact that someone deemed acceptable to 1) write something like this and 2) edit/publish it without an ounce of shame is appalling. Never mind the writer whose surname doesn't even feature, the editor who accepted this as a valid response to a show should be embarrassed.
You guuuuuuuuuuuys the shows I'm seeing don't have enough audience and are so good!!! London, I understand you've got your eyes on Edinburgh but come ooooooooon!!! You're missing out on so much talent right on your doorstep at
@CamdenFringe
!!!
#LovesLaboursLost
– Royal Shakespeare Theatre, from 11 April
Bask in the idealism and excesses of youth in this sharp, playful and refreshingly contemporary take on Shakespeare’s vibrant comedy.
Directed by Emily Burns with Luke Thompson as Berowne.
That's it then, time off from my bill-paying job has been approved, trains for Edinburgh have been booked, I've started a list of shows, it looks like it's all falling into place.
Here's Andrew Scott's touching speech as he accepts Best Actor for
#Vanya
at the
@CCTAwards
. I hope sharing these words a mere fortnight after his mum's passing brought him a little bit of peace. And props to him for showing up.
People freaking out because Jenna Ortega was seen smoking give off the same vibes of that group who wrote the open letter demanding that Taylor Swift dumps Matty Healy.
Ah yes, because once you turn 28 you suddenly forget how to use the notes app. Gosh, how do we elderly even cope with technology!
@royalcourt
, it would be great to understand the frankly weird age limit for this one.
Today we open applications for Plays from ur notes app 🗒️
A nationwide callout for writers aged 18 – 27 to submit writing that either currently lives, or could live, in the notes app on a phone.
Deadline: 20 Sep, 10am.
More information:
A week to learn an accent that someone has been speaking since they learnt English. Imagine that. I get that it's a staged concert and they usually get famous people, but they didn't even get an Irish actor and there are plenty of those here. It's like speaking to a wall anyway.
Shall we do
@edfringe
picks from someone who's *not* going to Edinburgh? Let's go! 🧵
The 100-Year-Old Letter - Good Wolf People
200% and Bloody Will Be Thy End - Siege of Herons
4 girls the first letter e -
@MissingRibCo
An Act of Grace - Ottawa Little Theatre
As controversial as this might be, I love it when critics don't agree and a show gets everything from two to five. Interestingly, it's always the same people who give the same-ish ratings and I think it says a lot. Criticism is cool.
Do I have to point it out? I don't think I do, but, just in case, I can't find the Polish representation in this even though it looks like it should feature heavily.
🚨 ANNOUNCING 🚨
Rupert Goold directs Conor McPherson’s adaptation of Paweł Pawlikowski’s Academy Award-nominated Cold War. With music by Grammy Award-winner Elvis Costello.
Cast includes Anya Chalotra, Elliot Levey and Luke Thallon.
🎹
It was hard, but here are ten shows I think you should see at
@VAULTFestival
. I'm very sorry I couldn't feature all of you, if I could write 50+ of these and put you all in them, I would (I mean, I could, but that would be madness, let's be real). Can't wait for next week!
I hope this doesn't trigger anyone, but I keep seeing "AD - PR invite" attached to reviews and I might be dim but I just don't get this new trend. Why are reviewers/critics now starting to subscribe to influencer etiquette when it's exactly what a press night is for?
I don't know how we as a society have just overlooked
@MenInKiltsSTARZ
. I've just finished binging it and now all I want from life is to go on a road trip across Scotland with
@SamHeughan
,
@grahammctavish
, and the latter's impressive collection of scarves.
Something special is happening, folks!!!🥹
On Monday 11th Dec, a plaque in Hester Leggatt's honour will be unveiled following the dedicated research of some incredible fans!🌹💛
You'll be able to view the plaque unveiling from the entrance to the theatre.
Probably my favourite moment of yesterday's
@CCTAwards
. A phone went off (in a room full of critics nonetheless!) during Patsy Ferran's speech and her reaction is simply brilliant.
You've got to give it to them,
@NationalTheatre
understood the assignment when it comes to TikTok. Perfectly in line with the site's content and its humour. Loved it!
When I moved to London a million years ago I wanted to see
@MatildaMusical
so badly, but life got busy immediately and I never did. It was such a privilege to be there for their 10th anniversary. There might have been a tear or two. To say I loved it is an understatement.
I'm just one episode into Marriage and it's already a brilliant example of how much you can say by saying nothing at all. Nicola Walker and Sean Bean are marvellous, but Stefan Golaszewski's vision is astonishing (so far).
I've just come out of
@FourtMonkeyTC
's
#Valhalla
. I'm a bit emotional. These people are the future of theatre. Support them. Nurture them. GO SEE THEM. Not just this specific company, pay attention to the new material that's taking shape around you. Past the West End. I beg you.
Doing this every night while holding down a full-time job is exhausting. I feel very privileged, I see so much theatre + learn a lot but man I'm tired. Seeing 3 shows a night + writing coherently on each takes its toll. I wouldn't change it, but don't think it's glamourous.
It's
@mincemeatlive
's West End press night tonight, a day I've been waiting for since 2019. Below is my
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐�� review from 2021, I can't wait to see how the show has come along since then.
Ten Royal Court debuts. One Artistic Director. Nine writers.
Join us for a truly unmissable season of new theatre.
David Byrne’s first season sees nine playwrights make their Royal Court debuts - across nine months filled with homegrown talent, international collaborations and
Delighted to see this transfer to the Royal Court. It's so rare to find something new that's two hours and forty minutes long these days. Some might even say it's brave to have something that long on in this economy. Out on
@BroadwayWorldUK
tomorrow as usual.
Critics, reviewers, theatre-goers, I would love to read your stage icks. Some of mine: abandoned chairs on an empty stage, blackout scene changes with no sound (and god forbid I hear those chairs drag!), naked feet. Allez!
And just like that, my last review from Camden Fringe has been posted. Whether I liked your show or not really, I commend you. It takes a whole lot of bravery to put oneself out there, especially on stage. You've all done great.
I walked into
#BenjaminButtonMusical
not knowing what to expect. I walked out of it 1) needing a cast recording, 2) wanting it to be seen by many many many more people, 3) with a heart full of the beauty of theatre. I loved it a lot and my 5⭐️ are truly heartfelt.
An exceptional example of what we need to stage more: female stories told by women, directed by women, with a team of mostly women. In essence, more women in theatre, please.
My
@VAULTFestival
spreadsheet is packed but has some leeway. I'm particularly free on 18th,19th, 24th, February, 4th, 5th, 17th March. That's just my personal availability, but do give us at
@BroadwayWorldUK
a shout if you'd like us to review at any point.
The fact that they had to publish this statement because of a maliciously clickbait article about an excellent initiative that will bring in new audiences is terrible.
I just wrote the words "End of Play". It took me over a year and a half to put the first draft down. I'm not even sure I want to do anything with it, it's been a roller-coaster ride I'm not sure I fully enjoyed.
And this!!! I didn't see this last night!
@GateTheatre
, you're leading the way here, why is nobody talking about this? Or are they and I've missed it? This is good!
Popping into
@NationalTheatre
later today to have a look at the exhibition dedicated to the 2023 Linbury Prize for Stage Design. I'll be over on the
@BroadwayWorldUK
Instagram if you want to have an early look at the work of the twelve talented recipients.
Is there anything like a weekly podcast with fringe theatre reviewers? I don't know, think pub theatre recommendations, smaller venues, state of the fringe, things like that. If not, should we do one?
Also, too early to articulate well but Edfringe isn’t just about trying to find the next Six or Fleabag. There’s going to be some properly great stuff that hopefully will have further life including a London run but also regional tours would be cracking.
I hear that the correct thing to do is to visit
@MusicalMythic
and then
@hadestown
immediately after to finish the story. I don’t make the rules, sorry.
@MickeyJoTheatre
I haven't seen this, but it's not even thoughtless. It's crass and disrespectful in my opinion. People's livelihoods are being impacted, but some people don't seem the get it 🙃
For those who keep asking: I'm seeing Taylor and then going on holiday in August, therefore I won't be in Edinburgh 😬 unfortunately, reviewing isn't my main source of income, which means I need to take leave off of my actual job, which is time I'd rather spend not working. Fin.
It is with immense sadness that we announce the closure of VAULT Festival and the cancellation of plans for our new London home, after failing to secure the funding required to continue. 🧵 1/8
Men will watch hours of mediocrity made by people they call visionaries and praise it like their life depends on it, but god forbid they acknowledge the power and reach of an enjoyable film that happens to be pink and features a precise, direct critique of the world they built.
At
@CadoganHall
for the
#DoctorZhivago
concert tonight and if
@LJProds
are testing the grounds to bring a full production to the West End with this, it's a yes from me.
@stageyrebecca
@TheStage
@DMTWestEnd
Sadly, it is not possible to dim the lights for all the brilliant people that have performed in the West End. Gavin will be remembered at the Olivier Awards in April. We share your admiration for his work as he was a truly wonderful actor and lovely human being.
Flight attendant: Is there a doctor onboard?
Dad: *nudging me* that should've been you
Me: Not now Dad
Dad: Not asking for a Theatre Critic to help, are they?
Me: Dad, there's a medical emergency happening right now
Dad: Go and see if “it has potential" helps