Here’s What She Said To Me: What do we pass on?

Utopia Theatre, a leading voice for African Theatre in the UK, presents Here’s What She Said To Me, a powerful piece of storytelling drama that follows three generations of proud African women connecting with each other across two continents, across time and space. Written by Oladipo Agbolaje and directed by Mojisola Elufowoju, this moving show demonstrates a rich cultural heritage and consciousness. Continue reading

Fences and dirt: The Bone Sparrow

Presented by Pilot Theatre in co-production with York Theatre Royal, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Mercury Theatre Colchester and Derby Theatre, this world stage premiere of Zana Fraillon’s acclaimed book captures a painfully pertinent story of refugee experience. Continue reading

Sleeping Beauty: theatre review

York Theatre Royal’s pantomime dame retired last year after 40 years of extraordinary success. Given what Berwick Kayler’s panto must have brought to the theatre’s coffers, I’d imagined this loss sparking a panicky but exciting meeting, with acres of sugar paper dedicated to mapping out the fresh start. How to sell loyal fans a new dame? Continue reading

Hello and Goodbye: “When the time comes…”

Marking the return of in-house productions to the Studio, York Theatre Royal Associate Artist John R. Wilkinson – Genesis Future Director Award 2018 (Young Vic) – directs internationally acclaimed playwright Athol Fugard’s deceptively simple domestic drama Hello and Goodbye. Continue reading

When The Rain Stops Falling: inherited tragedies

A York premiere and launch production for new theatre company Rigmarole, Andrew Bovell’s award-winning 2008 play When the Rain Stops Falling addresses the most important issue of our times: “Are we prepared to pass on the damage from the past to our children?” Continue reading

Cinderella the Physicist: theatre preview

“They’re my new friends, Buttons! My Ugly – on the inside – Step – not that that’s relevant – sister said I couldn’t go to the Royal Twins’ party and they used physics to help me. We should lure sister into the wardrobe with sweets? That’s mean! Let’s do it though.” Continue reading

Malory Towers: Grade A Girl Power

Where to begin? The present: to a mixture of current and nineties pop songs, this year’s bad guys assemble outside the Head Teacher’s office in a British secondary school. Quickly, character traits and dynamics are established before a pair of girls fighting over a diary sends one into unconsciousness, starting off this adaptation of Malory Towers with an Oz-like dream framework. Continue reading