At a time when many theatre lovers have been starved of live entertainment, The Stage has swooped in to give us a much needed dose of all things theatre. The Debut Awards, the only celebration on the UK theatre scene to congratulate breakthrough talent, will be live-streamed for free viewing on Sunday 27th December. If […]Read More
A pantomime production of Aladdin has come under fire this week, with many accusing the directors of “casual racism” after they cast two white people as ‘The Chinese Policemen’ in an already all-white cast. The production, set to run at the Forum Theatre in Billingham from 1st December, put up posters of the pantomime, showing […]Read More
2020 has not been a good year for the arts (or for anyone really!). British theatres have been closed since March. However, all hope is not lost! 2021 is looking like it’s going to be a great year for British theatre. Here’s everything to look forward to. Read More
Dear Mr Dowden, Oliver – if you will. I’m writing to you because, well, I have some questions. A few days ago, you expressed that you wanted theatres open by Christmas. You floated the idea of offering mass testing to audiences and therefore being able to scrap social distancing measures. Now, I feel like I’ve […]Read More
The pleasure of a trip to the theatre, with its limited tickets and overpriced ice-creams, is often an expensive hobby that leaves working-class communities behind. This exclusivity is not helped by the fact that, over the last decade, the arts have been consistently neglected on a national level. From creative arts subjects being culled in […]Read More
The government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme finished at the end of August (although some businesses have extended their involvement with the scheme) and it was a huge success. The latest statistics show that diners claimed 100 million meals and it gave the hospitality industry, as well as the economy more generally, a much-needed […]Read More
It has been revealed that only 16% of those employed in the arts and culture industry are working class, according to a report by Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC). This, as well as other statistics in PEC’s report, has revealed a huge social class imbalance, raising concerns about the inclusivity of the arts […]Read More
Since the theatre industry’s final curtain call on 16th March 2020, the West End and other theatres across the UK have yet to fully reopen. Performers and crew members have been left waiting in the wings until theatreland can properly be resumed and enjoyed. We are yet to fully understand the overall effects of the […]Read More
As COVID-19 rates decline, and we begin steps towards reopening the economy, the arts are likely to be one of the final industries to get back on its feet. Last week, it was reported that Blackpool Grand Theatre could face permanent closure if it is not successful in receiving a government rescue grant. The theatre, […]Read More
“The show will go on” – but at what cost? On August 18th 2020, Bristol Hippodrome came under fire for their recent advert calling for volunteers to perform at their Piano Bar, which re-opened on August 13th. The advert was highly criticised on social media, branded as “shameful” and “disgusting” by members of the public. […]Read More
The Watermill Theatre has announced an extension to its productions of Camelot (now running from 17th August to 6th September) and The Hound of the Baskervilles (running from 29th July to 5th September) after the original runs sold out within twenty-four hours of ticket release. The small, rural theatre – converted from an old watermill […]Read More
The world's largest celebration of arts and culture looks a little different in 2020.Read More
The theatre industry has been hit incredibly hard by lockdown. Before the government’s £1.57 billion rescue package, there was no support for the arts industry. However, in the midst of the chaos and constant stream of bad news, the industry came together to support each other and provide well needed entertainment for the public. It […]Read More
This time last year, the idea of a cast of twenty-six actors rehearsing on Zoom would have been laughable, but now it has become daily life for the Isolation Ensemble. In the spirit of the 2.6 Challenge, an initiative to help save charities in the UK, an ensemble of twenty-six actors have banded together to […]Read More
The theatre industry and performers all over the world face challenges like never before. What, if anything, can critics do to help ensure that theatre survives?Read More
