From page to stage – and everything in between
The latest news, reviews and features on theatre, books, TV, culture and life
In his long and distinguished career, Ian McKellen has played Hamlet twice, in productions 50 years apart. In 1971 he took the rôle on tour and in the West End and then last year, aged 81, he revisited it in a age, colour, and gender-blind production at the Theatre Royal, Windsor. Despite Covid, that four-month... Continue Reading →
In the latest on-sale, the Pleasance have ensured the programme is packed full of the best comedy, theatre and performance! Pleasance favourites Seann Walsh and Tall Stories will be back this year. There’s even more to enjoy online with a new digital showcase as well as the National Partnership Award shows heading to the world... Continue Reading →
With the first of their comedy shows now on-sale, Pleasance’s Edinburgh Fringe programme is packed with some of the top names on the circuit as well as the most exciting newcomers. There will also be innovative reinterpretations of works by household favourites including Roald Dahl and Shakespeare. Further shows will also be released online for... Continue Reading →
The 2020 Edinburgh Fringe may have been cancelled but 133 new plays that were scheduled to premiere this year are competing for The Popcorn Award’s £5,000 prizes for the best new writing. The 15-strong judging 2020 committee is today revealed - and is made up of a carefully selected group of mavericks from theatre, film,... Continue Reading →
The doors to the Courtyard may be closed this summer but the Pleasance Theatre Trust are already thinking ahead to 2021. To mark the first day of what would have been the 2020 Edinburgh Fringe, they are giving one lucky Fringe fan a chance to win a pair of free tickets to every show at... Continue Reading →
Today Underbelly has launched a fundraiser to support artists who were due to appear at Underbelly Fringe 2020. 100% of all donations received will go straight to artists from this year’s planned programme and who desperately need this help. By donating the cost of a ticket, £12, you can help artists bridge the loss of... Continue Reading →
2019 saw Pleasance’s trophy cabinet once again include both annual Edinburgh Comedy Awards, Fringe Firsts, a Total Theatre Award and countless other wins. The 2020 programme will continue this great work with exciting newcomers, game-changing international artists and Pleasance stalwarts who delight audiences year on year. Kicking things off, Pleasance have launched the 2020 programme... Continue Reading →
Caitlin McEwan's play Bible John centres around a Glasgow-based serial killer in the 1960s and has recently enjoyed a run in Edinburgh and London. I caught up with Caitlin to find out more. Can you tell me more about the production? Bible John explores the morbid fascination that many people, and predominantly women, have with... Continue Reading →
Following successful runs at the Park Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe, Endless Second has arrived at London's Pleasance Theatre. The play explores consent within relationships and how two people deal with the trauma of rape. I spoke with writer Theo Toksvig-Stewart, director Camilla Gürtler and stage manager Charlotte Brown to find out more. Can you tell me... Continue Reading →
Currently running at the Pleasance, Bobby & Amy has won a prestigious Scotsman Fringe First Award. Having won a Fringe First with her previous work Rainbow, Emily Jenkins’ powerful new play is a dark comedy about friendship, heartache and the repercussions of foot-and-mouth disease, which asks what happens when our way of life is threatened... Continue Reading →
From page to stage - and everything in between 