Category: theatre

London’s National Theatre is having a boffo first year in its first year under artistic director Nicholas Hytner. The theatre is “enjoying the sort of critical and commercial success to which most theaters on the other side of the Atlantic can only aspire.”

“The conflict between theatrical producers and the musicians’ union, which a year ago shut down Broadway for four days, has reared its head again. The arena this time is Off-Broadway, where the new musical The Joys of Sex has provoked a standoff with Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians. When it was performed at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2002, The Joys of Sex had three musicians in the pit. For its transfer to the 499-seat Variety Arts, producer Ben Sprecher and composer David Weinstein decided to augment the score with a Sinfonia, an electronic music-making device. Local 802 adamantly denounces the Sinfonia as a ‘virtual orchestra machine’ and has refused to sign a production agreement with Sprecher.”

What is it about Irish playwrights? “No one seems to know what makes it happen. Some claim it’s the weather, others insist it’s the whiskey. But if one of the major qualities that a good stage writer needs is the ability to create sparkling dialogue, then the legendary “gift of the gab” that comes with an Irish heritage must surely be part and parcel of the deal.”

“In the next 18 months, eight new theaters with more than 4,000 seats will open in Greater Boston, ranging from the 2,500-seat Boston Opera House, large enough for Broadway blockbusters, to intimate ‘black boxes’ designed for experimental theater and dance.” In a city long short of good performance space, the building boom will give Boston audiences a stunning array of choices for the first time.

Suddenly, there are all sorts of plays in London telling true stories – theatre as journalism – or journalism as theatre. “The curtain rises on a new hunt for reality – or semblance of reality.” But is this theatre? Journalism? Both? And what happens to the facts in the process?

A production of The Vagina Monolgue starring Hollywood actresses Jane Fonda and Marisa Tomei has been banned in the Indian city of Madras. The show, which has been a controversial sell-out around the world, explores female sexuality and strength through individual women telling their stories through monologues. Madras police refused permission to stage the show after finding certain portions of the script ‘objectionable’ and warning it could pose a threat to public order.”

Meera Syal has a big London success in London with her musical Bombay Dreams. She’s hoping the show will translate to New York next month. “You wouldn’t have put money on Bombay Dreams. It isn’t based on a pop group’s output or a film, it features a whole new culture and an unknown cast. And even though [composer] AR Rahman is a demi-god in India, he was unknown to anyone here who didn’t watch Hindi films.”

What’s with all these musicals based on pop songs? “What’s baffling about musicals about music is their tautologous nature – it’s like baking a pie pie. Worse, however, is that everything that might have been good about original rock/pop subject matter – its fleeting, perfectly glistening moments – is obliterated in these mercenary productions, these Trocaderofications of rock, in which the glorious past becomes the cheap and waxen perma-present. What’s sad is how many artists, from Suggs to Rod Stewart, are prepared to collaborate in the ruin of their own often already dubious reputations.”

Last year actress Annabelle Gurwitch was hired by Woody Allen for his new play. She was thrilled. But quickly after rehearsals began, he changed his mind. “I just couldn’t believe Woody Allen was ruining my Woody Allen experience!” she cried. Less than two weeks after rehearsals began, she was replaced – fired – and she slunk back to L.A., “like a small-time crook.” Now she’s taken the experience, and in true show biz fashion…

“A Manhattan company that makes a so-called virtual orchestra machine, an advanced synthesizer used to mimic the sound of live musicians, has filed an unfair labor practice claim accusing the Broadway musicians’ union of unfairly preventing theater and music companies from using its product.”