Category: theatre

A new British internet venture aims to promote British theatre, enabling visitors to “go backstage” with interactive video access to the cast and companies. Visitors will able to chat with actors, watch rehearsals and see some of the backstage trauma involved in putting on a theatrical production. Also online will be 3-D virtual reality models of set designs, costumes and the theatres, as well as digital excerpts of plays. – The Independent (UK)

More theatre is produced in Los Angeles than in any city in the US, including New York. But more often than not, the cast outnumbers the audience in dozens of small 99-seat theaters spread out throughout the metropolitan area. “Audience apathy can partially be attributed to there being no theater center in Los Angeles.” – Los Angeles Times

Auckland’s theatre community is in dire need of more space. Without it, say local directors, more and more of New Zealand’s talent is likely to leave for Australia. – New Zealand Herald

— at the age of 96. – Dallas Morning News (AP)

In the digital age, theatre seems so old-fashioned, so not of the future. But maybe we need it now more than ever. How did the art of theatre fall into such neglect? – The Observer (UK)

Stephen Sondheim is 70 this year and sounding a bit glum. His most recent project failed to get out of workshop and onto Broadway. But “his works constitute a show business force of nature, unmatched and unapproached in their ardor, stylistic variety, intelligence, complexity, thematic depth, wit and stirring expansiveness.” – San Francisco Chronicle

Arthur and Barbara Gelb published the definitive biography of Eugene O’Neill in 1962 and helped establish his reputation as one of America’s finest playwrights. Nearly 40 years later, previously unavailable O’Neill papers have surfaced at Yale. The Gelbs decided to completely rewrite their 758-page book, which has been re-released this week. – New York Times

An ad depicted an elderly African woman’s wrinkled breasts was placed in an advertising trade magazine mocking the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), whose members are currently striking against advertisers. The ad has drawn protests of racism and sexism by actors. – Washington Post

There’s something of a revival of the plays of Oscar Wilde around the 100th anniversary of his death. They’re even making films of his lesser-known plays. What is it about his work that seems to interest us so much right now? – The Globe and Mail (Canada)

Three weeks into their strike, morale among members of the Screen Actors Guild is high – and commercial producers seem to be getting their message. More than 500 interim agreements have already been signed, guaranteeing union members pay-per-play compensation during productions shot during the strike. “We’ve done picket lines all week long … Everybody’s pumped up.” – Backstage