Category: theatre

“Western-style ‘speaking theater,’ as it is known here, isn’t indigenous to China, where opera and other forms have long dominated the theater scene. But that is now changing. Festivals, like the one in Chengdu, are part of a national drive to bring a new kind of theater to smaller cities in China.”

Michael Billington: “I would argue that, while absurdism was a fascinating historical phenomenon,” but for about half a dozen masterpieces by Beckett and Ionesco, “it now looks increasingly irrelevant. … [P]erhaps we now demand more from drama than a cry of anguish at the absurdity of the human condition.”

Mike Myers, creator and star of the cinematic ’60s spy spoof franchise, is writing the script for a stage musical – a prequel to the films that explains how Austin Powers became a superspy. Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello are reportedly writing the songs.

Matt Trueman: “There’s no doubting the influence and importance of international work. The question is: does it fall within the National’s remit? I’d say yes.”

“Before Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar first hit off-Broadway and Broadway, respectively, 40 years ago … who but the most prescient or devout would have laid odds on any musical that ended with a crucifixion? But both shows have been entertaining audiences ever since. And there’s no sign of either of them wearing thin.”

“Instead of publishing the script of his recent play, The Blue Dragon, Lepage’s theatre company Ex Machina decided to take an entirely different route, commissioning Quebec City-based artist Fred Jourdain to transform it into a graphic novel.”

Branded plays and ballets made from favorite children’s books might drive parents a little crazy, but the kiddies learn to love theatre and dance early on – which, of course, may lead to more patronage later.

Things may be looking up, at least a little, at least for some nonprofit theatres, finds the Theatre Communications Group – at least if one doesn’t look too hard at the cash flow problem.

Interest in the animals of war, both from the hit play and the new movie, reinvigorates a post-WWI charity still caring for warhorses around the world. (Moral? Get Steven Spielberg interested in your cause.)

Cinderella, the only work the pair created specifically for television, first aired in 1957 with Julie Andrews in the title role. The piece has since been staged many times in the US and abroad (including at New York City Opera), but never on Broadway – until next season.