Category: theatre

“Yes, it’s fair and interesting to ask which direction theatre or live comedy are going in. But we must also celebrate both the size and the success of the fringe, as well as all other arts events drawing even a fraction of a fringe-sized audience. They are a vital part of our culture.”

“Why does it feel so difficult to do political work when we’re living through one of the most critical periods of human history? I suspect the answer may have something to do with a desire (of audiences and theatre-makers alike) to look for distraction rather than reflections of our frightening reality.”

Joy Zinoman: “[To] feel the responsibility of it being shared and also personally not having to measure out my life in coffee spoons – the thought of freedom is really delicious to me. On the other hand, my relationships with people there are also very deep, so that’s extremely difficult to figure out how we separate.”

According to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s artistic director, Michael Boyd, the revamped theatre will provide “the best auditorium for performing Shakespeare anywhere”. For Shakespeare fans, the facelift is long overdue.

Royal Shakespeare Company artistic director Michael Boyd says that he wants “to use [the new facility’s] opening to put amateur theatre ‘centre stage’ and help overcome the ‘crucifix and garlic’ attitude between professional and amateur sectors.”

“Lloyd Webber will choose the stronger of two productions and bring that one to New York at some point. This is the kind of scheme — expensive, theatrical, preposterous, harebrained — that’s earned Lloyd Webber his own nickname: Lord Bonkers.”

“The Royal Shakespeare Company has spent four years and £112m redeveloping the theatres. The reopening will be low key, with visitors invited to watch previews but with full performances not starting until February 2011.”

“Overall, Broadway box offices grossed $16.1 million last week, compared to $18.1 million the previous week and $16.9 million for the comparable week in 2009. The summertime slump traditionally lingers into late September or early October, depending on the show.”

“Presented biennially ‘to award excellence in American Theater,’ the first winners [of the newly-established prize in honor of the late playwright] include Lynne Nottage’s Ruined for Outstanding New American Play and Will Eno’s Middletown for Promising New American Play.”

“If you use the standard measuring stick of the commercial theater – which is to say, whether it recouped the investment it took to bring it to the stage — then the reportedly $50 million musical could stay hot until next year’s Tony Awards and easily not qualify.”