The Stage is the UK's primary source of news and information about all aspects of the performing arts industry. First published in 1880, we're still going strong as a weekly newspaper, but also have a thriving website, range of ebooks and a podcast.
Information
- Founded:
- 1880
The Stage Review:
Old Fire Station, Oxford: With the festive season imminent, theatre troupes are dusting off the red slippers and magic carpets in preparation for their family shows - or in Oxfordshire Theatre Company's case, their kotos and kimonos. Read the full review
There are now 22 bids in the running to become the UK's first 'City of Culture' in 2013, as final deadline for applications approaches next month.
The Stage More about the ATG/Live Nation deal from this week's paper
Source: thestage.co.uk
ATG's growth into the largest theatre operator in the UK represents a remarkable achievement, writes Alistair Smith
The world's longest running musical, The Fantasticks, is to come to the West End in a new production, opening at the Duchess Theatre in May, 2010.
Choreographer Arlene Phillips, who was recently announced as one of the government's Dance Champions, has been appointed as a board member of Sadler's Wells.
The Irish arts sector in general is worth €782m a year to the economy, provides 26,519 jobs and contributes €352m in taxes, according to a report just published.
Anthony Head, Lesley Manville and Obi Abili are to star in the Old Vic's revival of John Guare's 1990 play Six Degrees of Separation.
The Stage Shenton's View:
Itâs been a busy week for British theatre offstage as well as on, in ways that will have lasting repercussions for the way the theatrical landscape plays out in the coming years. And its both on the commercial and subsidised fronts, not to mention the often-forgotten sector in between, that canât and doesnât make... money, but doesnât get subsidy, either, namely the London fringe. On the commercial front, the big news, of course, is the consolidation of Ambassador Theatre Group into the largest theatre owning group in the country with...Read more
Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse's production of The Caretaker starring Jonathan Pryce is to transfer to the West End's Trafalgar Studios next year.
The Stage TV Today:
Where Do You Want Me? (A Comic in Continental Crisis) Radio 4, Saturday 10.30am Something that our light entertainment correspondents in The Stage have been covering over recent years is the growth of entertainment prospects in Spanish resorts that cater to British holidaymakers. Johnny Vegas,...
The Stage TV Today:
Where Do You Want Me? (A Comic in Continental Crisis) Radio 4, Saturday 10.30am Something that our light entertainment correspondents in The Stage have been covering over recent years is the growth of entertainment prospects in Spanish resorts that cater to British holidaymakers. Johnny Vegas,...
Z Cars writer Alan Plater is penning a new period drama for ITV called Joe Maddison's War, which will star Kevin Whately and Robson Green.
The Stage TV Today:
The Armstrong and Miller Show (Friday 9.30pm, BBC1) Itâs gentle, itâs cosy, itâs very British, and above all, itâs a sketch show thatâs funny. Hurrah for Armstrong and Miller! Comedy Showcase: Campus (Friday 10pm, C4/C4 HD) Channel 4 embarks on another exercise in looking for...
The National Theatre Wales, the country's new English language theatre company, has announced its inaugural season comprising a series of 13 site-specific works that will "theatrically map Wales".
The Stage Review:
Above the Stag, London: Based on the real life trial and conviction of an underground comic book writer, David Johnston's pitch-black comedy acts as an indictment of censorship, while never quite focusing clearly enough to land any killer blows. Read the full review
HQ Theatres managing director Michael Ockwell has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Grand Opera House, Belfast.
The Stage TV Today:
Thereâs a lot of points to wade through which could fill a small book, but in the last couple of days, Channel 4, the clearly misunderstood problem child of British broadcasting, has been having one of its occasional moans. First, outgoing chief executive Andy Duncan...
Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw has proposed reclassifying production companies owned by Channel 3 licence holders, such as STV and UTV, as independent producers, in a bid to stimulate production throughout the UK.
Control of Jongleurs, the UK-wide chain of comedy clubs that celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, is to revert to the brand's founder Maria Kempinska in January following the collapse of current licensees Regent Inns.
Terry Burns has been named as the new chairman of Channel 4.
The Stage Review:
Royal Opera House, London: Premiering last night, Limen, Wayne McGregor's exploration of limits and thresholds, is a beautiful sensory contradiction. Read the full review
The Stage Shenton's View:
The critic, as Iâve often said here before, isnât the final word (or even the first) on the state of the art weâre crticising: weâre just part of the dialogue, in which its various makers and its consumers converse. I do hope, though, that by virtue of our passion and our knowledge, we (or at least some of us!)... are an informed part of it. But the gauntlet is being thrown down, of course, by the expanded opportunities that the internet provides for everyone to take part in that conversation;...Read more
Channel 4 head of programming Julian Bellamy has criticised rival broadcasters for trying not to offend audiences, which he said had resulted in "less surprise and variety" on television today.
The Donmar Warehouse's production of Hamlet, starring Jude Law and directed by Michael Grandage, has revealed that it has fully recouped its $2.5 million (£1.5 million) capitalization costs as of the week ending November 1.
The Stage Education blog: Money for school theatre trips: Hurrah http://bit.ly/DmZWF
ITV is predicting a 4% increase in advertising revenues next month, which would be the first increase the broadcaster has seen in 18 months.
The Stage Grads' Club:
And indeed little did I know that in the short period since leaving drama school I’d taste such an array of metaphorical flavours. In true chocolate box style, however, things haven’t always been toffee pennies and strawberry creams… I’ve had to endure the odd coconut...
The Stage Review:
Queen's, Hornchurch: On stage in an abandoned thirties theatre, they're celebrating Sir Charles Jasper's inheritance. The cast have polished up their best RP accents for the upper classes with misplaced aspirates for the lower orders in this revival of Emlyn Williams' cliched, rarely performed backstage mystery. Read the full review
The Stage Review:
Library, Manchester: How refreshing to see Chris Honer's exhilarating new production inject fresh life into Bertolt Brecht's sometimes cumbersome classic. Read the full review
Technical and backstage union Bectu has welcomed the Ambassador Theatre Group's £90 million purchase of Live Nation's UK theatres, saying it ends a long period of "uncertainty and speculation" for staff at the venues.
West End comedy Prick Up Your Ears is set to close early due to poor ticket sales, following Matt Lucas' withdrawal from the show.
