Rona Kelly - Page 3

Music sits very much at the heart of director Rebecca Fracknell's vision of Summer and Smoke, the stage surrounded by pianos. Giving us an insight into how that world is created on stage, actor Forbes Masson also shares how that music continues offstage with a certain cast tradition.

'Forget, forgive, conclude and be agreed...' Sure, the Almeida's The Tragedy of King Richard the Second is one you won't soon forget, thanks to stand out performances from Simon Russell Beale and Leo Bill. Even staunch devotees of the original text will be able to forgive Jeff James' edit, which lifts and drives the piece. But to conclude: it's unlikely that all will agree on Joe Hill-Gibbins' chaotic and sometimes polarizing vision.

Discussing how relevant the play is to not only our time but this very week, Saskia Reeves also shares the joys of working on Shakespeare with Declan Donnellan and Joe Hill-Gibbins, 'directors who have real imagination and love the text and storytelling'.

Straight off her win for Best Actress in a New Production of a Play at BroadwayWorld's UK Awards, Patsy Ferran shares what it's like to have a character in your head for that long a time. Taking us through how her own impressions of Alma have changed, she also reveals just how Alma has changed her too.

Having recently worked on a number of musicals (including the acclaimed Half a Sixpence), Rachel Kavanaugh returns to the RSC for a play which has some ghosts of the past and present. Sharing some of her earliest experiences with theatre, Rachel reveals what it's like to work alongside a figure from then, and what audiences can expect from this show now.

The Royal Shakespeare Company brings their latest season to the Barbican this Winter, made up of Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and The Merry Wives of Winter. A number of the cast appear in one or two of these shows; Stevie Basaula features in all three, taking on more than ten roles.

The Tell-Tale Heart marks Tamara Lawrance's third appearance at the National Theatre. Reuniting with writer Anthony Neilson, Tamara gives us an insight into his rehearsal rooms, how they've adapted originally a six page story, and what audiences can expect from the play.

Chatting to the teams at the Prince Edward Theatre (Aladdin) and the Theatre Royal Haymarket (Heathers the Musical), both explained how being 'a people person' is so key to the role. In addition to being the eyes and ears of the theatre, in a way they're the heart of it too, a sentiment echoed by others in the buildings...

Kathryn Hunter returns to the Royal Shakespeare Company to take on the titular role in Timon of Athens. Simon Godwin's production marks the first time this play has been staged with a female lead at the RSC. Kathryn, however, is no stranger to taking on such parts.

Fiddler on the Roof returns to the London stage this Winter. Trevor Nunn's already sold out production is currently in rehearsals, before it opens at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Playing Yente, Louise Gold shares her journey across stage and screen, how the show resonates with her, and how she thinks it will resonate with London today.

Playing the Wicked Witch of the West, actor Jos Vantyler shares the challenges of taking on such well-known roles, the joys of performing villains, and what audiences can expect from the show.

Appearing in a gender swapping Measure for Measure, Lowden returns to the London stage at the Donmar Warehouse. Tackling the subjects of gender and sexual misconduct, Lowden shares just how much the play resonates today, how audiences are reacting, and the joys of doubling characters alongside Hayley Atwell.

The latest incarnation of Anais Mitchell's musical sees it cross the river to the other side, playing to UK audiences before heading to Broadway. The result: an otherworldly experience with sublime staging.

Sam Shepard's True West opens at the Vaudeville later this month. This marks one of numerous productions of the show to play the West End and Broadway, in the year following the acclaimed playwright's death. Appearing in her first Shepard play, Madeleine Potter talks to us about her admiration for the writer, her discoveries from the text, and just why this production 'must' resonate today.

Grounded in the text with clear intentions from the director and actors, Erica Whyman's Romeo and Juliet feels like you're hearing the play anew.

We sat down to talk to the lovers themselves Orpheus and Eurydice: Reeve Carney who returns to the production, and Eva Noblezada who joins it anew. With the National Olivier being the largest venue the show has played to date, the two share how the revolves are helping to tell the story, how else the show has changed, and Broadway audiences vs. West End ones.

Actress and writer Charlotte Josephine features in her first season for the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. Catching up on the first day of rehearsals for the London transfer, Charlotte spoke to us about how Erica Whyman's production will resonate with audiences, as well as what it's like taking on a role normally played by a man and speaking 'forbidden' words.

2018 has seen Rosalie Craig take on jobs side by side at the Gielgud. Appearing in The Ferryman earlier this year, Rosalie returns for Company in a role normally played by a man. Sharing her love of Bobbie, Rosalie looks back on her other roles that came before, how Company speaks to today, and looks to the future of the production.

Current Resident Puppetry Director for the National Theatre, Matthew Forbes' journey to this role actually started with War Horse. Knowing the puppets inside out, Matthew shares his insights into working with puppets and what it takes to bring Joey and his friends to life on stage every night. (Spoiler: they have their own vets!)

Kevin Harvey returns to the Almeida (that is a truth), for his seventh (that is a lie) first Ibsen play: The Wild Duck. Catching up during rehearsals, Kevin talks to us about tackling Ibsen, the relevance of the play today, and reuniting with director Robert Icke.