Marianka Swain - Page 16

It's 60 years since Harold Pinter's play premiered - and flopped - at Lyric Hammersmith, baffling critics (with one exception) and audiences alike. Now, we expect the sinister subversion of both the seemingly mundane setting and the dramatic form that Pinter the jobbing actor knew from rep: that of the sub-Christie mystery thriller. But played well, as it is here by a starry cast, the play still has the power to unsettle.

Actor Peter Wight's career varies from Robert Icke's recent Hamlet to a range of classical and contemporary work with the National Theatre, Royal Court and RSC, plus multiple Mike Leigh films. His current project is the 60th-anniversary revival of Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party, now in previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a major Pinter revival to Wilde, Schiller and some exciting transfers, here are this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews!

Does Hamilton live up the hype - and will it appeal to British audiences? Yes, and yes again. It's not like America has a monopoly on national identity crisis, leadership, immigration, parenthood, grief, sex scandals and political rivalries. But beyond that, it's just a blisteringly great night out: universally thrilling entertainment.

The puppet who wants to be a real boy is all grown up in this new musical version - very much the darker side of Disney. Book writer Dennis Kelly went back to the original 19th-century Italian tale, by Collodi, and tonally, John Tiffany's production leans more towards that incarnation: a Pinocchio recognisably in the tradition of grim Grimms' Fairy Tales.

Offstage drama infamously hijacked the 1995 premiere of Simon Gray's play, with star Stephen Fry walking out mid-run - hastening the production's early closing. Here, then, is a chance to put the focus back on the work itself in Edward Hall's revival.

The Menier has a superb track record with breathing new life into classic musicals, but falls short with their latest revival: Cy Coleman's 1980 portrait of P.T. Barnum, creator of The Greatest Show on Earth . In stripping back some of the spectacle for this smaller space, Gordon Greenberg's production reveals the work's weaknesses as well as those of its leading man.

Hamilton finally makes its UK debut at the Victoria Palace Theatre tomorrow night. Need a quick primer on the musical phenomenon? Here's the lowdown

Actress Lucie Shorthouse stars in new musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie, which transferred from Sheffield to the West End's Apollo Theatre - garnering rave reviews, including plenty of praise for Shorthouse's breakout turn as Pritti.

Hackney Empire's 2017 Christmas pantomime Cinderella runs at the East London venue until 31 December. Writer and director Susie McKenna gives us a sneak peek at its creation - watch the video below!

A big hit at Sheffield Crucible, new British musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie - based on a documentary about a teenage boy coming out as a drag queen - is now a hit in the West End. Amanda Holden popped backstage on opening night to chat to John McCrea, who plays Jamie. Check out the video below!

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a feverishly anticipated musical to sci-fi and Shakespeare, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews and find our top Christmas picks here!

Lizzy Connolly's past work includes On the Town, The Wild Party, Once in a Lifetime and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. She's now tackling Anne Washburn's adaptation of TV classic The Twilight Zone at Almeida Theatre; previews begin 5 December.

The Young Vic's highly praised West End production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof will be broadcast to cinemas around the world on 22 February 2018, marking the fourth collaboration between The Young Vic and National Theatre Live. Watch a trailer for the broadcast below!

English Touring Theatre, Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Rose Theatre Kingston present Sam Holcroft's darkly funny RULES FOR LIVING.

English Touring Theatre, Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Rose Theatre Kingston present Sam Holcroft's darkly funny RULES FOR LIVING.

English Touring Theatre, Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Rose Theatre Kingston present Sam Holcroft's darkly funny RULES FOR LIVING. Check out the cast telling Christmas cracker jokes below!

News as showbiz, entire networks and even a reality TV President fuelled by articulating popular rage, and gradual corporate dehumanisation: we are now living Paddy Chayefsky's satirical dystopia. Lee Hall's astute adaptation recognises that the 1976 movie needs little updating to feel like a searing indictment of 2017.

Christmas is upon us, and the capital, as usual, is serving up a veritable feast of festive offerings. Here are some of London's finest

Nicholas Hytner, former Artistic Director of the National Theatre in London, discusses his memoir BALANCING ACTS and new Bridge Theatre