Lyn Gardner writes about theatre for The Stage & Digital Theatre. Reviews
@StagedoorLDN
Novels include the Olivia stage school series. contact
@lyngardner
.com
.
@OliverDowden
this is not a moment for self-congratulation this is the moment to refect on the fact that you are the culture minister who will go done in history for not acting and for aiding this government in an act of cultural vandalism that will destroy british theatre.
When this crisis is over I reckon artists are going to have very long memories about which orgs/producers acted in a way that was entirely self-interested, and which stood shoulder to shoulder with artists to ensure those with the least clout and money don’t take the bigger hit.
Just wanted to say thank you again for all the support over the last 36 hours. The tweets, messages, emails and complete strangers stopping me in the street (and on a train) have kept me buoyed. Thank you
The range of venues across the country which Ian McKellen is visiting next year for Ian McKellen on stage is just brilliant. The NT and the Marine Lyme Regis, the RSC and the Braid in Ballymena, the Edinburgh Int fest and Burnley Youth Theatre. Bravo.
I am quite surprised by all those
@edfringe
bound folk who have already scheduled themselves to the eyeballs and have the spread sheet to prove it. Hold your nerve guys, it is not until the fest starts that you can be sure of the hits.
Also thanks for the suggestions and ideas about how I might finance my theatre writing in the future. I have no intention of stopping seeing UK theatre in all its many forms and glorious messiness. Contact
@lyngardner
.com
Who else is going to be watching One Man, Two Guvnors tomorrow night ?
@NationalTheatre
#NationalTheatreAtHome
looking forward to live tweeting with
@StagedoorLDN
and the many others who will be doing the same. Should be fun, and only time you should tweet from a front row seat
Seen two shows so far and men not come out well from either of them. Could this be a theme emerging already? If not, I will probably succeed in turning it into one
With Madani Younis moving from
@bushtheatre
to
@southbankcentre
which is a significant move, and so many AD posts vacant this feels as if it could be a real moment of change in British theatre. Let’s hope we don’t bottle it
A tiny proportion of the industry is very busy on Zoom inventing the future, while the vast majority are wondering whether they have a future in the industry at all and fear their voices are heard less than ever.
Theatre’s future is best served by conversations that involve us all, says
@LynGardner
– the most local, networked and openly transparent organisations are best placed to be useful in this crisis – and to survive it
So
@VAULTFestival
here we go again. Off to see my first shows and cover for
@StagedoorLDN
do say hello if you spot me, and do feel free to pitch me your shows. Can’t promise to review but even if I can’t I will know something about your work and passions as a theatre-maker.
We're thrilled to announce that the fantastic
@lyngardner
has joined the DT+ team! And to celebrate, we're giving you free & instant access to our exclusive roundtable with Lyn herself,
@maddydeliqette
and Lois Keidan. Watch now!
Insane thing about
@EveningStandard
decision to dispense with experienced arts critics is that one of the things that makes London a great city is all the theatre and arts on offer.
@George_Osborne
may need to cost cut but austerity of arts coverage will only damage ES
The studio wasn’t the most comfortable or beguiling space but it served an important purpose in giving a platform to so many small shows that otherwise would never have got a further life. A shame.
Just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone for your interest and enthusiasm for
#LynsNextStep
and say the launch event is full. But very excited that I will soon be able to share future plans with you all. I am very excited.
If you have sent me an email about your show and I’ve not replied i apologise but it doesn’t mean I haven’t read but probably does mean I don’t yet know if I can schedule or not. I am here for a good while yet and still have capacity so will try to see as much as possible. Cheers
Must say that on basis of what has been announced so far the 2019
@edfringe
is shaping up to be a cracker. So much good stuff heading back and lots of new work that sounds really tasty
"In 20 years’ time, we don’t want to be looking back asking where all the new British plays are. So, we are intentionally refocusing our support on writers; developing new voices for the stage ."
@BristolOldVic
Nancy Medina announcing 5 yr commitment to new writing. Rejoice!
Oh dear, already acutely aware how many people I am going to disappoint by not getting to see their shows particularly if they are on between 1pm and 6pm.
@edfringe
would have to last all year for me to have any chance of scheduling all the shows I would like to see
No, this is not the same as being in the theatre and watching a live show with a live audience. But it is fun. Different doesn't have to mean less good. Different can just another kind of experience.
@stagedoorLDN
#NationalTheatreAtHome
#OneManTwoGuvnors
If you love theatre do this and get you Mum and dad and aunties and uncles and your friends to do this too. It’s easy and it could make a big difference. Do it now.
FAN OF THEATRE AND WANT TO HELP?
Here's a template to write to your MP.
Pass it around, pass it to family members, and RT to help.
Your 5 minutes today could help save your local theatre tomorrow.
#SaveTheArts
When I take my seat up to six times a day in fringe venues over the coming days, I will remind myself that every show is a miracle. But theatre should not have to rely on miracles; we need investment.
Hello, I am not going to reply to everyone inviting me to a show on Twitter because if I did I wouldn’t have time to see any shows. But you are very welcome to do so and if you want to follow up you can send press releases to contact
@lyngardner
.com
But I thought this was the man who was recently telling us how important regional theatre is to the whole ecology. Why not put your money where your mouth is?
Cameron Mackintosh is reconsidering whether he can still afford to redevelop the Ambassadors Theatre into a West End home for regional work after an "incredibly tough" experience renovating the Victoria Palace Theatre
So far this
@edfringe
there has not been a day when I have walked less than five miles. When did I find the time? But reckon good for the mental health if it doesn’t really mitigate the walnut whips
So here I am
@ThePleasance
shortly to see if show. If you see me, unless clearly otherwise engaged, don’t be shy but tell me about your show. Like everyone else I am looking for the needles in the haystack.
This is an essential read. A generous spirited open letter from over 100 writers of colour addressing Eurocentric dramaturgy. We need to talk about this.
So, that’s me done
@VAULTFestival
for this year, although shows running until Sunday. Thanks to the press team for facilitating me and all those companies who gave me free tickets. Sorry I couldn’t get to see you all. Final reviews tomorrow
@StagedoorLDN
I’m a Phoenix, Bitch
@BryonyKimmings
@battersea_arts
is unmissable. Part horror movie, part grimmest of fairytales, & wholly gripping account of a woman surviving the worst life can throw at her. Fascinating on motherhood. Oh and hilarious too
In other news I am having a great theatre-going week. Rashdash are in brilliant form in Three Sisters
@rxtheatre
and the Debbie Tucker Green’s double bill Random and Generations
@ChichesterFT
is haunting, suffused in grief and making absence palpable
I have had a terrific week
@VAULTFestival
haven’t seen anything I really didn’t like and seen a few things I thought were very good and have real potential
The new
@KilnTheatre
is a splendid thing, modelled on the old auditorium but modern, distinctive and very comfortable. Love the new frontage too and way that old dark entrance corridor has been so sympathetically transformed to embrace old and new
Let's talk about ACE project funding. Is it fit for purpose? Or is it broken as many people tell me. What would make it better? More money obviously. But what else. If you don't secure what is the impact on careers. Have you been affected? DM me if you want to talk about this.
My Edinburgh picks starting on
@StagedoorLDN
later today. Will be 50 in total in alphabetical order released as 10 per day. So many tantalising shows
@edfringe
this year was very hard to keep to 50. But only a guide, will be great work I haven’t mentioned
Apologies to everyone
@VAULTFestival
I had planned to see almost a dozen shows this week but a family illness has taken me out of london. Will be sad to miss them, but sometimes life just gets in the way. Hope you all smash it.
Well an excellent first day
@edfringe
. Every show I saw had something and sometimes a great deal to recommend. Death and grief clearly, and not surprisingly given the last two years, going to be major themes. The climate emergency too. Might need a bit of a laugh tomorrow.
Very pleased to say that
@EmiliaThePlay
will be the first West End show to do a performance for parents/carers and babies. LET THEM ROAR. Matinee on Weds 24th April. Thanks
@TheGoggin
&
@mogster
for inspiring us. Book at
Went to
#TheOffies
last night and it was a real pleasure both inclusive and celebratory. So lovely to see the London theatre which is less widely reviewed getting the profile it deserves
@OliverDowden
@VisitBritain
@HuddlestonNigel
Eh, what about theatre? It is as much part of the UK tourism offer as b&bs but it also does crucial work within communities and tells us the stories of who we are and what we dream of back to ourselves. Theatre is collapsing before your very eyes and you do nothing.
Great to see so many offers of advice and help from producers at all stages of their careers for the so many affected by the cancellation of
@VAULTFestival
due to Covid. Sometimes the generosity of theatre folk makes my heart sing.
A wonderful evening
@battersea_arts
seeing the grand hall come alive again after the fire with the resumption of the run of Gecko’s Missing. The building is beautiful, the welcome warm, the future bright. A Phoenix indeed
So, so sorry to hear this. Such an impact on emerging artists and on a festival that has tried so hard to give them the boost they need at this heartbreaking time.
It is with broken hearts that we announce the decision to cancel VAULT Festival 2022. Our full statement follows in the thread below and is available now on our website at:
If you enjoyed Treasure Island, remember it draws on the talent of actors and artists who work in theatres all over the country. Please donate to your local theatre. They need you.
@StagedoorLDN
#NationalTheatreAtHome
#TreasureIsland
The Jungle
@youngvictheatre
is quite remarkable: simple and yet complex; devastating and yet uplifting. Would have made my best of the year if it had opened earlier. Crucial.
Odd how a tiny shift in accommodation location in Edinburgh changes your entire geographical perception of city. I am less than 10 mins walk from where I stayed last year but feels like another world
To write a play is an act of bravery, a revolutionary act.
@kwamekweiarmah
speaking at launch of
@bruntwoodprize
which is such a brilliant competition because there is not just one winner but many
Just arrived
@edfringe
via the West Coast. First time my journey has involved sheep on the road (twice). Seeing Daughter
@canadahubfringe
in just over half a hour. No queue
@Summerhallery
toilets. That won’t last.
The wonderful Dance Nation is only on until Saturday
@AlmeidaTheatre
and there are still tickets available. I wouldn’t want to miss. Definitely in my top 10 of the year so far
What kind of theatre tells a mother and beautifully behaved baby they can’t return after the interval? The adults eating sweets are far noisier
#royalandderngate
We kid ourselves that theatre is as unlike Uber, which has no cars, or Deliveroo that has no kitchens, as Mary Poppins is from King Herod. But is this true? Theatre has few artists on salary.
What I've liked a lot: Dark Noon, The Ice Hole, Help! I Think I'm a Nationalist, You are Going to Die, Stuntman, Funeral, Woodhill, Birthmarked, Strategic Love Play, Oh My Heart, My Home, Self-Raising, It's a Motherf**king Pleasure, International House of Vape.