The Stage
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The Stage is the world’s oldest and best theatre publication 🗞️
Working with celebrities isn’t always plain sailing, writes experienced stage manager Stewart Arnott 👇
Stewart Arnott on meeting your idols
Beware of meeting your idols, says Stewart Arnott, stalwart West End stage manager, as they may disappoint you
www.thestage.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Working with celebrities isn’t always plain sailing, writes experienced stage manager Stewart Arnott 👇
★★ Review: Dracapella – Musical parody of Bram Stoker’s gothic novel is tedious even for silly season.
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Read The Stage's review 👇
Dracapella review at Park Theatre, London: tedious even for silly season
Read our review of Dracapella at London’s Park Theatre. Musical parody of Bram Stoker’s gothic novel is tedious even for silly season
www.thestage.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 11:58 PM
★★ Review: Dracapella – Musical parody of Bram Stoker’s gothic novel is tedious even for silly season.
Read The Stage's review 👇
Read The Stage's review 👇
★★★★★ Review: Oor Wee Mammy McGoose – Energetic panto is small but mighty 👇
Oor Wee Mammy McGoose review at The King’s, Kirkcaldy: small but mighty
www.thestage.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
★★★★★ Review: Oor Wee Mammy McGoose – Energetic panto is small but mighty 👇
★★★ Review: Oliver Twist – Dark Dickensian drama wrapped in the glow of Christmas spirit 👇
Oliver Twist review at Hull Truck Theatre: drama wrapped in Christmas spirit
www.thestage.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 5:51 PM
★★★ Review: Oliver Twist – Dark Dickensian drama wrapped in the glow of Christmas spirit 👇
Melton Theatre in Leicestershire is to be sold after proposals to salvage it were found to lack financial heft.
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Leicestershire theatre to be sold after three failed attempts to save it
Melton Theatre in Leicestershire is to be sold after proposals to salvage it were found to lack financial heft
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December 9, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Melton Theatre in Leicestershire is to be sold after proposals to salvage it were found to lack financial heft.
Read more 👇
Read more 👇
‘The showcase can serve as a catalyst for artistic growth and improvement in the sector’
The driving forces behind organised theatrical marketplaces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Greece and Kosovo tell The Stage about the different models they use 👇
The driving forces behind organised theatrical marketplaces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Greece and Kosovo tell The Stage about the different models they use 👇
How European theatre showcases are connecting artists and nations
www.thestage.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 1:50 PM
‘The showcase can serve as a catalyst for artistic growth and improvement in the sector’
The driving forces behind organised theatrical marketplaces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Greece and Kosovo tell The Stage about the different models they use 👇
The driving forces behind organised theatrical marketplaces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Greece and Kosovo tell The Stage about the different models they use 👇
A ballet dancer who had played Billy Elliot in the West End has reportedly won a bid for up to £600,000 in compensation for an officer “stamping” on his foot during a stop and search.
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Read more 👇
Billy Elliot star wins compensation for ‘career-ending’ injury by police officer
www.thestage.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 11:43 AM
A ballet dancer who had played Billy Elliot in the West End has reportedly won a bid for up to £600,000 in compensation for an officer “stamping” on his foot during a stop and search.
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Read more 👇
Hands-on costume work is not properly valued in the creative process, says costume maker and designer, Madeline Taylor 👇
Madeline Taylor on the value of hands-on costume work
www.thestage.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Hands-on costume work is not properly valued in the creative process, says costume maker and designer, Madeline Taylor 👇
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama has introduced an exciting suite of two-year courses designed to meet the needs of an ever-changing creative industry and give students the skills, practical experience and networks they need to thrive.
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How Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama’s new MFAs will power the next generation of creatives
RWCMD's two-year courses are designed to meet the needs of an ever-changing creative industry and give students the skills and experience they need to thrive
www.thestage.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 9:26 AM
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama has introduced an exciting suite of two-year courses designed to meet the needs of an ever-changing creative industry and give students the skills, practical experience and networks they need to thrive.
Read more 👇
#Ad
Read more 👇
#Ad
★★★ Review: Dick Whittington and His Cat – Leans into every innuendo it can muster 👇
Dick Whittington and His Cat review at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
Read our review of Dick Whittington and His Cat at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage: Rat king rules in this Dick
www.thestage.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 12:01 AM
★★★ Review: Dick Whittington and His Cat – Leans into every innuendo it can muster 👇
★★★★ Review: Cinderella – Reassuring return to form for Hackney with a savvy book, broad comedy and an epic playlist 👇
Cinderella review at Hackney Empire: savvy book, broad comedy and an epic playlist
Read our review of Cinderella at London’s Hackney Empire. Reassuring return to form for Hackney and director Clive Rowe with a savvy book, broad comedy and an epic playlist
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 11:28 PM
★★★★ Review: Cinderella – Reassuring return to form for Hackney with a savvy book, broad comedy and an epic playlist 👇
Pantomime round-up 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk, Beauty and the Beast and more – Which quirky and inventive panto lights up London? 👇
Pantomime round-up 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk, Beauty and the Beast and more
This year, the bumper crop of pantomimes features: Jack and the Beanstalk, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan: A Pantomime Adventure
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Pantomime round-up 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk, Beauty and the Beast and more – Which quirky and inventive panto lights up London? 👇
★★★ Review: Jack and the Beanstalk – An amusing musical spin on the famous fairytale 👇
Jack and the Beanstalk at Dundee Rep – witty new musical
Read our review of Jack and the Beanstalk at Dundee Rep Theatre: An amusing musical spin on the famous fairytale, by Jonathan O’Neill and Isaac Savage
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 10:14 PM
★★★ Review: Jack and the Beanstalk – An amusing musical spin on the famous fairytale 👇
★★★★★ Review: My Fair Lady – Joseph Pitcher and his company deliver a masterclass in boutique musical theatre 👇
My Fair Lady review at Mill at Sonning, Reading: masterclass in boutique musical theatre
Read our review of My Fair Lady at Reading’s Mill at Sonning. Joseph Pitcher and his company deliver a masterclass in boutique musical theatre
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 9:37 PM
★★★★★ Review: My Fair Lady – Joseph Pitcher and his company deliver a masterclass in boutique musical theatre 👇
★★ Review: Dick Whittington – Visuals are slick and there are moments of enjoyable silliness, but feels baggy and unfocused 👇
Dick Whittington review at Derby Arena: slick visuals but baggy and unfocused
Read our review of Dick Whittington at Derby Arena. Visuals are slick and there are moments of enjoyable silliness from creator and dame Morgan Brind, but the show feels baggy and unfocused
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 9:04 PM
★★ Review: Dick Whittington – Visuals are slick and there are moments of enjoyable silliness, but feels baggy and unfocused 👇
★★★ Review: Fireside Tales – Atmospheric, esoteric interactive storytelling for ages seven to 11 featuring marvellous, magical props.
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Read The Stage's review 👇
Fireside Tales review at Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores, London: atmospheric
Read our review of Fireside Tales at London’s Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores. Atmospheric, esoteric interactive storytelling for ages seven to 11 featuring marvellous, magical props
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 8:29 PM
★★★ Review: Fireside Tales – Atmospheric, esoteric interactive storytelling for ages seven to 11 featuring marvellous, magical props.
Read The Stage's review 👇
Read The Stage's review 👇
★★★★ Review: Mother Goose – Spectacular family pantomime celebrating a winning decade for its comedy leads 👇
Mother Goose at Mercury Colchester: pace never falters
Read our review of Mother Goose at Mercury Colchester: Spectacular pantomime celebrating a winning decade for comedy leads, Anthony Stuart-Hicks and Dale Superville
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 7:54 PM
★★★★ Review: Mother Goose – Spectacular family pantomime celebrating a winning decade for its comedy leads 👇
★★★★ Review: A Merry Misrule – Sweet and very silly tale of a dictatorial cat with strict rules about Christmas 👇
A Merry Misrule at Battersea Arts Centre, London: cosy dystopia
Read our review of A Merry Misrule at Battersea Arts Centre, London: sweet and very silly tale of a dictatorial cat with strict rules about Christmas
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 7:14 PM
★★★★ Review: A Merry Misrule – Sweet and very silly tale of a dictatorial cat with strict rules about Christmas 👇
★★★★ Review: The People’s Panto: Snow White – Well-packaged, bright and breezy community pantomime that hits all the right notes with its audiences 👇
The People’s Panto: Snow White review at St Comgall’s Hall, Belfast
Read our review of The People’s Panto: Snow White at St Comgall’s Hall, Belfast: well-packaged, bright and breezy community pantomime that hits all the right notes with its audiences
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 6:31 PM
★★★★ Review: The People’s Panto: Snow White – Well-packaged, bright and breezy community pantomime that hits all the right notes with its audiences 👇
★★★ Review: Beauty and the Beast – Entertaining but uneven take on the famous fairytale.
Read The Stage's review 👇
Read The Stage's review 👇
Beauty at the Beast review at Citizens Theatre, Glasgow: entertaining but uneven
Read our review of Beauty and the Beast at Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre. Writer Lewis Hetherington delivers an entertaining but uneven take on the famous fairytale
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 5:43 PM
★★★ Review: Beauty and the Beast – Entertaining but uneven take on the famous fairytale.
Read The Stage's review 👇
Read The Stage's review 👇
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School has changed the name of one of its performance spaces to the Routledge Studio in honour of renowned former student Patricia Routledge.
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Bristol Old Vic Theatre School names studio after Patricia Routledge
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School has changed the name of one of its performance spaces to the Routledge Studio in honour of renowned former student Patricia Routledge.
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Read more 👇
★★★★ Review: Last Days – Oliver Leith’s hit opera remains impressive on its return.
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Read The Stage's review 👇
Last Days review at Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, London: Kurt Cobain opera remains impressive
Read our review of Last Days at London’s Linbury Theatre. Oliver Leith’s hit opera about Kurt Cobain remains impressive on its return
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 4:44 PM
★★★★ Review: Last Days – Oliver Leith’s hit opera remains impressive on its return.
Read The Stage's review 👇
Read The Stage's review 👇
★★★★ Review: Singin’ in the Rain – Splashy showbiz glamour makes for one of the Royal Exchange’s best Christmas shows in years 👇
Singin’ in the Rain at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Read our review of Singin’ in the Rain at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester: Splashy showbiz glamour makes for one of the Royal Exchange's best Christmas shows in years
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 3:53 PM
★★★★ Review: Singin’ in the Rain – Splashy showbiz glamour makes for one of the Royal Exchange’s best Christmas shows in years 👇
Edinburgh-based playwright Harry Mould has won the 2025 Alfred Fagon Award with their debut play The Brenda Line.
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Harry Mould wins 2025 Alfred Fagon Award
Edinburgh-based playwright Harry Mould has won the 2025 Alfred Fagon Award with their debut play The Brenda Line
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December 8, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Edinburgh-based playwright Harry Mould has won the 2025 Alfred Fagon Award with their debut play The Brenda Line.
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Read more 👇
Paddington the Musical will continue to welcome West End audiences until early 2027, its producers have announced.
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Paddington the Musical extends West End run until 2027
Paddington the Musical will continue to welcome West End audiences until early 2027, its producers have announced
www.thestage.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Paddington the Musical will continue to welcome West End audiences until early 2027, its producers have announced.
Read more 👇
Read more 👇