The stage version of the much-loved sitcom, which finished on TV 25 years ago, will be written by the duo behind the original series and feature several members of the original castSnooty news anchor Sally Smedley, gung-ho reporter Damien Day and etern…
Continue ReadingIn the run-up to the festival, our writers will choose new productions that have caught their eye – but here’s a selection of those we’ve already reviewedRichard Marsh has clearly seen Die Hard more times than he’s had Christmas dinners. He’s here in h…
Continue ReadingThe writer of the acclaimed Patricia Gets Ready… returns with a lockdown-inspired comedy drama about a drug dealer having a power cutThe trigger for a play can be many things: a moral dilemma or a political event, a true-life story or a misheard anecdo…
Continue ReadingShakespeare’s Globe, LondonAmped-up visual gags and a cast that brings its own distinctive comic gifts to the Bard’s dialogue ensure a contemporary feel to the classic comedySean Holmes is associate artistic director at the Globe and there’s a lightnes…
Continue ReadingConceived by the artistic director of Birmingham Rep, Sean Foley, the award will be open to all with the winner receiving £25,000A new playwriting prize dedicated to comedy has been launched in honour of Victoria Wood on what would have been the standu…
Continue ReadingTraverse, EdinburghGary McNair delivers verbatim interviews and misremembered Connolly routines from ordinary people in this love letterThere is an air of Nick Park’s Creature Comforts about Gary McNair’s “love letter” to Billy Connolly. The performer …
Continue ReadingCriterion theatre, LondonCaroline Leslie’s production sends up the less problematic Victorian foibles with a terrifically spirited barrage of juicy one-liners, blunt anachronisms and pleasing melodramaAs a commercial prospect, you can’t fault this stag…
Continue ReadingBush theatre, LondonThe actor makes his debut as a playwright with a richly detailed character study, performing with warm humour and outrage at injustice‘Have you seen Theresa May dance? Now that’s a hostile environment.” When the former UK prime mini…
Continue ReadingBrace, who has died aged 43, was a hugely talented playwright, dramaturg and director who worked on a string of hits including One-Woman Show and Age Is a Feeling“The most high-profile director you’ve never heard of.” That’s what the Stage newspaper ca…
Continue ReadingAfter 30 years, the standup star is now finally winning acting plaudits, for a ‘tour de force’ take on Dickens with sharper punchlines – and Hamlet is nextFirst names first. What does the artist formerly known as Eddie Izzard, who recently announced sh…
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