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      Preview: Don’t Forget My Face

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      Lion and Unicorn Theatre

      30 November – 4 December

      I just don’t want to come back and you’re like, different. Like a different person.

      Do you know who you are?Rhea and Jack are twins. From the minutes they were born they’ve shared everything in their lives – birthday cakes, friends, clothes, flats, memories – however, as they approach their thirtieth birthday, the pressures of life and an opportunity of a lifetime separate them for the first time. Alone, they begin to question the faces they’ve always known.Critically acclaimed associate artists, Fight or Flight Productions, present Don’t Forget My Face – a brand new story about shared identity, failure of communication, the masks we hide behind, and whether we can ever truly know the people closest to us. Directed by Jess Barton, Don’t Forget My Face debuts at The Lion and Unicorn this December 2021.

      Fight or Flight Productions are Associate Artists of the Lion & Unicorn Theatre.

      WRITTEN BY: Jess Barton & Ross KernahanDIRECTED BY: Jess BartonRUNNING TIME: 70 Mins (No Interval)

      Playing at Lion and Unicorn Theatre, 30 November to 4 December. Tickets £14 via the below link.

      This preview is a paid advertisement. More

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      Interview: Raising a glass to A Pissedmas Carol

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      Sh!tfaced-Showtime’s James Murfitt on their new production of A Pissedmas Carol

      Shitfaced Showtime, and sister company, Shitfaced Shakespeare, are masters of their art. They have taken what is quite a simple, and very silly, idea, and developed it into shows that are now a must-see for so many people. And that idea? Just get one of your cast drunk before the show starts and let them loose!

      We’ve reviewed their shows a number of times, and in the most, enjoyed what we’ve seen. So when the chance came to chat to producer and performer James Murfitt, it seemed the perfect time to find out more. Listen to James tell us about the original spark that created the company, why they can understand that some people just don’t enjoy the show, what the craziest thing a drunk tried to do on stage, and we also find out if the sick bucket they have ready has ever really been used!

      Some of our previous reviews for Sh!tfaced productions can be found below:

      You can see all of our podcast interviews on our Anchor page here. You can also subscribe via Spotify here, or via many other podcast services. Search for Everything Theatre wherever you subscribe to podcasts to see if we are there.

      A Pissedmas Carol, Leicester Square Theatre

      2019’s Christmas hit returns bigger and better to lift our spirits in 2021

      Combining cast members from Sh!t-faced Showtime and Sh!t-faced Shakespeare, A Pissedmas Carol is the all singing, all boozing alternative Christmas knees-up we all so desperately needed after the last year and a half of Zoom calls, Tiger King and bloody banana bread. Miserly Scrooge and his classic coterie of employees, relatives and ghosts travel through time having the night of his life – but will Scrooge be merry before the end? Or will it be the spirits that have had too many spirits? With one genuinely drunk cast member in every performance, A Pissedmas Carol is the ultimate “You’ll never guess what happened to me last night” story – despite having heard it all these last 2 years!

      So how does it work? Each performance has a cast of actors who all arrive 4 hours before the start of the show for a ‘party’ – however this particular Christmas work social is dry for all but one performer, who gets, yes, you’re starting to catch on – Sh!t-faced. The rest is a delicate tight rope between performing songs and reciting Dickens all within the parameters of our strict improvisation rules, which are stated as thus: Go with WHATEVER the drunk actor decides to do. Unless it’s illegal. But even that’s a grey area we prefer to let our lawyers wade through. Every single show is a one-off. Every single performance has a different drunk actor. Every single time they are genuinely inebriated.

      Running Time: 90 minutes | Suitable for ages 16+ (may contain nudity and strong language.

      Leicester Square Theatre6 Dec 2021 — 15 Jan 2022 (except 24-26 and 31 Dec, and 1 Jan)Mon – Sat, 7pm or 9.30pm (please see website) More

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      Interview: Belinda McGuirk invites us all to EverAfter

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      Anyone who has ever been to see a Chickenshed Christmas show will know what a big affair it is. This year they are doing EverAfter, and directing it will be Belinda McGuirk. So it felt a good time to chat with Belinda about the show, her involvement with Chickenshed and how you even start directing 800 performers.

      EverAfter – A Mixed Up Fairytale!

      When Hansel and Gretel are left to fend for themselves in the Wild Woods, a series of events is set in motion, taking the two children on a journey through some of our best loved fairytales. Come and be enchanted by mischievous Princesses, who dance until their shoes are worn out; meet – at least one – wicked stepmother intent on revenge; sympathise with Hansel and Gretel’s father, who searches the forest for a sign of his beloved children; and laugh, boo and hiss at the man with no name…

      Chickenshed is thrilled to announce the return of its Christmas Show with EverAfter. Featuring their famously large and amazingly diverse cast, this mixed up fairytale will be a dazzling and unforgettable theatrical journey for adults and children alike. More

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      Preview: Our Last First

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      The Union Theatre

      16 – 19 November

      Four actors walk onto the stage. Uncast. With one story to tell. But who will tell it?

      Our Last First follows the lives of A&B, as we watch them go through the firsts (and lasts) of their relationship, and meet the people along the way who alter their journey. Cast live at the start of each performance, each show is guaranteed to be unique, as relationships are.

      Written without pronouns, genders, ages or physical descriptions of any kind, the play is designed to be played by any and every actor. For far too long romantic leads in theatre have all looked the same, not reflecting the society we live in. Everyone experiences love, it is universal, so why aren’t we seeing everyone represented on stage. “Our Last First” is changing that.

      Writer Lucinda Coyle on the story behind the show

      In lockdown one I was inspired by talking to a fellow actor who was fed up of being told by casting directors they ‘just didn’t look right for the role’ and was concerned by the lack of roles in particular for those who identity as non-binary. I then began to think what if a play was written to be played by anyone and everyone. A play with characters with no gender, no pronouns, no age, no physical descriptions of any kind. Just their words and thoughts. I then began to think of what universally connects us all; love. From that A&B were born, a couple with nothing particularly extraordinary about them. The play follows A&B, as we watch them go through the firsts (and lasts) of a relationship with each other. But I wanted as many actors to play these roles, to have the chance to be the romantic lead as opposed to being stuck cast as the “fat best friend”, so I decided to add in the live casting at the start of the show. As every relationship is unique, so is every show. The four roles are cast live in front of the audience at the start of each show, igniting the relationship we the audience are about to witness, and the two actors are about to explore. 

      Reviews for Our Last First

      ★★★★ A high-quality new play with love at its centre.Everything Theatre

      It is witty, ambitious and works wellThe Reviews Hub

      it’s an original and refreshing ideaand one that it would be great to explore further.Theatre Things More

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      Interview: Is It Good Cop, Bad Cop? Rising Tides decide

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      Gavin Dent and Neil Sheppeck of Rising Tides on Good Cop Bad Cop 26 Festival

      To co-incide with the COP26 summit, Rising Tides take over The Space for the next 12 days for their Good Cop, Bad Cop 26 Festival. Featuring plays, discussions and music the festival is their response to the climate crisis.

      With so much happening, it seemed a perfect opportunity to catch up with Gavin Dent and Neil Sheppeck from Rising Tides and hear what to expect at the festival, why The Space is the ideal venue and whether they hold out much hope for the outcome of COP26.

      Good Cop, Bad Cop 26

      With the future of our species at risk, this November the COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. 

      This summer’s IPCC report is a code red for humanity.  The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable. Extreme weather and climate disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity. That is why this year’s United Nations climate conference in Glasgow is so important. 

      How should artists respond? What does a theatrical response look like? How can we make our voices heard?  What contribution can we make? How can we influence change? 

      LETTERS1 NOVThe largest creative response to the climate and ecological emergency the world has yet seen, Letters to the Earth is the first book to chronicle how humankind is collectively processing planetary crisis.

      20402 NOVConcerned about his young daughter’s future, filmmaker Damon Gameau travels the world in search of new approaches and solutions to climate change. He meets with innovators and changemakers in many fields to draw on their expertise.Also livestreamed

      ACCIDENTAL BIRTH OF AN ANARCHIST3 NOV – 12 NOVAn anarchist – activist or terrorist?A darkly funny play by Luke Ofield. Two novice activists get jobs on a North Sea oil rig with the sole intention of staging a sit in protest. Trapped in a room full of drilling instruments and forced to negotiate, the lines of protest, activism and terrorism are debated, as the threat of military action looms closer.As the world is torn between wildfires and flooding, this play couldn’t be any more timely.Livestreamed on 4th November & 10th November

      EVIDENCE6 NOV – 9 NOVWhat happens when you introduce experts at the forefront of the sustainability debate and today’s most exciting theatre makers? Rising Tides create four exciting partnerships and commission them to create an evening of entertaining and informative theatre.Livestreamed on 8th November

      CLIMATE CHANGE WORKSHOPS6 NOV – 7 NOVEvery child matters today and tomorrow. Rising Tides deliver informative, creative, and of course, fun workshops that explore and engage participants in the subject of Climate Change.Inform. Explore. Solve.

      ISYLA AND P M K S7 NOV“Achingly gorgeous and heartfelt… A beautiful blend of voices and fine songwriting. Be absorbed.” on ISYLAAlso Livestreamed More

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      Competition: Win tickets for Little Boxes in Manchester

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      Whilst 99% of our coverage is in London, that doesn’t mean there isn’t theatre outside of the capital. Manchester is a perfect example, we are certainly seeing more and more happening up in the North West. We even have a couple of reviewers lurking and we’re always looking for more (if you’re interested do get in touch, more info here).

      So, our latest competition is the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to see Alphamum Productions‘ Little Boxes when it plays at Manchester’s 53two in November (prize can be for either 16 or 17 November). There are four ways to enter, and we’ll count each one as a seperate entry, so you can quadruple your chances.

      Email us at competitions@everything-theatre.co.uk with “Great things come in little boxes” in the subject line.Share our pinned Facebook post and comment below the original post “Great things come in #littleboxes”.Quote tweet this Twitter post with the phrase “Great things come in #littleboxes”.Like this Instagram post and comment “Great things come in #littleboxes”.

      Do you spot the trend in all the ways to enter? Entries must be made by 7pm on 29 October 2021.

      Terms and conditions for the competition can be found below.

      If you aren’t successful in the competition, you can still buy tickets to see this show via the below link.

      Little Boxes

      After a successful run at VAULT Festival 2020, with sell out shows, multiple 4- and 5- star reviews and an “Offie” Short Run Commendation, Little Boxes is coming to Manchester.

      “… ticks all the right boxes” London Pub Theatres ★★★★

      Little Boxes follows Joann Condon (Little Britain, Dad’s Army the Lost Episodes), as she explores the boxes she has “found herself in” throughout her life:  The hopes and dreams of a child, the frustrations of an acting career, the tensions of being a parent, the grief in losing loved ones, the fear of being…herself.

      “Condon promises we will laugh and cry … and laugh and cry we did” Phoenix Remix

      Described as “funny, touching and at times heartbreaking,” by London Pub Theatres, Joann uses personal anecdotes to highlight assumptions and judgements made about her based-on looks, age, gender and background.  This phenomenon of classifying people is called ‘social categorization’ by psychologists, and most of us can relate to these experiences.

      “a joyful delve into one woman’s life, celebrating the successes, the heartbreak, and everything in between” The Plays the Thing

       ★★★★★ Spy in the Stalls                             ★★★★ Broadway Baby

       ★★★★     Theatre Weekly                           ★★★★ London Theatre1

      “It’s natural for people in our lives to want to force us into nice little boxes,” says Condon, “but the scary thing is, you often end up putting yourself in that same box.” 

      We want to use these performances in Manchester to launch a tour in 2022 and look forward to bringing Little Boxes to a broader audience.

      To make the performance more accessible we will be having a BSL interpreted performance on Wednesday 17th November at 7:30pm and we also have 2 tickets at £2 for each performance for unemployed or low income audience members.

      Starring: Joann CondonWritten by: Joann Condon and Leonie RachelDirected by: Daniel BrennanProduced by: Alphamum Productions and Lights Down Productions

      T&C’S

      The prize is for two tickets to a performance of Little Boxes at Manchester’s 53Two on either 16 or 17 October 2021. No alternative dates or cash alternative is available.

      Competition closes at 7pm on Friday 29 October 2021. Winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries, and will be notified no more than 3 days after the closing date. The winner has 3 days to accept the prize and provide contact details, otherwise a new winner will be chosen at random.  All additional expenses are the responsibility of the prize winner. Editor’s decision is final. More

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      Interview: Ardent Theatre asks us to Rethink

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      Andrew Muir and Georgia Bates on new play Rethink and the struggles for actors outside of London

      For our latest podcast interview we caught up with Andrew Muir, writer and joint Creative Director of Ardent Theatre, and Georgia Bates, who will be appearing in their latest production, Rethink, which is on at The Union Theatre from 26 to 30 October.

      The pair talk about how the play was inspired by this 2020 government ad campaign suggesting those in the arts could retrain during lockdown for alternative careers. We also delve into the difficulties of becoming an actor when you live outside of London, and don’t have the financial backing to relocate full time to London.

      You can follow us on Spotify or Itunes (plus many other other podcast providers) for future editions of our interview series. Further information can be found on our Podcast here

      Rethink @ Union Theatre

      Graduation is a day full of celebration and joy. The cloaks, the hats, the bubbles and the dreams all laid bare for the world to see. In July 2020, that class of graduating students had little to celebrate. There were no cloaks, no hats, possibly a bubble but whatever dreams there were, they were soon cut short when the world shut down.

      Rethink is a play about the aftermath of that sunny July in 2020, when six graduates from a performing arts course on the South Coast of England, are encouraged to think again, in the wake of theatre closures and lack of opportunity. What choice do they have? According to a Government-backed advertising campaign their next job could be in cyber, they just don’t know it yet. So, there’s the choice. It’s as easy as that. Isn’t it?

      Rethink plays between 26 and 30 October. Bookings via the below link. Tickets just £10 plus £1 booking fee. More

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      Interview: Andrew Lancel on his (not literal) Swan Song

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      Actor Andrew Lancel talks about his latest role in Swan Song at Turbine Theatre.

      One of the shows that’s really piqued our interest this November is a new revival of Swan Song at the Turbine Theatre, Battersea Power Station. The star of this one-man play, Andrew Lancel, has appeared in so many TV and stage shows it would be hard to have missed him! Famously he played DI Neil Manson in The Bill and the creepy Frank Foster in Coronation Street, but he’s also highly regarded for his phenomenal portrayal of the Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein in Epstein – the Man who Made the Beatles and in Cilla; as Brian Clough in The Damned United; and more recently as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

      We caught up with Andrew to ask him about bringing the show from sold out performances in Liverpool to one of London’s newest, most passionate theatre spaces.

      Swan Song feels like a great show to get people back going back to live theatre right now. Can you tell us a bit about it?

      It’s ideal – it’s intimate  and I think people really feel a part of it.

      Whilst it’s set in the 90’s it feels topical. We all know a Dave and will be able to relate  to him in life and our school memories. He is always left behind because he can be a bit of an idiot but he’s also very funny.

      It’s billed as a bittersweet comedy – is there more bitter or sweet, or maybe a balance of both?

      Bang in the middle. (playwright) Jonathan Harvey is the master at this. 

      Are you and your character Dave Titswell alike in any ways? Do you wear a lot of beige? Is Dave a character that you recognise in real life?

      I’ve just got some beige boot socks but that’s about it! We look alike but that’s about it too – I think ..though I admit to liking the same music and soaps as him! It’s a cliche but we all know a Dave. Whilst he winds people up and can be a total dick, we do care for him. 

      You have an incredible, award-winning creative team on this show. How has it been working with Jonathan Harvey and Noreen Kershaw, and are you an honorary Scouser now?  You know she supports Bury, right?

      Yup – and I’ve watched bury a few times. Also we shot Hillsborough there. I’ve known them both for years and Jonathan and I only had one name written down for who we wanted to direct it. Noreen. Working with them both is a joy – their talent is endless.

      What is it about the Lake District and Liverpool dramas?? From Willy Russell to Jimmy McGovern, things always happen out of town, so you seem to be in good company!

      Hadn’t thought of that. In the original it was Swanage! It’s firmly rooted in Liverpool and takes us to the lakes – but this could be anywhere and anytime. 

      You have a fabulous background in musicals, starring in productions like The Sound of Music and Cilla. Will we get to hear you sing in this show? What have you enjoyed about the part of Dave?

      He’s hard work to play but great fun. I’m on my own up there but JH surrounds us with images and characters. A lot happens in the hour.. no singing but seriously bad dance moves!

      The original 1997 play was scripted for a woman. What do you think it brings to the narrative in changing it to a gay man?

      Well it was so I could do it for one! The original was wonderful – I wish I’d  seen it but I was far too young! It’s changed massively – obviously – but the heart is still the same. Need. Oh the need. 

      Do you think the story reflects on the teaching profession differently after what they’ve been through during the Covid pandemic?

      I remember when I did cardiac arrest a doctor telling me ‘we are hard done by’ and it feels very much like that now. They are and have been scapegoated and put under enormous pressure. So not much has changed .. which makes this play topical and accessible. It’s taken off with a life of its own – teachers love it- I’m thrilled about that. 

      The Turbine seems a lovely new addition to London’s theatre scene.  Have you been to check it out yet and if so, what do you feel the venue and its audiences will be like for the show?

      I love it. It’s perfect do this and I’ve seen wonderful things there. The area is beginning to bounce and now with the Tube.. wow, what a buzz. I think and hope they will be eclectic fun and up for a laugh.. and maybe a tear.. aren’t we all!?

      Our thanks to Andrew for giving up his time to chat to us. Swan Song comes to Turbine Theatre between 29 November and 4 December. Further information and tickets via the below link.

      The show also performs pre-London dates at The Coro in Ulverston on 19 and 20 November. More