Rebecca Frecknall News

Robert Hastie today announces Sheffield Theatres' new season, his third as Artistic Director. The season brings another brand new British musical to the Crucible stage, presenting world premieres of bold and political new plays, and the celebrated Christmas musical at the Crucible Theatre.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Shakespeare and Tennessee Williams to a new epic and a lush romance, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

The programme is today announced for Almeida For Free - Summer & Smoke, the Almeida Theatre's free festival for anyone aged 25 and under taking place from Tuesday 3 - Thursday 5 April.

This spring, Matthew Needham will feature in Summer and Smoke at the Almeida Theatre. Rebecca Frecknall's production marks his third show at the theatre this year, having never previously performed there before. Catching up during rehearsals, Matthew reflects on his time at the Almeida so far, his journey to becoming an actor, and the career paths less traveled.

The girl who said 'no' - she doesn't exist anymore, she died last summer - suffocated in smoke from something on fire inside her. In the heat of summer - under the wings of an angel - Alma meets John.

Artistic Director Rupert Goold today announces the Almeida Theatre's new season.

Joining the previously announced Patsy Ferran are Seb Carrington, Nancy Crane, Eric MacLennan, Forbes Masson, Matthew Needham, Tok Stephen and Anjana Vasan. The production is designed by Tom Scutt, with lighting design by Lee Curran, composition by Angus MacRae, sound by Carolyn Downing and casting by Julia Horan.

The Royal Theatrical Support Trust's prestigious accolade, the RTST Director Award - which provides a rare opportunity for up-and-coming directors to make their mark in British theatre and provides grant support to British regional theatres - has been re-named, with immediate effect, the RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award.

Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold said: 'We are thrilled to present three major new productions at the Almeida, including two world premieres and one rare revival. Spanning the Atlantic and beyond, this season is a timely and limitless interrogation into contemporary cultural anxieties and the power we have over our own lives.'

Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres Robert Hastie today announces full casting for Kate Hewitt's production of Tribes by Nina Raine. Kate Hewitt, winner of the inaugural RTST Director Award Scheme, directs Ciaran Stewart (Billy), Emily Howlett (Sylvia), Simon Rouse (Christopher), Lindy Whiteford (Beth), Oliver Johnstone (Dan) and Louisa Connolly-Burnham (Ruth). The production opens on 3 July, with previews from 29 June, and runs until 22 July.

The Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST) and Nuffield Southampton Theatres (NST) are delighted to announce that Chelsea Walker has been awarded the 2017 RTST Director Award, with Tinuke Craig as runner-up.

Artistic Director of MGC, Michael Grandage today announces that the second round of MGCfutures Bursary Programme is now open for applications.

Artistic Director of MGC, Michael Grandage today announces that the second round of MGCfutures Bursary Programme is now open for applications.

Artistic Director of MGC, Michael Grandage today announces the recipients of the inaugural MGCfutures Bursaries awarded across a range of theatrical disciplines including directing, writing, producing, millinery, set and lighting design and performance artistry.

Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres Robert Hastie today announces his inaugural season. The new season opens with Hastie directing William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar bringing Shakespeare back to the Crucible; this will be followed in the Studio by the winner of the new annual RTST Director Award Scheme Kate Hewitt directing the regional premiere of Nina Raine's Tribes.  

?The Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST) and Sheffield Theatres have announced Kate Hewitt is the winner of the RTST Director Award 2016.

The Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST) and Sheffield Theatres are delighted to announce the shortlist for the RTST Director Award 2016.

Building on the successes of Made in Northampton 2014, Royal & Derngate's Artistic Director James Dacre today announced details of his second season: Made in Northampton 2015. Introducing the season, Dacre said: "Our Made in Northampton 2015 season aims to reflect the energy and range synonymous with Royal & Derngate, staging classic stories in imaginative new ways and premiering stories that need to be told today. This new season of epic plays looks back to the 12th Century Northampton of King John and forward to Aldous Huxley's Brave New World of 2540. In the company of some of our largest ever casts, audiences will enter the Elizabethan garden of Peter Whelan's The Herbal Bed, the Brooklyn waterfront of Arthur Miller's The Hook, the terrifying Victorian world of Patrick Hamilton's Gaslight, the frozen land of Georgia Pritchett's The Snow Queen and the Parisian streets of Cyrano De Bergerac. But wherever and whenever these plays are set, they have been chosen or commissioned because I believe that each reflects and considers an experience of life in Britain today."

Folie a Deux Productions in association with seeitinyourhead present SUMMER AND SMOKE by Tennessee Williams, directed by Rebecca Frecknall at The Vault, Southwark Playhouse, tonight, the 13 - 30th of June, 2012.