Roy Alexander News

Fuel open Tron Theatre's main house season this Spring with The Dark (15 & 16 Feb), the harrowing and uplifting autobiographical story of poet Nick Makoha's migration with his mother at the age of four to escape a country divided by dictatorship and consumed by conflict.

Fuel Director, Kate McGrath today confirmed the programme of work for 2019. She said: "Understanding the world we live in seems more complex than ever. Imagining a positive future requires new levels of optimism. Coming together in a theatre is a way to do these things, and have a good night out. Brilliant artists create a space for a temporary community to come together and seek to understand and to imagine. Fuel's job is to identify those living artists and bring their urgent and brave work to life for people to experience. As we approach our 15th birthday, we reflect on what has changed in the world since 2004, where we find ourselves today, and what 2034 might hold for us all. Our 2019 season celebrates our common humanity: how we all connect to the earth and to each other.

Natasha Gordon's glorious writing debut, under Roy Alexander Weise's direction, transfers to the West End, managing to retain all of the magic it held whilst on the Dorfman stage. Following the story of how a family grieve, it's a play full of laughter, struggle and hope.

The Trustees of the JMK Trust today announce that from 2019 the JMK Award will enter a new partnership with the Orange Tree Theatre, with the winner's production forming a core part of the theatre's annual programming. At this new home, the JMK Award will offer one director the opportunity to direct a full-scale Orange Tree show with the production values and nurturing guidance the building is famous for. The JMK Award, which had previously been resident at the Young Vic for seven years, forms part of the national programme for the The JMK Trust, running alongside the Regional Directors Programme.

Nine Night, Natasha Gordon's critically acclaimed play transfers from the National Theatre to the Trafalgar Studios on 1 December 2018 (press night 6 December) in a co-production with Trafalgar Theatre Productions. Natasha Gordon takes the role of Lorraine in her debut play, for which she has recently been awarded the Charles Wintour Award for 'Most Promising P' at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. This transfer makes her the first black British female playwright to have a play staged in the West End.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. We've already posted our Christmas picks, and now here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings (sans tinsel). Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

Steven Atkinson, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of HighTide, has today announced his final season for the company, which includes a full season of new writing at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019, and the return of HighTide Festivals in Aldeburgh and Walthamstow.

The National Theatre production of Nine Night, Natasha Gordon's award-winning play begins previews at the Trafalgar Studios on 1 December 2018 (press night 6 December) in a co-production with Trafalgar Theatre Productions. Natasha Gordon will take the role of Lorraine in her debut play, for which she won 'The Charles Wintour Award for Best Emerging Playwright' in last week's Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

Bristol Old Vic presents The Mountaintop as part of its continued commitment to re-examining Bristol's relationship with the past, highlighted through the theatre's ongoing Year of Change.

The shortlist for the 64th Evening Standard Theatre Awards is unveiled today. It has been expanded to include five names in most categories and the variety of productions reveals the health of London's theatre land.

The National Theatre has today announced its new season

Katori Hall's The Mountaintop invites us to step into the private life of Martin Luther King for one night; one that hangs suspended in time, between his achievements and his final breath.

Following on from Bristol Old Vic's momentous reopening of its front of house spaces, on Fri 5 Oct the theatre will officially open the newly-built and newly-christened Weston Studio theatre, a magical, flexible space situated in the old barrel cellars beneath Coopers' Hall.

The Big House, a charity which enables care leavers and at risk young people to fulfil their potential through drama, wraparound support and long term mentoring, today announces new premises in Islington and the world premiere of Bullet Tongue by Andrew Day and Sonya Hale, a promenade piece through the new building, which will be developed with and performed by a group of young people at risk of social exclusion. The new building's inaugural production, directed by Artistic Director and CEO of The Big House, Maggie Norris, opens on 16 November, with previews from 14 November and runs until 8 December.

Director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Sam Hodges, Reading Rep and producer Desara Bosnja announce the cast and full tour dates for the revival of the JMK production of The Mountaintop. The tour, which includes regional venues such as Bristol Old Vic, Northern Stage and Birmingham Rep is part of a touring network to support JMK productions and productions alike have a life outside of London. The cast for Katori Hall's The Mountaintop includes Gbolahan Obisesan (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) and Rochelle Rose (Camae). The production opens on 2 October, with previews from 26 September at Nuffield Southampton Theatres and runs for two weeks ahead of national tour to Northern Stage, Northwall, Reading Rep Theatre, Leicester Curve, Bristol Old Vic and Birmingham Rep.

The National Theatre have today announced the full cast for Nine Night, Natasha Gordon's critically acclaimed play which will transfer from the National Theatre to the Trafalgar Studios on 1 December 2018 (press night 6 December) in a co-production with Trafalgar Theatre Productions. Natasha Gordon will take the role of Lorraine in her debut play, for which she has recently been nominated for the Best Writer Award in The Stage newspaper's 'Debut Awards'. She is joined by Oliver Alvin-Wilson (Robert), Michelle Greenidge (Trudy), also nominated in the Stage Awards for Best West End Debut, Hattie Ladbury (Sophie), Rebekah Murrell (Anita) and Cecilia Noble (Aunt Maggie) who return to their celebrated NT roles, and Karl Collins (Uncle Vince) who completes the West End cast.

Fuel Director, Kate McGrath confirmed more projects to take place in 2018 in the UK and beyond.

The National Theatre announces new information, and recaps its upcoming season.

Natasha Gordon's debut play opens the new season at the Dorfman Theatre. 2018 marks 70 years since the Empire Windrush brought many hopeful Jamaicans across to Britain, some were specifically recruited (due to labour shortages) to work in hospitals, the postal service or the transport system, others simply hoped to provide a better life for their families. However, rather than commemorating the invaluable service to the country, the anniversary has launched a political storm as a lack of British citizenship and the threat of deportation hang over people's heads. The recent departure of the Home Secretary definitely did not go unnoticed amidst the pre-show audience buzz.

Roy Alexander Weise directs Natasha Gordon's debut play Nine Night is a touching and very funny exploration of the rituals of family.