Theatre

I am a playwright. I show
What I have seen.
In the man markets
I have seen how men are traded. That
I show, I, the playwright.

Bertolt Brecht

Friday, 06 December 2019 08:06

Waiting for Godot

Written by Jenny Farrell

in Theatre

Jenny Farrell discusses Beckett's Waiting for Godot and its message to us today Great Carthage waged three wars. It was still powerful after the first, habitable still after the second. Gone without trace after the third. - Brecht, 1951 (transl. JF) Samuel Beckett died thirty years ago, on 22 December…

Beckett

Monday, 26 August 2019 13:21

Theatre for the many, not the few

Written by Sam Swann

in Theatre

Sam Swann discusses how theatre is owned, funded and influenced by elites, and calls for a far more challenging, radical and diverse theatre Most theatres have fundraising events for donors, maybe BP, maybe Goldman Sachs, and other assorted wealthy individuals to booze and schmooze with the theatre’s staff. They donate…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Tuesday, 09 July 2019 12:49

One Night in Miami

in Theatre

Written by Luna Williams

Luna Williams reviews One Night in Miami, recently on at the Home Theatre, Manchester The first time I read the synopsis for Kemp Powers’ One Night in Miami, I was stunned. On the evening of 25th February 1964, Cassius Clay (soon to become Muhammad Ali) had just beaten Sonny Liston…

Austerity

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Tuesday, 25 June 2019 20:59

It's the revolution or the doors: a review of an early Brecht play

in Theatre

Written by Anthony Squiers

Anthony Squiers reviews Trommeln in der Nacht at the Münchner Kammerspiele, which 'rescues the Tentative Brecht' On September 29, 1922 the Münchner Kammerspiele premiered Trommeln in der Nacht, a play about a prisoner of war’s return to Berlin on the cusp of the Spartakusaufstand [Spartacus uprising] – the leftist insurgency…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Saturday, 12 January 2019 09:30

A Curse on War: Mother Courage and Her Children, by Bertolt Brecht

in Theatre

Written by Jenny Farrell

Jenny Farrell writes about Bertolt Brecht's anti-war play "Mother Courage and Her Children", first performed in Germany 70 years ago. The play has retained its relevance as a warning against war. Brecht began writing this work on the day the Nazi army occupied Warsaw. He had watched as fascism took…

K2_PUBLISHED_ON Sunday, 18 November 2018 18:56

The theatre, the working class and the need for revolution

in Theatre

Written by Ed Edwards

Ed Edwards is interviewed by Mike Quille about his career, his play The Political History of Smack and Crack, about the theatre generally these days, and about the need 'for a deep, uncompromising revolutionary movement based on the interests of the poorest and most marginalised people'. MQ: Can you tell…

political theatre drug addiction working class and the arts

Wednesday, 07 November 2018 13:19

Badass Jewish women: Chanukah Lewinsky, 120 Years from Grodno

Written by Reuben Bard-Rosenberg

in Theatre

Reuben Bard-Rosenberg reviews Chanukah Lewinsky: 120 Years from Grodno Last week, a sell-out crowd at JW3 in London was treated to an unusual performance by up-and-coming performance artist Dex Grodner. As the lights dimmed, Chanukah Lewinsky appeared on-stage, and began to rearrange her bags and suitcases. It was 1890 Russia,…

Thursday, 11 October 2018 13:37

Brexit: A Positive or Negative for Britain’s Working-Class Actors?

Written by Luna Williams

in Theatre

Luna Williams considers the implications of Brexit for the theatre industry, and particularly its lack of working class representation. With Brexit day (29th March, 2019) just around the corner, Theresa May and her cabinet appear to be struggling to strike up a deal with the EU which fulfills the promises…

Tuesday, 09 October 2018 13:15

Burning Books

Written by Doug Nicholls

in Theatre

There will be a performance of “Burning Books” at Quorn Grange Hotel, Loughborough, Leics., on 23rd November. Jess Green’s most recent story of protest, teaching and what is happening in today’s schools has struck a chord with many, and we hope that you are able to come along. Ask yourself,…

Sunday, 19 August 2018 23:04

The Political History of Smack and Crack: thrills, spills and the need for revolution

Written by Ed Edwards

in Theatre

Ed Edwards contributes an essay on the political background to his brilliant new play, after a short review by Mike Quille. The Review: An outstanding dramatisation of the social consequences of neoliberal capitalism on young men and women by Mike Quille There have been many stimulating plays with political themes…

Edinburgh Festival Thatcher government Mafia Afghan War Vietnam War Contras