1984

Casting Announced for 1984 at Playhouse Theatre

News, West End
1984 by George Orwell at the Playhouse Theatre

1984 will return to the Playhouse Theatre for a limited summer season and new casting has just been announced for the show’s third West End season. The cast for the hit West End production of George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece will be: Rosie Ede, Andrew Gower, Joshua Higgott, Richard Katz, Anthony O’Donnell, Daniel Rabin, Catrin Stewart and Angus Wright alongside Eve Benioff Salama, Cleopatra Dickens, Amber Fernee and India Fowler who will alternate the role of Child. Now seen by over a quarter of a million people, this Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse and Almeida Theatre production premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in September 2013. Since opening, the production has played to packed houses at the Almeida Theatre, as well as throughout its two West End runs and in performances across the globe during national and international tours. 1984 is directed by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan with Daniel Raggett, set and costume is … Read more

1984 Returns To the Playhouse Theatre

News, West End
1984 by George Orwell at the Playhouse Theatre

1984 returns to the Playhouse Theatre following its hugely successful international tour for a limited 12 week season from 14th June 2016. April, 1984.13:00. Comrade 6079, Winston Smith, thinks a thought, starts a diary and falls in love. But Big Brother is always watching. The definitive book of the 20th century is re-examined in a radical, award-winning adaptation exploring surveillance, identity and why Orwell’s vision of the future is as relevant now as ever. Now seen by over a quarter of a million people, this Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse and Almeida Theatre production premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in September 2013. Since opening, 1984 has played to packed houses at the Almeida Theatre, as well as throughout its two West End runs and in performances across the globe during national and international tours. BOOK NOW FOR 1984

CRITICS CHOICE: Top 10 New London Plays – September 1, 2015

News, Reviews, West End
Briefs at London Wonderground

What play should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Plays which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. Briefs This gender, race and sexual politics canvas stretches across the entire platform of the performances, from the sharp opening patter of Fez Fa’anana which happily offends everyone equally, through the “pretty doesn’t mean dumb” antics of the cheeky Louis Briggs and the vignettes with an increasingly more naked Lucky Charm (Lachy Shelley) to the various satirical and ironic … Read more

Critic’s Choice: London’s 10 Best New Plays 31 July 2015

News, Off West End, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, West End
As Is at Trafalgar Studios

What play should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Plays which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. The Elephant Man At first glance it is a simple historical tale with a couple of central star turns; unremarkable fodder but capable of reaching glitzy heights. Ellis sees beyond that though, and although the casting is undeniably starry, this is a thoughtful, incisive and ultimately shattering meditation on tolerance, convention, acceptance and love. READ OUR REVIEW 2. Richard … Read more

Summer Sale – Save £££ On Great West End Shows

News, West End

BritishTheatre.com is please to bring you our 2015 Summer Sale. From now until the end of July you’ll be able to make some great saving on top West End plays and musicals. Shows currently included in the sale include 1984 (Save over 60%), The 39 Steps (Save up to 40%), Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (Save over 20%), Dear Lupin (Save up to 25%), Hay Fever (Save over 30%), The Phantom Of The Opera (Save over 40%), War Horse (Save up to 31%), and many more. Keep checking back as more shows will be added. This is a great opportunity to see some amazing theatre at incredible prices. Don’t miss out! FOR FULL INFORMATION ON THE SALE VISIT OUR SUMMER SALE OFFER PAGE

CRITIC’S CHOICE: Top 10 New West End Plays 30 June 2015

News, Off West End, Reviews, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, To Kill A Mockingbird, West End
To Kill A Mockingbird at the Barbican Theatre

What play should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Plays which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. To Kill A Mockingbird Timothy Sheader’s utterly astonishing, profoundly beautiful, and intensely gripping production of To Kill A Mockingbird, is now playing at the Barbican Theatre. It’s not practically perfect in every way – it is absolutely perfect in every way. In terms of glorious story-telling and superb ensemble acting rapturously telling a richly detailed and extraordinarily resonant – … Read more

The success of Headlong’s 1984 and its contribution to the future of theatre

Features, West End
1984 by George Orwell at the Playhouse Theatre

It was announced this week that, due to unprecedented demand, Headlong’s 1984 is extending its run at the Playhouse Theatre until August 23rd, prior to its second UK tour. The play itself reminds us of the dangers of following suit. The popularity of this anti-populist play therefore is a particularly pertinent indicator of some significant shifts in theatre. Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillian’s 1984 is more harrowing, chilling and stimulating than it is enjoyable. A bit like spending 1hr 41 minutes in a refrigerator – cold and bright – 1984 is brilliant if you like your theatre heart free and served up over ice. This is innovation as well as imitation; truthful to the novel and yet bold with interpretation. The writer-directors embrace the novel’s appendix, using it a framing device. The play gives voice to the book’s accompanying comment, opening in the seemingly familiar territory of a discussion group where … Read more