In this week’s edition of The Stage:
It’s been two months since England joined the rest of the UK to ban smoking in enclosed public places. Mark Ritchie and Lalayn Baluch survey figures from the entertainment industry to find out the effects on the nation’s clubs, theatres and outdoor venues
British theatres are often reluctant to put on plays with gay themes. Despite apparent progress towards equality, the community is still marginalised, argues Sofie Mason
A successful musical is generally considered one that embeds itself in Theatreland and stays there for years on end. Mark Shenton examines the tough new market to see how great ideas can take on the mighty West End giants
In a Dear John special, multi-talented opera singer Tasakane Valentine Maswanganyi, who recently starred as the title role in Carmen Jones, gives John Byrne invaluable advice on how to make it as a successful performer
As he embarks on a UK tour, comedian Ross Noble tells Phil Penfold why becoming a stand-up was a natural choice for a boy who preferred drama and unicycling to football
From Stones in His Pockets creator Marie Jones to the acclaimed Martin Lynch, Belfast has generated a succession of talented playwrights, putting the city on the map as a powerhouse of Irish theatre. Michael Quinn speaks to some of the region’s leading playwrights. PLUS playwright Owen McCafferty on his interests in “the theatre of the imagination”
Helena Blackman is starring in a production of South Pacific and tackling even more shows that her ‘Maria’ rival Connie Fisher. She tells Nuala Calvi how she is finding the experience and the effect the BBC show has had on her career. PLUS Where are all the Marias now?
As one of the stars of dazzling Disney success story High School Musical, Lucas Grabeel is finally enjoying the Hollywood high life. In The Stage’s second instalment examining the growing musical franchise, he talks to Scott Matthewman about his shaky start in LA and how he got his break. PLUS Disney Channel UK managing director Rob Gilby reveals how the company is responding to the enthusiastic High School Musical audience in Britain
Stock market investment may not sound an obvious area of interest to struggling actors, but it is worth considering the merits of buying into the entertainment world, writes David Simmons
Matthew Hemley looks at the challenge of turning real life tragedy into television drama
Suggesting to the Queen that the Isle of Man’s Gaiety Theatre is better than any other Matcham house shows how fond Mervin Stokes is of the venue. He tells Mark Ritchie about the Corsican trap, the Victorian stage effect at the centre of the theatre’s restoration project
Forty years of Rockin’ All Over the World haven’t dulled Francis Rossi’s enthusiasm for his band or its music, he tells Douglas McPherson
Showpeople: interviews with juggler Jemile Martinez, director Charlotte Westenra and actor Jake Norton
This week’s columnists include Ian Herbert on the state of the West End; Richard Jordan looks back at Edinburgh 2007; Barbara Eifler on the risks to stage managers of using their own name; and Patrick Newley on Jewish humour.
