In this week’s edition of The Stage we talk to leading producer, Sonia Friedman as she juggles productions on Broadway and in the West End. She discusses the effect that the credit crunch has had on the type of productions she intends to put on next year (nothing “too dark or depressing”) and, happily, displays some optimism about the health of the theatre industry as the recession takes hold:
Theatre thrives in difficult times. It is the bigger expenditures that suffer, like a new car or an expensive holiday. People still need to treat themselves with day to day things.
Also in the paper:
Joe Ahearne talks to Matthew Henley about his new exorcism thriller, Apparitions, which is currently being broadcast on the BBC. “If people find it controversial,” he says, “then you have to say to them that we are not in the business of making children’s TV.”
We preview the panto season, with full listings and an interview with the managing director of Qdos Entertainment’s pantomime division Michael Harrison.
Insight: We turn the spotlight on film studies, from the new GCSE in Moving Image to practical study at higher education. We ask what affect such courses have on performing arts, and how they can work alongside more traditional theatre training.
The results of the Evening Standard Theatre Awards are in, with Michael Grandage and the Donmar Warehouse proving the big winners.
Richard Jordan: The award-winning theatre producer gives his thoughts on Shrek’s imminent arrival on Broadway, and considers whether Disney should be worried about Dreamworks muscling in on their musical territory.
The founder of Theatre Record Ian Herbert discusses the importance of reviews with regards to the documentation of theatre history.
Irish theatre company Fishamble celebrates its 20th birthday this year. Here, artistic director Jim Culleton talks about the state of Irish writing, and their current production Rank, which is playing at London’s Tricycle.
Showpeople: This week we have Q&As with actor and director Adam Sutherland, Northampton’s Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Natalie Burt, and Scottish actress Carmen Pieraccini.
Kevin Dowsett, founder of Theatretrain, says that theatre companies should consider using shopping centre units as rehearsal spaces.
Dear John: What should we be looking for in a band manager and how do we get the right one?
Harry Venning on TV: Clone / The Devil’s Whore / Strictly Come Dancing
Lisa Martland on Radio: Danny Robins’ Music Therapy / Another Case of Milton Jones / Listen Against
Backstage Focus: Freelance production manager David Evans says that more paperwork won’t prevent accidents during loading and unloading.
Win tickets for Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea at London’s Battersea Arts Centre.
Howard Bird reports on the role theatre technicians play in schools, and the creation of the School Theatre Support Group which represents the views and interests of this growing industry.
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