In this week’s issue of The Stage, Hanif Kureishi talks about adapting his 1995 novel The Black Album for the stage, revealing his hopes to reach an even bigger audience by making a film version of it and the multitude of opportunities available for Asian actors compared to 20 years ago:
…One of his concerns when adapting the novel was that the tone was too “frivolous”.
“The triggers in the book are often comic, so Jatinda [Varma, the director] and I talked about how we could make it both serious and comic at the same time. We didn’t want to lose the change inherent in that kind of a deal, so we kept on working until we found the right balance.”
Also this week:
Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, the writing team behind Drop the Dead Donkey and current hit sitcom Outnumbered, will be sharing their wisdom with attendees of the Edinburgh International Television Festival. Hamilton talks to The Stage’s Matthew Hemley about the story of the couple’s success.
In a health and fitness special, we look at the services available to performers to make sure that they have the physical and mental endurance the profession demands — plus showbiz fitness trainer Jon Trevor gives his top 5 tips and beauty therapist Gayle Harper on the safe ways to get a good skin tone.
A word frequently associated with Rodgers and Hammerstein productions is ‘lavish’, but for director Thom Sutherland, his adaptation of the film State Fair is based on telling the story in the intimate fringe setting of the Finborough Theatre
Shepherding convoys of supplies as an officer with the Royal Logistic Corps in Afghanistan and acting in a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe could surely not be two more varied roles - but, as Arthur James tells us, there’s an element of playing a part in both professions
Richmond Theatre, which has played host to stars from Charlie Chaplin to Timothy West celebrates its 110th anniversary this year. Honorary archivist Norman Fenner talks about the Frank Matcham-designed venue’s past
Backstage Focus: Using a striking outdoor structure as a venue can be a great way to attract the attention of new audiences. Kevin Berry talks to DanceEast’s Branislav Henselmann and Underbelly’s Ed Bartlam
News Feature: Despite the economic downturn, London theatres’ box office receipts in 2008 were up on 2007’s. We take a closer look at the figures and evaluate the implications for 2009.
Insight: While the recently published ACE theatre review reveals a much improved bill of health since the shock of 2000’s Boyden report, it also warns that audience numbers have failed to increase, expresses concern over the writing process and confusion over touring funding
Colin Tweedy, chief executive of Arts & Business, considers how the future of the UK’s cultural economy is more dependent than ever on engaging local audiences, encouraging more people to conate to the arts and ensuring tax-efficient giving
Dear John: “I’d like to find a double act partner, but how do I find the right one?”
Student Showcase reviews: Coverage of the graduate showcases from Stella Mann College, Liverpool Theatre School’s Musical Theatre course, the Spotlight Showcase events and the European Actors’ Continuing Training showcase.
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