The week in theatre: Women, Beware the Devil; Romeo and Julie; Shirley Valentine – review
Shirley Valentine review – Sheridan Smith disarms and dazzles with heart and soul
January 2023
Sheridan Smith on stage: from Hedda Gabler to Elle Woods – in pictures
As she returns to the West End to star in Shirley Valentine at the Duke of York’s theatre, revisit some of the Olivier award-winner’s theatre roles
December 2022
Sheridan Smith to star as Shirley Valentine in the West End
Smith will take on the role of ‘theatre’s best-loved mum’ in Willy Russell’s play in London in February
September 2021
Cultural prescription
Cultural prescription: plays, films, books and more to help you start university
From Educating Rita to The Secret History, Guardian critics suggest some comfort viewing and listening to take on campus
March 2021
Bob Swash obituary
West End theatre producer behind a string of hits including Evita and Blood Brothers
October 2020
Educating Rita review – sharp-edged take on 1980s nostalgia piece
Willy Russell’s play works well in a socially-distanced staging, and the questions it asks about the value of arts and education feel more pertinent than ever
August 2020
Educating Rita; The Comedy of Errors review – a breath of fresh air
An unflappable duo braved the elements in Willy Russell’s comedy drama, while Shakespeare’s crowd-pleaser cheered a lockdown-weary audience
July 2020
40th-anniversary Educating Rita to open at cliffside Cornwall theatre
Production starring Stephen Tompkinson and Jessica Johnson will resume at Minack theatre after coronavirus halted UK tour
May 2020
'Yeats … the wine lodge?' Educating Rita at 40 – in pictures
Willy Russell’s play, about a working-class woman’s Open University education, made a star of Julie Walters. It was first staged 40 years ago this summer – here’s a look back at its history
February 2018
Film blog
Lewis Gilbert: master craftsman who went beyond Bond with a 'working class trilogy'
Spy Who Loved Me director Lewis Gilbert dies aged 97
January 2017
Educating Rita review – Willy Russell's Pygmalion story still broadens the mind
Jessica Baglow is radiant as the gobby but intellectually insatiable hairdresser who spars with her boozy Open University lecturer
June 2015
Educating Rita review – Lashana Lynch is ‘dazzlingly fresh’
Educating Rita review – Lenny Henry walks off stage but returns with conviction
February 2015
How we made
Julie Walters and Willy Russell: how we made Educating Rita
Educating Rita review – Willy Russell revival is a class act
November 2014
Educating Rita returns to Liverpool stage
Revival of Willy Russell’s classic play will be centrepiece of spring 2015 season at Everyman & Playhouse theatres
March 2014
Ten of the longest-running West End musicals
Jason Rodrigues: As We Will Rock You closes its doors after 12 years at London's Dominion theatre, we take a look at 10 musicals that have made Theatreland their own over the years
February 2014
Musicals we love
Musicals we love: Blood Brothers
Willy Russell's boisterous show has an authentic working-class voice, socialist principles and sweetly melodic songs, writes Mark Fisher
