Arts Council funding: organisations head into the unknown amid cuts
In the first of a series of case studies exploring the impact of Arts Council England’s new funding decisions, we consider the view from the Watermill theatre, Welsh National Opera and Paines Plough
August 2022
Half-Empty Glasses review – activism in all its messy complexities
The problems facing 16-year-old Toye when he resolves to include Black voices his school curriculum are brought to compelling life
August 2021
Black Love review – singing siblings’ glorious ode to Black culture
Hungry review – souring romance with plenty to chew over
December 2020
First Women's Prize for Playwriting awarded to two winners
The award has been won by Ahlam and Amy Trigg, who beat more than 1,000 other entries, in initiative to dismantle stereotypes about women’s writing
September 2020
'There will be positives': artistic directors on theatre's terrible year
The Observer revisits six theatre bosses appointed in 2019 to discuss the existential threat to their industry, and the fightback
July 2020
Women's prize for playwriting longlist is 'politically charged', say producers
The £12,000 prize is a galvanising moment for industry that must ‘rejuvenate rather than regress’ after the Covid-19 pandemic
Theatres that made us
'I've wrestled, climbed the walls and got a black eye' – theatres that made us
Nadia Albina, Ivo Graham, Cherylee Houston and more share memories of the theatres that they call home
Theatres that made us
'Hackney Empire gave me love – I got married on stage to my panto director'
Sharon D Clarke, Robert Hastie, Michael Buffong and more share memories of the theatres that welcomed and inspired them
She unleashed Phoebe Waller-Bridge on the Edinburgh fringe. The former actor with the Midas touch tells us her recipe for a hit show
June 2019
All change! Meet the new artistic directors shaking up British theatre
Our critic reflects on the exciting developments sweeping our stages and below, some of the top new recruits share their stories and ways of working
December 2018
Vicky Featherstone and Mark Ravenhill on 20 years of bold British theatre
As the director and playwright reunite to stage The Cane at the Royal Court, they talk about their friendship and the passion and pain behind their plays
November 2018
Pop Music review – life throws shapes on the dancefloor
Anna Jordan tunes into intertwined lives and captures the oblivion and camaraderie of the dancefloor in her new drama
October 2017
Theatre to stage musical based on imaginary death of Katie Hopkins
Writer Chris Bush says The Assassination of Katie Hopkins will explore issues of ‘truth, celebrity and public outrage’
August 2017
Edinburgh festival 2017: the shows we recommend
Plan your viewing with our list of essential shows, ordered by start time
June 2017
How to build a theatre season: something old, new – and a bolt from the blue
Assembling a distinctive programme of work is a balancing act for directors. The team at Richmond’s Orange Tree theatre explain how they pair revivals of quirky classics with bravura experiments and emerging new talent
August 2016
Growth review – funny and truthful look at one man's reality check
Theatre blog
Another chance to see … Edinburgh shows gambling on repeat success
This week's best culture
Five of the best... theatre shows this week
Theatre producers' unbreakable rules for the Edinburgh fringe
