As yet again we head into another COVID crisis in the UK, with rising infections, hospitalisations and deaths, it is appalling to see the inaction from the West End and its governing body the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) — who have, since “Freedom Day”, flung their doors open to full houses and basically left it up to them whether or not they even wear masks, with only some venues checking for vaccinations or current negative tests.
Washington Post theatre critic Peter Marks has been in town, and his tweets (and warnings) to his US readers are salutary indeed:
As he tweeted:
I’d say if you’re concerned about covid precautions in a large city, don’t come to London. People jam transport without masks in spite of the requirement. In theaters less than half wear them. And the covid nos. are inching up. It’s a wonderful city but this facet: not wonderful.
— Peter Marks (@petermarksdrama) October 21, 2021
During his stay he also tweeted this:
Also spot-on observation from @petermarksdrama of @washingtonpost on our lax Covid protocols. This is a total failure of leadership from @SOLTnews @uk_theatre. When I asked their joint CEO @julianpbird why they weren’t enforcing safety, he replied people had different opinions…. https://t.co/6COSoxhUZY
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
A third comment from @petermarksdrama after his visit to a 50% masked @DonmarWarehouse, where vaxx certificates weren’t being checked either. https://t.co/9R7Uq9otEh
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
Actor Stephanie McKeon (currently playing Elsa in Frozen at Drury Lane) tweeted this yesterday:
A plea to amazing London audiences:
— Stephanie McKeon (@Steph_McKeon) October 24, 2021
Please please please wear your masks in the theatre. We are working so hard on our end to ensure everyone is safe and to keep our shows running. We would be so grateful if you could help us out and do your bit too. Thank you 😷 ❤️
At a country pub in West Sussex yesterday, I saw this — the public equivalent of the advice that SOLT give to theatregoers:
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And Peter Marks summed up his trip thus:
I have been to five London shows – plays and ballets – sitting next to people who ignore the PA system pleas to put on their masks. Most do not wear them. As a New Yorker who lived through horrific months of covid death, I am appalled by the behavior here. It is shameful. https://t.co/J7Ob0EA4SP
— Peter Marks (@petermarksdrama) October 24, 2021
MY COLUMNS AND REVIEWS OF THE WEEK
Monday October 18:
- Last week’s That Was the Week That Was column is here: http://shentonstage.com/that-was-the-week-that-was-october-11-17/
My weekly THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS round-up of my columns, reviews and tweets of the theatre week just gone is here. https://t.co/KfyNX6Sfb0
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 18, 2021
Including @IanMcKellen in THE CHERRY ORCHARD at @TheatreWindsor (pictured) pic.twitter.com/psEsbztgSp
- My ShentonStage Daily Newsletter for Monday October 18: http://shentonstage.com/shentonstage-daily-for-monday-october-18/
My ShentonSTAGE Daily Newsletter is here, including this week's openings, and looking forward to returning to New York — I booked my flights last night to go back on November 9! https://t.co/SRZwtxfglz pic.twitter.com/F6EsKHqVmC
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 18, 2021
Tuesday October 19:
- My weekly updated list of new and returning shows: http://shentonstage.com/october-18-update-latest-scheduled-new-returning-shows/
My weekly updated list of new and returning shows in the West End and beyond is here, including the week's openings and shows in previews, incl @TheRSC's new musical THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT (pictured): https://t.co/KuC4Qvbnyp pic.twitter.com/29mH9Jxiks
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
- My ShentonStage Daily Newsletter for Tuesday October 19: http://shentonstage.com/shentonstage-daily-for-tuesday-october-19/
My ShentonSTAGE Daily Newsletter (emailed to subscribers; em ShentonStageMailingList@gmail.com to be added) is here: https://t.co/5fn2MGNQ7Q
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
Including @dominicjmaxwell's review for @thetimes of GRENFELL: VALUE ENGINEERING (pictured) pic.twitter.com/IeNhUwXHeY
Wednesday October 20:
- My ShentonStage Daily Newsletter for Wednesday October 20: http://shentonstage.com/shentonstage-daily-for-wednesday-october-20/
My ShentonSTAGE Daily newsletter (emailed to subscribers; to be added, em ShentonStageMailingList@gmail.com) for today is here: https://t.co/Zu8uP2cBH0 It asks whether we are likely to see new COVID safety restrictions implemented as cases rise, and how this will affect theatre. pic.twitter.com/A7WOmWflvq
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 20, 2021
Response:
Response to my column today from @ThatTimWalker.
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 20, 2021
Sadly, there's been a catastrophic failure of leadership from @SOLT @UK_Theatre too….. @julianpbird @EleanorLloyd @Fiona_Allan https://t.co/ysXXtNSaHo
Friday October 15:
- My weekly Friday review column: http://shentonstage.com/friday-reviews-october-22
My new weekly review column for ShentonSTAGE today has reviews for
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 22, 2021
* @GetUpStandUpLDN
* @shark_broken at @Ambtheatre
* Home at @ChichesterFT's Minerva
* What If If Only/ As God Is at @royalcourthttps://t.co/XOBitBCXld pic.twitter.com/hdX59Uqn2G
- My ShentonSTAGE newsletter: http://shentonstage.com/shentonstage-daily-for-friday-october-22/
My ShentonSTAGE Daily Newsletter (to subscribe em: ShentonStageMailingList@gmail.com) is also online here: https://t.co/ERNKXVF52N
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 22, 2021
Including reviews round-ups for @GetUpStandUpLDN & @shark_broken that opened in the West End this week, plus COVID denying critics & cabbies. pic.twitter.com/073Zz6ZxMO
REVIEWS AND REVIEW TWEETS OF THE WEEK
Susannah Clapp in The Observer: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/oct/24/get-up-stand-up-the-bob-marley-musical-review-arinze-kene-lyric-value-engineering-scenes-from-the-grenfell-inquiry-tabernacle-love-and-other-acts-of-violence-donmar-warehouse
Theatre reviews in @ObsNewReview by @susannahclapp:
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
Get Up, Stand Up! @GetUpStandUpLDN ★★★
Value Engineering: Scenes from the Grenfell Inquiry ★★★★
Love and Other Acts of Violence at @DonmarWarehouse ★★★https://t.co/UN4dazXc2u pic.twitter.com/UPLwCauasP
The refurbishment of the @DonmarWarehouse by @haworthtompkins described with characteristic economy and briliance by @susannahclapp in @ObsNewReview. (I'm looking forward to visiting on Thursday…) https://t.co/UN4dazXc2u pic.twitter.com/vYkHhpFS2X
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
Other reviews/tweets by critics:
- On the Dante Project (Royal Opera House):
Review in @ESCulture of @WayneMcGregor's THE DANTE PROJECT at @RoyalOperaHouse, featuring Marco Masciari & @_edwatson. https://t.co/6aBMmcilZY
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
- Grenfell: Value Engineering (The Tabernacle):
More reviews of GRENFELL: VALUE ENGINEERING: @Arifa_Akbar for @guardianstage (4*): "It is a particular kind of political theatre which makes no attempts to be dramatic, re-enacting the inquiry with an emphatic lack of theatricality" https://t.co/Iqt3kaiPqT
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
More reviews of GRENFELL: VALUE ENGINEERING: @SarahHemm for @FT (4*): https://t.co/tat63aoJN2
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
"This is theatre not as entertainment but as vital, galvanising, public witness-bearing." pic.twitter.com/teekJA9IhQ
- The Drifters Girl (Theatre Royal, Newcastle):
Advance word from @BazBam on @thedriftersgirl out of Newcastle is great…..! Looking forward. https://t.co/i2QlrnK2Ik
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
COVID NEWS TWEETS OF THE WEEK:
#COVID19 in UK "is rising to another peak and this peak could be as serious as the last", former chief scientific adviser tells @SkyNews. And yet few are wearing masks in big indoor spaces like theatres. How long before they are shut again? @julianpbird @EleanorLloyd @Fiona_Allan https://t.co/qTt7AnbxHp
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
Latest Delta variant is on the rise, but its not the problem: https://t.co/5edtAw9Pic. "We shouldn’t be blaming the virus for what is going on in the UK. It is because we have fundamentally failed to control transmission", says Ravi Gupta, a professor of clinical microbiology. pic.twitter.com/5YpggwnSP5
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
Thank God I’m getting my Booster jab tomorrow….. https://t.co/c5b89V1IXQ
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
When @CliveDavisUK wakes up to this, it must be difficult to have to head into the West End to sit in a theatre where few are wearing masks and put oneself at risk to do his job….. It's why I am campaigning relentlessly for more safety in theatres. https://t.co/0LfSmbZqtA
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 20, 2021
You gotta laugh — though it’s no laughing matter, alas! H/t @christhebarker pic.twitter.com/jK6G8r3Vsp
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 20, 2021
So, @sajidjavid says Covid infections could reach 100K a day — but it still not time to bring in stronger safety measures. Instead, it’s up to us to take steps to protect ourselves. Yet again, it’s going to be OUR fault when deaths start escalating. What a farce! pic.twitter.com/wTzAQLKdZC
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 20, 2021
This also applies to @SOLTnews @uk_theatre @julianpbird @EleanorLloyd @Fiona_Allan https://t.co/F13FgMYjjI
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 20, 2021
….and if you don’t wear them, it will only be your own fault, not ours — but we’re too pathetic to DEMAND that you do.
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 21, 2021
Same lack of leadership in the West End.
cc @julianpbird @EleanorLloyd https://t.co/v3Y7kv2xzx
Statement from THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION @TheBMA on @BorisJohnson’s government’s failure to implement stronger Covid mitigation measures. Same applies to @soltnews, @uk_theatre. cc @julianpbird @eleanorlloyd, @Fiona_Allan https://t.co/POckvaRTKz pic.twitter.com/aVT66DdfvX
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 21, 2021
The same is true across so many walks of life. Although there was impressive mask wearing complaince at @royalcourt last night — and also at @ambtheatre when I saw @shark_broken yesterday afternoon — there is no "standard" across theatreland; it's a lottery whether it happens.
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 22, 2021
“Freedom” comes at a high price in Britain — and it’s a reckless regard for the health and safety of your fellow citizens. Just so you can exercise your “freedom” not to wear a mask, you can put others at risk. How utterly selfish. But no surprise from @BorisJohnson or his like. https://t.co/9E3PojwSlM
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 23, 2021
“At least a dozen directors of public health (DPHs) have called on residents in their areas to readopt protective measures such as mask-wearing.” But @SOLTnews @uk_theatre are too scared to mandate it? Bonkers. @julianpbird @EleanorLloyd @Fiona_Allan https://t.co/FAYbKttppP
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 23, 2021
A very, very good question from @ThatTimWalker to @BorisJohnson. https://t.co/iE2hfHwjNl
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 23, 2021
How @BorisJohnson is leading us towards another inevitable lockdown, by @devisridhar, chair of global public health at Edinburgh University. https://t.co/JijAEuJRWJ pic.twitter.com/kLHLvESKcv
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 23, 2021
How @BorisJohnson is to blame for the new COVID crisis — and its all because of herd immunity, again. "In a democracy, politicians — not scients — take these decisions," says Professor Jim Naisman of Oxford's @RosFrankInst. https://t.co/AyhIQSXIEe pic.twitter.com/BA2S5Drtiq
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
Totally true of the theatre, too: @SOLTnews @UK_theatre have mismanaged their COVID response, reducing confidence in theatregoers who want to attend venues safely by not INSISTING that masks be worn. A total failure of leadership.
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
cc @julianpbird, @EleanorLloyd, @Fiona_Allan https://t.co/ioNcrKRUlx
Very good question — and the answers in the thread say it all! Same thing I can’t understand about @SOLTnews and @uk_theatre failing to take steps to protect theatre audiences. But according to their CEO @julianpbird, people have “different opinions” & theirs is it’s unnecessary. https://t.co/3HQ5p9QhsR
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
LONDON HEADLINES OF THE WEEK
The West End company of @sixthemusical to see new cast from Nov 16: Amy Di Bartolome (Catherine of Aragon), Amanda Lindgren (Anne Boleyn), Claudia Kariuki (Jane Seymour), Dionne Ward-Anderson (Anna of Cleves), Tsemaye Bob-Egbe (Katherine Howard), Meesha Turner (Catherine Parr) pic.twitter.com/tiadF4BrO4
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
One of my favourite Christmas events! @LdnGMC this year celebrate their 30th birthday (nearly half my age….!) from Dec 2-4 at @TheClaphamGrand. https://t.co/hI8kHbvrEN
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
Looking forward to seeing my friend @ThatTimWalker's BLOODY DIFFICULT WOMEN at @RiversideLondon from February 24 to March 26, directed by another friend @RoseUnwin! https://t.co/uhoHCCGdWE
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
27 West End acts are appearing for @CharlieKristens #CHEERUPCHARLIE – THE SHOW on SUN OCT 31 7.30pm at @actorschurch In aid of @ActingforOthers + @NDCS_UK TICKETS. Now with correct booking link: https://t.co/5IjiCizjXC. (Wish I could be there, but am not in London that weekend) pic.twitter.com/Ijr7w3orgv
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 22, 2021
This has just happened!
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 23, 2021
This used to be on my doorstep, but alas not anymore, or I'd have been there to welcome #LittleAmal to the neighbourhood!
Gorgeous. #RefugeesWelcome https://t.co/6B2omF7zvJ
REGIONAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK
Trailer for THE WIZ at Manchester's @hopemilltheatr1 (from Nov 24 to Jan 16), featuring Cherelle Williams@CherelleMusic as Dorothy. https://t.co/NO5oZHlwdA pic.twitter.com/wTJD3KFD7i
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
BROADWAY HEADLINES OF THE WEEK
Phantom of the Opera returns to Broadway
This happened last night! @PhantomOpera returned to Broadway. And in the FULL, *original* production, not the diminished version now in the West End. I will only ever see it again on Broadway now — and I can’t wait. https://t.co/gsq6dzT9Wl
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 23, 2021
The power of the music of the night lives again on Broadway….. https://t.co/Nmtsd4cvDa
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 23, 2021
As ever, @OfficialALW is ahead of the curve, hosting a Broadway block party for the return of @PhantomOpera to 44th Street! (Just hope this doesn't give him ideas to cut the Broadway orchestra and replace it with a DJ….) https://t.co/3vJMYZHoGZ
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 23, 2021
If only we could say the same in the West End for @OfficialALW’s @PhantomOpera, which has now returned there with a much-diminished 14 piece orchestra. Shameful! https://t.co/8YoIXTs5cf
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
Another marketing winner for the return of the full-fat original production @PhantomOpera to Broadway this week! https://t.co/SSpNoyDdmR
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
THEATRE BIRTHDAYS OF THE WEEK:
Theatre birthdays (OCT 19): George Fenton, theatre and film composer, 72; Michael Gambon, 81; John Lithgow, 76 (pic: in HILLARY AND CLINTON, B'way, 2019); Philip Pullman, 74; Ken Stott, 67 (pic: in THE DRESSER at @dukeofyorksLDN, 2016) pic.twitter.com/kfBlPbb8oS
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
Theatre birthdays (OCT 20): Danny Boyle, film and theatre director, 65; Niamh Cusack, 62 (pic: in MY BRILLIANT FRIEND, at @NationalTheatre, 2019); Sandra Dickinson, 73; Mark Little, 62; Timothy West, 87 (pic: in a NUMBER, with Samuel West @exitthelemming at @MenChocFactory 2010) pic.twitter.com/5ATAwIRts6
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 20, 2021
Theatre birthdays (OCT 22): Saffron Burrows, 49; Jeff Goldblum, 69 (pic: in SPEED-THE-PLOW at @oldvictheatre in 2008, with Kevin Spacey); Sir Derek Jacobi, 83 (pic: as Malvolio, in TWELFTH NIGHT at Wyndham's in 2008); Tony Roberts, 82; pic.twitter.com/2ArU5OFDLm
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 22, 2021
Theatre birthdays (SAT OCT 23): Emilia Clarke, 35 (pic: Front-of-house for @JamieLloydCo production of THE SEAGULL in which she was making her West End debut, but which was suspended during previews owing to COVID); Nick Starr, co-founder @LondonTheatreCo/ @_bridgetheatre , 64 pic.twitter.com/uQVwxqS24d
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 23, 2021
Theatre birthdays (SUN OCT 24) F Murray Abraham, 82 (pic: in THE MENTOR at the West End's Vaudeville Theatre, 2017); Dervla Kirwin, 50; Kevin Kline, 74 (pic: in PRESENT LAUGHTER, Broadway, 2017) pic.twitter.com/y2AHSsFkqo
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
A big happy Bruce birthday to #MatthewWarchus, artistic director of @oldvictheatre: how lucky is he to have his wife @lollychus bake him this cake! https://t.co/RmlVtsic2q
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
FAREWELL OF THE WEEK:
Farewell to LESLIE BRICUSSE, who has died, aged 90. His musical theatre credits include STOP THE WORLD -I WANT TO GET OFF and THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT (both with Anthony Newley), SCROOGE and DR DOOLITTLE. https://t.co/qCPs2JzuIv pic.twitter.com/A307n4SDWL
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
After the death of songwriter/lyricist Leslie Bricusse this week, LIZ CALLAWAY @lizgoeson has posted this gorgeous video performing a pair of his songs, "Two for the Road" (written with Henry Mancini), and "You and I" from a 2017 concert at @54Below. https://t.co/88garN7TCC pic.twitter.com/VPJHwtbWRj
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 22, 2021
AND FINALLY, SOME FAVOURITE (AND SOME DESPAIRING) TWEETS OF THE WEEK
This is BRILLIANT on @DianaOnBroadway!
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
(All the lyrics are GENUINE. Yes, really). https://t.co/PSSWwpjhtM
Can’t wait to see this town again! (I’m coming back on Nov 9!) https://t.co/ez7WE0Wqul
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
New game in town: SEX AND THE CITY is last century; now it is which of the six wives of Henry VIII you identify yourself with! https://t.co/Yqnx2J41wX
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 19, 2021
Just had my Covid booster! Hooray! (Administered by a lovely member of @British_Airways flight crew!) pic.twitter.com/2OlWgcXFVX
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 20, 2021
I’m not allowed to comment on THE SHARK IS BROKEN at @Ambtheatre till 23.59 tonight, but it has been a jaw(s) dropping day for other unrelated reasons. I was also at a Critics’ Circle lunch to honour Dame Janet Baker, and a “critic” also turned out to be unvaxxed.
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 21, 2021
…and refused to say whether he’s been vaxxed or not — “I don’t disclose personal medical information” — but then also said he puts his faith in the immune system his Lord had given him! I wished him luck.
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 21, 2021
I’m not allowed to comment on THE SHARK IS BROKEN at @Ambtheatre till 23.59 tonight, but it has been a jaw(s) dropping day for other unrelated reasons. I was also at a Critics’ Circle lunch to honour Dame Janet Baker, and a “critic” also turned out to be unvaxxed.
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 21, 2021
…and refused to say whether he’s been vaxxed or not — “I don’t disclose personal medical information” — but then also said he puts his faith in the immune system his Lord had given him! I wished him luck.
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 21, 2021
A hilarious tweet, or it would be if it wasn't so utterly tragic…. How have been reduced to this? @BorisJohnson has a lot to answer for. https://t.co/ahLvUYpxEc
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 22, 2021
A countryside cafe start to the day: breakfast at the Little Bean cafe in Pulborough! pic.twitter.com/NOUTXrkXUq
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 23, 2021
Theatre craziness is born young! I love that @matthewrowlandx has realised those early dreams and become a professional actor! https://t.co/B0tUaGk76Y
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
Playwright David Hare seems to have a big problem with rejection, after the BBC rejected his play that was premiered at @_bridgetheatre. Sounds like massive entitlement issues. Maybe the play isn’t as good as he thinks it is? (I never saw it, so I don’t know…..) https://t.co/8aVut81juT
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
Walking a (very tiny) part of the South Downs Way, close to our home! pic.twitter.com/ZtBZwncMbC
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021
I'm all for theatrical fantasists — as SOUTH PACIFIC has it, "if you don't talk happy/ And you never have a dream/ Then you'll never have a dream come true" — but there's not one iota of factual reporting in this rumour of @ChichesterFT's show except the wish that it's true…. pic.twitter.com/R8dBYRA8k9
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) October 24, 2021