Phil Willmott
26 Sep
News 
How the West End is mirroring the Wild West
By Phil Willmott Monday, September 26 2016, 09:52
The remake of classic western THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN has just hit cinemas so it feels apt that two new shows have been announced that utilise the same story structure.
Let me explain. The movie itself is adapted from THE SEVEN SAMURAI which is thought to be the first significant time a plot has been used in which a maverick leader assembles a team comprising off conflicted and conflicting members who then work together to conquer a challenge.
23 Sep
New Shows
Dream casting announced for a timely revival of one of the greatest plays ever written
By Phil Willmott Friday, September 23 2016, 13:45
Talk about dream casting! Imelda Staunton, who cemented her reputation as West End goddess and national treasure recently with her performances in musicals GYPSY and SWEENEY TODD will play Martha in the drama WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?.
When people debate the greatest plays ever written this one is regularly in top 10s and rightly so, when acted well it is one of the most devastating evenings of theatre you can encounter.
20 Sep
Reviews
Review: The RSC's DR FAUSTUS at The Barbican Theatre
By Phil Willmott Tuesday, September 20 2016, 09:38
You can imagine how electrifying DR FAUSTUS must have been when it was first performed to a 16th century audience of Christians and indeed people who'd face persecution for atheism.
The oft imitated story concerns an academic who summons demons in a religious act of defiance and barters his soul in exchange for a life time of unlimited knowledge.
12 Sep
News
DEAD FUNNY returns to the West End with a top TV comedy cast
By Phil Willmott Monday, September 12 2016, 08:54
When we hear the phrase “classic comedy” in relation to theatre it usually conjures up the work of authors writing a century or more ago. An exception to the rule is Terry Johnson, still very much alive, whose productions as a director or playwright have won him nine British Theatre awards including the Olivier Award for Best Comedy in 1994 and 1999, Playwright of the Year 1995, Critics' Circle Theatre Awards for Best New Play 1995 and two Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
05 Sep
The Kite Runner flies into town
By Phil Willmott Monday, September 5 2016, 08:51
This winter, as we reported earlier this week, London theatre goers can look forward to a stage adaption of THE KITE RUNNER, one of the most beloved books of this century.
The Kite Runner was a first novel by Khaled Hosseini and really struck a chord with readers all over the world. It's setting is specific, Afghanistan, but it's themes of friendship and redemption and single parent family life are so universal that it speaks to people the world over.
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