Must Watch Theatre!

A new play about John Major’s rise to power, written by James Graham, will premiere at the National Theatre in London next year, as part of a season that puts political upheaval and global conflict at the heart of its programme.

Wow, really going for the popular events there! 

The National Theatre said the play would explore what leadership means at times of political change, with Graham returning to the recent political history that has become a recurring subject of his work.

What leadership? 

Also on the programme is The Great Indaba, written by Moira Buffini and directed by Rubasingham, which dramatises an extraordinary 1997 meeting in South Africa involving Nelson Mandela’s new national unity government and political rivals from Northern Ireland, as the Good Friday agreement negotiations approached a breakthrough.

Another new play, Samira, by Carmen Nasr, is set during the Arab Spring and will be directed by Emily Burns. The Adeyemis – A Family Saga, a new political family drama by the British Nigerian writer Oladipo Agboluaje, will have its world premiere in the Dorfman theatre, directed by Lucian Msamati and starring Uzo Aduba.

I’m going to the National Theatre in November, but not for any of this politically correct rubbish, to see a production of ‘The Jungle Book’ which promises to hew more closely to the liteature than the wretched Disney abomination.

Among the season’s other new work is Mr Loverman, Natasha Gordon’s stage adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo’s acclaimed novel about a married Caribbean man confronting his sexuality. Gary Beadle, Jo Martin and Danny Sapani are among the initial cast, with Paulette Randall directing.

Ugh, giving that one a miss too. 

There is also a new British musical, Glorious Madness, featuring songs by Joan Armatrading, with a book by Iman Qureshi and directed by Phyllida Lloyd.

A new British musical, featuring songs by an American… 🙄 

You're Just Not That Riveting, Clearly

Rosamund Pike confronted an audience member during a performance of Inter Alia at Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End on Saturday. The actor, 47, who won an Olivier award for her role as a crown court judge in the show, blasted an audience member for texting during the climax of the play.

How very dare they not pay attention! 

During the curtain call, Pike pointed out how unacceptable it is for audiences to use their phones, especially during pivotal moments.

If you were any good in the play, maybe they wouldn't? 

A member of the audience said after the performance that Pike seemed “genuinely upset”, the Times reported.

Ah, bless... 

Pike is not the first thespian to criticise audience behaviour in British theatres. Just weeks ago, Cynthia Erivo brought her performance of Dracula to a standstill after noticing an audience member filming on a mobile phone.

Rather like being at school, they punish the entire audience because one member is acting up.

It's Not Just The Muslims!

Campaigners are calling on theatre bosses to stop serving bacon, sausages and ham in their cafes...

Whut?  The usual suspects? No, Reader, and yes.

...at least while Peppa Pig and her family are performing in the same building.

Oh, for god's sake! What happened to people who once did this in response to stupid demands from lunatics? 

 This is how you should have dealt with PETA! 

Grimsby Auditorium in Lincolnshire said this week it would remove pork from the menu when Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show opens next month, after a request from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta UK). The campaign group is sending the venue vegan ham as an alternative. Jennifer White, an associate director at Peta, welcomed the decision, saying she hoped it would remind people “that all pigs are individuals with personalities and not body parts to be chopped up”.

They are both, actually. 

The auditorium told Peta it would remove pork products from the Stage Door cafe menu as a “considerate gesture” during the show’s run on 3-4 March.

Why? Why not tell these charlatans - who kill more animals than anyone - to sit and spin if they don't like it?  

In November, Peta said it had persuaded Chichester Festival theatre to drop pork products from its menus during a run of The Three Little Pigs.

Ah. Because yet more spineless arty types encouraged them...