Aliya Al-Hassan

Aliya Al-Hassan

Aliya Al-Hassan is UK Managing Editor of BroadwayWorld. A London-based theatre critic and journalist, she has a life-long passion for the arts, with a focus on theatre. She is always keen to promote new work and smaller venues. Follow her on Twitter @aliyajaderosa






MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

Review: THE GLASS MENAGERIE, Rose Theatre
Review: THE GLASS MENAGERIE, Rose Theatre
April 19, 2024

As delicate and fragile as one of the glass creatures that are collected, Tennesse Williams' beguiling story of memory, The Glass Menagerie combines themes of hope, rejection, disappointment and profound sadness.

Review: USHERS, The Other Palace
Review: USHERS, The Other Palace
April 18, 2024

Last seen in London nearly a decade ago, Ushers, the show putting the front of house staff upon the stage is back. A musical with its tongue set firmly in its cheek, this is a fun and frothy production with some very strong and vibrant performances.

Review: THE 39 STEPS, Richmond Theatre
Review: THE 39 STEPS, Richmond Theatre
April 5, 2024

Mix a classic spy novel with the genius of Alfred Hitchcock, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps. With a history spanning over 100 years, John Buchan’s 1915 novel was adapted by Alfred Hitchcock which then went on to become a stage play in 1996, adapted again in 2005 by Patrick Barlow to become the an international smash.

Guest Blog: 'It Always Felt Like a Paean to the Power of the Ordinary Person': Clive Judd and Mark Weinman on the Return of CAPTAIN AMAZING
Guest Blog: 'It Always Felt Like a Paean to the Power of the Ordinary Person': Clive Judd and Mark Weinman on the Return of CAPTAIN AMAZING
April 4, 2024

Alistair McDowall’s critically acclaimed Captain Amazing opens this May at Southwark Playhouse. The production will see the original creative team of actor Mark Weinman, and director Clive Judd reunite to mark an incredible 10 years since the show first blew audiences away. Here Mark and Clive talk about reuniting after decade, the joy of the ordinary and shining a light on the 'quiet' people.

Review: APPRAISAL, Tabard Theatre
Review: APPRAISAL, Tabard Theatre
March 28, 2024

A cringy boss, a pricky employee and an annual review that goes rather wrong. Tim Marriott's sharp two-hander, Appraisal, now comes to the Tabard Theatre.

Review: OPENING NIGHT, Gielgud Theatre
Review: OPENING NIGHT, Gielgud Theatre
March 26, 2024

Now a stage musical, John Cassavetes’ 1977 film Opening Night was a commercial flop when it was released, later becoming something of a cult classic of American independent cinema. Director Ivo Van Hove specialises in bringing work to the stage that may be called “challenging”. Challenging can be hugely successful, but I’ve rarely seen a production more determined to confuse and frustrate an audience.

Review: MACBETH (AN UNDOING), Rose Theatre
Review: MACBETH (AN UNDOING), Rose Theatre
March 13, 2024

A production that promises to be a 'fresh take' on one of Shakepeare's most famous plays is apt to produce a weary sigh or two. After previously playing at Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum last February, Zinnie Harris now brings her promising yet unfocused version of the Scottish play to the Rose Theatre.

Review: GUYS & DOLLS, Bridge Theatre
Review: GUYS & DOLLS, Bridge Theatre
March 12, 2024

The challenge of updating theatrical classics has led to some truly stunning theatre, such as the sell-out Cabaret and last year’s darkly stark OKLAHOMA! Frank Loesser’s 1950 musical comedy about sin and romantic salvation during the height of Prohibition was ripe for an update and Nicholas Hytner’s immersive production of Guys & Dolls has been thrilling critics and audiences alike since it opened last year.

Review Roundup: What Did the Critics Think of Michael Sheen in NYE?
Review Roundup: What Did the Critics Think of Michael Sheen in NYE?
March 7, 2024

Michael Sheen is Nye Bevan in this surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state. Written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris, the National Theatre's production of Nye is now open.

Review Roundup: Did Keeley Hawes Impress the Critics in THE HUMAN BODY?
Review Roundup: Did Keeley Hawes Impress the Critics in THE HUMAN BODY?
February 28, 2024

Keeley Hawes and Jack Davenport, make their long-awaited returns to the London stage in The Human Body; a story of political and private passions from writer Lucy Kirkwood. In his final production as Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, Michael Longhurst directs together with Ann Yee, with whom he previously collaborated on Next to Normal and Caroline, or Change.

Review Roundup: What Did the Critics Think of Sarah Snook in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY?
Review Roundup: What Did the Critics Think of Sarah Snook in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY?
February 16, 2024

Kip Williams' adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray has now opened in London's West End, running until 11 May. This ground-breaking production delivers an explosive interplay of live performance and video in an astonishing collision of form. So what did the critics think?

Review: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, Theatre Royal Haymarket
Review: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, Theatre Royal Haymarket
February 15, 2024

I'll admit that I have never dropped acid, but I can imagine that watching Kip Williams' adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray must come close to that experience. Part morality tale, part technical extravaganza, part fall down the rabbit hole, this is a theatrical evening that will remain long in the memory.

Review: JUST FOR ONE DAY, The Old Vic
Review: JUST FOR ONE DAY, The Old Vic
February 14, 2024

The story of Live Aid, raising hundreds of millions remains compelling. Bob Geldof's indefatigable efforts to rouse the world into action deserve to be brought to the stage, but not necessarily in this format.

Review: THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA, Harold Pinter Theatre
Review: THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA, Harold Pinter Theatre
February 9, 2024

Death comes to us all and the spectre of the end of life often brings families together who may not have met for years, even decades. Jez Butterworth’s bittersweet and bitingly funny new play, The Hills of California, draws both on this and how events are shaped by memory and by who remembers them.

Review: THE KING AND I, Dominion Theatre
Review: THE KING AND I, Dominion Theatre
February 1, 2024

What is classic for some feels dated to others. Those who were horrified by Daniel Fish’s starkly stripped back version of Oklahoma! should rush to the Dominion Theatre for something much more traditional. After a UK tour, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I settles in for a brief six week run.

Shakespeare's Globe Issues Statement in Response to Non-Disabled Casting of Richard III
Shakespeare's Globe Issues Statement in Response to Non-Disabled Casting of Richard III
January 31, 2024

Shakespeare's Globe has issued a statement in response to its decision to cast a non-diasabled actor as Richard III in its upcoming production.

Jools Holland Announces Autumn Tour 2024 with Marc Almond
Jools Holland Announces Autumn Tour 2024 with Marc Almond
January 31, 2024

Musical maestro Jools Holland and his famous Rhythm & Blues Orchestra have today announced the run of dates for their 2024 Autumn/Winter tour, with special guests Marc Almond and Toby Lee. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 2 February.

Kerry Ellis to Launch New WEST END SESSIONS
Kerry Ellis to Launch New WEST END SESSIONS
January 31, 2024

A new style of West End show is set to launch a residency in a Mayfair wine bar from February, after a string of informal gigs in the post-Covid era proved so popular a more permanent home was needed. The shows, which will be feature an ever-changing line-up of guest acts, kick off on 23 February with Kerry Ellis set to headline alongside Rob Houchen and MC Daniel Koek. 

Save up to 48% on SHREK THE MUSICAL at the Eventim Apollo
Save up to 48% on SHREK THE MUSICAL at the Eventim Apollo
January 31, 2024

You don’t have to go Far Far Away to find an unforgettable experience at London’s legendary Eventim Apollo; Shrek the Musical – a Shrektacular stage adaptation of the blockbuster movie-save up to 48%! 

Dorothea Myer Bennett Replaces Romola Garai in NACHTLAND
Dorothea Myer Bennett Replaces Romola Garai in NACHTLAND
January 30, 2024

Dorothea Myer Bennett will join the cast of Nachtland at the Young Vic replacing previously announced Romola Garai, who has now withdrawn.






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