Maxine Peake News

Set in Jerusalem and inspired by a true story, this black comedy tells the story of a family of Palestinians who are forced, by court ruling, to share their home with a group of Israeli settlers.  Speaking directly to the situation today, this timely production balances humour, storytelling and metaphor, to give audiences a fresh perspective on the Middle East.

2021 marks the 60th anniversary of Samuel Beckett’s challenging play Happy Days. Written in 1961, a fantastic new revival now comes to Riverside Studios. Deftly directed by Trevor Nunn, the play resonates more than ever and features a truly stunning performance from Lisa Dwan.

New Perspectives will be releasing a debut audiobook of the first novel from celebrated comic book writer Alan Moore to mark the publication’s 25th anniversary year. Set in the writers’ hometown of Northampton, the twelve chapters will each be read by a stellar cast including Mark Gatiss, Maxine Peake, Toby Jones, Pamela Nomvete, and more.

A year ago, theatres across the country closed their doors due to the pandemic. Today, survey results collected by Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre from across the theatre sector paint a picture of an industry that has struggled to survive the past 12 months and faced huge financial strain - but remains resilient and adaptable.

A host of top performers and theatre makers have lent their support to a campaign for the Theatre Artists Fund, in the lead-up to the 16 March anniversary of UK theatres closing due to the pandemic.

Today, The Old Vic announces two new commissions for International Women's Day to be screened as part of the Your Old Vic programme.

One of the few positives that has come out of the pandemic is that there has never been more opportunity to experience something new. Theatre, ballet and opera companies have quickly realised that their reach is now potentially world-wide and a new audience awaits online. For many, their introduction to Shakespeare came at school and this experience probably set up your opinion of his work until this day. You may have fallen in love with him, but often people’s memories are of dry, tedious and impenetrable text. Broadway World would like to try and change that with this beginner's guide.

The international sales success of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads, made by Nicholas Hytner and Kevin Loader for BBC One this spring, has enabled its collective of writer, actors, directors, producer and heads of department to make their second substantial charity donation to help those most affected by Covid.

Manchester International Festival returns with 18 days of original, new work and special events from across the spectrum of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture.

In a digital ceremony tonight, the winners of the inaugural The Women’s Prize for Playwriting 2020 were announced. Due to an exceptionally strong field, the judging panel selected two first prize winners: Amy Trigg for REASONS YOU SHOULD(N'T) LOVE ME and Ahlam for YOU BURY ME.

Sheffield Theatres today announces the news that it has been awarded funding as part of the government's Culture Recovery Fund, administered through Arts Council England. This money will support Sheffield Theatres to continue to create work, connect with audiences and make further adaptations to the buildings in preparation for the Lyceum and Studio theatres reopening next year. 

The Barbican today announces a new partnership with the Bridge Theatre, to bring the highly acclaimed theatre installation, Flight, by Vox Motus, to London for the first time.

Tamsin Greig has pledged her commitment to regional theatre by being the latest actor announced to be performing one of Alan Bennett's timeless monologues TALKING HEADS to northern audiences.

The Barbican today announces new productions in the Theatre and online starting with The Ghost Light in the Theatre, a live experience for one audience member and up to five of their guests, followed by We Cover the Universe on Zoom, an interactive, sensory show for the under-fives.

As part of the current season of one-person plays, The Bridge is presenting the now sell-out runs of David Hare's Beat the Devil and Inua Ellams' and Fuel's production of An Evening with an Immigrant.  Today additional performances will go on sale for both as the season is extended to 7 November 2020. 

The National Theatre of Scotland is set to continue its new work over the coming months, with an innovative mix of streamed theatre and digital projects, including two new productions from leading Scottish creatives Hannah Lavery and Adura Onashile, both addressing urgent contemporary and historical issues around race in Scotland today.

The Imagine This Women's Film Festival is returning for a fifth edition, running September 25 - October 4. Originally scheduled to take place at Firelight Studio in Dumbo, Brooklyn, New York, the festival has shifted online to continue with their mission.

EKP and Paines Plough, with 45North and in association with Sonia Friedman Productions, today announce the seven finalist scripts for the inaugural The Women's Prize for Playwriting 2020, selected from 1,169 entries

Ralph Fiennes makes his Bridge Theatre debut performing David Hare’s monologue Beat the Devil, a new play written as a response to the author’s experience of contracting coronavirus. Nicholas Hytner directs with designs by Bunny Christie, lighting by Jon Clark, sound by Gareth Fry and music by George Fenton.

The Bridge Theatre has officially reopened its doors today (27 August 2020) after a hiatus of five and a half months due to the covid-19 pandemic and we've got the first photos of their newest production.