Interview

With abortion rights continuing to spark fierce political debate across the world, How Can a Body Withstand This? offers a deeply personal perspective on the human stories often lost behind the headlines. Inspired by true events following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the play explores friendship, grief, healthcare and the lasting impact of political decisions on ordinary lives. Ahead of bringing this powerful new work to the stage, we spoke to writer and performer Mimi abo

Few Hollywood icons have lived a life quite as extraordinary as Elizabeth Taylor. Call Me Elizabeth: A Life In Two Parts takes audiences beyond the glamour to reveal the woman behind the legend, exploring the triumphs, heartbreaks and remarkable resilience that defined one of cinema's greatest stars. Ahead of the show's Edinburgh Fringe run, I sat down with Kayla Boye, writer and performer of the production, to discuss portraying such an iconic figure, the extensive research

Some of the most powerful theatre begins with deeply personal experiences. The Woman in the Mirror transforms one family's journey through Alzheimer's disease into an honest, compassionate and uplifting theatrical experience that has already touched audiences around the world. Ahead of its Edinburgh Fringe performances, I talked with Dayna Steele, writer, creator and performer of the production, to discuss bringing such an intimate story to the stage, the responsibility of re

This June, Rose Bruford College presents two ambitious responses to Euripides's works as its MA and MFA Acting students prepare to enter the profession. After the Fall, directed by Punchdrunk associate Sarah Dowling, is a promenade performance inspired by Hecuba and The Trojan Women. At the same time, The Rest Will Be Familiar to You from Cinema, directed by Ivan V Talijančić, marks the English-language premiere of Martin Crimp's striking adaptation of The Phoenician Women. I

Following critical acclaim and a successful previous run, Play Nicely Theatre's There is a Light and a Whistle for Attracting Attention embarks on a new tour this summer. Written and performed by Henri Merriam and directed by Sophia Capasso, the production uses the breakdown of a marriage to examine society's romantic ideals, coercive relationships, and the stories women are taught to believe about love. Ahead of the tour, we spoke with Henri about transforming personal exper

Created and performed by a 16-strong ensemble of refugees and migrants, Ali in Wonder(Eng)land returns to Jacksons Lane this July with a newly developed version of its acclaimed reimagining of Alice in Wonderland. Produced by LegalAliens Theatre and developed through their award-winning Tottenham Project, the production uses absurdist humour, physical theatre and lived experience to explore migration, belonging, and resilience. I spoke with director and dramaturg Lara Parmian

Ahead of directing the first professional revival of Firebird since its original West End run in 2016, I caught up with director Marlie Haco to discuss reviving urgent political theatre, handling difficult subject matter responsibly, and creating space for survivor voices at the core of the production. Written by Phil Davies and opening at Southwark Playhouse this July, Firebird addresses grooming gangs, sexual violence, and systemic failure through a deeply human perspective

As an actor, writer, and practising NHS junior doctor, Mo Maka brings a unique perspective to the stage with her debut full-length play, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS CONVERSATION. Set during a single high-pressure encounter between a junior doctor and a patient's relative, the play explores medicine, ethics, grief, and the realities of working within an overstretched NHS. Following early critical acclaim and ahead of its transfer to the Bread & Roses Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe previ

With the launch of the brand-new Mainstage Prize, a £10,000 award championing ambitious large-scale theatre, I sat down with founder Sophie Cairns and chairperson Pippa Hill to discuss the future of new writing, the urgent need for commercially ambitious theatre, and why horror has been chosen as the Prize’s inaugural genre. Backed by Riverside Studios, the Mainstage Prize aims to discover bold theatrical voices capable of captivating large audiences, and terrifying them too.

Ahead of the final UK performance of at the this summer, I caught up with writer and performer to discuss the extraordinary journey of the show — from a 50-seat Edinburgh Fringe venue to the West End and Off-Broadway. Inspired by one of English football’s most infamous viral moments, the critically acclaimed one-man play explores tribalism, toxic masculinity, male friendship, and the desperate search for belonging through humour, heartbreak, and football culture. As the sh

Ahead of CAMDENWALLA's opening at Camden People's Theatre this June, I caught up with writer and director Jonny Khan to discuss overlooked London histories, intergenerational activism, and bringing real stories of community resistance to the stage. Set inside the very building where the real Camden Monitoring Project once operated, the play shines a light on the Bengali volunteers who protected their community during a period of escalating racist violence in 1990s London and

With the celebration of its 10th anniversary this year, I caught up with Dan the co-founder and performer and festival producer Amee Smith to talk about a decade of clowning, contemporary physical comedy, and why audiences continue to connect so deeply with this timeless art form. From chaotic cabarets and bouffon rituals to international performers and workshops, this year’s festival promises to be the biggest and boldest yet. Over the last ten years, the decade and festival

Ahead of bringing A Cat In A Box to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, I caught up with Tom Nemec to discuss transforming personal trauma into theatre, balancing dark humour with emotional honesty, and why survival stories continue to resonate so deeply with audiences. What first made you decide to turn such a deeply personal story into a solo play? I think I reached a point where I didn’t want to keep pretending everything was okay. A lot of the show is about realizing that the

Ahead of Jane Eyre Convention arriving at The Bread and Roses Theatre this June before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe, I caught up with writer and performer Eleanor Zeal to discuss literary fandom, chaotic comedy, and the joy of watching passionate people completely lose perspective over a beloved book. Created by Theatre Caddis, this fast-paced farce promises bonnets, Brontë obsession, emotional breakdowns on the moors, and just the right amount of “minimal raunch.” Where d

Ahead of bringing "An American Comedy Show That Quite Possibly Might Be Funny To The British" to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, I caught up with comedian Brendon Lemon to discuss cultural identity, political exhaustion, British humour, and turning America's ongoing chaos into stand-up material blending sharp social commentary with improvisation, crowdwork, and storytelling. Alongside that, he is also presenting "ADHD: A Crowdwork Comedy Show", a completely different Fringe ho

Ahead of (No) Refunds returning to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe after a successful New York run and acclaimed Fringe debut, I caught up with Katy Murphy to discuss audience participation, performative pressure, and turning the brutal realities of being a working artist into a hilariously chaotic gameshow experience. Hosted by the dazzling (and slightly terrifying) Tiffany Gold, the show promises high-energy comedy, theatrical mayhem, and the very real possibility of one audi

As Albatross prepares to soar across the UK on its national tour before landing at Omnibus Theatre, I caught up with writer and director Patrick Morris to discuss climate catastrophe, complicated family dynamics, and the emotional turbulence at the heart of this striking new drama. Rooted in extensive research with Antarctic scientists and wrapped in deeply human storytelling, Albatross asks timely questions about responsibility, sacrifice, and what we owe future generations.

Ahead of us, what are we going to do when this is all over? arriving at the Buxton Fringe as part of its 2026 tour, I caught up with Alexander Millington to discuss immersive storytelling, memory, trauma, and the unsettling emotional terrain at the heart of the production. Created by award-winning company Split Infinitive, the play blends autobiographical performance with intimate audience interaction to explore the darker side of love, secrecy, and memory loss. Asking how fa

Ahead of bringing Strangers to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, I caught up with magician and mentalist Max Davidson to discuss mind reading, audience psychology, endurance, and why interactive magic creates such unforgettable experiences. Following successful US tours and a previous Fringe run, Davidson returns with a solo show promising impossible predictions, personal revelations, and a finale that changes completely every night depending on the audience in the room. Strang

Ahead of Death of a Salesman I caught up with Halit Ergenç about returning to the stage for the first time in 25 years and why he felt like now was What drew you to return to the stage with Death of a Salesman after more than two decades away from theatre? Theatre offers a sense of immediacy and risk that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Over the years, working on screen, I did not feel a strong need to return. But at some point, I realised I missed that sense of exposure, whe