Julie Hesmondhalgh is one of those rare human beings: an actor who is instantly recognisable from her performances in popular TV dramas such as Broadchurch and Happy Valley, and as Hayley in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street; but at the same time, one who remains grounded in a politically engaged, compassionate, activist, grass-roots theatre … Continue reading ‘My happy place is where Art meets Activism’: Julie Hesmondhalgh on why she feels at home with political theatre
Political theatre
In dark times: Two Ukrainian playwrights on life in the midst of the conflict
It has been six months now since Russia invaded Ukraine, but as a double-bill of Ukrainian plays – published this week and currently showing at the Finborough Theatre in London – makes clear, the conflict really began much earlier than that, when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea in 2014. For the two leading Ukrainian playwrights … Continue reading In dark times: Two Ukrainian playwrights on life in the midst of the conflict
‘Theatre needs to be reoccupied by the theatremakers’: Russell Lucas on breaking through industry barriers
Russell Lucas doesn't exist. At least, not according to conventional theatre categories. He's a writer, deviser, producer, actor and director – often all at once. He's a lecturer too. And why not? In his new book, 300 Thoughts for Theatremakers, he offers inspiration and encouragement for theatremakers everywhere, and argues that the maverick, hybrid, jack-of-all-trades … Continue reading ‘Theatre needs to be reoccupied by the theatremakers’: Russell Lucas on breaking through industry barriers
‘Starting sombre, ending wild’: John O’Donovan on a generation afflicted by austerity, in his new play Flights
JOHN O'DONOVAN is a London-based playwright from Co. Clare, Ireland. His new play Flights – which opens in Dublin this week after a short run in his home-town of Ennis, and transfers to the Omnibus Theatre, Clapham, in February – looks at a generation that has been shaped by austerity. Here, he discusses the inspiration … Continue reading ‘Starting sombre, ending wild’: John O’Donovan on a generation afflicted by austerity, in his new play Flights
‘We all live within shouting distance of someone in crisis’: Lynn Nottage on her play Sweat
As her latest play Sweat opens at the Donmar Warehouse in London, the double-Pulitzer-winning playwright Lynn Nottage reveals the painful personal encounter that led her to write it, and how her intensive research uncovered truths overlooked by mainstream media... Several years ago I received a commission from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to write a play … Continue reading ‘We all live within shouting distance of someone in crisis’: Lynn Nottage on her play Sweat
Wrestling with Brecht: author David Zoob on why Brecht still matters
Why are Brecht's theories often so baffling? And are they any use to theatre makers today? David Zoob, author of the newly published Brecht: A Practical Handbook, explains how he was converted to Brecht, and why he still matters. Sometime in the late 80s, when I was in my mid-twenties, my theatre company was touring … Continue reading Wrestling with Brecht: author David Zoob on why Brecht still matters
Howard Brenton (The Nick Hern Books Anniversary Interviews)
Howard Brenton's career as a playwright encompasses an extraordinary variety of subjects and many glittering successes, from Pravda and The Romans in Britain to Paul and Never So Good. But, as he tells theatre journalist Al Senter, there have been tricky times too, and he owes the revival of his career to a stint on … Continue reading Howard Brenton (The Nick Hern Books Anniversary Interviews)
Jack Thorne (The Nick Hern Books Anniversary Interviews)
Jack Thorne is the playwright behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and a five-times BAFTA-winning screenwriter. He talked to theatre journalist Al Senter about his abiding love for theatre, while, below, we publish his speech at the Nick Hern Books thirtieth anniversary party at the Royal Court Theatre in July... Jack Thorne is a … Continue reading Jack Thorne (The Nick Hern Books Anniversary Interviews)
‘Authenticity guaranteed’: Robin Belfield on why verbatim theatre is so important right now
Verbatim theatre, fashioned from the actual words spoken by real people, is the perfect antidote to our troubled times, argues Robin Belfield, whose new book Telling the Truth: How to Make Verbatim Theatre is an essential guide for theatre-makers, artists, students and teachers. If ever there was a time for verbatim theatre, it’s now. We … Continue reading ‘Authenticity guaranteed’: Robin Belfield on why verbatim theatre is so important right now
The Prompt Book 