Dear theatre friends,
Here we are in the last days of July, when I’d ordinarily be marking up my weighty Edinburgh Fringe program(me) and getting in shape for the deluge of plays I’d be seeing– often four or five each day!
One venue, The Space UK, has produced over 80 shows, in lockdown, to stream beginning August 8th.
For those of you who hadn’t been planning to go, I hope these pieces will give you a taste of the fresh talent which abounds. You can sign up at Edfringe.com, the Fringe Society’s official website, to receive info on what’s happening– right now and plans for 2021.
Sadly, the National Theatre’s weekly streamed plays have ended. However, for a change from crosswords or jigsaws, you might like to try National Theatre at Home Quizzes and spend time with some of your favorite stars. For the younger set, the NT has Madame Kalamazoo’s Magical Mail— personalized emails coming to children, written by some of the UK’s finest playwrights.
Also for children, on a more serious note, “A Kids’ Play About Racism” will premiere August 1-2nd. You can RSVP for the whole family to view a musical adaptation of the book by Jelani Memory– and perhaps trigger an important conversation.
If you missed this review in the New York Times about “In These Uncertain Times,” you still have the chance to see it, August 1st and 2nd. It concerns love, loss, grief– and how to process these emotions we’re now experiencing in isolation. Sounds brilliant!
Also this weekend, you can see “Scrounger” at Finborough Theatre For Free. Here’s the Guardian review, which I hope will entice you to see this difficult play, by Olivier-nominated, disabled actor, Athena Stevens.
Finally, do go to Ontheboards.TV, where you’ll find artists trying out new approaches to plays, film and dance– sometimes a hybrid of all. Worth a peek!
That’s all for now– as I receive news I’ll pass it along. But don’t completely fill your calendars yet– more shows are continuing to find their way to our screens.
Aren’t we fortunate to be living during this plague and not Sophocles’? Or, are you overwhelmed by choice?
Again, if you discover other theatre-related news– please get in touch: Carol@BestofEdinburgh.org.
And, need I reiterate? I’d like to continue to write because so many have expressed their enjoyment of reading– but I must have content!
Please send other theatre related information, or do try to recall a story you’d like me to post.
Carol Tambor publishes a monthly newsletter, which announces worthy shows coming to New York, along with occasional information about London theatre and, of course, the Edinburgh Fringe.