Last week I had the most uplifting theatrical experience of the year " so far. I saw Swan Lake at Royal Opera House in the company of 2,000 primary school children.
Whether you're a school leaver embarking on a theatre career or a working performer who wants to top up on stage skills,
I write a lot about the performing arts I watch other people engaging in. Last week, for a change, it was my turn. I went to Benslow Music in Hitchin for three days – for the sixth or …
Attending the first show of 2018 made me wonder, not for the first time, why we mad Brits persist in doing outdoor theatre. This is not Verona, Seville or Avignon, after all.
With no course currently available to fill the gap between leaving school and moving on to postgraduate training, Susan Elkin seeks out
I don't think it matters whether you're writing for a national newspaper, your own website or a small organisation which doesn't pay for reviews. The important thing is that you can, and do,…
Specialist theatre, drama or music education at 16-19 level doesn't have to be pricey or far away from home " and it
The shelf I reserve for newly arrived theatre books is beginning to groan so it's obviously time for a round-up. There's a lot of Shakespeare on the pile and I was especially pleased to see …
If you have only 30 places to offer on a massively oversubscribed acting or musical theatre course then you must award them to the thirty applicants who have the potential to be industry-rea…
The thing is this: If I knew that many people in the performing arts industries are hostile towards, or despairing about (or both) what they see as the government's dismissal of the arts in …
Getting into a drama school is notoriously difficult, with prospective students often feeling unprepared for auditions. Susan Elkin explains how foundation courses
The purpose of my visit was very specific to the Watermill Theatre. The forthcoming production of A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Paul Hart, and building on the success of last year's …
Puppets are on the up " War Horse and Pinocchio being just a couple of recent examples. So now is a better
No one should have to pay for the "privilege" of applying for any sort of course. Charging audition fees is such an exploitative disgrace that I can see no reason why it shouldn't be made il…
In presenting a dance classic to pre-schoolers, how far should it be simplified and changed to suit the audience? I'm a great
How do we get the word out " really out " about fringe theatre in general and pub theatres in particular. There's cutting-edge work going on all the time at, for example, the Finborough or T…
It's unusual these days to sit in the theatre for more than a few minutes without the darkness and your concentration being disturbed by someone nearby flashing a mobile phone on. It's infur…
I used to review large numbers of graduating student showcases for The Stage. Then last year an editorial policy decision was made at the Stage not to cover them any more. So I didn't go to …
So Ramps on the Moon is living up to its wonderfully optimistic name. It really is creating ramps " ways in " to fabulous, moon-like opportunities to talented people of all sorts. Bravo! I'm…
Rejoice with me at the sheer breadth, energy and healthy eclecticism of it all " especially if you're feeling gloomy about the arts and their future.
Scarlett Leigh Fawcett recently finished playing Dorothy in Trinity Theatre's 2017 Christmas production of The Wizard of Oz. Having entered the industry as
So it isn't press night " because you were at another show then. You arrive at the box office and say politely: "Hello. My name's Susan Elkin. There should be a press comp for me for this pe…
Katherine Vernez Gray trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she received the gold medal in acting. She has
Susan Elkin chats to Justin Cooke, CEO of Digital Theatre. Digital Theatre offers access to films of live theatre, ballet, opera and classical concerts to individual subscribers and educatio…
I stand by everything I write in any review and will not make changes just because someone's feelings may be a bit bruised. In fact I'm not prepared even to discuss it. We're all grown up. I…