ReviewsGate editor, Rod Dungate, explored the origins and meanings of 'playwright', and why the playwright makes rather than writes.

What’s in a word? In the word ‘playwright’, everything.

Alexander Ray Edser considers an unfortunate trend in theatre today.

Alexander Ray Edser's Top 3 from 2015: HECUBA, QUEEN ANNE, TOP HAT.

Alan Geary, Top 3 from 2015: ONE MAN, TO GUVNORS, IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, EAST IS EAST.

Carole Woddis's Top 3 from 2015; three theatres-Soho, Royal Court Upstairs, Theatre 503.

William Russell’s Top 3 from 2015. CLARION, IN THE HEIGHTS, XANADU.

There have been excellent productions and outstanding performances. But I’d like to notice some of the theatres and Directors who maintain the energy of British theatre in difficult times.

Sam Walters took Richmond’s Orange Tree theatre from a lunchtime pub operation in 1979 to a purpose-built auditorium with a year-round repertory of full-length evening shows, making him a hard act to follow.

Harder when incoming Artistic Director Paul Miller was greeted last year by news the theatre’s Arts Council funding would be axed during the year’s programme he’d just announced.

Yet Miller, now on his second season, continues and refreshes the Orange Tree’s mix of new plays with rare revivals. His first season seemed to create its own classics with Deborah Bruce’s The Distance returning to Richmond – and visiting elsewhere – besides being produced in America.

Meanwhile, the theatre lighted on one of the most interesting new writing voices in Alastair McDowall, whose Pomona has reappeared from last autumn, at a larger theatre-in-the-round, the Royal Exchange in Manchester, the city where the action’s set.

It’s hard to believe Chichester’s Festival Theatre was on the brink of closure when Artistic Director Jonathan Church arrived in 2006 (he leaves for Sydney Theatre Company this year). It now has a positiveness going beyond the succession of individual successes, enlivening the atmosphere of Oaklands Park. Who’d have thought a 1,000+ seater would commit several weeks to not one, not two, but three plays by Anton Chekhov – not one, but two of them ones not a lot of people know about?

Among such glittering surprises, let’s not forget last year’s pop-up Theatre on the Fly. Excellent, intimate productions in a kind of log-cabin theatre. I particularly treasure the moment when an apple discarded by one character through the opened rear wall during Dennis Potter’s Blue Remembered Hills was leapt on enthusiastically by a passing dog.

No changes yet announced, but likely to be pending at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake. This must seem an idyllic place to run a theatre, and doubtless often is. Yet it doesn’t take much by way of cattle disease closing footpaths in an area popular with walkers, or flooding around a town reliant upon visitors to make for anxious nights.

Keswick’s had both in the decade and a half of its permanent theatre’s existence. But what’s remarkable about Ian Forrest’s regime over the period is the way TBTL has become part of the town’s culture, involved with many of the Festivals by which a culturally aware tourist town thrives – books, jazz, film and others help sustain and integrate a theatre that meanwhile has steadily developed its core summer season.

Alongside the comedy and mystery elements of the main-house, Forrest has given expression to narrative voices from local writers in the spring productions. And, vitally, identified an audience for more varied work in the Studio, remodelled and enlarged several years ago, now meeting keen, critical responses from audiences who clearly identify with the lakeside programme.

An innovative way to celebrate the Shakespeare 400 anniversary. Alexander Ray Edser looks at an exciting new project for April and May in the Midlands and touring.

William Russell considers ticket returns, non-performing stars, and other crises.

FURIOUS FOLLY: Mark Anderson
A 14-18 NOW Commission

A very special type of event

Alexander Ray Edser looks at a major commission commemorating the 14-18 War.

Moving On
William Russell looks at some major changes to important London Fringe venues

All in a good cause

Reviewer William Russell outlines a 25 June event:
Stonewall, funds, a response to the Orlando attack

Timothy Ramsden 3 June 1949 – 7 June 2016

Rod Dungate remembers the work of Founder Co-Editor of ReviewsGate.com, who died 7 June and who was cremated today, 8 July.

Thelma Ruby takes to the stage again at 91. William Russell speaks with someone who encompasses musicals, revue, and General at the National.

Ibsen Museum, Oslo, Norway
3Star***

Ibsenmuseet
Henrik Ibsen Gate 26
Open: 15/9 to 14/5 Mon to Wed & Fri to Sun 11-16. Thurs 11 – 18.
15/5 to 14/9 Mon to Sun 11 -  18.
Tel 40 02 36 30
www.ibsenmuseet.no
Price 100nk ( approx. £10) Reductions for children, seniors and students.

Review: Ian Spiby, July 2016

A useful insight into the life of the founder of modern drama

Do you think you have reviewing skills? Yes? Then read the following and contact the editor, Rod Dungate.

Steve Nallon is returning to Margaret Thatcher and fleshing her out. Alexander Ray Edser discovers how it's working out.

Mayoral elections are coming up in many parts of England. What can a Mayor do to help fund the Arts?

Terry Grimley asks this on behalf of the new West Midlands Regional Authority. The article was commisioned by the think tank, Midlands Arts Progressive.

The think-tank Midlands Arts Progressive has compiled eight wuestions for the West Midlands Regional Authority Mayoral Candidates around arts funding in the region. Although West Midlands based they have implications to many areas. See what you think.