Letters from the Theatre

Theatre scholar Ana Tomskaya delights in frequenting London’s theatres, observing its theatrical life with care and affection, and sharing her impressions and observations. Her column is devoted to premieres, stage stars, and repertory that truly merits attention.

Culture

London theatre in July: shows for conversation and reflection

Ana Tomskaya

Summer is in full swing! You want to relax, wear beautiful clothes, drink champagne or lemonade, wander thoughtlessly through streets or fields, and meet up with friends. For nice clothes…

People

Ira Litmanovich: «Technical progress begins to dominate everything»

Ana Tomskaya

Artist and animator Ira Litmanovich filmed An Unwritten Play as a film about Alexander Volodin, but in the end it turned into a story about time, memory, the fragility of…

Culture

The Well Walk Theatre: The Alchemists of Puppet Theatre

Ana Tomskaya

The Well Walk Theatre was opened not so long ago by Zina Drouche and Dylan McNeil, together with actress Marina Turmo, and already this unique little theatre has become deeply…

Culture

A Change of Register: London Theatres in June

Ana Tomskaya

This theatrical June, classic stories seem to change key, to study themselves, to try out new voices. Of course, here His Majesty the Playwright becomes especially important — what will…

People

Arthur Boan: «45-minute violin concerto prepares your brain for Shakespeare»

Ana Tomskaya

Canadian actor Arthur Boan, a graduate of Guildford School of Acting, is known to London audiences for his roles in Elektra and Oklahoma!. He recently toured the United Arab Emirates…

Culture

Leaving the West End: London Theatre in May

Ana Tomskaya

London theatre has never been confined to the West End playbills. Beyond its glittering boundaries lies an equally vibrant — and in many ways more flexible — scene. Off-West End…

People

Jeff Shankley: “Theatre is the bedtime story business”

Ana Tomskaya

Jeff Shankley, a legend of British musical theatre and the original performer of Munkustrap in Cats and Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar, has never confined himself to the mirror of…

Culture

Paddington’s Triumph and a Star-Studded Night at the Royal Albert Hall: How the Olivier Awards 2026 Unfolded

Ana Tomskaya

London once again became the centre of the global theatre scene: on April 12, 2026, the landmark 50th anniversary ceremony of the Laurence Olivier Awards took place at the legendary…

Culture

The Player: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at The Old Vic

Ana Tomskaya

A countercultural icon, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey became popular almost immediately after its publication, while the film starring Jack Nicholson gained an independent life of…

Culture

London Theatre in April: Demons and Lovers

Ana Tomskaya

Hooray, April! The Easter holidays, the first real warmth (typically arriving just after the break!), and of course — premieres. Everything looks so good — what would you choose?..

Culture

Dream on, Monet, dream on: the musical A Mirrored Monet explores the artist’s impossible choices

Ana Tomskaya

Carmel Owen’s musical was first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe three years ago. Since then, it has travelled a long way — and has now finally reached the stage of…

Miscellaneous

Olivier Awards Nominees: What to See on Stage Right Now

Elena Poluyan

The 50th anniversary ceremony of the Olivier Awards will take place on 12 April at the Royal Albert Hall. It is easy enough to calculate that the first ceremony took…

London Cult.

Letters from the Theatre

London theatre in July: shows for conversation and reflection

Ira Litmanovich: «Technical progress begins to dominate everything»

The Well Walk Theatre: The Alchemists of Puppet Theatre

A Change of Register: London Theatres in June

Arthur Boan: «45-minute violin concerto prepares your brain for Shakespeare»

Leaving the West End: London Theatre in May

Jeff Shankley: “Theatre is the bedtime story business”

Paddington’s Triumph and a Star-Studded Night at the Royal Albert Hall: How the Olivier Awards 2026 Unfolded

The Player: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at The Old Vic

London Theatre in April: Demons and Lovers

Dream on, Monet, dream on: the musical A Mirrored Monet explores the artist’s impossible choices

Olivier Awards Nominees: What to See on Stage Right Now

London Cult.