Mark Ludmon – freelance journalist writing about theatre

Richard Heap, Chloe Gentles, Aoife Kennan, Max Gold, Katja Quist, Louis Bernard and Charles Angiama. Photo: Pamela Raith

Review: C-o-n-t-a-c-t, various locations, London

September 11, 2020 mstjl Reviews

A young woman sits alone on a bench in the middle of Clapham Common, silent, apparently deep in thought. About a dozen people stand a

Review: Rose, Hope Mill Theatre online

September 10, 2020 mstjl Reviews

Maureen Lipman gives the performance of a lifetime in the online revival of Martin Sherman’s play, Rose. Best known for comedy and roles like Evelyn

Review: Megan Vaughan’s Theatre Blogging: The Emergence of a Critical Culture

August 6, 2020 mstjl Reviews

With her blog Synonyms for Churlish, Megan Vaughan was part of a cohort of bloggers who have been shaking up the world of theatre over

Interview with Maureen Lipman on the revival of Martin Sherman’s Rose

July 30, 2020 mstjl Features

Coronation Street’s Maureen Lipman speaks to Mark Ludmon about playing the title role in Martin Sherman’s Rose in its online revival under director Scott Le

Review: Emma Smith’s This Is Shakespeare: How to Read the World’s Greatest Playwright

May 31, 2020 mstjl Reviews

Emma Smith, a professor of Shakespeare Studies at the University of Oxford, draws on her extensive knowledge and scholarship for This Is Shakespeare: How to

Elizabeth Newman in rehearsal for The Crucible

Interview with Elizabeth Newman, artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre

May 18, 2020 mstjl Features

Mark Ludmon speaks to Elizabeth Newman about Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s efforts to reach audiences during shutdown including the premiere of David Greig’s new play, Adventures

Tracy-Ann Oberman in The Merchant of Venice

Tracy-Ann Oberman on playing Shylock in The Merchant of Venice set in Fascist 1930s

March 12, 2020 mstjl Features

Tracy-Ann Oberman talks about playing Shylock as an East End matriarch in the upcoming tour of The Merchant of Venice Tracy-Ann Oberman has always hated

Interview with Sean Foley, artistic director of Birmingham Rep

March 9, 2020 mstjl Features

Director Sean Foley talks to Mark Ludmon about his first full season at Birmingham Rep The UK premiere of Broadway hit musical Something Rotten! is among a

Michael Billington on the practice of theatre criticism

February 28, 2020 mstjl Features

After 48 years and reviewing more than 10,000 shows, Michael Billington has retired as chief theatre critic of The Guardian. At an event at the

Rufus Norris and Lisa Burger reveal new shows and more diversity at National Theatre

February 19, 2020 mstjl Features

Mark Ludmon reports from today’s announcement of the National Theatre’s new productions for 2020 and 2021. The National Theatre has today unveiled an exciting line-up

Laurie Sansom directing Quality Street rehearsals. Photo: Sam Taylor

Interview with Laurie Sansom, artistic director of Northern Broadsides

February 4, 2020 mstjl Features

Laurie Sansom discusses his plans as new artistic director of theatre company Northern Broadsides and its next production, JM Barrie’s Quality Street After 27 years,

New look for Once the musical on tour

December 17, 2019 mstjl Features

Mark Ludmon drops in on rehearsals for the new UK touring production of Once the musical Once the musical has been breaking hearts since it