Oliver Ainley

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Latest Articles by Oliver Ainley

<em>Another America</em> at Park Theatre – review

Another America at Park Theatre – review

<em>Ghosts of the Titanic</em> at Park Theatre – review

Ghosts of the Titanic at Park Theatre – review

<em>The Merchant of Venice</em> at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse – review

The Merchant of Venice at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse – review

<em>Jack and the Beanstalk</em> at Hackney Empire review – an excellent community affair of a production

Jack and the Beanstalk at Hackney Empire review – an excellent community affair of a production

<em>Lost Origin</em> at Hoxton Docks – review

Lost Origin at Hoxton Docks – review

<em>Tender Napalam</em> at The King's Head Theatre – review

Tender Napalam at The King's Head Theatre – review

<em>Vanara</em> at Hackney Empire – review

Vanara at Hackney Empire – review

<em>A Place For We</em> at Park Theatre – review

A Place For We at Park Theatre – review

<em>Shining City</em> at Theatre Royal Stratford East – review

Shining City at Theatre Royal Stratford East – review

<em>Lava</em> at the Bush Theatre – review

Lava at the Bush Theatre – review

Review: <em>Shedding a Skin</em> (Soho Theatre)

Review: Shedding a Skin (Soho Theatre)

Review: <em>and breathe…</em> (Almeida Theatre)

Review: and breathe… (Almeida Theatre)

Review: <em>Raya</em> (Hampstead Theatre)

Review: Raya (Hampstead Theatre)

Review: <em>The Death of a Black Man</em> (Hampstead Theatre)

Review: The Death of a Black Man (Hampstead Theatre)

Review: <em>The Money</em> (County Hall, London)

Review: The Money (County Hall, London)

Review: <em>Herding Cats</em> (Soho Theatre)

Review: Herding Cats (Soho Theatre)

Sean Foley on the Birmingham Rep's autumn season: "It has been a daily fight for survival"

Sean Foley on the Birmingham Rep's autumn season: "It has been a daily fight for survival"

Ashley Shaw: Matthew Bourne is such a wonderful person to collaborate with

Ashley Shaw: Matthew Bourne is such a wonderful person to collaborate with

The unbelievable history of the Bristol Old Vic – the building that refused to close

The unbelievable history of the Bristol Old Vic – the building that refused to close

Plays in the Parks – Birmingham Rep's incredible WWII story

Plays in the Parks – Birmingham Rep's incredible WWII story

Shakespeare and plague – how did disease influence the playwright?

Shakespeare and plague – how did disease influence the playwright?

The RSC's original home was born in the ashes of a crisis – with the help of a woman unable to vote

The RSC's original home was born in the ashes of a crisis – with the help of a woman unable to vote

Coming back from a crisis is in theatre's DNA – just look at the Royal Exchange

Coming back from a crisis is in theatre's DNA – just look at the Royal Exchange

Virtual virtues – what is the role of VR in theatre?

Virtual virtues – what is the role of VR in theatre?

New plays to have on your theatre wishlist

New plays to have on your theatre wishlist

Morley's sponsors <em>Chicken Burger n Chips</em> in south London's Jack Studio Theatre

Morley's sponsors Chicken Burger n Chips in south London's Jack Studio Theatre

Multi-cultural experiences on stage – is theatre reflecting modern society?

Multi-cultural experiences on stage – is theatre reflecting modern society?

10 musicals that break the mould

10 musicals that break the mould

Sean Foley on the Birmingham Rep: 'New work is risky, but that is what I have always been in the game for'

Sean Foley on the Birmingham Rep: 'New work is risky, but that is what I have always been in the game for'

Looking at Caryl Churchill's work makes you realise that anything is possible in theatre

Looking at Caryl Churchill's work makes you realise that anything is possible in theatre

<em>Dear Evan Hansen</em> musical film: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Steven Levenson offer an update

Dear Evan Hansen musical film: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Steven Levenson offer an update

Bruce Norris on <em>Clybourne Park</em>'s 10th anniversary: "If a play is enjoyable then you don't need to justify it"

Bruce Norris on Clybourne Park's 10th anniversary: "If a play is enjoyable then you don't need to justify it"

Photos: 20th Annual WhatsOnStage winners including Andrew Scott, Miriam-Teak Lee and more collect their trophies

Photos: 20th Annual WhatsOnStage winners including Andrew Scott, Miriam-Teak Lee and more collect their trophies

20th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards: Andrew Scott, Marisha Wallace, Jamie Lloyd and more on the red carpet

20th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards: Andrew Scott, Marisha Wallace, Jamie Lloyd and more on the red carpet

Chekhov – why we should care about his stories

Chekhov – why we should care about his stories

Digitised theatre – is it an advancing phenomenon?

Digitised theatre – is it an advancing phenomenon?

Yellow Earth Theatre: milestone shows over the last 25 years

Yellow Earth Theatre: milestone shows over the last 25 years

Review: <em>Message in a Bottle</em> (Peacock Theatre)

Review: Message in a Bottle (Peacock Theatre)

Review: <em>Tryst</em> (Chiswick Playhouse)

Review: Tryst (Chiswick Playhouse)

Review: <em>The Gift</em> (Theatre Royal Stratford East and tour)

Review: The Gift (Theatre Royal Stratford East and tour)

Grime has catapulted into the mainstream – where can we find it on our stages?

Grime has catapulted into the mainstream – where can we find it on our stages?

Frantic Assembly at 25: Interview with <em>I Think We Are Alone</em>'s Chizzy Akudolu and Polly Frame

Frantic Assembly at 25: Interview with I Think We Are Alone's Chizzy Akudolu and Polly Frame

Review: <em>Faces in the Crowd</em> (Gate Theatre)

Review: Faces in the Crowd (Gate Theatre)

Sam Steiner: I wanted to write a hopeful play about the end of the world

Sam Steiner: I wanted to write a hopeful play about the end of the world

Moving Riverside Studios into the digital age

Moving Riverside Studios into the digital age

Review: <em>Fix</em> (Pleasance Theatre)

Review: Fix (Pleasance Theatre)

Novelists writing for the stage – does it work?

Novelists writing for the stage – does it work?

Rosalind and Brian Blessed: 'There is no one better at shouting than Brian!'

Rosalind and Brian Blessed: 'There is no one better at shouting than Brian!'

Top podcasts that bring the theatre to an online audience

Top podcasts that bring the theatre to an online audience

Tall in the stalls – the nightmare of being over six foot at the theatre

Tall in the stalls – the nightmare of being over six foot at the theatre

5 coolest things to see at this year's London International Mime Festival

5 coolest things to see at this year's London International Mime Festival

Top shows to see to convert musical sceptics

Top shows to see to convert musical sceptics

Top 10 reviewed shows for 2019

Review Round-Ups

Top 10 reviewed shows for 2019

Top 12 new plays to see in 2020

Top 12 new plays to see in 2020

The enduring relevance of <em>A Christmas Carol</em>

The enduring relevance of A Christmas Carol

WhatsOnStage Awards winners – from past to present

WhatsOnStage Awards winners – from past to present

Lesley Garrett: I am approaching my first panto in the same way as I approach opera

Lesley Garrett: I am approaching my first panto in the same way as I approach opera

Julie Hesmondhalgh and <em>The Greatest Play in the History of the World</em>: a little play about love and togetherness

Julie Hesmondhalgh and The Greatest Play in the History of the World: a little play about love and togetherness

Robert Emms: Ten years is a long time away – <em>Ravens: Spassky vs Fischer</em> has been overdue

Robert Emms: Ten years is a long time away – Ravens: Spassky vs Fischer has been overdue

Mental health on stage – who takes care of who?

Mental health on stage – who takes care of who?

Review: <em>Richard III</em> (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse)

Review: Richard III (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse)

Top 10 party shows to see this Christmas

Top 10 party shows to see this Christmas

Immersive Theatre – what is all the fuss about?

Immersive Theatre – what is all the fuss about?

Regional theatre is the lifeblood of the drama scene in this country

Regional theatre is the lifeblood of the drama scene in this country

Review: <em>The Great Gatsby</em> (Immersive LDN)

Review: The Great Gatsby (Immersive LDN)

Laura Elphinstone and <em>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</em>

Laura Elphinstone and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Review: <em>Beryl</em> (Arcola Theatre)

Review: Beryl (Arcola Theatre)

Sarah Frankcom on her time at the Royal Exchange: "We always say Manchester does things differently – it really does"

Sarah Frankcom on her time at the Royal Exchange: "We always say Manchester does things differently – it really does"

Review: <em>Great Expectations</em> (Southwark Playhouse)

Review: Great Expectations (Southwark Playhouse)

<em>The Lion King</em> turns 20 in the West End – exclusive interview with composer Lebo M

The Lion King turns 20 in the West End – exclusive interview with composer Lebo M

<em>The Lion King</em> turns 20 in the West End – four Rafikis look back on their times in the show

The Lion King turns 20 in the West End – four Rafikis look back on their times in the show

<em>Death of a Salesman</em> at 70 – a glance through the ages

Death of a Salesman at 70 – a glance through the ages

Streaming Shakespeare – why Netflix and theatre make for a royal partnership

Streaming Shakespeare – why Netflix and theatre make for a royal partnership

Review: <em>A Day in the Death of Joe Egg</em> (Trafalgar Studios)

Review: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Trafalgar Studios)

Spooky stage stories – horror in the West End

Spooky stage stories – horror in the West End

Review: <em>The Permanent Way</em> (The Vaults)

Review: The Permanent Way (The Vaults)

Review: <em>The King of Hell's Palace</em> (Hampstead Theatre)

Review: The King of Hell's Palace (Hampstead Theatre)

15 new plays from around the UK

15 new plays from around the UK

Christopher Hampton on <em>Youth Without God</em>, <em>The Son</em> and <em>A German Life</em>

Christopher Hampton on Youth Without God, The Son and A German Life

HighTide Festival Aldeburgh: Top 5 shows to see

HighTide Festival Aldeburgh: Top 5 shows to see

London theatre lotteries: how to get cheap West End tickets to some of the biggest shows

London theatre lotteries: how to get cheap West End tickets to some of the biggest shows

Review: <em>Jerry Springer: The Opera</em> (Hope Mill Theatre)

Review: Jerry Springer: The Opera (Hope Mill Theatre)

Review: <em>The Book of Mormon</em> (Palace Theatre, Manchester and tour)

Review: The Book of Mormon (Palace Theatre, Manchester and tour)

Review: <em>Hobson's Choice</em> (Royal Exchange, Manchester)

Review: Hobson's Choice (Royal Exchange, Manchester)

Latest Videos

Director Billy Porter and playwright Harrison David Rivers in an interview with WhatsOnStage

Billy Porter, Harrison David Rivers, Omari Douglas and Alexander Lincoln on ‘choosing connections’ in This Bitter Earth

Porter makes his UK directorial debut with the Soho Theatre production