It is without a doubt that theatre is perhaps the most underrated form of performance to see in modern day. It's not quite like the cinema, where you watch the action behind a screen, unable to shout or boo at the dying antagonist, or rejoice at the damsel in distress finally uniting with her heroic hero, but rather, you are carried away by the lights and thematic immediacy.

 

On Tuesday 10th January, The National Theatre brought over 35 schools to a conference detailing the casting and style of The Tragedy Of Othello. At the conference, Clint Dyer explained the different approach the play uses to represent valiant Othello- diverting from the importance of race in the play, placing a large significance on the placings of the stage. 

 

Students were captivated by the execution and staging. One student commented that "The coolest part was the end of the first interval, when Othello made an X with his arms and the lights boomed and the curtains closed."

 

Much in the same way, the sought-after A Streetcar Named Desire at the Almeida Theatre sold out rapidly, as it was a long-awaited (three year wait) performance due to Covid-19. The fantastic Patsy Ferran managed to execute a jaw dropping representation of Blanche Dubois after a surprising substitution last minute. How on earth did she do that with merely four practices?

 

It goes without saying that theatre is indeed one of the best, classical ways to entertain- swaying into a new universe from the edge of your seats. These two performances  cannot be recommended enough, particularly for youngsters (especially those able to attend during school hours!).