018: Mark Shenton is an addict.
Today’s episode of the Show People Podcast is with world-renowned Theatre Critic and Journalist Mark Shenton – Associate Editor and New York Theatre Critic for The Stage, London Theatre Critic for LondonTheatre.co.uk, he’s Chairman of the drama section of the Critics Circle Awards, he was the former Theatre Critic for the Sunday Express for eleven and a half years, however he was laid off due to a highly controversial legal batter after ‘inappropriate’ images of him were leaked to his employers. He’s just launched a brand new theatre podcast called Commit No Nuisance. Mark talks openly and honestly about his life growing up in Johannesburg and its thriving theatre scene, studying at Cambridge with various famous alumni, coming out and his early relationships, the genesis of his career including working for companies such as Dywynters and the Press Association and ultimately his journey to becoming an internationally recognised theatre critic. Mark goes into great detail about the demons in his life including sex addiction, depression and the simple but effective things he does to stay happy, healthy and continue to be one of the finest critics in the UK.
Episode features include:
The Soapbox: Mark Shenton has recently taken to Twitter and his blog at thestage.co.uk stating that he will only read reviews and features written by people who are paid to write them. Andrew talks to Mark about his historic championing of work on the fringe and whether his decision may lead to him losing out on discovering new and upcoming talent, whether producers and directors really are getting rich on the fringe and the consequences both Mark and the industry may face thanks to his decision. Mark talks about his own concerns and the difficulties that now lie ahead of him as well as clarifies where he stands not only on his stance, but also about a lot of the injustices that are occurring on the fringe, the Twitter battles he’s faced because of his announcement and his own experiences and mistakes he made when producing a production at the Cock Tavern.
Dramatic News: Andrew covers the latest dramatic news, including stories about David Haig’s new play Pressure transferring to the West End, Bat Out Of Hell, the return of Arion Productions’ Steve Furst In Character coming to the Underbelly Festival in June 2018 and news about the 10th anniversary product of Green Day’s American Idiot – The Musical.
The Platform: Todays platform is given to The Hidden Theatre Company and a song called So Many Different Windows from their new musical Island Song. With words by Sam Carner, Music by Derek Gregor and Story by Sam Carner, Derek Gregor and Marlo Hunter. The recording comes straight from their rehearsal room and features the full company; Abby Restall, Drou Constantinou, Joshua Wills, Jack Anthony Smart & Stephanie Lyse.