by Paul Johnson | Aug 18, 2020
What a Year! (Foreword)
Latest comment from Sardines’ Editorial
Tamara von Werthern (regular column)
Tamara finds some positives from five long months of lockdown.
LIFE IN LOCKDOWN
Our 25-page special feature covers the darkest months for theatre everywhere.
Timeline of the UK’s Covid-19 Story
Extinction Level Event?
Lockdown Diary
Spare a Thought for…
Lockdown on Social Media
6 of the Best – Relevant Poll Results
Technology in Isolation
Take #2
Centre Stage to Shelf-Stacking
Ladies’ Day – A Remote Production in July
A Lockdown View from the Isle of Wight
An Open Letter From Michael Billington
YOUR NEWS
News stories relevant to amateur theatremakers around the country.
Ruthie Rearranged – cover story
Ruthie discusses her thirty-three-year career, concert dates and her industry.
Hard Drugs & Hairstyles (Just Say NO!, Kids)
A brand-new Grange Hill boxed set is now available to pre-order.
Michael Green & The Art of Coarse Acting
Nick Smurthwaite takes a look at one of amateur theatre’s most iconic books.
Win a Wild Card
Focus on the new memoire of actor, theatre director and writer, Martin Milnes.
Win When You’re Singing
Singing coach Julie Miles talks about bringing people up to scratch for TV.
Looking Back … Looking Forward
On behalf of the British Music Hall Society, Chris Abbott, shares his passion.
Fascinating Liza
One third of Fascinating Aida, Liza Pulman looks forward to her concert dates.
Strike Up the Band!
What a depleted musical theatre industry has in store for us.
Panto in Ruins?
Industry leaders & playwrights give their opinions on this year’s troubled season.
Plays, Books & Musicals
New and re-released titles now available for amateur performance.
by Paul Johnson | Jul 10, 2020
Taking Up the Gauntlett…
Terry & Kevin Gauntlett talk about their family’s acting dynasty.
Tamara von Werthern
Nick Hern Books’ Performing Rights Manager’s regular column.
Hackney Empire – Reaching Out
The first of two regional focuses on theatre’s and community.
Theatre Royal Plymouth – Reaching Out
The second of two regional focuses on theatre’s and community.
Phantom Design Advice
Martin Clare of Phantom Theatre Services shares his top tips.
The Review – Our House
Ariel Company Theatre’s acclaimed performance in Crawley.
Your News
Local and various news stories relevant to amateur theatre.
Richard James
Actor and playwright, Richard James’, regular advice column.
Box Office Solutions – TicketSource
Advances in the growing world of online box office sales.
Magic at the Musicals
There’s a new digital musical theatre radio station launching.
Reviewing Non-Professionals
Susan Elkin shares her opinion on opposing review opportunities.
Panto Royalty
We speak to a handful of stars ahead of another panto season and bring you stories and advice that could help with your own shows.
Give Yourself an Advantage
Susan Elkin talks with Paul Taylor about his new audition website.
Songs & Stories, Trips & Lies (Tidy)
James Rampton interviews actor, presenter and comedian, Rob Brydon about his new stand-up show, Songs & Stories.
War Horse at Wembley
The National Theatre’s acclaimed production puts on two special perfomances for young people at the end of its recent tour.
Principles of Improvisation
An exclusive extract from Adam Meggido’s new improv book.
Shaping Lives of Young People
A look back at British Youth Music Theatre’s recent production, Fight Like a Girl and its central star, Edan Glennie.
Strike Up the Band!
Our regular round-up of the professional musical theatre industry.
New Books, Plays and Musicals
Latest publications and performing rights releases.
by Paul Johnson | Jun 17, 2020
Foreword – Whoosh! Another Year Has Been and Gone.
The latest from Sardines’ Editorial.
Questors, Jesters and Renegades
In the run up to the publication of his new book, Michael Coveney champions amateur theatre.
Tamara von Werthern
Nick Hern Books’ Performing Rights Manager brings more advice in her regular column.
Training Profile
Rebecca Swann speaks with Simon Trinder, founder of the Independent Centre for Acting Training.
Humbug Galore!
Susan Elkin looks at one of the most-adapted stories ever, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
The Review: Who’s the King?
Trinity Drama Productions mounts a production of Lloyd Webber & Rice’s musical, Joseph.
YOUR NEWS
Our regular round-up of news stories relevant to amateur theatremakers around the country.
Rob Brydon Pics
A selection of images from our previous cover-star, Rob Brydon’s brand-new stand-up tour.
2020 PANTO SPECIAL
Our annual feature brings information and advice focusing on amateur theatre’s biggest genre.
The Art of Panto
The Great British Panto Chase Off Quiz
Amateur Photo Spread
Touring Panto
Panto in Verse
The Big Producers – Qdos
P.A.N.T.O.M.I.M.E. – A Writer’s Guide
Professional Photo Spread
Panto Playwright Directory
Tessa Peake-Jones – cover story
The famous ‘Mrs Del-Boy Trotter’ speaks about touring John Cleese’s new farce, Bang Bang!.
Once is All You Need
Paul Johnson speaks to cast and creatives of the new touring production of Once the Musical.
Time to Relax
Sarah McPartlan and Robin Kelly look at Bromley Players’ decision to explore relaxed performances.
Strike Up the Band!
Our regular preview, looking at what the musical theatre industry has in store for us.
Nick Hern Books – top-10
As another year passes, Nick Hern Books lists its ten most licensed plays throughout 2019.
Plays, Books & Musicals
Our regular section where we list all the new and re-released titles for amateur performance.
by Paul Johnson | Jun 12, 2020
FOREWORD – CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19
Latest comment from Sardines’ Editorial
A PLAY ABOUT AMATEURS
Paul Johnson speaks with Ian Hislop and Nick Newman about their new touring comedy.
SOPHIE-LOUISE DANN
The musical theatre star speaks about an idea to get around the blanket closure of theatres.
EDUCATING RITA
Paul Johnson’s interview Stephen Tompkinson and Jessica Johnson just prior to the lockdown.
YOUR NEWS
Our regular round-up of news stories relevant to amateur theatremakers around the country.
BANG BANG!
Images from the tour of John Cleese’s new farce starring Tessa Peake-Jones.
eREADERS VERSUS BOOKS
Kenny Trinh looks at the pros and cons when comparing eReaders to traditional books.
HAIRSPRAY’S LONDON RETURN
Michael Ball, Paul Merton and Rita Simons are to star in the London return of Hairspray.
TAMARA von WERTHERN
In her regular advice column, Tamara talks about producing short-length productions
SUMMER SCHOOL & TRAINING 2020
Susan Elkin introduces our annual feature and advice focusing on post-virus Summer schools.
Introduction & Round Up
What You Need to Know
Summer School Check List
Inclusivity in Theatre Schools
Non-contact Training in Stage Management
Making It All Up This Summer
Regional Audition Opportunity
New CEO Announced for The Actors Centre
The Tide is Turning
Summer School Course Finder 2020
ONE STEP BEYOND!
Martin Tyrrell describes St. Nicholas Players’ admirable set-building feat prior to heartbreak.
I’LL BE IN MY TRAILER! – LOUISE DEARMAN
She’s played both witches in Wicked (West End) and is preparing for her solo concert in London.
REVIEW: SHREK THE MUSICAL
Michael Gray reviews Chelmsford Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society’s February show.
STRIKE UP THE BAND!
Our regular preview, looking at what the musical theatre industry has in store for us.
PLAYS, BOOKS & MUSICALS 
Our regular section where we list all the new and re-released titles for amateur performance.
