Tim Bano

Thriller about artificial intelligence by Lauren Gunderson, starring MyAnna Buring, Yolanda Kettle, Dakota Blue Richards and Abigail Thaw, feels too algorithmic

With 19 productions this year, and many more hiring its sets, Imagine Theatre is one of the UK’s busiest panto producers. The team gives The Stage a tour of its headquarters and slosh-splattered warehouse

Last year, Birmingham Hippodrome became the first British theatre to have an in-house department dedicated to developing new musical theatre. Leading that department is Deirdre O’Halloran and artistic director Jon Gilchrist, who explain their mission to become the UK’s ‘national theatre for new musicals’ 

Awful cash-in musical parody from Kraft-Engel Productions of the notorious Dahl disaster

Scrappy but endearing comedy by Claire Watt about a walrus vs climate change

Intense, satirical show for one audience member about the toxicity of the wellness industry from tasteinyourmouth collective

Giddy, garish and spectacular version of Stephen Schwartz's hit musical, with terrific lead performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

Jerry Mitchell's lavish stage adaptation of the hit film with music from Elton John and starring Vanessa Williams – it may look good, but it has nothing to say

The secretive, cultish immersive show returns after eight years – and it’s truly extraordinary

Artistic directors of Bristol Old Vic, Paines Plough, Nottingham Playhouse, Glasgow’s Citizens and Jermyn Street Theatre on the process of programming a season