The Crush Bar

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"Chadwick saw that the lyricism of hip-hop was powerfully dramatic and theatrical"
Director Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu on his poignant production of Chadwick Boseman's Deep Azure. Plus: three shows to see next week. Also: this is the last…
 • Fergus Morgan
Five years of The Crush Bar. Twelve weeks without it.
Should I stop writing about theatre? What shows should you see while I am away? Do you have any recommendations for South East Asia? All that and more…
 • Fergus Morgan
"There is a reason certain songs survive. There is a reason that people keep singing them."
Scottish writer and composer Finn Anderson on new musical Ballad Lines, which opens at Southwark Playhouse soon. Plus: three shows to see next week.
 • Fergus Morgan
Damn, overlooked in The Stage 100 yet again!
I'm joking... or am I? Why is there a Western in the West End? Should we shift show start times? All that and more, including an extended pasta…
 • Fergus Morgan
"I was surprised by the classism at Cambridge. I didn’t expect people to say awful things about Liverpool to my face."
Jade Franks on her Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Eat The Rich (but maybe not me mates x), which opens at Soho Theatre on Monday. Plus: three shows to see…
 • Fergus Morgan
My hope for 2026? For theatres to be free to make theatre again.
How can Margaret Hodge's ACE review help on that front? Why did some British critics not enjoy Oh, Mary!? Is "theater kid" actually an insult? All that…
 • Fergus Morgan

December 2025

The Crush Bar's End-Of-Year Lists
Twelve super shows, eleven other hits, ten forthcoming productions, nine divisive dramas, eight excellent newsletters, seven other bits of work, six hot…
 • Fergus Morgan
The Crush Bar's Quiz Of The Year
What play was referenced in the year's biggest album? How many times is 'theatre' in the Budget? What was the floppiest flop? All that plus loads of…
 • Fergus Morgan
Meet The Critics
Artists and audiences know little about those that review their work. Here, eleven of the country's leading critics introduce themselves. Plus: three…
 • Fergus Morgan
Tynan on Stoppard, P*ddington The Musical, and the exploding world of audio
Will we ever adjectivise a playwright's surname again? Oh no, they loved it, didn't they? Which Harry Potter star did a baby voice to me on Zoom? All…
 • Fergus Morgan

November 2025

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