First Night

First Night is the first port of call for all Durham Student Theatre news, reviews, previews and more! We make it our mission to review every DST production as well as produce previews and think pieces!

 

Review: Measure for Measure

Review: Measure for Measure

"Every aspect of the production is meticulously curated, working powerfully alongside a strong cast performance, immersing the audience with captivating intensity... In a whirlwind of morality, manipulation, and murky desires, Shakespeare's timeless classic, 'Measure...

Review: Hang

Review: Hang

"Insightful, profound, and at times satirical, the production provides a rare insight to the bureaucratic monotony of legal decision-making and the scarring lack of empathy of the profession... The Durham Union Debating Chambers see host to Fourth Wall Theatre's...

Review: Grease

Review: Grease

"A playful rendition of a feel-good musical classic… is an ode to the comedic genius of its witty cast and crew… Reviving a playful rendition of a feel-good musical classic, Hild Bede Theatre’s adaptation of Grease, directed by Jacob Vellucci and Hannah Sheppard...

Review: Too Close To The Sun

Review: Too Close To The Sun

"Wonderfully intricate moments of physicality, with endearing characters, and moments of humour... This year’s instalment of Wrong Tree’s annual devised piece ‘Too Close to the Sun’ weaves experimental physical theatre and pop hits amongst a gorgeously intricate set...

Review: Finalists’ Showcase

Review: Finalists’ Showcase

"A memorable glimpse of the best that drama here has to offer: actors working to near-professional standards, impressive directing, and creative originality in the choice of texts... Durham Student Theatre’s Finalist Showcase, performed in the Assembly Rooms Theatre,...

Review: HMS Pinafore

Review: HMS Pinafore

"DOE’s annual opera production is fantastic... with with an ebullient crew of talent and filled with singing, comedic antics, and a timeless tale of love. DOE’s annual opera production is fantastic, sailing the high seas on the HMS Pinafore in the Assembly Rooms...

Review: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Review: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

"It is a funny, light, innocent, and bright show with an incredibly talented cast and crew… An immersive, enthusiastic, and joyous musical, TDTC’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is not one to miss.   Impressively directed by Archie Collins, assisted by...

Director’s Reflection: The Frogs

Director’s Reflection: The Frogs

The success of this production belongs mostly to Sas Smith’s fantastic adaptation of the original script. Aristophanes’ ancient Greek comedy features plenty of odd thematic, character and comic choices that, if left preserved, would have ensured a head-scratching...

Review: Macbeth

Review: Macbeth

"An enchanting re-telling of Shakespeare’s tragedy... St Chad’s Chapel is illuminated by candlelight for the opening night of Macbeth, an enchanting re-telling of Shakespeare’s tragedy directed by Samantha Dotson. From the get-go, the immense effort put into this play...