Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 1d

Who Will Plug The Gap? carlwoodward.substack.com/p/dirty-mone...

Dirty Money: A Grown-Up Conversation, Please?

Who Will Pick Up The Bill?

carlwoodward.substack.com

Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 2d

dynamic pricing has ravaged the West End - let’s cut to the chase: it is a greedy scam

keeping ticket prices low and accessible is something that West End producers must urgently address 🎭

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 4d

TGIF - my Friday newsletter is here open.substack.com/pub/carlwood...

TGIF 🎭

Audience behaviour continues to spiral out of control, Les Mis turns 40, Scherzinger & more 🥂

open.substack.com

Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 4d

‘ICYMI’ British Theatre Is Failing The Working Class www.mrcarlwoodward.com/frontpage-ar...

British Theatre Is Failing The Working Class - Carl Woodward

The class divide is deepening — & we’re failing to bridge It

www.mrcarlwoodward.com

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Reposted by Carl Woodward

Lux "Nightmare" Alptraum @luxalptraum.com · 5d

TFW you paid $1400 to see Beckett’s most famous work without knowing anything about it

One Star Review of Waiting for Godot on Broadway
I recently attended Waiting for Godot on Broadway and spent over $1,400 for two Row C seats (103 and 104). I'm a longtime admirer of Broadway productions and even hold a season pass for Shea's Performing Arts Theatre, so I came in with genuine enthusiasm and high expectations. Unfortunately, this show was unlike anything ! have ever experienced —and not in a good way.
What I encountered was not the artistry, music, or emotional storytelling I usually associate with Broadway, but instead what felt like an endless cycle of nonsensical conversation between characters who seemed trapped in their own madness. I tried-truly tried-to find meaning, symbolism, or even a thread of emotional resonance. I stayed through the first half hoping the second would offer clarity. But by intermission, it was clear: this was a waste of both time and money.
Keanu Reeves is an actor I respect greatly, but I cannot fathom why he would agree to participate in such a disjointed, inaccessible production. His talent was lost in a performance that defied reason rather than provoked insight.
To anyone considering attending: unless you are drawn to highly abstract, nearly incomprehensible theater, I strongly caution you against this show. For the average, educated, thoughtful theatergoer, it is far more frustrating than fulfilling. In my opinion, this was the single most disappointing Broadway experience I've ever had - an unfortunate waste of money and, more importantly, of time.

34 880 5K

Reposted by Carl Woodward

Keith W. Dickinson @keithwdickinson.bsky.social · 6d

Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.

The Verge @theverge.com · May 26

Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry

Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.

buff.ly

420 9.8K 26K

Reposted by Carl Woodward

Sondheim Lyrics @sondheimlyric.bsky.social · 7d

Where are we to go? Where are we ever to go?

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 7d

British Theatre Is Failing The Working Class substack.com/@carlwoodwar...

British Theatre Is Failing The Working Class

The Class Divide Is Deepening — And We’re Failing to Bridge It

substack.com

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 7d

Nicole Scherzinger’s Royal Albert Hall “concert”: 50 mins late, 20-min first act, 45-min interval, & she made someone kiss her Tony & Olivier. Slow claps. 👀

Norma Desmond would be proud 😹

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 9d

Hamlet, review open.substack.com/pub/carlwood...

Hamlet 💀

For all its spectacle and wit, Hastie’s Hamlet leaves us with admiration rather than devastation.

open.substack.com

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 10d

let’s see what this is all about

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 12d

West End Premiere of Tony Award-Winning Hit Comedy OH, MARY! announced

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 12d

Why should we be happy for Jamie Lloyd? carlwoodward.substack.com

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 14d

let’s see what this is all about

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 15d

What Is Going On With Broadway? open.substack.com/pub/carlwood...

What Is Going On With Broadway?

The Great White Way ain't looking great

open.substack.com

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 16d

Entertaining Mr Sloane open.substack.com/pub/carlwood...

Entertaining Mr Sloane

Tamzin Outhwaite shines in Orton’s stone cold comedy

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Carl Woodward

Sondheim Lyrics @sondheimlyric.bsky.social · 17d

Isn't it awful? God, how depressing— Me, I'm a hundred. You, you're a blessing—

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 20d

Is It Time To Ditch Previews? 🎭 open.substack.com/pub/carlwood...

Is It Time To Ditch Previews? 🎭

With internet reviews spreading instantly and west end ticket prices soaring, theatre previews no longer *really* serve producers or audiences

open.substack.com

Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 20d

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Carl Woodward @mrcarlwoodward.bsky.social · 22d

Not one musical from last season turned a profit — and even fewer are on the slate this season; The Broadway Musical Is in Trouble www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/t...