Kate Maltby

Performers nationally have risen admirably to the challenge of creating theatre during the pandemic, says Kate Maltby – but giving out prizes could end up rubbing the tragedy of the past year in the faces of those who’ve been unable to work

When we walk into a theatre, the empty stage is an offer and a promise, says critic Kate Maltby. It matters that society reserves some buildings just for telling stories

While performers have every right to complain about reviews, critics must feel able to ask incisive questions about the quality of performances, says Kate Maltby

For three decades, Sharon D Clarke has garnered critical acclaim for her dramatic and musical roles on stage and screen. She explains how the UK’s mishandling of the Covid-19 crisis mirrors the Windrush scandal and why she is hopeful that the sector is finally beginning to address racism

Online advances such as the National’s At Home streaming service deserve our support, says Kate Maltby, yet teething problems of the digital theatre age need addressing

At a time when producers are afraid to take risks, Jermyn Street Theatre’s 15 Heroines is to be applauded, says Kate Maltby

As theatre begins to renew itself, we must all think hard about what critical engagement will look like when our first priority will be to support an industry we love, says Kate Maltby

The recent socially distanced show Blindness at Donmar Warehouse played with a sense of discomfort in shared spaces – but will theatres be bold enough to push us outside our comfort zones?, asks Kate Maltby

James Graham is right to call for a culture of theatre “with the spirit of localism at its heart”, says Kate Maltby, but a wider, "common culture" matters too – and we’re missing those exciting national talking points

Now is a time for development and recovery in the industry. Theatre is a work in progress – let’s not rush to completion, says Kate Maltby