Early in Kenneth Branagh's career, the young phenom — already well established as an actor on the British stage and on the brink of being declared the heir apparent to Laurence Olivier as the premier cinematic interpreter of Shakespeare — tried his hand at playwriting. One of the two works that emerged during that period is this fascinating angle on "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland, set during the height of conflicts between the two paramilitary groups fighting over Northern Irish identity, the UK-loyalist Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) and the nationalist Irish Republican Army (IRA). Branagh approaches the politics obliquely, using it as a backdrop that moves steadily to the fore of a smaller story about a young Belfast man obsessed with the legacy of James Cagney. more ›

Our hearts are heavy as word reaches us that Bruce Robey, the co-founder of the Voice of the Hill newspaper and the H Street Playhouse, died Sunday night of an apparent heart attack. He was 65. Mark Segraves has a lovely tribute to Bruce up online already. The last time DCist spoke to Bruce, he was telling us all about his newly relaunched version of Hill-Talk, the online bulletin board that used to be an integral part of Voice of the Hill before it was sold to the Current newspapers. Bruce and his wife Adele have long been tireless advocates of improving the quality of life of District residents, and Bruce will be sadly missed. more ›

So what was Mona Lisa really smiling about anyway? Was she thinking about a past romantic rendezvous? Wistfully reminiscing about days gone by? Wincing a little over a pesky toothache? more ›

It’s sometimes poetic. It’s sometimes haunting. It’s consistently, well, long. more ›

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on DCist. AMEX Urban Adventures, because big cities are full of little adventures. Rogue Wave, playing the Black Cat on November 5th. World War Z, perfect as Halloween is coming up. Ambition Facing West, at the H Street Playhouse. Travelzoo, with its Top 20 list on travel deals. DC Vote, with an event on October 23rd (that's next Tuesday!). Busted Tees, where they're... more ›

As is the custom around these parts, we would like to take a moment to thank this weeks' advertisers on DCist. AMEX Urban Adventures, because big cities are full of little adventures. DC Vote, with an event on October 23rd. Look Me In the Eye, which is apparently an instant best seller. Ambition Facing West, starting today at the H Street Playhouse. Busted Tees, where they have hoodies! If you're interested in advertising on DCist... more ›

After seeing two plays in a row based in a mental institution, it’s hard not to go a little crazy. But when the harrowing environment comes with the finessed performances and thoughtful themes of Theater Alliance’s latest, Blue/Orange, it’s worth the trial. In director Jeremy Skidmore’s Blue/Orange, two doctors are treating Christopher (Cedric Mays), a disturbed individual who may or may not be schizophrenic – and also thinks he’s the son of African dictator Idi... more ›

Well folks, we're down to the last three days of this city-wide performing-arts smorgasbord. If you are Fringing hardcore, now's the time to catch up with the shows you missed last weekend. If you can't take it anymore, gather with your fellow Fringers and Fringe artists at the Warehouse Friday and Saturday nights at midnight for drink specials and a handful of special performances Saturday night. But if you're looking for more, head downtown to grab a bite for yourself, as there's still plenty of opportunities to gorge out. In fact, we've still got shows opening this weekend: more dance, an acclaimed puppet troupe, a pair of staged readings, and more. more ›

FRIDAY: >> Seems like everyone's talking about the new nightlife options on H Street NE these days, thanks almost entirely to local bar Tsar Joe Englert. Englert's latest creation, Showbar Presents the Palace of Wonders (though we hear a lot people refering to it simply as the Freak Show Bar) has been open for a few weeks already to mixed buzz — the decor is cool, the drinks are standard, and the food is... more ›

takes us on a diverting trip where the imagination of a young girl and her father are our guide. The result is an overly whimsical and inconsistent treatment of a lyrical but sometimes impeneterable script. more ›

Was he a man who defied classification, or an individual who would pigeonhole future homosexuals into labels and constructions? Was he an early role model for the gay movement, or a man who denied his identity? And can art be held to moral standards? These questions all play a central role in Moisés Kaufman’s Gross Indecency: The Three Trials Of Oscar Wilde now being staged in a fresh production by Theater Alliance at the H... more ›