| Biography | Mark Shenton (born 12 September 1962 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a London-based British arts journalist and theatre critic. Between April 2002 and December 2013 he was chief Theatre Critic for the Sunday Express. He also writes a daily blog for The Stage online as well as reviews and features for the weekly newspaper, and contributes to newspapers and theatre magazines in the UK and around the world.
Up to the age of 16 he was educated at St John's College, Johannesburg. He took O and A levels at Albany College, London then in 1982 took up studies at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge where he read law, graduating in 1985 and gaining his MA Cantab in 1987.
His first job in London came in 1986 at Dewynters plc where he edited and co-ordinated the publication of theatre programmes and souvenir brochures for West End and Broadway shows. He became editor for Arts and Entertainment at the Press Association in October 1990, and subsequently managing editor for Arts and Lifestyle, finance data and television listings, before becoming a freelance arts journalist in April 2002, specialising in theatre.
Shenton is the London correspondent for Playbill.com, is associate editor of Theatrevoice.com and has written theatre blogs for The Guardian online, as well as contributing monthly features to West End theatre programmes.
He is currently chairman of The Critics' Circle, Drama section.In 2015 he was appointed joint lead theatre critic, with Natasha Tripney, of The Stage. |