Month: April 2020

DEAFINITELY THEATRE LAUNCHES

DEAFINITEY DIGITAL

Deafinitely Theatre today announce Deafinitely Digital with a selection of their critically acclaimed past productions available online to watch for free between April and June in a mission to bring theatre to people at a time when accessing live performance is not possible. In April, Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost(2012); in May, George Brant’s Grounded (2015); and in June, Mike Bartlett’s Contractions (2017) which marked the company’s 15^th anniversary and won the company an Off West End Award for Best Production; will be made available to watch for free at www.youtube.com/user/markdeafinitely. All productions are performed in British Sign Language and Spoken English.

Artistic Director of Deafinitely Theatre, Paula Garfield today said, “We are in precarious times – probably the most difficult and unusual of this century, and many people are struggling. It is therefore important that we find a way to survive and connect beyond physical contact and culture remains a vital way for us to come together, even when we can’t congregate in theatres or galleries.  Deafinitely Theatre is thrilled to make digitally available three of our recent plays to give audiences a chance to see, or revisit, these acclaimed bilingual productions. Each will be available for free for one month on Deafinitely’s YouTube channel.”

Deafinitely Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe present

LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST

By William Shakespeare

Cast: Charly Arrowsmith (Rosaline); Adam Bassett (Don Armado); Stephen Collins (Ferdinand);

Brian Duffy (Boyet); Patricia Gorman (Katharine/Jaquenetta); Matthew Gurney (Berowne);

Vitalis Katakinas (Dumaine/Holofernes); Dona Mullings (Maria/Moth);

Nadia Nadarajah (Princess of France); David Sands (Longaville/Costard)

Director: Paula Garfield; Set Designer: Simon Heap; Costume Designer: Fiona Albrow;

Sound Designer: Phillippa Herrick; Creative Interpreter: Kate Furby;

Musician: Jon Whitton; Musician: Flora Curzon; Director for the Screen: Ian Russell

“Definitely, I’d say, theatre for everyone.”

★★★★

The Guardian

Presented at Shakespeare’s Globe for the World Shakespeare Festival in May 2012, Deafinitely Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe’s production of Love’s Labour’s Lost then toured the UK as part of the Globe to Globe Festival, in which each of Shakespeare’s 37 plays were shown in a different language. By translating the rich, pun-riddled text of Love’s Labour’s Lost into the physical language of BSL, Deafinitely Theatre created a new interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedy, accessible to theatregoers of all backgrounds. This is the first time this has been attempted with a full Shakespeare play.

The court of Navarre: the King and his three Lords vow to stay away from wine, women and luxury; but when the princess and her ladies from France arrive, they begin to change their minds. As each gives in to his affections and breaks his oath, they all try – unsuccessfully – to keep their love secret from each other.

Love’s Labour’s Lost was filmed at Shakespeare’s Globe.

Deafinitely Theatre present

GROUNDED

By George Brant

Cast: Nadia Nadarajah (The Pilot); Charmaine Wombwell (Voice of The Pilot)

Director: Paula Garfield; Designer: Paul Burgess; Lighting Designer: Jack Knowles

Sound Designer: Chris Bartholomew; Choreographer: Ramesh Meyyappan

“Stylishly designed and delivered”

★★★★

The Guardian

An unexpected pregnancy ends a fighter pilot’s career in the sky. Reassigned to operate military drones from a windowless trailer outside Las Vegas, she hunts terrorists by day and returns for her family each night. As the pressure to track a high-profile target mounts, the boundaries begin to blur between the desert in which she lives and the one she patrols half a world away.

Originally a one-woman show, Deafinitely Theatre’s production uses two actors to creatively combine British Sign Language, visual storytelling and the spoken word.

Grounded was filmed at Park Theatre.

Age guidance: 16+

Please be aware that there may be scenes that some audiences find distressing.

Deafinitely Theatre and New Diorama Theatre present

CONTRACTIONS

By Mike Bartlett

Cast: Fifi Garfield (The Manager); Abigail Poulton (Emma)

Director: Paula Garfield; Designer: Paul Burgess; Lighting Designer: Joe Hornsby

Sound Designer: Chris Bartholomew; Visual Consultant: Brian Duffy

“A deeply affecting psychological thriller”

★★★★

The Stage

‘It’s very important that you stay healthy.

That the environment you work in is safe.

That you feel comfortable, and secure.

That you feel balanced, safe, and in control.’

Are your employers concerned about your welfare? Do they have a duty of care? Emma thinks so, but when she begins a relationship with colleague Darren her Manager suggests she might be in breach of contract. A series of bizarre meetings follow, during which the consequences of Emma’s actions take on a disturbing quality… A dark comedy about faceless corporations, nameless management and the boundaries between work and play.

Deafinitely Theatre’s Contractions, was the first professional revival of the play in London since its debut at the Royal Court Theatre in 2008.

Contractions was filmed at New Diorama Theatre.

Age guidance: 16+

Please be aware that there may be scenes that some audiences find distressing.

The Playground Theatre Café & Bar providing free meals for vulnerable local people

• The Playground Theatre Café Covid-19 Food Relief Campaign makes free meals, working with local charities to deliver them to those who need it most
• The Playground Theatre Café owner Rima Sams and son Mars set up the campaign and make up to 500 meals a week
• The theatre continues to run its Well Read initiative in partnership with St Charles Hospital to involve mental health and older patients

North Kensington The Playground Theatre Café Covid-19 Food Relief Campaign is making free meals for elderly and vulnerable local people. Rima Sams and son Mars set up the campaign in response to the social distancing measures, working with food banks and charities. The Felix Project provide about 70% of the fresh ingredients at no cost, and Kensington & Chelsea Mutual Aid Group collect the meals and distribute them to those who need it most: elderly, self-isolating, vulnerable people, often those who live in sheltered accommodation. Rima, Mars and volunteers are making up to 500 meals a week; the meals are nutritious and delivered in compostable containers that can be heated on arrival.

The campaign is run entirely by volunteers with a GoFundMe page to raise money for the costs of running the kitchen: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-playground-theatre-cafe-covid-19-food-relief

Rima Sams said, “There is shocking food poverty in North Kensington which given the close proximity of extreme wealth in the Royal Borough, is unbelievably sad. A conversation with a local friend regarding food bank needs going through the roof in the first week of lockdown, inspired me to want to help get meals to the elderly and most vulnerable.”

The Playground Theatre also continues to run one of its mental health initiatives: Well Read. Well Read is a script reading project created by The Playground Theatre in partnership with St Charles Hospital involving mental health and older adult patients. Since social distancing measures we put in place, the theatre has run the initiative digitally to continue to reach vulnerable people.

Co-artistic Director Anthony Biggs said, “We consider ourselves an integral part of the neighbourhood of North Kensington, and our outreach work gives as much joy to us as to those we work with. In these challenging times, when our doors are closed and our future is uncertain, we believe it is vital to continue to support those in our community who are isolated and lonely, and who rely on The Playground.”

The Playground Theatre is an off-West End theatre dedicated to nurturing new talent and staging an international programme of shows. Led by co-Artistic Directors Peter Tate and Anthony Biggs, the unique space is a former bus depot located on Latimer Road. Its name is intended as an invitation to theatre makers and performers to come and “play”, and to encourage bold experimentation with new works for the stage. Since it opened, The Playground Theatre has cultivated relationships with international companies and practitioners. To date, this has seen the venue work with leading creatives from Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Japan and beyond.

@PlaygroundW10 | theplaygroundtheatre.london

RSC launches largest ever celebration of Shakespeare by audiences in its history

• David Tennant joins forces with the Royal Shakespeare Company for launch of #RoyalShakespeareCommunity
• #ShareYourShakespeare – A Global Celebration in partnership with Folger Shakespeare Library

Watch David Tennant & friends perform their version of ‘All The World’s A Stage’ here

This Spring, the Royal Shakespeare Company will hand over its channels to the global community, in the largest ever celebration of Shakespeare by audiences in its history.

Launching on 15 April, the Royal Shakespeare Community will invite audiences from across the local, national and global community to play their part in keeping the work of Shakespeare alive. Through a newly launched programme of audience-curated performance, digital screenings and supporting educational resources, communities will celebrate a shared love of Shakespeare, and place the creativity of audiences centre stage.

#ShareYourShakespeare – a Global Celebration

The Royal Shakespeare Community programme launches with #ShareYourShakespeare – a virtual celebration in collaboration with The Folger Shakespeare Library in which audiences from across the globe are invited to share their love of Shakespeare in whatever way they choose.

Among those backing the #ShareYourShakespeare campaign is Doctor Who and Broadchurch star David Tennant, who last appeared at the RSC in Gregory Doran’s 2013 production of Richard II. Joining David are Charlotte Arrowsmith, David Bradley, Stephen Boxer, Edward Bennett, and Paapa Essiedu, who played the title role of Hamlet in Simon Godwin’s 2016 production for the RSC (soon to be broadcast on the BBC). Other RSC alumni taking part are Fleabag star Ray Fearon, writer, actor and political activist John Kani (Kunene and the King, 2019), award-winning British stage and film actresses Jane Lapotaire, Joanne Pearce and Katy Stephens, and David Threlfall, star of the RSC’s 2016 production of Don Quixote and the long-running Channel 4 TV series Shameless.

Whether performing a speech, baking a cake, painting a picture, serenading a neighbour over the garden fence or teaching your dog to bark Macbeth, #ShareYourShakespeare will bring together famous faces from the RSC’s celebrated performance history with current acting company, Associate Schools, partner theatres and community theatre-makers around the world. Together they will create a virtual celebration of shared creativity, community spirit, and the enduring power of storytelling.

The most creative, surprising and inspiring contributions will be unveiled on Thursday 23 April, William Shakespeare’s Birthday, through the online premiere of the biggest, Shakespeare performance delivered by and for the global community.  

Audiences everywhere are invited to Share their Shakespeare by film or photograph, in any way they like and upload it to Instagram, Twitter or Youtube, tagging @theRSC and using the hashtag #ShareYourShakespeare from Wed 15 April onwards.

Ideas for sharing YOUR Shakespeare MIGHT include:

1. Baking a cake with your favourite quote in the icing
2. Recreating the Romeo and Juliet balcony scene with vegetables
3. Performing “All the world’s a stage” line by line with your family
4. Drawing or painting your favourite scene
5. Re-writing a Shakespeare speech as a song?
6. Shouting your speech over the fence to your neighbours (two metres apart)
7. Acting out a moment through the medium of dance
8. Getting your pets involved
9. Telling a Shakespeare story in emojis

Gregory Doran, Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, said:

“As a global pandemic cuts us off from one another in ways we could never have imagined, and with everyday life as we know it brought to an indefinite standstill, we need stories now, more than ever before. They help to make sense of the world around us and to bring us together, and who better to articulate our collective hopes, anxieties, fears and joys than William Shakespeare. His words, speeches and stories speak to us all in different ways whilst, at the same time, uniting us across borders, languages and cultures.

“With our stages currently empty, productions cancelled, and our buildings temporarily closed, it feels more important than ever to connect with our audiences, artists and partners across the world through shared experiences. Together we can celebrate those everyday acts of human creativity and resilience that continue to inspire us, raise a smile and propel us forward, together in times of crisis. That’s why we are handing control of the Royal Shakespeare Company to you, our Royal Shakespeare Community. And whilst we can’t be together for Shakespeare’s birthday this year, we will instead be marking the day with a global celebration in which audiences everywhere can play their part.”

Michael Witmore, Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library, added: “What do people do when they find themselves in strange, challenging circumstances? They improvise. The Folger Shakespeare Library is adapting to the current pandemic as so many others are doing: by finding community wherever we can and engaging in new ways. One of the greatest virtues of Shakespeare’s characters is their ability to improvise. Think of Viola emerging from a shipwreck on the coast of Ilyria – someone who has been displaced, stressed, and called to do new things.

“We are challenging ourselves and others to try new things in the spirit of Shakespearean improv – and to share them with a global community. Creativity comes in many forms, and while very few of us could sit down during a pandemic and write King Lear – as Shakespeare is thought to have done – we can make the most of what we have. Join family members and friends, take whatever you have around you, and be part of a Shakespeare takeover in your own place of refuge. It doesn’t matter where you start or finish, how polished your results. We just want to show what ordinary creative people – which means, all people – can do when we put our minds and hearts together in a time of crisis. Just because we are sheltering in place doesn’t mean we can’t create in place too!”

Home Learning with the RSC

This news follows the previously announced partnership with BBC Culture in Quarantine to bring broadcasts of six of the nation’s best-loved Shakespeare titles via BBC Four and BBC iPlayer between now and September. A full broadcast schedule will be announced shortly.

A supporting package of free educational activities and resources produced in partnership with BBC Bitesize online will be made available to schoolchildren studying Shakespeare from home across the UK from 20 April onwards.

#AlmostLiveFromTheRSC

Following the digital ‘premiere’ of Twelfth Night on Sat 11 April featuring Adrian Edmondson as Malvolio and Kara Tointon as Olivia, the Royal Shakespeare Company is partnering with Marquee TV, to bring the magic of live theatre to audiences living rooms this Spring.

Audiences can enjoy streamed versions of up to 17 Royal Shakespeare Company productions via www.marquee.tv, the on demand streaming service for arts and culture.

Six world-class productions added to the National Theatre Collection, currently available for pupils and teachers to watch from home

From today, six new productions will be available for teachers and pupils to access at home via the National Theatre Collection in partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing and ProQuest.

The six productions complete the National Theatre Collection, which consists of high-quality recordings of 30 world-class productions drawing from 10 years of NT Live broadcasts, including productions from a range of renowned British theatres, and never before released recordings from the National Theatre’s Archive.

The new productions include:

– A Streetcar Named Desire (Young Vic) – an adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece directed by Benedict Andrews and starring Gillian Anderson, Ben Foster and Vanessa Kirby

– Cat on A Hot Tin Roof (Young Vic) – Sienna Miller stars alongside Jack O’Connell and Colm Meaney in Tennessee Williams’ searing, poetic story of a family’s fight for survival directed by Benedict Andrews

– Consent – Nina Raine’s powerful, painful, funny play which sifts the evidence from every side and puts justice herself in the dock

– Small Island – Andrea Levy’s Orange Prize-winning novel brought to life in an epic new theatre adaptation directed by Rufus Norris

– Translations – Brian Friel’s modern classic directed by Ian Rickson is a powerful account of nationhood, which sees the turbulent relationship between England and Ireland play out in one quiet community

– wonder.land – Alice for the online generation. A new musical created by Damon Albarn, Moira Buffini and Rufus Norris inspired by Lewis Carroll’s iconic story with stunning sets, costumes, video projection and lighting taking everyone on a journey to wonderland.

The National Theatre Collection celebrates the best of British theatre and includes Shakespeare set texts, 20th century classics, exciting literary adaptations and productions created especially for younger audiences. Most recordings are accompanied by learning resources to explore the craft behind the best of British theatre including rehearsal insights and short videos. ProQuest will continue to complement the recordings with digitised archival content including prompt scripts, costume bibles and costume designs.

Following the announcement from the UK Government for all UK schools to close in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, the National Theatre Collection is available to pupils and teachers at state schools and state-funded further education colleges via remote access in partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing via their Drama Online platform. Schools will be able to share log-in details with pupils to access resources at home during this period. Over 2,670 state-funded schools and colleges have signed up to the National Theatre Collection to access these resources at home.

Bloomsbury Publishing and ProQuest are both extending trials of the National Theatre Collection for academic institutions – including universities, libraries and independent schools – to support the educational community across the globe.

Alice King-Farlow, Director of Learning at the National Theatre said, “We are thrilled to announce the final six productions that complete the National Theatre Collection and are now available for teachers and students to access from home. These titles showcase the rich spectrum of contemporary British theatre and extraordinary talent of inspirational theatre-makers across the UK. Given the difficult circumstances we are all facing across the globe, it is even more important for us to keep connected and continue to provide resources and learning materials for students and teachers to access remotely”.

Jenny Ridout, Global Head of Academic Publishing at Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. said, “The exciting final six films now added to the National Theatre Collection on Drama Online ensure that this collection offers students and scholars a wide range of world-class theatre, available to study and inspire over many years. As the global educational community moves so quickly online in this time of challenge, a resource such as Drama Online is ever more vital, providing students with immediate and consistent access to such a rich catalogue of performances. Bloomsbury is delighted to be at the forefront of efforts to support and enhance digital learning, opening access to our learning and teaching resources around the world.”

Katie Birch, Vice President of Product Management at ProQuest, said, “In a time of crisis, the need for performing arts and culture has emerged greater than ever. Having access to digital resources helps keep us connected and allows research, teaching and learning to continue despite our inability to connect in person. ProQuest is doing everything we can to support libraries, universities and schools in their rapid transition to online-only access. We’re honoured to partner with the National Theatre to make this high-quality full collection available to those who need it – including students who need to watch and review performances as a critical part of their curriculum.”

Teachers can sign up now to National Theatre Collection via www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ntcollection

Additional digital learning resources

The National Theatre has additional learning resources for pupils and teachers to access for free online including:

– National Theatre Talks – a collection of conversations recorded live from National Theatre stages

– New Views online playwriting course – forming part of the annual New Views playwriting competition for 14-19 year-olds, this freely accessible programme by playwright Jemma Kennedy covers topics including narrative, dialogue and stagecraft with video, audio and excerpts from plays

– Downloadable resource packs for anyone interested in discovering more about productions staged by the National Theatre

– Video collections exploring how theatre is made

– NT YouTube channel including videos related to shows, backstage ‘how we made it’ videos and recordings of NT Talks

– Digital Exhibitions with Google Arts and Culture exploring Costume, Shakespeare and the Architectural History of the NT

The National Theatre Collection is supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), Fondation Hoffmann, Sidney E. Frank Foundation, The Cranshaw Corporation for Mrs. Robert I. MacDonald and The Attwood Education Foundation.

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE SHOW MUST GO ONLINE LIVESTREAM OF HENRY VI PART III

The Show Must Go Online today announce the full cast for their upcoming livestreamed reading of William Shakespeare’s Henry VI Part III. Rob Myles directs Lois Abdelmalek (George, Duke of Clarence), Hector Bateman-Harden (Edward, Prince of Wales), Emily Beach (Lady Grey, Queen Elizabeth), Lukas Brasherfons (Marquess Montague), Ashley Byam (Richard, Duke of Gloucester), Allie Croker (Earl of Warwick), Alexis Danan (King Lewis/ Somerset), Carol Harvey (Northumberland/ Lord Hastings), Lisa Hill-Corley Edward, Earl of March, King Edward), David Johnson (King Henry the Sixth), Ruth Page (Lord Clifford), Lee Ravitz (Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York), Ramona Von Pusch (Queen Margaret), and Yoky Yu (Earl of Oxford). The ensemble consists of Lyndsey Huebner, Mehmet Ozbek, Russell Proctor, Christopher Smart, and Bernard Soubry, with Julia Giolzetti and Clay Sanderson as swings.

The reading will be introduced by director Owen Horsley, whose directing credits include David Edgar, Salome, The Famous Victories of Henry V (RSC), and Associate Director of War of the Roses (RSC).

The livestreamed reading of Henry VI Part III can be watched live on Wednesday 15 April at 7pm BST here. Previous readings from the series are also available here.

The series of livestreamed readings, which have now reached over 70,000 viewers, bring actors and audiences together to collectively enjoy and experience Shakespeare, offering a truly live experience at a time when connecting in a traditional theatre space isn’t possible.

For updates on the shows, to take part, or to donate to an opt-in hardship fund for the actors who take part, visit: https://robmyles.co.uk/theshowmustgoonline

Members of the cast have previously performed at the National Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith, Soho Theatre and have appeared in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Coronation Street, Casualty, and Neighbours.

#ShowMustGoOnline

#ConnectedAndCreative

FULL SCHEDULE

All performances will be streamed live from 7pm BST on Wednesdays.

15 April 2020	Henry VI, Part 3 (1591)
22 April 2020	Titus Andronicus (1591–1592)
29 April 2020	Richard III (1592–1593)
06 May 2020	The Comedy of Errors (1594)
13 May 2020	Love’s Labour’s Lost (1594–1595)
20 May 2020	“Love’s Labour’s Won”
27 May 2020	Richard II (1595)
03 June 2020	Romeo and Juliet (1595)
10 June 2020	A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595)
17 June 2020	King John (1596)
24 June 2020	The Merchant of Venice (1596–1597)
01 July 2020	Henry IV, Part 1 (1596–1597)
08 July 2020	The Merry Wives of Windsor (1597)
15 July 2020	Henry IV, Part 2 (1597–1598)
22 July 2020	Much Ado About Nothing (1598–1599)
29 July 2020	Henry V (1599)
05 August 2020	Julius Caesar (1599)
12 August 2020	As You Like It (1599–1600)
19 August 2020	Hamlet (1599–1601)
26 August 2020	Twelfth Night (1601)
02 September 2020	Troilus and Cressida (1600–1602)
09 September 2020	Measure for Measure (1603–1604)
16 September 2020	Othello (1603–1604)
23 September 2020	All’s Well That Ends Well (1604–1605)
30 September 2020	King Lear (1605–1606)
07 October 2020	Timon of Athens (1605–1606)
14 October 2020	Macbeth (1606)
21 October 2020	Antony and Cleopatra (1606)
28 October 2020	Coriolanus (1608)
04 November 2020	The Winter’s Tale (1609–1611)
11 November 2020	Cymbeline (1610)
18 November 2020	The Tempest (1610–1611)
25 November 2020	Henry VIII (1612–1613)

Agreement reached between Equity and SOLT to support West End

Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and Equity are pleased to announce that they have come to an agreement to support actors during the current suspension of West End shows due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The new agreement provides the best possible framework for the long-term job security of performers and recovery of the West End during these unprecedented circumstances, and is strongly supported by all involved as the best way forward for the industry. It covers every eventuality and perspective, from long-running musicals to plays with limited runs, productions yet to open and shows still in rehearsal when the shutdown began.

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre, said:

‘Equity and ourselves have worked tirelessly since the shutdown to protect jobs and address the needs of our West End workforce during this crisis. We all need to work together to ensure that we can get through this as an industry, and are ready to welcome audiences back into our theatres as soon as possible.’

Hilary Hadley, Head of Equity’s Live Performance Department, said:

‘It is only by our closely working together that we have managed to develop this Agreement, which provides a route map for our West End producers, performers and stage management. It is our joint hope that this new Agreement will see the West End Theatre industry through this bleakest period and enable the smooth resumption of the rehearsals and performances which were so abruptly stopped by COVID-19.’

Under the new agreement, casts currently under contract are able to continue on that contract, and have the opportunity to re-commence rehearsals or performances with revised dates once the shutdown ends. This demonstrates the industry’s commitment to ensuring actors and performers still have a job once theatres reopen.

In addition, SOLT and Equity have been lobbying DCMS and the Treasury since the shutdown began, ensuring the voice of the theatre industry is heard, and joining other organisations lobbying for support for the freelancers and self-employed who make up a significant proportion of the theatre workforce. The government’s resulting Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will provide financial protection for many actors and creatives. SOLT and Equity will continue to lobby for those who the scheme does not support.

There is currently no clear indication from government when theatres will be allowed to reopen, but it is clear that some productions will need longer than others to regain their foothold. Producers are therefore contingency planning for their individual shows.

Any reopening dates suggested by individual shows and producers at this stage are speculative, and not representative of the industry as a whole. West End performances are currently cancelled until 31 May, and will continue to be cancelled on a rolling basis while we await further guidance from government.

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THE BARN THEATRE LAUNCHES NEW LOCKDOWN SHAKESPEARE SERIES WITH AARON SIDWELL AND HAL CHAMBERS

• THE BARN THEATRE HAVE ANNOUNCED A SERIES THAT REIMAGINES SHAKESPEARE’S CLASSIC MONOLOGUES TO MODERN DAY LOCKDOWN

• THE SERIES IS PRODUCED BY AARON SIDWELL, HAL CHAMBERS AND JAMIE CHAPMAN DIXON FOR THE BARN THEATRE

• THE CAST INCLUDES WEST END STARS AARON SIDWELL, TRICIA ADELE-TURNER, MAX HUTCHINSON AND DAVID HAYDN

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester have announced a new Shakespeare series which sees the Bard’s beloved monologues reimagined to fit into modern day lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic. The series will release a new monologue every weekday to the Barn Theatre’sFacebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts, beginning 20th April 2020.

The series, which is co-produced by actor Aaron Sidwell, director Hal Chambers and the Barn Theatre, forms part of the Barn Theatre’s free Behind The Barn Door streaming service, which airs on their Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts. The series is production co-ordinated by company stage manager Emma Smith.

Aaron Sidwell says of the upcoming series, “Just as Shakespeare was locked out from his theatres during various plague outbreaks, the Barn’s actors are in a similar predicament. Now, literally barred from our places of work, The Actors of the Barn Theatre present some of Shakespeare’s most memorable speeches and moments via the wonders of modern technology. This is Shakespeare’s work inspired and influenced by our strange new lockdown world”.

The series takes inspiration from the Barn Theatre’s 2019 re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Henry V, which was directed by Hal Chambers and starred Aaron Sidwell in the titular role. The production was described by the Telegraph’s Dominic Cavendish as a “populist Hal for a post-Brexit world” and can now be streamed on the Barn Theatre’s Facebook and YouTube channel for free as part of Behind The Barn Door and to fundraise for the theatre’s SAVE OUR BARN campaign.

The cast for Bard From The Barn have all previously performed at the Barn Theatre in their Built by Barn productions, including cast members from their debut production, The Secret Garden, and the final production before their temporary closure, Patrick Barlow’s Ben Hur.

The series will release a new monologue every weekday at 5pm to the Barn Theatre’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts, beginning Monday 20th April 2020. The series will also comprise of a weekly roundup show, hosted by Aaron Sidwell every Friday at 9pm, that will take a closer look at the week’s new work, featuring the actors and creatives. The roundup show launches at 9pm on 24 April 2020.

The monologues will be reimagined and directed by Phil Bartlett, Hal Chambers, Jess Daniels, Kirstie Davis, Robert Forknall, David Mercatali, Joseph O’Malley, Joe Pitcher, Dominic Shaw, Jake Smith, Michael Strassen and Sean Turner.

The full cast of Bard From The Barn are: Tricia Adele-Turner (Dear Evan Hansen, The 39 Steps), Ryan Bennett (The Importance of Being Earnest, Daddy Long Legs), Ben Boskovic (Zorro the Musical, The Secret Garden), Jonathan Bourne (Nativity! The Musical, The 39 Steps), Dominic Brewer (Sweeney Todd, Hound of the Baskervilles), Hadley Brown (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice), Jasper Cartwright (War Horse, The Butterfly Lion), Alicia Charles (Faustus That Damned Woman, Henry V), Tom Chudley-Evans (A Christmas Carol), Rebecca Crankshaw (One Minute), Duncan Drury (Just So), Colin Elmer (The 39 Steps), Rosalind Ford (Once, Just So), Imogen Halsey (Just So), Aidan Harkins (The Pirate Queen, The Importance of Being Earnest), Hilary Harwood (The Butterfly Lion), David Haydn (Girl from the North Country, The Secret Garden), Liam Horrigan (The Play That Goes Wrong, Ben Hur), Sarah-Louise Hughes (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice), Max Hutchinson (The Woman in Black, The 39 Steps), Rebecca Jayne-Davies (Singin’ in the Rain, Daddy Long Legs), Grace Liston (A Christmas Carol), Abigail Mathews (The Butterfly Lion), Sophie May Wake (Mr Selfridge, One Minute), Gillian McCafferty (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice), Stephen Omer (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice), Elin Phillips (Henry V), Matt Ray Brown (Henry V), Aaron Sidwell (EastEnders, Henry V), Adam Sopp (Grange Hill, Henry V), Bronte Tadman (Ben Hur, A Christmas Carol), Sarah Waddell (Henry V) and Jonathan Woolf (Henry V).

Over 400 third year drama school students have applied for thirty places in the next cast of Bard From The Barn after a call out on Aaron Sidwell’s Twitter account.

Bard From The Barn forms part of the Barn Theatre’s free live-streaming service Behind The Barn Door. The series joins medical show Live From The Clinic with Dr Dawn Harper, British record holder Kenton Cool’s mountaineering show, Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool, a children’s entertainment show with Gifford Circus’ Tweedy the Clown, Tweedy’s Lost & Found, and high-energy workout series Disco Fitness with CrossFit Cirencester. The servicealso livestreams weekly programmes with Cotswold District Council leader Joe Harris and local MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.

Since launching in 2018, the Barn Theatre has gained national recognition by producing 12 Built By Barn shows to upwards of 80,000 audience members and being awarded The Stage Awards’ Best Fringe Theatre of the Year Award 2019. Their contribution to the local community stretches further than just the theatre with large scale outreach programmes, school workshops and collaborative projects around the centenary of the First World War, the ‘record-breaking’ Cirencester Human Poppy, and The Cirencester Advent Festival that have enhanced the well-being of the community and draw thousands of visitors to the town.

The theatre has also worked extensively with disadvantaged communities working with charities including Cirencester Housing for Young People (CHYP) and Age UK Gloucestershire.

The Barn Theatre (registered charity no. 1174253), which is facing a loss of £250,000 and possible permanent closure, have launched their SAVE OUR BARN via their website and social media platforms.

SPITALFIELDS MUSIC ANNOUNCES POSTPONEMENT OF FESTIVAL DUE TO TAKE PLACE 24 – 28 JUNE 2020

Spitalfields Music has today announced the postponement of the 2020 festival which was due to take place over the weekend of 24-28 June at Christ Church Spitalfields, East London. Following Government advice and to protect the safety of audiences, artists and workforce during these unprecedented times, the festival is set to be rescheduled to Autumn 2020 with further dates and details to be announced in due course.

Spitalfields Music Festival has brought artists, audiences and communities together, staging extraordinary performances in the heart of East London for 43 years. The 2020 festival, titled Metamorphosis and Transformation with a programme from Artistic Curators Edmund Finnis, Kate Molleson, Errollyn Wallen CBE and CEO Sarah Gee, will feature world premieres and new music alongside classic repertoire, celebrating the extensive range of classical music and the power of music to speak across cultures, communities and language.

Spitalfields Music CEO Sarah Gee said: “Based on the available HM Government information on coronavirus, and to keep artists, audiences and staff safe, we have taken the very difficult and sad decision not to proceed as planned with this June’s Music Festival.

“However, we will do our very best to reschedule Festival events across the autumn, to honour our promises to curators, artists, ensembles and composers.  We will contact all ticket holders as soon as possible, and announce new performance dates in the coming weeks.

“Thank you for your understanding, and for now, stay home and stay safe.  We’ll be back with more music after this extended interval.”

King’s Head Theatre Online

Apr 14th – Apr 17th

For free, every weekday at 1pm for 30 minutes, the King’s Head Theatre will be streaming a different window into the theatre accessible to everybody: our entire community, from artists to audiences to just Facebook followers, we can stay connected and we can develop together.

This Tuesday a Q&A with our staff members: this week, Something for the Weekend marketing manager Rhiannon Morris on Edinburgh Fringe marketing.

Wednesday will be aimed at small companies where you can ‘Ask Us Anything’ – this week, featuring theatre director Andrew Keates.

Thursday will be a Skills Session with a leading industry professional: this week, theatre artwork design with graphic designer Rebecca Pitt.

Friday is our Book Club, with a leading theatre practitioner taking us through one of their favourite plays: this week, playwright Jon Brittain with Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman.

You can find these on our Facebook and Instagram.

Shaking up self-isolation with new podcast
Shakespeare in Quarantine
Weekly podcast from Proud Haddock in association with Arsalan Sattari Productions

Director Jimmy Walters (The Trackers of Oxyrhynchus, Finborough Theatre; Mrs Orwell, Southwark Playhouse) and actress Alexandra Evans (Silent Witness, BBC; Crown for Christmas, Hallmark) invite you to their virtual book club, Shakespeare in Quarantine, a new weekly podcast exploring the extensive back catalogue of the infamous William Shakespeare.

For book and earworms alike, the stimulating podcast provides a fresh and interesting take on some of the Bard’s greatest plays from Othello to Taming of the Shrew. Featuring exciting guest appearances each week, they aim to unpick the story, unravel the language and make Shakespeare accessible. Offering a light-hearted insight into the texts, the podcast is the perfect antidote for those who would run in fear from Shakespeare – you don’t need to be theatrical or historically inclined, you can just simply enjoy reading.

With the lockdown in full swing, it’s the perfect time to settle down with Shakespeare and become better acquainted. From betrayals, to murder and cross-dressing, it’ll keep you on your toes. For the first episode the team will be joined by actors Paul Tinto (1917, Entertainment One; King Lear, BBC) and Phoebe Sparrow (Downton Abbey, ITV; Inside No.9, BBC) to discuss the great Scottish tragedy, Macbeth. Episode one is available to stream and download now.

Jimmy Walters comments, Shakespeare to many people is the greatest storyteller to ever draw breath. In these unprecedented times where the world is standing still, we want to give people the chance to discover each of his fascinating plays through our online podcast. These stories are at their most powerful when used as a form of escapism. There seems no better time than now

Co-host Alexandra Evans added, We hope that our new podcast encourages people who may have been intimidated or bored by Shakespeare in the past to join us and see the magic in it now. Did you know taming of the shrew is ‘10 things I hate about you’ or that ‘Breaking Bad’ runs parallel to Macbeth? It’s as relevant today as it was then.