Month: April 2020

The Shows Will Go On

Rescheduled Show Information for Hull City Hall & Hull New Theatre

Hull Culture and Leisure has today announced rescheduled dates for a number of performances postponed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both Hull City Hall and Hull New Theatre postponed and/or cancelled all performances with immediate effect from 17 March 2020 for up to a period of three months; following that Hull Culture and Leisure has been working closely with promoters to find suitable dates to minimise as much as possible customers missing out on the great programme of events .

Councillor Brabazon, Chair of Hull Culture and Leisure said “We are working in unprecedented times and we are very aware of the significant impact that the temporary closure of our venues and cancellation of productions will have. We are committed to ensuring ‘the show will go on’ and with this in mind in-depth work is taking place behind the scenes to ensure this progresses and that our valued customers are able to enjoy world class productions in our prestigious venues once again”.

Theatres and Halls Manager, Janice Wincott said; “We appreciate that many of our customers will have had events planned with us for many months ahead of the coronavirus outbreak and were therefore understandably disappointed when we had no option but to close our doors for a temporary period to ensure the safety of all our customers and staff.

“Our team has been working hard in the weeks since the first postponements/cancellations to reschedule events where possible and would like to thank all our customers for their patience during this difficult time. We look forward to welcoming them back to our venues as soon as possible.”

The shows currently with confirmed rescheduled dates are listed below and Hull Culture and Leisure continues to work with producers and promoters to reschedule as many events as possible. New dates will be announced via the Hull Theatres website hulltheatres.co.uk and on each venue’s social media channels as they are confirmed.

Tickets for all rescheduled events will remain valid for the new date. However those unable to make the new arrangements are asked to email [email protected].

Hull City Hall – Rescheduled Shows

Milton Jones: Milton Impossible – now 12 March 2021

Strictly Learn To Dance – now 18 October 2020

Ultra 90s 28 March 2020 – now 19 September 2020

What’s Love Got to Do With It? – now 21 September 2020

Sensational 60’s – now 9 April 2021

Chris Ramsey – now 3 March 2021

Fastlove – now 15 January 2021

Francis Rossi – now 13 April 2021

NGW Wrestling – now 18 September 2020

Wannabe – now 29 January 2021

Barry Steele and Friends – now 19 February 2021

The Drifters – now 2 November 2020

John Challis – now 5 October 2020

Surviving the lockdown through Improv
Hoopla Improv Theatre
Wednesday 25th March – Saturday 2nd May 2020

It’s often said that laughter is the best medicine and, Hoopla, the UK’s first improv theatre, are injecting comedy into the current crisis with online improv classes for those on lockdown.

Following the cancellation of their normal workshops and the delay to their annual improv festival, the company have created online drop-in sessions, bringing improvisation to your livingroom-turned-home-office. Packed with 100s of improv games from their regular courses, as well as interactive scenes, the focus is on having fun and letting yourself go in this troubled time – surviving lockdown through improv.

Hoopla was founded with the idea of bringing people together through improv and, at a time of social distancing, it’s more important than ever to maintain interaction and stay connected for your mental health. A real confidence-boosting experience, Hoopla aims to stretch your mind as well as your perspective.

Improv classes are one of the fastest growing hobbies sweeping the UK. Starting as a weekly workshop above a pub in Balham, Hoopla are now the UK’s biggest improv school and usually run multiple courses every night of the week in venues across Central London as well as regularly running corporate workshops to clients including Google, Facebook, and Accenture.

Steve Roe, Director of Hoopla, comments, Entertainment before TV was communal with music halls, dance halls and my Grandad on pub piano. I previously thought of video calls as just for super awkward job interviews, but with some experiments we found we could have loads of fun with it. People can play different characters, students can create costumes using whatever they have in their house, props can be gathered from the kitchen. It’s meant that people from around the world can join us. There are a lot of people sat at home with nobody to talk to, and improv is giving people the chance to come together (virtually) and play and have a laugh for a couple of hours. We are even going to have a virtual songs around the piano night like my Grandad.

This is also happening across the wider improv UK scene, with The Maydays and The Nursery also working together to provide online classes.

Liz Peters, of The Nursery and The Maydays, added, We are improvisers. We adapt and grow and fail and learn and build. And we spread joy. So this is just one way we will ‘Yes and’ this situation. As the world begins to isolate, the need for human connection is greater than ever! They’re calling it ‘social distancing’ right now. Let’s change that terminology to ‘physical distancing’. We are and always will be social animals; connection is part of our survival and last night proved that it is still very possible and still very fun. So come and join the ride.

REGAL ENTERTAINMENTS CREATE AN EASTER LOCK-DOWN PANTO

THE LOCK-UP FAIRYTALE RAPUNZEL WILL LIVE STREAM DIRECTLY TO HOMES OVER 7 DAYS TO ENTERTAIN FAMILIES

This Easter, despite the lock-down, Regal Entertainments Ltd have created a free online Pantomime for all the family to enjoy, and what better fairy-tale to be presented during a lock-down than that of a young girl locked up in a tower? 

Rapunzel: The Lockdown Panto will live stream daily on St Helens Theatre Royal’s Facebook and Instagram accounts from Sunday 12 – Saturday 18 April 2020 at 1.30pm.

The uniquely filmed production will star a host of the regular stars that appear at St Helens Theatre Royal. Olivia Sloyan will play Rapunzel, James Lacey as the Witch, Lewis Devine as Daft Dave, Samantha Palin as the Queen, Warren Donnelly as the King, Andrew Geater as the Prince, Abby Middleton as Fairy Anna(logue) and Jenna Sian O’Hara as Pixel The Pixie.

For this special production, each cast member has recorded their own section of the pantomime at home and, through careful editing, the story is brought together to create a unique online pantomime that the whole family will enjoy. The pantomime is written and directed by James Lacey and choreographed by Sarah Walker.

Olivia Sloyan plays Rapunzel.  Olivia’s theatre credits include Sue in Rita, Sue and Bob Too, Tia in The Salon and both Linda and Brenda in Blood Brothers, as well as Princess Jasmine in last Christmas’s spectacular pantomime, Aladdin.

James Lacey plays the Witch. James has appeared in the touring production of Shrek: The Musical, The Sound of Music and as the handsome prince in St Helens October half term panto, Sleeping Beauty. Another princely role for James was being chosen as the dance double for Richard Madden in Disney’s live action remake of Cinderella.

Abby Middleton is Fairy Anna(logue).  No stranger to St Helens Theatre Royal, Abby’s has played Tiger Lily in Peter Pan and the Good Fairy Glinda The Wizard of Oz.  Her other recent credits include Lucy in Pig, Sister Mary in Scouse Pacific and Nancy in Kiss Me Quickstep.

Samantha Palin plays the Queen.  Her theatre credits include the Wicked Witch of the West in February’s The Wizard of Oz, the villainous fairy Carabosse in October’s Sleeping Beauty and (on the good side) the Fairy Godmother in last Christmas’s record-breaking Epstein Theatre pantomime, Cinderella.

Jenna Sian O’Hara plays Pixel the Pixie.  Jenna starred in last year’s production of Achy Breaky Bride and also gave a memorable performance as the Slave of the Ring in the St Helens Christmas panto, Aladdin.

The King is played by Liverpool actor Warren Donnelly. Best known as Stan Waterman in Channel 4’s Shameless, Warren’s panto credits include King Rat in Dick Whittington, Abanazer in Aladdin (both at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre) and Lord Dandini in The Epstein Theatre’s Cinderella.

Andrew Geater plays the Prince and his recent credits include a standout performance as Pharaoh Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Chris Superstar, Guys and Dolls, South Pacific and Prince Charming Cinderella at The Epstein Theatre.

Kids favourite Lewis Devine completes the cast asDaft Dave. Lewis was the first series winner of ITV’s Kids Stars in Their Eyes with his impersonation of Donny Osmond and his panto credits include Muddles in Snow White, the title role in Peter Pan and French Frank in Beauty and The Beast at Stockport Plaza.

Regal Entertainments had to reschedule their usual Easter Pantomime at St Helens Theatre Royal, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, which will now take place in the autumn.

Producer and Director at Regal Entertainments, Chantelle Nolan says: “During the national lockdown we wanted to reward and entertain families for being responsible and isolating.  So many of our customers were disappointed not to be able to come and see our Easter pantomime in St Helens, so we thought that, this year, we would bring the panto to them. 

“We have an incredibly talented cast, who are more than up to the challenge of creating a unique, new show and we’re going to put on a fantastic online show that all ages can enjoy.”

Rapunzel tells the tale of a young girl stolen from her family and locked away from the world in a tower by a wicked witch.  Unable to leave, she must let down her golden hair for the witch to climb to bring her food.  One day a handsome prince discovers the tower and sees the beautiful girl.  Will Rapunzel and the Prince find their freedom?  Will they live happily ever after?  Or will the wicked witch catch them? 

To watch the show, viewers will need to become a fan of the St Helens Theatre Royal Facebook or Instagram accounts where information to view will be posted, the show will launch daily at 1.30pm from Easter Sunday.

LISTING INFORMATION

Rapunzel: The Lock-Down Panto

Dates: Sunday 12 – Saturday 18 April 2020

Times: 1.30pm

Tickets: FREE online performance

SHOW DETAILS 

Watch online FREE on Facebook (@sthelenstheatreroyal) and Instagram (TheatreRoyalStH)

 

h CLUB LONDON ANNOUNCE STAR STUDDED ONLINE CELEBRATION FOR

WORLD BOOK NIGHT ON THURSDAY 23^RD APRIL

Authors and Celebrities Come To Audiences Online To Read Passages from Their Favourite Books And New Releases

Ahead of the launch of their new digital membership, h Club London (formerly The Hospital Club) are pleased to announce their celebratory event for this year’s World Book Night taking place on Thursday 23^rd April at 7pm via Zoom. In these uncertain times, the event will celebrate all that is wonderful, unifying and inspiring about reading, with the club hosting a range of authors and celebrities online who will read passages from much-loved and upcoming books to attendees. For the first time, this hugely popular event will be available to both members and non-members. Those interested will need to register at https://hclub.com/general/event/booking/2389 and will be sent a link to virtually attend the event.

Confirmed celebrity attendees reading passages from their favourite books include, Gavin & Stacey actress Alison Steadman; Guardians of the Galaxy actress Ophelia Lovibond; Fleabag actor Anthony Welsh; comedian Ronni Ancona; The Young Ones actor Nigel Planer; Sex Education actress Simone Ashley and Sex Education actor George Robinson.

They are joined by a host of top-tier authors who will read passages from their recently released / soon to be published books. These include Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love); Joanna Trollope (Mum and Dad); Mike Gayle (All The Lonely People to be released in July); Ruth Hogan (Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel); John Niven (The F*ck-it List); Lucy Diamond (An Almost Perfect Holiday); Sophie Ward (Love and Other Thought Experiments) and Derek Owusu (That Reminds Me).

h Club have also partnered with Waterstones to offer attendees 25% off all books read on the night, until 30^th April.

There will be some more very special surprise guests on the night.

DOLLY PARTON’S

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

CELEBRATING A WEST END TRIUMPH

AHEAD OF A UK TOUR IN 2020

Following the news that the London run of 9 to 5 The Musical at the Savoy Theatre (where it had been scheduled to run until 23 May) has been cut short due to the cancellation of all performances in the West End until 31 May, Executive Producer Adam Speers celebrated the success of the show today by saying..

“On behalf of all the producers, we are so proud of the London cast and crew who have achieved so much. Co-writer Patricia Resnick, Director Jeff Calhoun and the team at ATG Productions worked with Dolly and I to create a show so full of humour, energy and of course great songs! It filled the audiences with joy, at a time we all really needed it and will do so again. Theatre is all about bringing people together and we are very excited to share the joy of 9 to 5 around the globe in 2021 and beyond”.

Further cast and creative quotes below.

The West End cast album, recorded live at the Savoy Theatre, is available for download at  https://slinky.to/9to5-TheMusical

Since its West End premiere in February last year, 9 to 5 The Musical has been seen by over half a million people at over 450 performances. The show was initially due to play for a limited six-month engagement but has enjoyed two extensions during its West End run. Such was public demand that a second production toured to 11 cities last Autumn, running simultaneously with the West End production.

As well as another UK tour in 2020, replica productions are planned for Australia and South Africa next year and beyond, with discussions underway for Canada and Asia.

The show in London was embraced by audiences and critics alike, receiving rave reviews for a cast that has included Louise Redknapp, Caroline Sheen, Amber Davies, Chelsea Halfpenny, Natalie McQueen, Bonnie Langford, Brian Conley and David Hasselhoff.

All the latest 2020 tour news, along with full details of future productions, will be announced in due course and can be found at 9to5themusical.co.uk

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin Productions with Benjamin Lowy Productions, Glass Half Full Productions, Showtime Theatre Productions, Hartshorn – Hook Productions, Harmonia Holdings and Kilimanjaro Live.

CAST AND CREATIVE MEMBERS SAID TODAY….

LOUISE REDKNAPP (Violet Newstead)

I can’t express how much I have loved being part of 9 to 5. From the entire cast, to the all the teams backstage at the theatre and most of all the fantastic audience that came and cheered along time and time again. Violet Newstead will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s now time to officially clock off.

CAROLINE SHEEN (Violet Newstead)

9 to 5 was such an unexpected treat to be a part of. I joined a cast of strangers and they became some of my dearest friends, mainly thanks to the ethos of the producers, the sense of family and the joy of being in such a fun and exhilarating show. Just sublime. An honour and a thrill to have been a part of it.

AMBER DAVIES (Judy Bernly)

This show changed my life. It was an honour to work with Dolly and it’s been a dream to make so many friends and with work with incredible people. I am so proud and happy 9 to 5 was the show that brought me to the West End.

CHELSEA HALFPENNY (Judy Bernly)

The show has meant SO much to me. It has given me confidence and belief in myself, as it challenged me more than I ever thought it would. And the best part about it was that I met some of the nicest people who will be friends for life. 

NATALIE McQUEEN (Doralee Rhodes)

This journey has been one of a kind. To be a part of an original cast and to experience the wonderful things we got to do, made me feel incredibly lucky. I’m going to miss DD Doralee very much.

BONNIE LANGFORD (Roz Keith)

It was fabulous to create Roz in 9 to 5 the Musical. To sing Dolly Parton’s music and hear the laughter and joy from the audiences at the Savoy Theatre night after night was a total privilege. I’m certain that the magic of live theatre will return soon and we can join together to share the fun again more than ever. Until then, we’ll just have to listen to the live recording and dance and sing upside down at home!

BRIAN CONLEY (Franklin Hart Jr)

This has been one of the happiest shows I’ve ever worked in on and off stage. I can honestly say that the audience have given us a standing ovation every night of the week. It gives them everything they want. A great story, great songs, written by the Queen of country music and packed with comedy and love. One of my proudest moments was getting the chance to meet Dolly Parton not once, not twice, but three times,

DAVID HASSELHOFF (Franklin Hart Jr)

What a great ride, I tumbled outta bed and stumbled to the kitchen! Poured myself a cup of ambition! 9 to 5 – Great fun! Great cast!

PATRICIA RESNICK (Book)

Watching Londoners take 9 to 5 into their hearts over the past year has been one of the most prized joys of my life. I look forward to a time when we’ve come through the greatest challenge of the 21st century and can once again laugh, sing and be together in a theatre, one of the most incredible communal experiences known to the human race. Dolly and I can’t wait for you all to be able to join the 9 to 5 family again soon.

JEFF CALHOUN (Director)

The success of 9 to 5 on the West End has been a definite highlight of my career. Watching sold out audiences at the Savoy displaying such enthusiasm for our show will stay in my heart for a long time. There are few things as sacred as the relationship between an audience and a cast and I can’t wait to experience that bond again after these trying times. A huge thank you to everyone involved both on stage and backstage and to all the employees of the Savoy Theatre and the patrons who have filled the theatre over the past year.

Some Enchanted Evening: An online concert celebrating the music of Rodgers + Hammerstein starring West End favourites

Hope Mill Theatre

Sunday 26^th April 2020

Hope Mill Theatre is staging an online concert featuring West End stars, celebrating the much-loved music from legendary songwriting duo Rodgers + Hammerstein, on Sunday 26^th April at 7pm.

Like many theatres across the country, Hope Mill Theatre has been closed since Tuesday 17^th March due to Covid-19.

The venue ceased all productions and made the difficult decision to cancel their first in-house production of the year, which was to be the UK theatrical premiere of the Broadway version of  Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

Rehearsals for this were due to start next week with the show opening at beginning of May.

In honour of the cancellation of this production, Hope Mill Theatre is producing a virtual concert featuring some of the much-loved duo’s favourite songs from shows such as Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific and Cinderella. The concert will be pre-recorded and shared on the venue’s YouTube channel and social media platforms, Twitter and Facebook. The concert will be free to watch but the venue is asking for donations.

The cast will perform their songs at home, with performances edited together into a complete concert experience, which will also feature some special guest hosts and familiar theatrical faces.

The line-up includes West End stars Maria Friedman (Ragtime, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) Louise Dearman (Wicked, Sideshow) and Sophie-Louise Dann (Lend Me A Tenor, Bend it Like Beckham)

The venue is also thrilled to introduce cast members from the cancelled production of Cinderella, Matthew Blaker, Julie Yammanee and Cinderella herself, Georgie Buckland. Buckland is a recent graduate from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was found through the venue’s open call for the role which received of over 500 submissions.

The concert will also include performers from past Hope Mill Theatre productions – Joel-Harper Jackson (Little Women), Laura Harrison (Parade) and Simbi Akande (Putting It Together). As well as Any Dream Will Do contestant Keith Jack.

Hope Mill Theatre will be launching a crowdfunder on the evening which will be used to raise money to help the venue to reopen when the time comes, and to get back on its feet.

Artistic Director, Joseph Houston, said: “It has been important for us as a venue to stay engaged with our wonderful and loyal audiences and supporters. Since closing we have had so much love and support from individuals and it has been the catalyst for us to continue to do what we know best and produce theatre, just in a very different way. We were so upset that we had to cancel our production of Cinderella as we had lined up the most incredible cast but we are thrilled that finally some of these talented performers will have the chance to be seen.”

Executive Director, William Whelton, said: “Rodgers + Hammerstein are credited as the creators of musical theatre as we know it and we could think of no other way of celebrating theatre during these times than to host a concert dedicated to them.”

Twitter: @Hopemilltheatr1

Facebook: Hope Mill Theatre

ACTING FOR OTHERS ANNOUNCE

FUNDRAISING EVENTS IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS –

ALSO ANNOUNCED IS THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE WEST END FLEA MARKET

Theatrical charity, Acting for Others,today announce the formation of a separate Covid-19 Fund which will be available to its 14 member charities. In addition, there are several fundraising events taking place in aid of the charity and its support to theatre workers in this unprecedented time of need including All the Web’s a Stage, Fleabag For Charity and A Song for Our Time.

Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, co-chair of Acting for Others, said today, “Raising money for our charity at this time is all the more important, given the number of theatre workers in the industry now out of work due to Coronavirus, and we are so grateful to all those fundraising on our behalf. While we are disappointed to be postponing West End Flea Market this year, it is necessary in order to protect the welfare of artists, staff, and visitors. We hope that those who are in a position to, might consider supporting some of the tremendous online events organised in support of our theatre colleagues in this time of need. We look forward to welcoming theatre fans and supporters to West End Flea Market again soon.”

Theatre Together’s All the Web’s a Stage, an online event on Shakespeare Day, 23 April, featuring a variety of live performances including from Joanne Clifton, Danny Mac, Marisha Wallace and A4O Ambassadors, Jodie Prenger, Cleve September and La Voix. Performances will be streamed live here. The event is free to access with all donations distributed to several arts charities and funds including Acting for Others.

Also, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, DryWrite, Soho Theatre and Annapurna Theatre, in partnership with National Theatre Live in London and Amazon Prime Video present the smash-hit Fleabag from 6 April here, and then on Amazon Prime Video for two weeks from 10 April. Proceeds will be donated to a variety of charities and funds including Acting for Others.

Danielle Tarento and Paul Wilkins are inviting composers to write and submit and original composition, A Song For Our Time, with one version selected to be recorded by a virtual choir including West End stars with all proceeds going to Acting for Others.

Acting for Others also announce today that the second annual West End Flea Market will be postponed this year in response to Coronavirus (Covid-19). The event, due to take place on 16 May 2020, will be rescheduled with new dates to be announced.

Donations to Acting for Otherscan be made here: www.justgiving.com/ctcafo

www.actingforothers.co.uk       

Twitter: @ActingForOthers

VIDEO: Virtual West End choir performs Do You Hear The People Sing? from Les Misérables

Over 70 performers from top West End shows have come together to record a special version of Do You Hear The People Sing?, reminding us that ‘even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise’.

Watch video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kIhBgQAw3U&t=74s

With an introduction from Christopher Biggins and a voiceover by Lesley Joseph, the video encourages viewers to donate to theatrical charity Acting For Others if they are able, to help provide financial and wellbeing support to theatre workers in these difficult times – or donate to support NHS workers and volunteers.

#HearTheWestEndSing @westendsingsuk

www.officiallondontheatre.com

HAVING FUN AND STAYING CONNECTED – HOW THE ELDERS COMPANY EMBRACED GOING ONLINE

The Royal Exchange Theatre’s Elders Company have always been open to new things, to challenging themselves and to taking a trusting leap into the unknown. So, when the doors closed on theatres over two weeks ago, they were ready to embrace the idea that their regular workshops would now take place in a virtual world.  

Andy Barry, the Royal Exchange Elders Programme Manager said…
‘We currently have over 65 members who are all incredibly dedicated, not only to the Theatre and the work but also to each other. We knew that we had to find a way to continue to deliver our programme over the next few months, so we quickly adapted our plans so that workshops could take place digitally. Overcoming isolation and loneliness has always been a key driver in developing work with Elders, and as many of our existing Company are self-isolating it is more important than ever to stay connected. That doesn’t mean we just ‘call in for a chat’ it’s crucial that the sessions address the desire to be creative, make new work and continue to be interactive. What’s really exciting is that the group are ready to embrace both the challenges and the opportunities working digitally can offer.’

Elders Company member Ann Cole, age 81 said…
“The Royal Exchange Elders Company has without doubt been a lifeline for me as I am sure many of the members will agree. Prior to this Pandemic, the staff have always been very caring and treated us with the utmost respect. It made a change from being dismissed as ‘Over the Hill’ and generally being ignored or left out. Their attitude to older people has surpassed all my expectations and for this I thank them.

During these unprecedented times they have reached out in so many ways. One of the excellent ways was taking part in the Zoom meeting. This enabled me to see the other friends I had made during my time in the Elders. I was afraid that because of the lockdown I would lose contact. We were able to see each other and to talk together and share our experiences. I sincerely believe this helped to reduce the ‘fear factor’ and anxieties beneath the outward signs of bravado. Doing our exercises virtually brought smiles and laughter all round.

I had never used Zoom before so this in itself was a challenge but again with the help of the staff all my fears of Zooming were overcome. I simply can’t wait to continue interacting with the staff of the Royal Exchange who by now have become virtual family member caring for all our well-being. Many thanks.”

The Royal Exchange Elders Company has been running for 6 years and includes several stands of work. The Elders Company are a resident company who meet every Friday for creative workshop sessions with professional theatre makers and have the opportunity to work towards the development of a production for the Exchange. The Elders Leaders are graduates of the Company and work closely with Andy to manage sessions and support new members. Alongside this the Exchange also runs Elders Mondays, a twice monthly ‘open-day’ welcoming anyone over the age of fifty to take part in workshops, drama games, writing groups and much more.

Andy continues…
‘Our current Elders Company are aged between 62 and 81 and we had our first ‘Zoom’ session last Friday, out of twenty members eighteen of them logged-in. We’d sent out a digital working document – a guide and policy for working online to help them get started. I was thrilled by how many people had taken the time to read it and were ready to join in. I’ve just held a session with 14 of our Elders Leaders (graduates of the company) and they have already started to use the digital platforms themselves – including setting up a digital birthday party complete with nibbles and a dress code. We shall see where we get to but there is already an appetite to make a piece of work that responds to the current situation. I’m hopeful – which is a great place to be right now. In our first session, people were able to talk about how they’re coping and we also got down to some creative writing. We randomly created a work bank together and then each wrote our own short poem.’

The Exchange will continue to run the Elders sessions online, making a space in which the community can get together and share their experiences creatively.

Glyn Treharne, aged 76 a Graduate and Elders Leader also commented;

“Being a Royal Exchange Elder has added so much to my life, that when I knew the theatre was going to be continuing with online sessions, I was more than excited. I have been a part of the Elders Leaders since its inception in 2018, assisting with the admin of groups and a part of the free sessions that happen in the Hub. On Tuesday we had our first online session of the Elders Leaders led by Andy Barry, and it was excellent. It was so brilliant to see so many of my fellow Elders, some who were new to the zoom experience. As part of the session we did a creative writing activity that involved creating a poem using words that Andy had picked out from what Leaders had said when signing in. It was fun, good to be using our brains and putting something together. It created some impressive writing which it was decided was good enough to be included in the Elders newsletter. Afterwards I felt so much more positive knowing that, although we are living in such uncertain circumstances, we will still be helping in the growth of Elders Mondays and looking at the possibility of it going online and planning its future development. As a group the Elders have a strong bond with each other, and it was heartening that in the Elders Leaders online session we all expressed our concerns about the people who couldn’t link to zoom or had limited access to digital technology. We wanted to make sure they were still included be that through texting or telephone, or any other form of communication.”

For anyone interested in joining the free Elders Monday’s sessions information about upcoming events will be posted on the Royal Exchange Theatre’s website.

QUEEN & BEN ELTON’S

‘WE WILL ROCK YOU’

UK TOUR

RESCHEDULED FOR EARLY 2021

PLUS EXTRA VENUES ADDED

Following the closure of all UK theatres, the 2020 UK tour of Queen & Ben Elton’s smash hit musical ‘We Will Rock You’ has been rescheduled for early 2021.

The producers of ‘We Will Rock You’ did not want to disappoint fans who had bought tickets, so they have been working hard to reschedule as many of the shows as possible giving people something to look forward to in these unsettling times.

We are delighted to announce the good news that the musical extravaganza will once again rock theatres across the UK from January next year, playing many of the original 2020 dates and several additional venues too. Kicking off in Cardiff on 18 January, the tour will then play in Milton Keynes, Southend, Stoke, Bristol, Wimbledon, Bournemouth, Ipswich, Bromley, York, Newcastle, Northampton, Peterborough, Norwich, Reading, Liverpool, Birmingham and Southsea – with more dates to follow. Details of how to exchange tickets will follow in the coming weeks.

Brian May said: “Happy to say our magnificent UK tour of ‘We Will Rock You’, the Rock Theatrical, will rise again! The Coronavirus has had us all on the run – but Live Theatre will win in the end!!! Keep hold of your bookings and The Vibe will be yours in 20201!”

Roger Taylor added: “This is great news, I’m so pleased to see the show on the road again.”

Ben Elton agreed: “I was so pleased to get the great news that ‘We Will Rock You’ is to be remounted next year after being forced to close mid tour and I hope Queen’s incredible music can help to make us feel like Champions again.”

‘We Will Rock You’ has seen unprecedented success in theatres and arenas all around the world since it began in 2002 and this 2020 UK tour has been no exception. The show has received continuous rave reviews and standing ovations in every town and city it has visited, and will be ready to pick up exactly where it left off in January 2021.

‘We Will Rock You’ 2021 UK Tour Dates

18/01/2021 – 23/01/2021 Cardiff: Wales Millennium Centre

25/01/2021 – 30/01/2021 Milton Keynes: Milton Keynes Theatre

01/02/2021 – 06/01/2021 Southend: Cliffs Pavilion

08/02/2021 – 13/02/2021 Stoke: Regent Theatre

15/02/2021 – 20/02/2021 Bristol: Hippodrome

22/02/2021 – 27/02/2021 Wimbledon: New Wimbledon Theatre

01/03/2021 – 06/03/2021 Bournemouth: Pavilion

08/03/2021 – 13/03/2021 Ipswich: Regent Theatre

15/03/2021 – 20/03/2021 Bromley: Churchill Theatre

22/03/2021 – 27/03/2021 York: Grand Opera House

29/03/2021 – 03/04/2021 Newcastle: Theatre Royal

05/04/2021 – 10/04/2021 Cardiff: Wales Millennium Centre

12/04/2021 – 17/03/2021 Northampton: Royal & Derngate

19/04/2021 – 24/04/2021 Peterborough: New Theatre

26/04/2021 – 01/05/2021 Norwich: Theatre Royal

03/05/2021 – 08/05/2021 Reading: Hexagon

10/05/2021 – 15/05/2021 Liverpool: Empire

17/05/2021 – 29/05/2021 Birmingham: Hippodrome

31/05/2021 – 05/06/2021 Southsea: Kings Theatre

Website: wewillrockyou.com

Twitter: @wwryglobal

Instagram: wewillrockyouglobal

Facebook: facebook.com/wewillrockyouglobal

“Magnifico!”

The Sun

“One of the best shows I’ve seen in yonks. An evening of sheer entertainment and enjoyment”

Daily Mirror

“The sheer power of the best Queen numbers strikes hard”

Financial Times

“There was wild applause at the climax of the show…and it only got louder”

The Daily Telegraph

“Spectacular”

Daily Express