Month: April 2020

DR DAWN HARPER LAUNCHES LIVE CLINIC SHOW WITH THE BARN THEATRE

• DR DAWN HARPER IS LAUNCHING A WEEKLY LIVE DIGITAL CLINIC SHOW STREAMED FROM THE BARN THEATRE’S SOCIAL ACCOUNTS

• FOLLOWING TEMPORARY CLOSURE, THE BARN THEATRE’S WARDROBE DEPARTMENT ARE HAND-MAKING SCRUBS FOR LOCAL NHS SURGERIES

TV medic and Embarrassing Bodies star Dr Dawn Harper and the Barn Theatre in Cirencester have announced a weekly live streamed digital series, Live From The Clinic with Dr Dawn Harper.

Each week Dr Dawn Harper will answer any medical questions the public may have, and specifically questions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The series will air live on the Barn Theatre’s social media accounts every Monday at 3pm, with the first episode going live on 6 April 2020.

Dr Dawn, who was recently announced as a Barn Theatre ambassador, said of the series, “I’m really excited to be joining up with the Barn Theatre to offer a live clinic as part of Behind The Barn Door on Mondays at 3pm. I’m looking forward to taking questions from the public and hopefully allaying fears and taking some pressure off NHS services.”

Live From The Clinic with Dr Dawn Harper forms part of the Barn Theatre’s free live-streaming service Behind The Barn Door. The series joins British record holder Kenton Cool’s mountaineering show, Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool, Giffords Circus’ Tweedy the Clown’s children’s entertainment show, Tweedy’s Lost & Found, as well as weekly live Q&As with Cotswold District Council leader Joe Harris and local MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.

The streaming service airs live on the Barn Theatre’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter channels. Questions for future episodes of Live From The Clinic with Dr Dawn Harper can be sent to [email protected]

The Barn Theatre’s wardrobe department are also doing their part in supporting those on the front line as they have started creating scrubs for local NHS surgeries.

The initiative started when wardrobe supervisor Denise Cleal noticed a plea in the Facebook group Cheltenham and Cirencester Scrubbers – For The Love Of Scrubs NHS, an appeal highlighting the lack of scrubs in local surgeries and hospitals all over the country. Upon seeing this, Denise and wardrobe assistant Bridget Griffiths, decided that whilst the theatre was temporarily closed they would set to work hand-making scrubs for local surgeries and help support the front line.

Denise said “I’m the wardrobe supervisor at the Barn Theatre, and as my work there has ceased for the time being, I have time on my hands. When I saw the appeal to make scrubs for the NHS I jumped at the chance to help. This is extremely important to me as my daughter works for NHS Scotland and several other close family members are also working on the front line for NHS England. In a small way I feel I can support them by doing what I love most – sewing, and am grateful to be able to help.”

Bridget said “in these strange times it’s easy to feel powerless but so grateful to those working on the front line. So I am happy to be able to use my own skills to help in some small way.”

Dr Dawn Harper has shown her support for the department saying “We are running short of scrubs on the frontline. I’m so proud of the wardrobe department at the Barn Theatre for stepping up and offering their services to make scrubs for local surgeries. Giving back is what the Barn do best. Thank you”

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

A BRAND NEW ONLINE RADIO PLAY RAISING FUNDS FOR THE THEATRE INDUSTRY

BROADCASTING ON WEDNESDAYS 20^TH MAY AND 27^TH MAY

Produced by the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield:

THE UNDERSTUDY

By Henry Filloux-Bennett, based on the best-selling novel by David Nicholls

   

STARRING

Stephen Fry, Mina Anwar, Layton Williams, Emily Atack, Russell Tovey, Sheila Atim MBE, Sarah Hadland & more

The Understudy is a brand new radio play that will be broadcast in two parts on Wednesday 20^th May and Wednesday 27^th May to raise funds for the theatre industry which is facing a devastating impact from the Covid-19 health crisis. The Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield will split proceeds of this project with charities including the Theatre Development Trust (SOLT and UK Theatre), Acting for Others and Equity Charitable Trust.

Coming together at a time that matters the most, the stellar line-up of actors currently confirmed to perform in The Understudy includes Stephen Fry, Emily Atack, Sheila Atim, Layton Williams, Russell Tovey, Sarah Hadland, Mina Anwar and many more. The cast and creative team involved in The Understudy will take part completely in isolation and actors will record their lines at home that will be brought to life by an exceptional sound design team.

The public will be able to tune in to listen to The Understudy by buying a ticket, all of which will go to help individuals and organisations struggling because of Coronavirus.

Based on the novel by the best-selling author David Nicholls, The Understudy tells the story of an underdog – a failed husband, a failing father, a failing actor, and the impossible choice he’s going to have to make between stealing the show and stealing another man’s wife. Directed by Giles Croft, this is a stage adaptation written by Henry Filloux-Bennett that was originally commissioned by The Lowry. The sound, music and effects will be brought to life by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, Annie May Fletcher and Sophie Galpin.

Commenting on this timely project, Stephen Fry said: “I am just so delighted to be working on Henry Filloux-Bennett’s superb adaptation of David Nicholls’s The Understudy. I do hope lots of you will listen in and combine a good time with support for our wonderful theatre industry.”

David Nicholls comments: “I’ve always had soft spot for The Understudy and was hugely excited to see it come to life on a new online stage, and with such a great team. So much is changing, at such speed and I’m full of admiration for the way it’s now being reimagined. I can’t wait.”

A spokesperson for SOLT and UK Theatre said: “We welcome this initiative and are delighted that money raised will be donated to support theatres across the country – particularly outside London where the industry needs it most. It has never been more vital that our industry pulls together, and it is fantastic to see artists and performers using creativity and ingenuity to help support the theatre workforce through this difficult time.”

Synopsis

Actor Stephen McQueen has just landed a dream West End role. Well, that’s not quite true – he’s going to be is understudying film star (and 12^th Sexiest Man in the World) Josh Harper in the brand-new show ‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’, but still…Whilst he’s waiting for his time to shine, he reflects on his career – one that has spanned everything from (non-speaking) Rent Boy 3 in ‘The Bill’ to his recent starring role as Sammy in the (low-budget) regional tour of ‘Sammy The Squirrel’s Seriously Silly Safari’.

With this new job Stephen’s stage career may be destined for the dizzying heights, but not everything is going quite as well. Stephen’s wife left him two years ago, wondering if he’d ever grow up; his daughter wonders when he’ll get an actual job; worst of all, he’s starting to fall for the leading man’s wife.

Part 1 of The Understudy will be released on Wednesday 20^th May and Part 2 of The Understudy will be released on Wednesday 27^th May. For more information, see www.understudyplay.com

Darlington Hippodrome launches support for Darlington Samaritans with online crowdfunding page

Darlington Hippodrome staff have selected Darlington Samaritans as their new annual charity partner with the launch of an online crowdfunding page.

Darlington Hippodrome has announced that the Hippodrome staff selected Darlington Samaritans as their new annual charity partner.

Samaritans is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with over 200 branches across the UK and Ireland. Every year Samaritans answer more than 5 million calls for help through their unique 24 hour listening service. Demand for the service is growing with Samaritans responding to a call for help every 6 seconds.

Through the partnership, Darlington Hippodrome will help support Darlington Samaritans’ services through various fundraising activities.

Darlington Hippodrome has launched an online crowdfunding page to allow individuals to show their support for Darlington Samaritans and find out more about the services they provide.

The crowdfunding page can be accessed at : https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DarlingtonHippodrome For full information on Darlington Hippodrome visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

It is with great regret that due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak we have taken the decision to postpone the remainder of our 2020 Season.

We wish to thank all casts, creative teams, partners, collaborators
and supporters as well as the full Greenwich Theatre team for all their talent, energy and support.

We also want to thank our audience for being patient and understanding. 
Ticket holders for Hedda Gabler and Peter Pan will be contacted by
the box office shortly.

We look now to our future and finding a way forward.
We will be back.

Until then, keep safe and well.
Lazarus Team

SLEEPLESS PRODUCERS

MICHAEL ROSE & DAMIEN SANDERS

JOIN FORCES WITH COSTUME DESIGNER & MAKER SUE SIMMERLING & HER COMPANY CARRY ON COSTUMES

TO MAKE SCRUBS FOR THE NHS

SLEEPLESS, A MUSICAL ROMANCE

TO HOLD “A NIGHT FOR SLEEPLESS HEROES”

A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FREE-OF-CHARGE FOR ALL NHS WORKERS WHEN THEATRES RE-OPEN

Sue Simmerling, owner of costume design company Carry on Costumes, is doing her bit to help the NHS in its battle against COVID-19.  Sue was contacted by fellow designer Dulcie Scott, who started the crowdfunding group ‘Helping Dress Medics’. The group’s aim is to purchase fabrics that are then made into scrubs for the NHS medics dealing with the virus in hospitals.

Sue had just finished designing and making the costumes for the world premiere of SLEEPLESS, A Musical Romance and was delighted when her producers, Michael Rose and Damien Sanders, offered to share the costs with her to pay for 800 metres of fabric. This will be despatched to seamstresses around the country who will make PPE to protect the NHS heroes on the front line. As well as donating, Sue was only too pleased to volunteer the services of her team for the cause. Carry on Costumes are already in the process of making 70 sets of scrubs for Guy’s Hospital in London. You can see a time-lapse video of Carry on Costumes making scrubs here.

In addition to helping fund the fabric for scrubs, producers Michael Rose and Damien Sanders have also said they will devote a performance of their show SLEEPLESS, A Musical Romance to all NHS workers, who will be able to watch the show free-of-charge once it opens.  It will be called “A Night for Sleepless Heroes” in their honour.

Michael Rose and Damien Sanders said, “We were so glad to help Sue and her team.  While theatres are closed, this is something we can do to help the people on the frontline in this fight against COVID-19.  And, as a thank you to these NHS heroes, we wanted to welcome them to the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre once we’re all back up and running and to see SLEEPLESS free-of-charge.”

SLEEPLESS, A Musical Romance, based on the original screenplay Sleepless in Seattle, was due to start performances on 24 March at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London.  The new musical has a book by Michael Burdette and music and lyrics by new British writers Robert Scott and Brendan Cull and will feature a 12-piece jazz orchestra.

SLEEPLESS will star Jay McGuiness, Kimberley Walsh, Daniel Casey, Harriet Thorpe, Tania Mathurin and Jake Sharp, along with Charlie Bull, Colin Burnicle, Christie-Lee Crosson, Laura Darton, Leanne Garretty, Matt Holland, Ross McLaren, Gary Murphy, Dominique Planter, Annie Wensak and Benjamin Wong. Theo Collis, Mikey Colville, Jobe Hart and Jack Reynolds will share the role of Jonah.

SLEEPLESS will be directed by Morgan Young (White Christmas, Elf, Big), with set design by Morgan Large, costume design by Sue Simmerling, lighting by Ken Billington, video design by Ian William Galloway, orchestrations and arrangements by Larry Blank, musical supervision by Stuart Morley, musical direction by Chris Walker, wig and hair design by Richard Mawbey and casting by Sarah Bird CDG and Michael Donovan CSA.

The world premiere of SLEEPLESS will be presented by Michael Rose, Encore Theatre Productions Ltd, David Shor and Marc Toberoff.  General Manager will be David Pearson.

For further details, please visit www.sleeplessthemusical.com.

Facebook: @SleeplessLDN

Instagram: @SleeplessLDN

Twitter: @SleeplessLDN

Meet Jo – the Regional Editor for the South West

Favourite show? Currently Mary Poppins and anything by Matthew Bourne

Favourite theatre? Would have to be the Mayflower!

Role I’d Like to Play? A chubby Odette from Swan Lake or Rosie from Mamma Mia 

How I Began Reviewing? I started reviewing about three years ago  for FPP and thoroughly enjoy it, head Fairy Lindsay and I have been causing mischief together for 20 years now after becoming friends when we both lived in Germany. There are many theatre related shenanigans that we have both sworn shall never be retold in public but do slip out when aided by a glass of bubbly usually met with eye-rolls from our long suffering husbands, long may it continue!  

About Me? My name is Jo and I live in Wiltshire (until the Army says otherwise!) with my hubby, two grown up children and two dogs. I work as a Military Carer Support Worker which I love and when I do find five minutes to myself, which is rare, I take myself off for a walk in the woods or consume my own body weight in chocolate ….. mostly the latter!  

FREE EDUCATION RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FROM DISNEY’S POPULAR WEST END MUSICALS

Disney Theatrical Productions is to offer free downloadable creative activities for educators and parents from their West End shows of The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Frozen and Aladdin. This collection of fun and educational resources for schools and home learning is available to download here now. From costume making and designing your own set model to creative writing, behind-the-scenes videos and career focused podcasts, these creative resources are designed for primary, secondary pupils, all selected specially to enjoy at home. The full list of activities available for each show can be found below. More to come!

The Lion King

For ages 6-11

The Circle of Life -This activityencourages everyone to think about how to make our world a better place.

Recycling for Fun – This activity shows some fun and practical ways to recycle common items.

Costume Mask Making – giving children the chance to make their own costume masks with different themes for inspiration.

For ages 11-14

Nala’s Story -An activity that creates the opportunity to script your own scene with Nala centre stage.

The Circle of Life – Exploring the concept of the Circle of Life and helping develop an appreciation of the need to respect the world in which we live.

Behaving Like Animals -Exploring anthropomorphism, a device used in drama and literature by which animal characters display human characteristics.

All ages

A collection of short videos that will give viewers an unprecedented insight behind the scenes at The Lion King.

Getting Ready to Roar – A behind-the-scenes mini documentary which provides a unique insight into the intense backstage preparation for a performance.

Aladdin

For ages 6-11

Storytelling: Setting the Scene in Agrabah – Five writing activities inspired by Aladdin’s setting, the fictional city of Agrabah. Focus on comparing and contrasting two different places in Agrabah or rewrite a scene from Aladdin using a different place or time.

Art & Design: Drawing and Modelling Settings in Aladdin – Create the world of Aladdin by creating a mood board, storyboard, or even design a set model.

For ages 11-14

Identity and Social Media – The objective of this activity is to help students to connect and contrast the main themes in the Aladdin storyline with what is considered to be ‘safe behaviour’ online for young people.

Creative Writing – Explore five Aladdin-themed activities to inspire creative writing.

For all ages

A collection of short videos that will give viewers an unprecedented insight behind the scenes of Aladdin.

Colouring a Lamp – Print out and colour in Aladdin’s magic lamp. Make it gold or blue or rainbow – whatever you wish!

Frozen

For all ages

Colouring a Frozen Snowflake – Print out and colour-in snowflakes from Frozen. Don’t forget to answer the fun questions on the back!

Mary Poppins

For ages 6-11

Word Magic -Mary Poppins enjoys making words fun. Have a play with how many words and letters you can find in the biggest word you’ve ever heard!

Make Your Own Magic – Use your imagination to create a magical experience through the story of Mary Poppins. Write a story and maybe even act it out!

Make a Kite! – One of the happiest songs in Mary Poppins is ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’. Why not make your own kite? You will need: a paper bag/paper, string, two sticks, scissors and ribbon.

Careers in Theatre

Disney Theatrical Podcast – Backstage with Disney Theatrical Productions

Listen to a podcast series featuring career advice and stories from the incredible teams that make Disney’s theatrical magic in London’s West End including technical production, carpentry, wardrobe, and make-up. 

IMMERSIVE LDN PRESENTS

HOUSETRAP THEATRE & ARTS FESTIVAL 2020

NOW TAKING PLACE ONLINE

ON WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL FROM 6.30PM

LINE UP ANNOUNCED

DELIVERING UK THEATRE FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM – TO THEIRS

#HousetrapFestival

As the theatre industry and wider society reels from the unprecedented shock of the coronavirus outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic, many producers and artists are taking the initiative to share work and support each other during these difficult times.

The team at IMMERSIVE LDN (the West End venue dedicated to developing and staging theatre-led immersive experiences, which like all London and UK theatres has closed its doors for the foreseeable future) today announce the full line up for the Housetrap Theatre & Arts Festival, WHICH WILL NOW BE TAKING PLACE ON WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL, STREAMING LIVE FROM 6.30PM. Like so many people currently, the Immersive | LDN team are on a hiatus, but they have volunteered their isolation time to mount the House Trap Festival.

The Festival is donation based, so audiences can give as they are able, and all the money raised will be shared between the artists performing.

Performers applied to be part of the festival via www.immersiveldn.com/housetrap and the production team at IMMERSIVE LDN selected the following participants:

Christy Coysh

It’s a guy who makes music live on a loop pedal and does weird stuff in between? Is it funny? Yeah sure, I’ll give it a go. 

Jack Bence

Join the two time “Rear of the year” winner, occasional delinquent and Current fugitive “Jack Bence” as he attempts to take your mind off the current madness we find ourselves in with his irreverent, witty stand up. He also does poetry. Judy Dench labelled him “Proper Witty” in one of Jacks recent night terrors.  

Yun Collective (streaming live from Taiwan)

Every day the world is getting busier, yet there are things against us happening now and then. In some gloomy days, each of us needs to take a break. Yi zhan cha is about 15 minutes. It’s the term for people to brew and have a cup of tea in the Chinese tea ceremony. The time it takes, to quiet down your mind. Yun Collective borrows the Chinese tea brewing steps to create a meditative state. We invite our audience to join us on this mind cleansing journey during this challenging time. Raise your cups and dive into relaxation.  

Joshua Welch

Coming live to your living rooms is the brash, no nonsense Northern powerhouse, Granny Grotbag who takes you on a trip down memory lane. A story of love, loss, dust, water infections and strength that is guaranteed to make you laugh, wince and cry into your cuppa! A story confirms that “old age is certainly no place for cissies.” The outrageous outings of young Northern lass out on the pull, finding the love of her life, raising her children and, now, facing the prospect of spending the last years of her life completely alone, after the death of her husband

Miracle Chance

Miracle Chance is an Actress and Singer/Songwriter currently playing ‘Christine Canigula’ in Be More Chill at The Other Palace. Hoping to bring some chilled vibes to your day, she’d like to entertain you with a couple of acoustic covers from shows she’s performed in, alongside some new music for your ears!  

Joseph Cullen

Winner of Best Newcomer at VAULT Festival 2017, Joseph Cullen’s “You Having Olaf?” fuses character comedy and stand up in a way that’s painful to watch and upsetting to be around. Cullen disappeared into a rabbit hole of his own failings, but he’s back! At home, alone, as it was always intended. One reviewer claimed “the overwhelming urge to shake him has to be constrained” (Daniel Perks). But now you’re not allowed to touch him, so you’ll just have to sit through it.  

The ISLO Collective

Patient Zero’ follows the development of 3 artificial intelligences through the Turing test. Each intelligence will take part in a number of tasks involving memory to determine their level of ‘human-ness’. Through Augmented reality and heavy use of sonic design, ‘Patient Zero’ depicts a utopia where humans are dispensable and seeks to ask the question: What happens when our bodies fail us but our minds still exist?  

Ellie Hall

Ellie is a soulful pop singer songwriter based in London. Singing tales of love, lust, self love and the highs and lows of following your dreams. 

Louis Hartshorn of Hartshorn-Hook Enterprises said, “We are thrilled that, even when deprived of access to our facilities, we can still find a way to create a platform for these talented performers. Artists were chosen to provide our audiences with an eclectic evening of entertainment and with acts from as far afield as Taiwan, we are thrilled that our artistic community is showing it is more united than ever.”

THE HUGE-HEARTED SHOW

ANNOUNCES RE-SCHEDULED SEASON DATES

Performances to begin on Tuesday 1 September 2020

Production stars Olivier Award winning MICHAEL BALL

returning to his legendary role of Edna Turnblad,

alongside PAUL MERTON, who makes his West End debut

10-week season runs until Sunday 8 November | London Coliseum

The producers of Hairspray the Musical are today pleased to announce new performances dates for the multi award-winning smash hit musical at the London Coliseum.

The production will now begin performances on Tuesday 1 September 2020 and play a strictly limited 10-week season to Sunday 8 November.

Until Monday 4 May, all existing ticket holders have priority to move their tickets to a new date. All new ticket purchases can be made from Tuesday 5 May. See www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk for all ticket information.

Adam Spiegel, the Co-Producer of Hairspray, said:

“We are pleased that, with the support of everyone at the London Coliseum, we are able today to announce rescheduled dates for Hairspray. I would also like to thank everyone who has worked to ensure the season is able to take place later in the year, and when we are able to do so, we look forward to welcoming audiences and bringing people together again in a way only the theatre can”.

The production will star Michael Ball, who returns to his legendary, Olivier Award winning role of Edna Turnblad, alongside one of the UK’s greatest comedians, Paul Merton, who will be making his West End musical debut as Edna’s husband, Wilbur.

Acclaimed West End star Marisha Wallace will take the role of Motormouth. Marisha won rave reviews when she took over from Amber Riley in the smash hit Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre), and also starred in the original West End cast of Waitress (Adelphi Theatre). Rita Simons (Eastenders’ Roxy Mitchell) will star as Velma Von Tussle.

Paul Merton is a founder member of The Comedy Store Players, and still appears at the Comedy Store in London most Sundays. He is a resident guest on BBC Radio 4’s Just A Minute and is an established face on TV shows such as the hugely popular Have I Got News For You, Room 101, Paul Merton Looks at Alfred Hitchcock (BBC4/2), Paul Merton’s Birth of Hollywood (BBC 2) and his travel series for Channel Five, Paul Merton’s Adventures which covered his travels in India, China and Europe. His Autobiography, Only When I Laugh reached the Sunday Times bestseller Top 10.  Paul’s Anthology of funny stories, Funny Ha Ha was named Sunday Times Humour Book of the year in 2019. His first Channel 4 series, Paul Merton The Series, is due to be released on DVD this Spring.

Baltimore, 1962. Tracy Turnblad is a big girl with big hair and big dreams. Can she make it on the local TV dance show, win the heart of teen heartthrob Link Larkin and bring everyone together – whatever their colour, size or hairdo? Well if you want a change, you’ve really got to shake things up!

With the original award-winning creative team of director Jack O’Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, and featuring the infectiously feel-good songs “Good Morning, Baltimore”, “Big, Blonde and Beautiful” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat”, this inspirational, fun-loving and fabulously uplifting musical sensation is back and bigger than ever.

The original New York production of Hairspray won three Tony Awards, including Best New Musical, whilst the original West End production won four Olivier Awards, also including Best New Musical, as well as giving Michael Ball one of his two Olivier Awards for Best Actor in a Musical.

Hairspray is produced by Adam Spiegel Productions & Fiery Angel.

SEE YOUR #RAINBOWSOFHOPE IMAGES ON STAGE AT CURVE THIS CHRISTMAS

• Inspired by the #RainbowsOfHope campaign which has seen children sticking pictures of rainbows to windows, Curve is calling on people from across the world to submit their creations to form part of the set of The Wizard of Oz.

Leicester’s Curve theatre has today launched a new campaign inspired by the recent #RainbowsOfHope social media trend – and now your design could be featured in the set of its Christmas production, the regional premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz(28 Nov 2020 – 16 Jan 2021).

The Coronavirus lockdown has seen children across the country offering a message of hope, unity and happiness to the nation, by sticking pictures of rainbows to their windows and sharing these on social media with the hashtag #RainbowsOfHope.

By sending your own Rainbows of Hope to the theatre on [email protected] you could see your artwork on stage at Curve later this year. You can also share your picture on social media using the hashtag #RainbowsOfCurve.

As well as asking people to submit Rainbows of Hope, the theatre is also encouraging people to get creative by drawing their own versions of iconic characters and scenes of The Wizard of Oz, which will help inspire the work of designer Colin Richmond’s set.

Speaking about the initiative, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

“The Wizard of Oz’s iconic torch-song imagines a beautiful place “somewhere over the rainbow”. In these challenging times, it’s been life-affirming to see children around the country painting rainbows to put on their windows as beacons of hope, optimism and joy. 

“Working with our Curve Wizard of Oz set designer Colin Richmond, we’d like to use these children’s drawings of rainbows and Oz to help inspire the set design of our Made at Curve production. We imagine our Oz as a world sketched by a child, as seen through Dorothy and Toto’s imaginations. You might see your work on stage at Curve this Christmas and it will help inspire our design process.

“We’d love you and your children to read L. Frank Baum’s wonderful novel or watch the legendary Judy Garland film and send us your drawings of Oz, rainbows, the Yellow Brick Road, the Wizard, the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Poppy fields, the great Gates of Oz and the Wicked Witch of the West, her scary lair and flying monkeys. – we would like to see your versions of these characters and places and how they fire your imagination.”

Based on the classic 1939 MGM film, Curve’s production of The Wizard of Oz will include the iconic songs Somewhere Over The Rainbow, If I Only Had A Brain and Follow The Yellow Brick Road, as well as new music and songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

Running 28 Nov 2020 – 16 Jan 2021 at Curve this Christmas, the magical family musical will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster, whose previous Christmas productions include West Side Story, White Christmas – which ran at Curve and in London’s West End – and Scrooge the Musical.

Tickets for The Wizard of Oz are on sale now. To find out more and book, visit www.curveonline.co.uk

The Wizard of Oz

Music by Harold Arlen • Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg • Additional Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Additional Lyrics by Tim Rice • Adaption by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams

From the Book by L. Frank Baum

Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and produced with the permission of Warner Bros. and EMI Music Publishing

By arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd