Month: June 2020

Guildford Fringe announces LIVE ONLINE performances and full casting for 

Pinocchio Gets Wood the (late) Summer Adult Panto

10 – 12 September 2020

Fans of Guildford Fringe’s winter adult pantomime won’t need to wait long for their comedy fix as a brand-new show, Pinocchio Gets Wood the (late) Summer Adult Panto, will entertain audiences live and direct on their own sofas from 10 – 12 September 2020.  

Whilst Guildford Fringe regrettably cannot currently deliver the show to audiences in person at the scheduled venue The Back Room of the Star Inn, the cast will still perform there live each night and it will be streamed so people can safely watch at home. 

As well as announcing the live online shows, the producers are happy to share casting news:

Daniel Page, who plays Dame Ciabatta, has an extensive list of West End and touring credits including Billy Elliot The Musical, The Secret Garden (RSC), The Producers, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and La Cage Aux Folles. Daniel is much-loved as ‘Exeter’s Favourite Panto Dame’. 

Tamsin Lynes, who plays Pinocchio, trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Her many theatre credits include ​Aladdin ​(UK Tour), ​Much Ado About Nothing ​(The Cockpit), Othello ​(Brunel Museum/The Cockpit) and ​The Soldier’s Tale (Clapham Omnibus Theatre).  

Rachel Warrick-Clarke, who plays Juliet, trained at the London School of Musical Theatre, graduating in 2018. She recently appeared as Jill in Godalming’s first professional family pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, which is also produced by Guildford Fringe.

Andrew Franklin, who plays the evil baddy, trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. He is delighted to be making his professional debut in Pinocchio Gets Wood the (late) Summer Adult Panto.

Pinocchio Gets Wood has the same creative team which brought last year’s Sinders the Adult Panto to the stage, with production and direction by Nick Wyschna and Charlotte Bateup, script by James Chalmers and songs by Nick Wyschna, Charlotte Bateup and James Chalmers. 

Managing Director Nick Wyschna said: “Well, who’d have thought we’d be doing one of our popular adult panto’s in this way?! This is going to be so different from what we are all used to, but it is going to be equally brilliant and hilarious. The cast is just incredible, each of the performers blew us away during our online auditions. This is not a Zoom show where we’ll all be jumping from one bad WiFi connection to the next. It is a full-out piece of naughty, musical, silly and smutty theatre with the wonderful songs and dances that our audiences are used to. Those who book for the show will be sent a short questionnaire so we can include some of their answers in the show, keeping it interactive and very much in the adult panto theme!”

Book tickets for this September’s filthy frolics – strictly for the grown-ups – before they sell out!  Tickets are now on sale from GuildfordFringe.com. Tickets are £14 per device and the producers ask that no more than 2 people watch on each device. Tickets are limited so get booking!

Invisible Music: an immersive and contemporary
digital meditation on disability
World Premiere: Wednesday 15th July, 8pm

Platform 4’s acclaimed and unforgettable live event, Invisible Music, has been transformed into a new digital piece of work, blending film and soundscape to create an immersive and intimate meditation on hearing loss. Revitalising their gig-theatre roots in an all-encompassing aural headphone experience, this digital world premiere hopes to raise awareness for the 12 million individuals in the UK with hearing difficulties by exploring the sensation of having the frequency
of your life’s soundtrack altered. Invisible Music will be available to stream online from Wednesday 15th July at 8pm.

This insightful collection of moving stories forms a loose narrative guided through enchanting musical moments and verbatim audio, drawn from the personal experiences of Platform 4’s Artistic Director, Catherine Church, her mother and others at her local lip-reading group. With striking projections by digital artist Barret Hodgson (Fatboy Slim; Motionhouse; Tom Dale Company) and the acoustic delights of Musical Director Pete Flood (Bellowhead; Marc Almond; Lol Coxhill) and Sound Designer Jules Bushell (Walk the Plank; Kneehigh; BBC), the film seeks to describe the array of emotions that come with hearing loss, from anger to loneliness, as well as the unexpected comforts in what we often take for granted – feelings which many will resonate
with from their own experiences in lockdown.

Mixing a variety of musical instruments and sampled voices the company has created 15 short musically diverse moments, each examining a unique and often unexplored perspective. With a routine trip to Sainsbury’s becoming an exercise in the surreal, and everyday experiences proving abnormal and out of your control, participants can journey across the mesmerising soundscape and experience life behind the impairment.

Church comments, This is my most personal piece to date, inspired by my mother and her own experiences of gradually losing her hearing. Attending her lip-reading classes was quite a
revelation, I hadn’t realised how much she was lip reading. I was also struck by how many of
these seemingly ‘proper’ people were having quite a hallucinogenic experience of the world day
to day! Living through the last few weeks of coronavirus has made me think about how the
gradual isolation that hearing loss brings is similar to the gradual losses we have all noticed in
our lives in quarantine

Keeping accessibility at the forefront, this digital experience will be captioned, enabling the message at the heart of the piece to be shared by a broader audience. The project has been supported by emergency funding from Arts Council England

Numerous arts venues have come together in support of Invisible Music and will also broadcast the video on their own channels. These include Theatre Royal Winchester; Jacksons Lane; Southbank Centre; Lighthouse Poole; Colchester Arts Centre; Pound Arts Centre; Turner Sims Southampton; The Hot Tin, Faversham; West End Centre; The Stables, Milton Keynes; The Point
Theatre; The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre; City Eye, Southampton; Cambridge Junction; EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge; Lakeside Arts, University of Nottingham; Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury; Exeter Phoenix; The North Wall; Marine Theatre; Quay Arts; and Norwich Arts Centre.

OVER £600,000 RAISED FOR ACTING FOR OTHERS COVID-19 FUND

Theatrical charity, Acting For Others will distribute funds raised across its 14 member charities to support theatre workers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The money has been raised by over 120 extraordinary organisations and initiatives including All The Web’s A Stage, Fleabag For Charity, Les Misérables -The Staged Concert Charity Download, Noël Coward Foundation, Theatre Support Fund – The Show Must Go On, Ross Noble Live and Spotlight among many others.

There will be a distribution of £290,000 next week, with an even larger amount from the continuing fund-raising activities to follow very shortly. 

Sir Stephen Waley Cohen, co-chair of Acting For Others, today said, “This is a wonderful amount to be able to pass to our member charities, and through them to those of our fellow theatre workers in need. We have been overwhelmed by the ingenuity of our fundraisers and the generosity of their donations during this unprecedented time of need; the way the community has come together to support each other has been outstanding.

“It continues to be a very uncertain time for the industry, and the money raised from the Covid-19 funds will support theatre workers emotionally and financially as we navigate this phase of lockdown. We can’t wait for the moment that we can all safely return to the studios and theatres across the UK for live theatre, but for now we are very grateful for everyone who is able to support the charity through any means.”

Acting For Others was able to distribute £275,000 to the member charities earlier this year as a result of the pre-closure and 2019 activities, including bucket collections in theatres, One Night Only at The Ivy, and the West End Flea Market.

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

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 available until 28 June, via Soho Theatre on Demand and Amazon Prime Video. Proceeds will be donated to a variety of charities and funds including Acting for Others.

The 2013 West End cast of From Here To Eternity reunites for a one time event on Monday 22 June. Stuart Bryson, Tim Rice, Darius Campbell, Siubhan Harrison, Rebecca Thornhill and Robert Lonsdale will join Simon Grieff for the event. Proceeds with be donated to Acting For Others.

From 22 April for every digital download of Les Misérables -The Staged Concert Charity Download

The Mackintosh Foundation is separately donating £5.00 to be shared amongst the charity Acting for Others, the Musicians Union Coronavirus Hardship Fund and Captain Tom Moore’s Walk for the NHS fund. www.lesmis.com/concert

Noël Coward Foundation marked the centenary of the playwright’s first produced play with a £50,000 donation to Acting For Others in response to the extraordinarily difficult circumstances that the theatre profession is currently in.

Theatre Support Fund have produced The Show Must Go On range of merchandise and has currently raised over £125,000 in aid of Acting for Others, Fleabag Support Fund and NHS Charities.

A series of six films from Ross Noble’s Brain Dump Tour are available via Soho Theatre On Demand with proceeds going towards Acting For Others.

Spotlight has also donated £50,000 to Acting For Others.

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

www.actingforothers.co.uk       

Twitter: @ActingForOthers

CANOLFAN MILENIWM CYMRU YN CAU TAN FIS IONAWR 2021, GAN EFFEITHIO AR HYD AT 250 O SWYDDI

Mae Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru wedi cyhoeddi y bydd yn aros ar gau tan o leiaf fis Ionawr 2021, yn sgil effaith ddinistriol pandemig y Coronafeirws ar y diwydiant theatr.

Ymhlith y cynyrchiadau sydd wedi’u canslo neu eu gohirio mae The Lion King, tymor hydref Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru, The Book of Mormon a The Phantom of the Opera, a oedd i gyd i fod i gael eu dangos yn theatr 1,850 sedd y Ganolfan, Theatr Donald Gordon. Fydd gŵyl ryngwladol flynyddol Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru, Gŵyl y Llais, ddim yn mynd yn ei blaen chwaith fel y bwriadwyd rhwng 29 Hydref ac 1 Tachwedd 2020.

Fe allai hyn effeithio ar hyd at 250 o swyddi i gyd, ac mae 85 o staff parhaol mewn perygl o gael eu diswyddo. Bydd y cau hefyd yn cael effaith ar waith y 300 o wirfoddolwyr sydd gan y Ganolfan ac yn effeithio ar artistiaid lleol a llawrydd y mae eu gwaith yn cael ei gyflwyno yng ngofodau perfformio’r Ganolfan, gan gynnwys lleoliad 250 sedd Stiwdio Weston a’r lolfa cabaret sy’n dal 160 o bobl, sef Ffresh.

Caeodd Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru ei drysau ar 17 Mawrth 2020 pan gyhoeddodd Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig gyngor ar gadw pellter cymdeithasol ac ymgynnull mewn torf. Rhagwelir y bydd rhaid i’r Ganolfan aros ar gau am hyd yn oed yn hirach o bosib, a bydd penderfyniad ar gau tan fis Ebrill 2021 yn cael ei wneud ym mis Medi. Os bydd y Ganolfan yn aros ar gau am flwyddyn, rhagwelir y bydd y sefydliad yn colli gwerth tua £20 miliwn o refeniw.

Meddai Rheolwr Gyfarwyddwr Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru, Mathew Milsom: “Mae’n ofid mawr i ni ein bod wedi gorfod gwneud y penderfyniad anodd i gau Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru tan fis Ionawr 2021. Mae pandemig y Coronafeirws wedi cael effaith ddinistriol ar theatrau ledled Prydain ac, fel llawer un arall, rydyn ni wedi dod i’r casgliad na fyddwn ni’n gallu dangos perfformiadau ar ein llwyfannau eto tra bod mesurau cadw pellter cymdeithasol ar waith. O dan yr amgylchiadau yma, allwn ni ddim agor y theatr mewn ffordd sy’n darparu profiad da i’r gynulleidfa ac sy’n hyfyw yn economaidd i’r Ganolfan a’r cynhyrchwyr sy’n cyflwyno’u gwaith yma.

“Mae diogelwch ein cynulleidfa, ein staff a’n perfformwyr yn fater o’r pwys mwyaf, ac felly mae’n bosib y bydd rhaid i ni ystyried ymestyn y cyfnod cau wrth i gyngor y llywodraeth ar ymgynnull mewn torf ddod yn gliriach yn ystod yr wythnosau a’r misoedd nesaf. Rydyn ni hefyd yn disgwyl y bydd tarfu sylweddol o ran y sioeau teithiol fydd ar gael am sawl blwyddyn i ddod, wrth i gynyrchiadau gael eu canslo heb i ddim sioeau newydd gael eu creu chwaith.

“Rydyn ni’n gwneud y penderfyniadau yma nawr er mwyn sicrhau dyfodol y Ganolfan – cartref celfyddydau Cymru – sy’n denu dros 1.6m o ymwelwyr bob blwyddyn ac yn cyfrannu £70m at economi Cymru. Rydyn ni wedi colli 85% o’n hincwm dros nos ac rydyn ni’n ceisio cael cyllid ar gyfer y tymor byr a’r tymor hwy. Tra byddwn ni ar gau, fe wnawn ni bopeth allwn ni i gadw’n gwaith artistig ac elusennol i fynd, ac i sicrhau ein bod ni’n barod ar gyfer ailagor cyn gynted ag y bydd hynny’n ymarferol bosib.

Mae Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yn gampws diwylliannol ac mae’n gartref i wyth sefydliad diwylliannol, gan gynnwys Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru; Cwmni Dawns Cenedlaethol Cymru; a Cherddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC a’i neuadd gyngerdd 350 sedd, Neuadd Hoddinott. Cefnogir hyd at 1,200 o swyddi ar safle Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru.

Mae’r Ganolfan wrthi’n cysylltu â phobl sydd wedi prynu tocynnau ar gyfer sioeau yr effeithiwyd arnynt er mwyn trefnu ad-daliadau a/neu aildrefnu ar gyfer dyddiadau yn y dyfodol. Mae newidiadau i berfformiadau wedi’u hadlewyrchu ar y wefan – www.yganolfan.org.uk.

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE ANNOUNCES CLOSURE UNTIL JANUARY 2021, AFFECTING UP TO 250 ROLES

Wales Millennium Centre has announced that the venue will remain closed until at least January 2021, due to the devastating impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the theatre industry.

Productions that have been cancelled or postponed include The Lion King, Welsh National Opera’s autumn season, The Book of Mormon and The Phantom of the Opera, which were all due to take place in the Centre’s 1,850 seat Donald Gordon Theatre. Wales Millennium Centre’s annual international festival, Festival of Voice, will also not go ahead as planned from 29 October – 1 November 2020.

Up to 250 roles could be affected and 85 permanent staff are at risk of redundancy. The closure will also affect the Centre’s 300 volunteers’ roles and will impact freelance and local artists whose work is performed in the Centre’s performing spaces, including the 250-seat Weston Studio and 160-capacity Ffresh Cabaret venue.

Wales Millennium Centre shut its doors on 17 March 2020 when social distancing advice around mass gatherings was announced by the UK Government. It is anticipated that the Centre may have to remain shut for even longer and a decision on closure up to April 2021 will be made in September. If the Centre remains shut for a year, it is anticipated that the organisation will lose around £20 million in revenue.

Wales Millennium Centre’s Managing Director, Mathew Milsom said: “It is with deep regret that we have made the difficult decision to close Wales Millennium Centre until January 2021. The Coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating effect on theatres across the UK and, like many others, we have concluded that we won’t be able to put performances on our stages again while social distancing measures are in place. Under these circumstances we can’t open the theatre in a way that provides a good audience experience and that is economically viable for the Centre and the producers who present their work here.

“The safety of our audience, staff and performers is of paramount importance and, therefore, we may have to consider extending the period of closure as government advice on mass gatherings becomes clearer over the coming weeks and months. We are also expecting significant disruption to the availability of touring shows for years to come, as productions are being cancelled and no new shows are being created.

“We are making these decisions now to secure the future of the Centre – home for the arts in Wales – which over 1.6m people visit each year and which contributes £70m to the Welsh economy. We have lost 85% of our income overnight and are seeking funding for both the short and longer term. Whilst we are closed, we will do everything we can to keep our artistic and charitable work going, and to ensure that we are ready to reopen as soon as is practically possible”.

Wales Millennium Centre is a cultural campus and is home to eight cultural organisations, including Welsh National Opera; National Dance Company Wales; and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and its 350-seat Hoddinott Hall. Up to 1,200 jobs are supported on the Wales Millennium Centre site.

Ticket holders for affected shows are currently being contacted to arrange refunds and/or to rearrange for future dates. Changes to performances are reflected on the website – www.wmc.org.uk

THE NATIONAL THEATRE ANNOUNCES FINAL TITLES 

TO BE STREAMED FOR FREE THIS SUMMER

AS PART OF NATIONAL THEATRE AT HOME

The National Theatre today announces a further five productions that will be streamed as a part of the National Theatre at Home series. Established in April to bring culture and entertainment to audiences around the world during this unprecedented period, National Theatre at Home has so far seen 10 productions streamed via the NT’s YouTube channel, with over 12 million views to date. These will be the final titles to be shared for free via YouTube in this period. However, future digital activity to connect with audiences in the UK and beyond is planned, with further details to be announced soon. 

The productions will be broadcast each Thursday at 7pm BST for free and will then be available on demand for seven days. Titles added to the programme today include A Midsummer Night’s Dream from the Bridge Theatre, alongside Small Island, Les Blancs, The Deep Blue Sea and Amadeus from the National Theatre.  

The 2019 epic theatre adaptation of Andrea Levy’s Orange Prize-winning novel Small Island will be streamed on 18 June. Directed by National Theatre Director Rufus Norris and adapted by Helen Edmundson (Coram Boy, War and Peace), Small Island embarks on a journey from Jamaica to Britain, through the Second World War to 1948 – the year the HMT Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury. The play traces the tangled history of Jamaica and the UK through three intricately connected stories. Hortense (Leah Harvey Emilia, Julius Cesar) yearns for a new life away from rural Jamaica, Gilbert (Gershwyn Eustace Jr Pinocchio, Home) dreams of becoming a lawyer, and Queenie (Aisling Loftus War and Peace, Noises Off) longs to escape her Lincolnshire roots. This timely and moving story played on the Olivier stage featuring a company of 40 actors. The production coincides with Windrush Day on the 22 June.

On 25 June the National Theatre will stream A Midsummer Night’s Dream captured live from the Bridge Theatre in 2019. Shakespeare’s most famous romantic comedy, sees Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones), Oliver Chris(One Man, Two Guvnors), David Moorst (Allelujah!) and Hammed Animashaun (Barber Shop Chronicles) lead the cast as Titania, Oberon, Puck and Bottom. This production re-unites the team from the 2018 smash hit Julius Caesar including Tony and Olivier award winning director Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys, One Man, Two Guvnors). 

The 2016 archive recording of Lorraine Hansberry’s (A Raisin in the Sun) drama Les Blancs, will be streamed on 2 July. Directed by Yaël Farber (The Crucible (Old Vic), Mies Julie, Nirbhaya), this powerful play confronts the hope and tragedy of revolution when a family and a post-colonial African nation fall apart under the pressure to determine their own identity. The cast includes Danny Sapani (Medea, Black Panther, Killing Eve), Siân Phillips (People, Clash of the Titans) and Tunji Kasim (Network, Antony & Cleopatra).

Carrie Cracknell’s critically-acclaimed production The Deep Blue Sea, will be streamed on 9 July. This devastating masterpiece by Terence Rattigan, sees Helen McCrory (Medea, Peaky Blinders) playing one of the greatest female roles in contemporary drama. Filmed live from the Lyttelton Theatre in 2016, The Deep Blue Sea tells the story of a woman’s tempestuous affair with a former RAF pilot and the breakdown of her marriage to a High Court judge.  
 

The 2016 National Theatre production of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, will be streamed on 16 July. This iconic drama, which first appeared on the National Theatre stage in 1979 and was later turned into an Oscar winning film, follows rowdy young musical prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played by Adam Gillen (Fresh Meat, Benidorm). Awestruck by Mozart’s genius, Court Composer Antonio Salieri, played by Lucian Msamati (His Dark Materials, Master Harold and The Boys), has the power to promote his talent or destroy it. Seized by obsessive jealousy he begins a war with Mozart, with music and, ultimately, with God. Michael Longhurst‘s acclaimed production features live orchestral accompaniment by Southbank Sinfonia.

Small Island, The Deep Blue Sea and Amadeus will also be available on YouTube with Audio-Description. 

Each title will also feature additional content alongside the production available on the NT’s YouTube channel for audiences to engage further with the work. For Small Island and Les Blancs NT Dramaturg Ola Animashawun will be curating content that explores these plays in the context of the current global conversation around race and their potential to provide meaningful and timely contributions to that discourse.  

Lisa Burger, Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive said – “During what has been such an isolating time for many people right across the world it has been wonderful to be able to share these productions with both new and existing audiences, and to have the opportunity to showcase the exceptional creative talent working in our industry. The support we, and our partner organisations have received, not only in terms of donations, but through messages of thanks has been so encouraging. We’re delighted to be able to bring these final titles to audiences around the world for free and we look forward to announcing the next stage of our NT at Home programming in due course.”

The final National Theatre at Home Quiz will be available from 7pm on Monday 29 June with Ben Power, Adam Godley, Ben Miles, Simon Russell Beale, Tamsin Greig, Julie Walters, Adrian Lester and Meera Syal posing the questions on topics including the Lehman Brothers, entertainment, and general knowledge. The Quiz is available via the NT’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Productions shown as part of National Theatre at Home are available to watch for free but should viewers wish to make a donation to support the National Theatre, we have launched a public appeal on our home page: nationaltheatre.org.uk. 

For more information on NATIONAL THEATRE AT HOME go to https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/at-home

‘In The Wings’

The FIRST LIVE PERFORMANCES in a theatre with a LIVE BAND since the West End closed.

WEST END STARS & Olivier AWARD-WINNING COMPOSER shine light on 4 new musicals postponed by COVID-19.

EXCITING 4-PART SERIES STARTS BROADCASTING THIS FRIDAY, 12TH JUNE

Filmed live in a theatre following Government workplace guidelines….. 

In conversation with Olivier award-winning composer Richard Thomas, featuring live performances by Dougie Carter (Les Misérables; Sunset Boulevard), Aaron Lee Lambert (Hamilton; Miss Saigon; Sweeney Todd), Steph Parry (Mamma Mia; 42nd Street) and Laura Pick (Wicked; The Sound of Music).

Filmed from 3rd June – 6th June 2020 in strict accordance with social distancing guidelines. 

In The Wings is a series of human interest interviews and live entertainment hosted in a London theatre, with composers, writers, and creatives of shows that have been postponed due to COVID-19. 

In the first step towards theatre’s return, In The Wings aims to shine a light on the shows directly affected by the industry’s shutdown and celebrate the work of those composers and writers. Featuring a line-up of stellar West End stars, each episode will feature the FIRST LIVE PERFORMANCES in a theatre with a LIVE BAND since the West End closed.

Episodes will air from this Friday 12^th June 2020 at 7:30p.m. and thereafter at the same time each week.  Olivier award-winning composer Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer: The Opera; Made in Dagenham) will be joined by creatives from 4 upcoming new musicals that were postponed due to Coronavirus: No Limits; Legends of Arahma; Gretel! and Dorian: A Rock Musical. 

HOW TO WATCH…

Tune into our YouTube channel https://bit.ly/INTHEWINGS2020 or catch all the action on facebook.com/InTheWings2020, Twitter: @wings_2020 or Instagram: @InTheWings2020

Every episode will also include a variety of performances of songs from those shows, as well as songs from already well-known musicals by a West End cast.  There is something for everyone in each fabulous episode.

The cast is made up of Dougie Carter (Les Misérables; Sunset Boulevard), Aaron Lee Lambert (Hamilton; Miss Saigon; Sweeney Todd), Steph Parry (Mamma Mia; 42nd Street) and Laura Pick (Wicked; The Sound of Music).

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

FRIDAY 12TH JUNE at 7:30pm

Episode 1: No Limits with Sam Thomas (Composer) 

No Limits is an exciting new song-cycle by Sam Thomas that shatters the notion of falling behind in life – because there’s really no such thing. It follows characters as they dare to believe in themselves and strive for a better tomorrow. From confessing their dreams of becoming a rock star to catfish-ing their attractive neighbour, this powerful collection of songs sees characters let go of their anxieties, take leaps of faith and fight for what they’re worth. Featuring relatable stories of the heartfelt, soul-baring and even kinky variety, it highlights how we’re really all in the same boat, and that with enough self-belief, we can always overcome what’s holding us back. A show with heart, humour and a message we should all take on board. 

FRIDAY 19TH JUNE at 7:30pm

Episode 2: Legends of Arahma with Joe Purdue (Composer) 

Legends Of Arahma is an epic adventure tale by Joseph Purdue in which two clans, divided by war, decide the fate of their natural world. For years now the warlord Zoran has dreamed of conquering Arahma – some say she’s driven by the betrayal of an old friend, others tell a different tale. Word spreads that a young man named Copernicus Danbury has entered the world of Arahma. He is welcomed by the Kalani tribe, who embrace him as one of their own. Rumours reach him concerning his long lost father, and in his search for answers, he agrees to be trained in combat. If the prophecy is true, only Copernicus can defeat Zoran in battle and protect a beautiful green world from destruction. 

FRIDAY 26TH JUNE at 7:30pm

Episode 3: Gretel! with Liv Ward (Writer) 

It’s 1940s England: a country ravaged by war. When a young girl finds her mother’s abandoned storybook, Hansel and Gretel, she feels a glimmer of hope – but, faced with evacuation, her mother is too afraid to let her open the book and sink into the story, taking her attention away from her brutal reality. Inside the story, the characters are bored without an audience; growing irritable, restless and looking elsewhere. Only Gretel is desperate to connect to the real world to remind both mother and daughter the joy the story can bring. But up against an ambitious witch and some mischievous fairies, it’s going to take all her determination to succeed and rewrite her own tale. Can Gretel bring light and happiness to a lost child in a frightening world? ‘Gretel!’ is a tale of childhood, loyalty, and the power of fantasy to arm us against a dark reality. In a world where your past and future are written out in a storybook, it’s a reminder that we all have the power to create our own fate – for sometimes destiny could use a little help. 

FRIDAY 3RD JULY at 7:30pm

Episode 4: Dorian: A Rock Musical with Henry Brennan (Musical Director) 

Dorian Gray, the secret child of love and death is suddenly thrust into a confusing world. A world where love dare not speak its name, yet everybody is searching for it. On his search Dorian comes across the many mirrors of his soul. The dangerous and charismatic Lord Henry casts him into a hedonistic lifestyle; Sibyl Vane sees him as the Romantic lead and Lady Henry merely wants to prey on him. But it is the gentle society painter, Basil Hallward, who shows him as he truly is. On his quest to find his true identity, Dorian must decide if it is better to be loved or to be feared. When Dorian realises the painting is, in fact, a portrait of his conscience, he is horrified to see the level of corruption depicted on the canvas and decides to try to reverse time. “I would give anything for that – I would give my soul!” But is it too late? 

CREATIVES

CO-PRODUCER AND DESIGNER – JUSTIN WILLIAMS

Justin Williams is a graduate of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and has been nominated for seven Off-West End Awards for Best Set Designer, was a shortlisted finalist for Best Set Designer in the OFFIES 2020 and has trained with Punchdrunk at Follow Cross. Other credits include: Who Cares (Waterloo Vaults); Ben Hur (Barn Theatre); Soho Cinders (Charing Cross Theatre); Whistle Down the Wind (Union Theatre); Brooklyn the Musical (UK & European Premiere, Greenwich Theatre); Seussical – The Musical (Southwark Playhouse); Section 2 (Bunker Theatre); The Giant Killers (UK Tour), and Fiver The Musical (Southwark Playhouse) 

CO-PRODUCER AND MUSICAL DIRECTOR – HENRY BRENNAN

Henry Brennan has been nominated twice for the Off-West End Award for Best Musical Direction, for Brass and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at the Union Theatre. He was also nominated for a BroadwayWorld UK Award for Best Musical Direction for Brass. Henry is the MD for Crazy Coqs Presents, a monthly cabaret at Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zédel. Other credits include: Maggie May (Finborough Theatre); Rapunzel(Immersion Theatre UK Tour); I Do! I Do! (Upstairs at the Gatehouse) and Hello Again(Union Theatre). 

VIDEO DESIGNER – BEN BULL

Ben Bull is an award-winning Video Designer and Lighting Designer for Theatre. A graduate from RADA, his work can be seen from Fringe up to West End whilst also designing regularly for P&O and Cunard cruise liners. His most recent work includes: Baby Reindeer (Bush Theatre/Edinburgh Fringe) for which he won an Off-West End award for Video Design; The Effect (English Theatre Frankfurt); Tom Brown’s School Days (Union Theatre); Mr Tickerton’s Clockwork Circus (P&O Britannia); Fast (Park Theatre); Hello Again (Union Theatre); The Happy Prince (Place Theatre, London) and Sasha Regan’s All-Male The Pirates of Penzance (Wilton’s Music Hall); 

THE FIRST YOUTUBE EPISODE AIRS THIS FRIDAY 12TH JUNE.  DON’T MISS OUT!

VIEWING LINKS:

YouTube: https://bit.ly/INTHEWINGS2020

Instagram: InTheWings2020 

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/InTheWings2020 

Twitter: @wings_2020 

NEW GUESTS ADDED TO CONVERSATIONS WITH… MARK CURRY IN AID OF ACTING FOR OTHERS

Further guests are today announcedforMark Curry’s Conversations With… series in aid of Acting For Others. Each conversation, taking place via zoom, is an in-depth look into the guests lives and careers, as well as finding out their thoughts and tips on getting through lockdown, Mark speaks to a mix of interviewee’s including performers, presenters, and directors. Joining the previously announced guests are Vicki Michelle, Millicent Martin, Sally Hughes, Robin Herford, Toyah Willcox and Annabel Croft.

The first four episodes featuring conversations with Debbie McGee, Bonnie Langford, Cheryl Baker and a jointepisode withboth Peter Duncan and Janet Ellis are now available via the Acting For Others YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIUJKnx3rmPpV-gh94JonA/featured or on their website: www.actingforothers.co.uk/. Upcoming conversations with Beverley Callard, Annabel Croft, Yvette Fielding, Rula Lenska, Susan Penhaligon, Jenny Seagrove, Petra Siniawski and Finty Williams will be made available via the schedule below.

Interviews will be released via Acting for Others’ YouTube weekly. They are free and available to all, with the opportunity for viewers to donate in support of the charity: https://justgiving.com/campaign/actingforothers

Mark Curry today said “These are uncertain times for everyone, particularly performers and entertainment industry professionals.  I hope viewers find these conversations interesting and are then able to donate to help those in our business who are suffering financial and emotional distress.”

SCHEDULE FOR CONVERSATIONS WITH…MARK CURRY

Online Now:       In conversation with Debbie McGee about training as a classical ballet dancer, her life with Paul Daniels and her experience on Strictly Come Dancing.

Online Now:       In conversation with Bonnie Langford about being a child star, her time on EastEnders and her Dancing on Ice experience.

Online Now:       In conversation with Cheryl Baker about all things Eurovision.

Online Now:       In conversation with both Peter Duncan and Janet Ellis, reminiscing about their days presenting Blue Peter together in the 1980s.

11 June:               In conversation with Finty Williams about her acting career and following in the footsteps of her famous parents, Dame Judi Dench and Michael Williams.  

18 June:               In conversation with Beverley Callard who plays, Liz McDonald in Coronation Street about her life on and off the screen.

25 June:               In conversation with Petra Siniawski, Associate Director on the West End production of Wicked, about being behind the scenes of the smash-hit musical.

2 July:                   In conversation with another Corrie favourite, Rula Lenska about her role on the show.

9 July:                   In conversation with Yvette Fielding about her presenting career and ghost hunting.

16 July:                 In conversation with Susan Penhaligon talks about being a 70’s fresh, young star and how she’s kept her career continuing successfully. 

23 July:                 In conversation with Jenny Seagrove about balancing her career alongside her passion for Mane Chance, a horse sanctuary she founded. 

Guests today announced, with dates to be confirmed:

In conversation withVicki Michelle about starring in Allo, Allo, and how it changed her life. 

In conversation with Millicent Martin who this year celebrates 72 years in the business as an actress, singer and comedian and talks about the ‘60’s, Sondheim, Frasier and working with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in Grace and Frankie. 

In conversation with Sally Hughes about being the owner and Artistic Director of The Mill at Sonning.

In conversation with Robin Herford about directing the most frightening ghost story on stage; The Woman In Black.

In conversation with Toyah Willcox about being an ‘80’s singing legend, her acting career and how she’s kept the success going through the years. 

In conversation with Annabel Croft about her years as the British No. 1 tennis player, her commentating career and how the current situation is affecting the sport.

Mark Curry is a presenter, actor and broadcaster. His presenting credits include Catchphrase, Blue Peter, Saturday Picture Show, Record Breakers and Junior Showtime. His theatre credits include Wicked (Apollo Victoria), Talent (Menier Chocolate Factory), Victor/Victoria, Company (Southwark Playhouse), The Woman in Black (Fortune Theatre), Ten Times Table, All Creatures Great and Small, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Tons of Money, Far From the Madding Crowd, London Suite, Noises Off, Charley’s Aunt, Move Over Mrs Markham and Billy Liar (UK tours). His television credits, as an actor, include Doctors, Hollyoaks and Bread; and for film, Bugsy Malone.

Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of needthrough the 14 member charities.

The Acting for Others charities are Actor’s Children’s Trust, Dancers’ Career Development, Denville Hall, Drury Lane Theatrical Fund, Equity Charitable Trust, Evelyn Norris Trust, SafetyCurtain formerly the International Performers’ Aid Trust, King George V Fund for Actors and Actresses, Ralph and Meriel Richardson Foundation, Dance Professionals Fund, The Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund, The Royal Theatrical Fund, Theatre Chaplaincy UK and The Theatrical Guild.

READING REP THEATRE TO OPEN NEW

PERMANENT HOME IN READING IN SPRING 2021

AFTER RAISING £500,000

Due to their ongoing fundraising campaign, Reading Rep Theatre has now raised over £500,000 towards the company’s first permanent home in Reading, meaning the new cultural arts hub will open in Spring 2021. The new space will house the multi-award-winning Reading Rep Theatre, led by Founder and Artistic Director Paul Stacey and Executive Director Nick Thompson, and provide the facilities for the company to continue producing critically acclaimed and increasingly ambitious work as Reading’s only year round professional producing theatre, as well as delivering outreach opportunities to those with least access to the arts.

Alongside generous support from trusts, foundations and the public, Reading Rep Theatre is being supported by Arts Council England.

Paul Stacey today said, “We can’t wait to open the doors of our new venue for the first time and give the communities we serve the opportunity to experience live theatre again. The Covid-19 pandemic has been monumentally challenging for the arts, but as we emerge from isolation, Reading Rep’s mission to contribute to and strengthen the local community will be more urgent than ever. Theatre brings people together in a shared space to tell a collective narrative: these stories will be essential as our community comes together again and I can’t wait to share them with our audiences.”

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading Borough Council (Lead for Culture), added, “Reading Rep has clearly shown itself to be a top quality leader in Reading’s theatrical landscape; and a group that is always ensuring theatre is accessible to all. Their rapid re-invention and creativity with on-line workshops and performance during the current Covid-19 crisis is typical of their “can do” attitude. Their quick rise in recent years to a major player in Reading’s ever-expanding theatrical scene is commendable and I urge others to continue to “watch this space!” for more from Reading Rep.”

Hedley Swain, South East Area Director for Arts Council England, also commented, “This is an exciting time for culture in Reading and Arts Council England is really pleased to be able to support this initiative, which will provide a much needed venue for some of the town’s excellent theatrical work”.

Moving from a basic 60 seat studio, the new Reading Rep Theatre arts hub will include a 168-seat theatre, a permanent education and learning centre, backstage areas, new front of house facilities, and a café/bar. The building is being converted from a 1927 Salvation Army building by Total Projects, and is designed by David Hughes, the architect of the award-winning Park Theatre.

Fundraising for Reading Rep Theatre is ongoing, for more information and to donate, please visit https://www.readingrep.com/support-us/new-theatre/

About Reading Rep Theatre

Reading Rep Theatre was founded from scratch in 2012 by Paul Stacey, operating out of a sixty seat venue. It has since grown into Reading’s multi-award-winning resident professional producing theatre. 

As Reading’s only year-round producing theatre, the company provides support to some of the UK’s leading emerging artists, ensuring that everyone in Reading, but especially those with least opportunity, can access high-quality theatre and culture. 

In 2018 nearly 15,000 children and young people were reached through Reading Rep’s award-winning ENGAGE programme providing year-round youth theatres, school workshops, and a work experience scheme.

@ReadingRep

#BuildRDGRep

www.readingrep.com

UK Charity Be Kind Movement Announce Comedian and Amazing Human Joshua Robertson as New Kindness Ambassador

Dates Revealed For New Series of Digital Webinars Featuring Award Winning Short Film ITSY

The UK charity Be Kind Movement have today announced that multi-talented comedian, writer, actor and star of BBC Three’s Amazing Human series Joshua Robertson is their newest Kindness ambassador.

The London-born comedian has performed his stand-up routines all over the world including: Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Indonesia and the UK – including regular performances at the London Comedy Store.

He also wrote and starred in the 2019 short film Dad Joke which premiered at 2019’s BFI London Film Festival. The film is due to be released on-line by BFI network on Fri 12 June.

Joshua appeared in BBC Three’s Amazing Humans web series in 2017 which showcased the inspiring journey of how life-changing injuries he sustained as a child, which left him unable to walk or talk for two years, didn’t stop him from fulfilling his dreams.

After a serious motorbike crash at the age of 11 left him in a coma, Joshua now lives with a physical disability and as such, is a strong advocate for the power of kindness.

Be Kind Movement was established with the aim of celebrating and amplifying the power of kindness through education. Since 2015, the UK registered charity has been providing educational opportunities to empower children and young people.

Joshua will work with the charity to promote their educational programmes that develop emotional intelligence (EQ) skills for young people and adults through acts of kindness.

On becoming an ambassador for Be Kind Movement, Joshua Robertson said: “I am very proud to become an ambassador for Be Kind Movement to help raise awareness of the important work they do and through their message of the power of kindness help the wellbeing of young people and adults.”

Be Kind Movement Founder, Premila Puri added: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Joshua as an ambassador for Be Kind Movement. Overcoming many challenges throughout his life, his is an extraordinary story of strength, determination and resilience; an inspiration and positive role model to others and we look forward to working with him.”

The charity also reveal details of a new series of upcoming digital webinars featuring screenings of their award-winning short film ITSY.

Dates have been confirmed for the first two of the new monthly webinar series – Thursday 18 June and Thursday 9 July, with more dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

Each live webinar will include a virtual screening of the 12-minute short ITSY, as well as discussion with the film’s creative team, guest speakers and moderators, and a Q+A for viewers.

The short film, which explores mental health themes of loneliness and anxiety also celebrates friendship, acceptance and tolerance, is a key component of the charity’s Kindness workshop for children and young people.

Since its premiere in 2019, ITSY has been screened globally at nineteen international film festivals and is the winner of six film awards.

The first webinar event on Thursday 18 June, which is presented in association with their wellbeing partner Calmer, will include the screening of ITSY, a discussion with Be Kind Founder and ITSY producer and co-director Premila Puri as well as Calmer Founder and Director, Tania Diggory.

On Thursday 9 July the second event in the series will feature ITSY, plus a screening of 2018 short film Only The Lonely. Joining the panel will be Premila Puri, plus Only The Lonely co-writer and executive producer Veronique Christie.

Future dates in the series will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the webinars are priced at just £10.

Visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/changing-the-world-through-kindnessone-itsy-bit-at-a-time-tickets-107920023696?aff=ebdssbonlinesearchfor more information about the events and to buy tickets.

All money from ticket sales go towards funding future Be Kind projects including their Kindness Workshops which are delivered to primary schools across the country.

For all the latest news follow Be Kind Movement on social media:

Facebook: @bekindmovement

Twitter: @bekindmovement1

Instagram: @bekindmovementuk             

EVENT DETAILS

ITSY Digital Screening Webinar

Thursday 18 June

5pm

Tickets: £10 (plus £1.37 event fee)

Book tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/changing-the-world-through-kindnessone-itsy-bit-at-a-time-tickets-107920023696?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch