Jon Morgan, director of the Theatres Trust, has responded to Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s speech:
The Chancellor’s announcement today of the new Jobs Support Scheme will provide some respite for those theatres who are able to find ways of opening their buildings and of putting on work. For some theatres, this scheme will help them survive as it means they are no longer facing a cliff edge in their finances when the furlough scheme ends.
But sadly it will not benefit most theatres and we fear that it will not be enough to stem the flow of redundancies across the sector nor ultimately to protect the fabric of our cultural landscape. Following six months without their main source of income, theatre reserves are already gravely depleted. With no way of reopening safely and viably on the horizon for many theatres, the future of the sector is still very much in jeopardy.
Theatres Trust welcomes the Chancellor’s announcement that VAT on goods and services in the tourism and hospitality sectors will be held at 5% until the end of March. The extension of support for the self-employed, which make up 70% of the theatre sector’s workforce, is also welcome, although we hope the new scheme will plug the gaps in the previous provision.
NATIONAL THEATRE RELEASES NEW PODCAST SERIES: ‘THAT BLACK THEATRE PODCAST’
The National Theatre is launching a new Podcast Series: That Black Theatre Podcast. Hosted by Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded PhD Student, Nadine Deller the podcast is a partnership between the National Theatre, The Royal Central School for Speech and Drama, University of London and the AHRC London Arts and Humanities Partnership.
Starting on the 28 September, over the course of 12 weekly episodes, Nadine will delve into the Black Plays Archive, discussing the leaders of Black British theatre and the political and social events of the 20th and 21st Century that influenced their work.
Beginning with the earliest black theatre practitioners Una Marson and Errol John, the podcast will discuss the works of these trailblazers and the writers who followed, Mustapha Matura and Alfred Fagon, who wrote against the backdrop of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements both in Britain and America.
The barriers faced by black women playwrights will be debated with the leading academic, Lynette Goddard. With the plays of Valerie Mason-John and Jackie Kay discussed in relation to the under representation of black queer and lesbian experiences on stage.
Nadine Deller will conclude the series with an episode dedicated to Winsome Pinnock, conversations about debbie tucker green and Roy Williams, as well as discussions with lead theatre makers both looking to the past of Black British theatre and to the future, including Mojisola Adebayo and Ola Ince.
Speaking about the podcast Nadine Deller said, “This podcast started as a way to share what I have learnt about black British theatre with as many people as I could. I never learnt about black theatre in school, so this podcast is a celebration of black British theatre and the stories I have found in the archive. Through a mix of history, interviews, and casual discussion, I hope to show that black theatre is for everyone.”
That Black Theatre Podcast will be available for free via Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google podcasts, and all major podcasts platforms.
SIR DEREK JACOBI, SHARON D. CLARKE & STEPHEN FRY AMONG INITIAL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR DIGITAL PRODUCTION OF WHAT A CARVE UP!
THE BARN THEATRE, LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE & NEW WOLSEY THEATRE CO-PRODUCE THE WORLD PREMIERE OF WHAT A CARVE UP! BY HENRY FILLOUX-BENNETT
THE PRODUCTION, BASED ON JONATHAN COE’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NOVEL, WILL BE DIRECTED BY THEATRE CLWYD ARTISTIC DIRECTOR TAMARA HARVEY.
The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich have announced initial casting for the world premiere of Henry Filloux-Bennett’s online play What A Carve Up!, based on Jonathan Coe’s critically acclaimed satirical novel.
The digital production, directed by Tamara Harvey (Home, I’m Darling), chronicles the events leading up to the ‘Winshaw Murders’. Filled with murder, mayhem and madness, the murder mystery turns a satirical eye on what it is like to be a member of one of the most corrupt, powerful and toxic families in the country.
Initial casting announced today for the production are Fiona Button as Josephine Winshaw-Eaves, Sharon D. Clarke as Kim Bolton, Rebecca Front as Hilary Winshaw, Stephen Fry as Patrick Mills, Sir Derek Jacobi as Findlay Onyx, Griff Rhys Jones as John Stephens and Tamzin Outhwaite as The Journalist.
Tamara Harvey said of the announced casting, “There are some casts so dazzling that my job, as a director, is to not get in the way. This is one of them. My only sadness, of course, is that we don’t get to be in the rehearsal room together. But the fact that these brilliant actors have all agreed to create this piece to raise money for regional theatres is one of the ways we’re all still fighting to ensure that there will still be rehearsals rooms across the country, somewhere, somehow, in our future.”
The murder mystery is written by Henry Filloux-Bennett (Nigel Slater’s Toast), based on the award-winning novel by Jonathan Coe, and directed by Tamara Harvey (Home, I’m Darling). Produced by the Barn Theatre, Lawrence Batley Theatre and New Wolsey Theatre.
The play, which will be available internationally, will run from 31 October – 29 November 2020. Tickets can be purchased at whatacarveup.com with audience members receiving a screening link which will activate at their booked performance time for a 48-hour period. A premium option, consisting of a physical programme and pre-theatre dining recipe card, will be available for UK residents.
The recipe card included in the premium option will be curated by world-renowned chef Asma Khan. Owner of the prestigious Darjeeling Express in London’s Soho, Asma Khan was the first British chef to be profiled on Netflix’s award-winning documentary series Chef’s Table and in 2019 was named number one on Business Insider’s “100 Coolest People in Food and Drink” list.
Jonathan Coe said of the new adaptation, “I’m thrilled that What a Carve Up! is being brought to the stage by such a talented and experienced team. It’s twenty-five years since I wrote the book but unfortunately its political satire seems as relevant as ever – I’m sure the new adaptation will capture that, as well as the novel’s sense of fun and irreverence. I’m looking forward to getting to know it again!”
A portion of the proceeds raised by What A Carve Up! will be donated to a freelance fund to support the creative workforce that the theatres would not be able to survive without.
Further casting and creative announcements will be released at a later date.
AKRAM KHAN COMPANY MARKS 20 YEARS WITH THE SILENT BURN PROJECT
Akram Khan Company, one of the most innovative and internationally respected contemporary dance companies, will celebrate its 20th anniversary on 4 October 2020. The company, formed in 2000 by Akram Khan and Farooq Chaudry, has become renowned for its imaginative, highly accessible and profoundly moving productions where the storytelling is at once epic and intimate. Khan has become recognised around the world as one of the most important choreographers working today.
To mark the anniversary the company will present a live streamed programme of work celebrating its 20-year history. The Silent Burn Project will combine storytelling with personal experiences from the multiple voices and talents who have contributed to the company’s work over the last two decades. All the content, including dance and music short films, panel discussions, touring memories and documentaries, has been produced and created exclusively for the milestone. Launching worldwide at midday (BST) on Sunday 4 October, the stream will be accessible for free around the world on the company website, YouTube channel and Facebook Live.
With The Silent Burn Project, the Company invites the audience to embark on a journey of dance and music with international artists around the world. The programme will feature short films with Akram Khan Company dancers Yen-Ching Lin, Ching-Ying Chien, Theo TJ Lowe, Kristina Alleyne, Sadé Alleyne, Kennedy Junior Mutanga, and Akram Khan himself, as well as musicians Sohini Alam, Nina Harries, B C Manjunath, David Azurza, Chitra Poornima Sathish.
The event will also include Symphony of Fingerprints, a documentary series in three episodes that highlights unseen and rare moments of creative process from various productions, with stories told by Khan’s close collaborators, dramaturg Ruth Little, composer Vincenzo Lamagna, creative associate Mavin Khoo, dancer Joy Alpuerto Ritter.
This programme is finally an opportunity to explore questions fundamental to the Company’s values, and to create a space of dialogue with artists and thinkers as part of two panel discussions. The first will focus on Otherness, with special contributions from American ballerina Misty Copeland, British poet Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, Indian cultural critic Rustom Bharucha, South East Asian cultural activist Eddin Khoo and British lecturer in theatre Royona Mitra. A second conversation will examine perspectives on God, gathering the compelling views of British anthropologist Jerome Lewis, Indian dance researcher Jayachandran Surendran, and Indonesian writer and activist Ayu Utami.
The company has also released The Fury of Beautiful Things, a photo book looking back at their last two decades in dance. The monograph is the first devoted to Akram Khan Company and is made up of outstanding photographs of the twenty-six works Khan created since his company was founded, alongside personal essays written by Khan and Farooq Chaudhry. A selection of images from the book and the last 20 years can be downloaded here.
In 1999, inspired by Khan’s early training in the South Asian classical dance form Kathak, and the hybrid language that organically emerged when his training encountered contemporary dance in his teens, a vision for a new company began to form, fuelled by a desire to learn and create through collaboration with the best people across all disciplines in the arts. The rules were to be simple: take risks, think big, explore the unfamiliar, avoid compromise and tell stories through dance that are compelling and relevant, with artistic integrity.
Since then, Khan has created an influential body of work including XENOS, Until the Lions, Kaash, iTMOi (in the mind of igor), DESH, Vertical Road, Gnosis and zero degrees. His work for the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony was met with unanimous praise and his solo production of DESH in 2012 was Olivier Award-winning. He has also been honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in Dance award at the 2019 Lawrence Olivier Awards for his last solo piece XENOS. In 2005 Khan was awarded an MBE for services to dance.
The company has collaborated with a range of world-class artists including Juliette Binoche, Sylvie Guillem, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Israel Galván, Kylie Minogue, Florence and the Machine, Anish Kapoor, Antony Gormley, Tim Yip, Hanif Kureishi, Steve Reich, Nitin Sawhney, Jocelyn Pook and Ben Frost.
This autumn Akram Khan will also be featured in a new portrait documentary produced by Netflix. Released as part of MOVE, a series on contemporary dance directed by Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai, it will air worldwide on 23 October.
Akram Khan, Artistic Director and co-founder of Akram Khan Company said: “We are in the midst of a seismic change and so I feel, this may be an opportunity for all of us to collectively unearth our past. A past that we may have buried away in the earth and in our bodies, always silently hoping that it would remain in the past. So much of this past was and still is, rooted in the ideas and actions of separation, neglect, hope, fear and denial. And it has slowly and inevitably melted into the themes and narratives within the work that I have created over the last twenty years at AKC.
But to look back, requires courage. And in my journey as an artist, I must continue to shout loudly: I was never alone in unearthing these challenging stories.
And so here we are, at a moment in time where we are forced to stop travelling, to stop moving, to just stop. But stop to me, doesn’t mean stop. I like to believe it just means pause.
Hence, after these twenty years of unearthing, discovering, and retelling through new lenses, this is a moment for me to reflect and to look back at the footsteps that we at AKC have taken collectively. It has enabled me to appreciate all the footsteps that have been following us, and at times leading us but most often, walking with us, so we never had to feel alone on this ever-lonesome journey of an artist, whose voice, body and skin always belonged to the earth and not to the sky.”
Farooq Chaudhry, Producer and co-founder of Akram Khan Company said: “How do I sum up the meaning of last twenty years? I can’t but our digital anniversary celebration The Silent Burn Project will do it for me. It’s a joyful reflection on our past, a moment to be still in the present and an unflinching gaze into the future. All in the uncertainty of a pandemic that has left us bereft of our dearest and closest friend – the physical space.
The Akram Khan Company story has been a journey of at least one thousand talents to whom I am profoundly grateful. When we’ve been at our very best our art has invited audiences to lose and find themselves exactly at the same time. Throughout, we’ve sought to learn and grow from every creative act and person we’ve engaged with and that gives me an immense sense of pride and what I personally consider our greatest achievement.
Shortlisted playwrights are Lucy Foster, Sorcha McCaffrey, FXXX BXXXXX, Ryan Calais Cameron, Ava Wong Davies, Amanda Wilkin, and Nathan Ellis
Following the record number of 1,493 submissions to its Verity Bargate Award 2020, and a longlist of 20 playwrights, Soho Theatre today announces the 7 plays that have been shortlisted for the Award. The shortlisted plays, submitted back in early January, feature an eclectic mix of stories including a feminist ghost story, rich and evocative plays about identity, the NHS and education, a pressure-cooker drama set in a paranoid McCarthy-era America, and prescient dystopian dramas, which feel more relevant now than ever.
The winner will be announced in October, following deliberations by the judges, a panel of industry experts including former Soho writers Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Laura Wade, screenwriter Russell T Davies, and actress and playwright Lolita Chakrabarti. The award is sponsored by Character 7 and chaired by film and television producer, Character 7’s Stephen Garrett. The Award honours Verity Bargate,Soho’s co-founder who passionately championed new writing during her time at the small but hugely influential fringe theatre, Soho Poly.
On the Verity Bargate Award 2020 shortlist, Stephen Garrett said:‘These shortlisted plays are spine-tingly zeitgeisty, a vivid reminder of what the world is missing with no live theatre, and what excitements await when it returns. These are voices crying out to be heard.’
Verity Bargate Award 2020 shortlist
Honey Lucy Foster
Krill Sorcha McCaffrey
RAD FXXX BXXXXX
Retrograde Ryan Calais Cameron
scum Ava Wong Davies
Shedding A Skin Amanda Wilkin
Super High Resolution Nathan Ellis
Honey – Lucy Foster
When three sisters inherit their family home after their father dies, it’s the first time the house has ever been owned by women. And the house decides to rebel.
This feminist horror centres around directionless Leanne, her older sister and ever-nurturer Clare, and 16 year old Erin, who is desperate to be older. As they battle grief, financial uncertainty, and the sudden presence of an older man, these sisters will be disturbed further when strange things start to happen. Doors blow open and closed, lights flicker on and off, and objects, in particular jars of honey, start to appear in places where nobody could have left them. The tricks escalate as cracks form between the sisters, and as these strange things start to centre around Leanne, and only Leanne, she begins to question: is this all in her head, or is something trying to get rid of her?
Krill – Sorcha McCaffrey
The infection is spreading and people are being wiped out. The country has gone into panic. In a small abandoned town in the north of England, Esther and Kay find themselves trying to survive. As they start to run out of food and time starts to lose meaning, they are pulled back into memories and longing, and Esther and Kay fall in love as the world ends. Krill is a queer love story about the the end of the world. It’s about falling in love, losing people, and how to deal with toothache in an apocalypse.
RAD – FXXX BXXXXX
In a luxury European home, a tutor prepares an eerily detached teenager for his first term at a British boarding school. As she becomes closer to the boy’s nanny, the tutor uncovers clues to a violent history, which gradually expose the brutally radicalising power of money. The house becomes a battleground of extremism and hypocrisy, as its occupants question what constitutes an act of terror — and ask what little Maximilian is really going to learn at the hallowed Radstowe Hall.
Retrograde – Ryan Calais Cameron
Early 1950s and a young Sidney Poitier, walks in to the head office at NBC to meet with a lawyer, Mr Parks. He has just booked a history-defining lead role in a new TV series. Sidney thinks he is coming in to sign contracts. He’s right, but the type of contracts that this young Black actor, activist, and role model will be asked to sign will not just have the ability to define history but change the course of it.
Retrograde explores identity, resilience, and integrity as it investigates what is the true measure of a great man.
scum – Ava Wong Davies
“I did what I had to. I don’t regret it. Not one bit.”
It’s the end of the world. Maggie and Kathy are the only ones left. They know there’s no-one else. They’re sure of it.
scum is a play about the brutality of adolescence and the terror of the unknown.
Shedding A Skin – Amanda Wilkin
She’s broke, just been dumped and lost her job after flipping out at a diversity photoshoot at her work. She needs somewhere new to live, and goes for the cheapest option available, renting a room from an elderly woman, Mildred. A young woman has to navigate how to heal, and face up to how she’s neglected to nurture her roots.
Super High Resolution – Nathan Ellis
Anna is a doctor. She’s not going to quit. She’s determined not to quit. Being a doctor is a really good job and you get to save lives and help people, so you should not quit. But when Anna’s patient runs out on her, and her personal life starts to spiral, she’s not certain that it’s worth it any more. This is a play about the realities of being a doctor in the modern NHS and the limits of anyone’s ability to care for other people.
Soho Theatre’s Literary Manager Gillian Greer said:‘Our shortlist this year represents an incredible variety of stories from some of the most exciting emerging voices writing plays today. From prescient dystopian worlds to feminist haunted houses, from historical dramas exploring our roots, to contemporary tales of rediscovering them, from a lambasting of the private education system to a frank examination of our public health service – it’s going to be a challenging year for our judges to pick a winner!’
CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE ANNOUNCES NEW AUTUMN SEASON
Artistic Director Daniel Evans and Executive Director Kathy Bourne today announce a live, socially distanced season of drama, music, comedy and cabaret at Chichester Festival Theatre, running from late October to early January. It includes:
Sarah Kane’s CRAVE, directed by Tinuke Craig, staged in a socially distanced Festival Theatre for 10 performances and live streamed to digital audiences
For Christmas, a series of festive concerts to launch the yuletide season, followed by Chichester Festival Youth Theatre in a new version of PINOCCHIO by Anna Ledwich, directed by Dale Rooks
Michael Ball, Sheila Hancock and Patricia Routledge in conversation with Edward Seckerson
Cabaret and comedy including Frisky and Mannish, The Black Cat Cabaret, Barely Methodical Troupe, Rich Hall, Suzi Ruffell, Russell Kane and Rosie Jones
Music ranging from a celebration of Sondheim with West End stars, to a song recital by Kate Royal, a new concert from Joe Stilgoe and a portrait of Rachmaninoff with Henry Goodman and Lucy Parham
Prologue ticket scheme upper age range extended: £5 tickets now available for 16 – 30s
Artistic Director Daniel Evans and Executive Director Kathy Bourne said: ‘It’s always a pleasure to welcome audiences to a new Chichester season, but it’s with particular joy that we welcome them to this very special Autumn season, after six long months of our Theatre being dark and empty.
‘In putting together this eclectic mix of drama, music, cabaret and comedy, we hope there is something to entice people of all ages to experience once more the uniquely uplifting exhilaration of live performance. The season includes some distinguished names in drama and music, alongside ground-breaking contemporary performers.
‘We’ve worked long and hard to put all the necessary measures in place for our audiences’ and artists’ health and comfort, and to make their visit Covid-safe. While social distancing is in place, we are having to explore other forms of live performance to ensure the Theatre’s future sustainability. For now, we are celebrating that Chichester Festival Theatre’s doors are opening again.’
AUTUMN 2020
CRAVEby Sarah Kane Directed by Tinuke Craig Festival Theatre, 29 October – 7 November Live Stream, 31 October – 7 November
Originally due to play in the Spiegeltent this autumn, Crave will be staged to a live, socially distanced audience in the Festival Theatre and – in a first for Chichester – simultaneously livestreamed to global digital audiences.
This unique production will feature a sensory sound and videoscape created by director Tinuke Craig, designer Alex Lowde and sound designer Anna Clock. The cast includes Erin Doherty and Alfred Enoch.
In a damaged world, four characters search for the light. Angry, funny, defiant, kind and cruel, Crave is a deeply personal meditation on the meaning of love. Pulsing with loss and longing, its resonance will be doubly powerful as we begin to reconnect our lives after the loneliness and seclusion inflicted by a global pandemic.
Erin Doherty makes her Chichester debut. Currently playing Princess Anne in series 3 & 4 of The Crown, she has played leading theatre roles, including at The Old Vic, Young Vic, Royal Court and Manchester Royal Exchange. Born and brought up in West Sussex, she was named an Evening Standard Rising Star and a Screen International Star of Tomorrow in 2018, and featured in The Elle List 2020.
Alfred Enoch also appears at Chichester for the first time. Having played Dean Thomas in seven Harry Potter films, his theatre credits include Red (West End & NT Live), Coriolanus (Donmar Warehouse), Tree (Young Vic) and Timon of Athens (National Theatre); television includes Sherlock and How To Get Away With Murder.
Sarah Kane is considered to be one of the most influential playwrights of the 20th century. She came to prominence in 1995 with her seminal first play, Blasted. Over her short career she wrote five plays and a film. Crave premiered in August 1998 at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh. Today, her plays are performed around the world.
Tinuke Craig’s production of random/generations was a highlight of Festival 2018; since then, her work includes The Color Purple (Curve Leicester).
The production will be designed by Alex Lowde, with sound by Anna Clock and casting by Charlotte Sutton.
Crave contains strong language and is recommended for ages 16+
CELEBRATING SONDHEIM: Sunday In The Park With Daniel Festival Theatre, 1 November, 3pm & 7pm
Following the huge success of Concert in the Park, CFT Artistic Director Daniel Evans hosts another dazzling cornucopia of music and song to celebrate musical legend Stephen Sondheim’s 90th birthday. He will be joined on the Festival Theatre stage by stars from the West End to perform numbers from some of Sondheim’s major and lesser-known works.
Gabrielle Brooks wowed audiences at CFT’s Concert in the Park whilst Clive Rowe was last seen in Chichester in Me and My Girl. Jenna Russell starred opposite Daniel Evans in Sunday in the Park with George in London and on Broadway, for which they both won Olivier Awards. Hannah Waddingham makes a welcome return following Kiss Me, Kate (2012).
Proceeds from this fundraising concert will support Chichester Festival Theatre’s work with vulnerable young people.
FACING THE MUSIC Festival Theatre, 11, 18 & 25 November, 2.30pm
Three distinguished and much-loved performers join writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson to discuss their lives in musical theatre, illustrated by treasured recordings.
Patricia Routledge – Wednesday 11 November Sheila Hancock – Wednesday 18 November Michael Ball – Wednesday 25 November
MUSIC FOR NOVEMBER NIGHTS Festival Theatre, 11, 18 & 25 November, 7.30pm
‘I’LL TELL YOU HOW THE SUN ROSE’: A song for each hour of the day 11 November Acclaimed soprano Kate Royal brings the UK premiere of a new song recital programme to Chichester. This selection of 24 songs, by Mahler, Liszt, Schumann, Vaughan Williams, Britten and many more, follows a young man from dawn to dusk and through the trials of a lonely night.
Kate Royal has sung for The Royal Opera, Paris Opera, Berlin Philharmonic, Glyndebourne Festival, Metropolitan Opera New York, and has appeared in recital at the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Vienna Konzerhaus.
ELÉGIE: Rachmaninoff – A Heart In Exile 18 November Olivier Award-winning actor Henry Goodman returns to Chichester with concert pianist Lucy Parham. Elégie chronicles the life of composer and pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff in words and music. The concert includes many of his best-loved works for solo piano, alongside a fascinating narrative drawn from the composer’s letters and diaries.
Henry Goodman’s previous Chichester appearances include Yes, Prime Minister (2010) and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (2012/13); he was due to play the title role in The Life of Galileo in Festival 2020.
JOE STILGOE – OUT OF THE SHED 25 November After performing 67 online shows to over 150,000 worldwide viewers during lockdown, Joe Stilgoe has emerged from his shed with a new intimate show – his own songs, classics from Jimmy Webb to Joni Mitchell to Stevie Wonder to Cole Porter – and the spotlight back on his first love, the piano.
FRISKY AND MANNISH: PopLab Festival Theatre,12 November, 8pm
Cult musical comedy duo Frisky and Mannish bring their latest extravaganza to Chichester. Join them in their PopLab to peek down the microscope at all their latest research projects. Have they found an effective vaccine for the contagious virus sweeping through the pop world? Just how can Coldplay be so popular even though everyone you ask says they hate them?
Pioneers of ‘popmusicy-seriocomic-mashparodic-stereophonic-LOUD-vaudevilliansketchcabaret-throwback-current-oldfangled-newfashioned-bapsbotty-infotainment’, Frisky and Mannish’s twisted pop cabaret is a hilarious ride through musical parodies while skewering topical happenings. Ages 16+
A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS Le Gateau Chocolat & Jonny Woo Festival Theatre, 13 & 14 November, 8pm
Following two sell-out shows in last year’s Chichester Spiegeltent, Olivier Award-winning Le Gateau Chocolat and Queen of the Alternative Drag scene Jonny Woo take to the Festival Theatre stage to drag you through the back catalogue of fabulous musicals, from Gypsy to Grease, Annie and The Lion King.
Hilarious hijinks and shady shenanigans abound in this raucous night of ballsy ballads, delightful duets and slaughtered show tunes; a tortured love letter to the glorious genre of musical theatre. Ages 16+
COMEDY NIGHTS
Festival Theatre, 17 & 24 November, 7.30pm
Two blissful nights of superb stand-up comedy.
Rich Hall, Suzi Ruffell, Andrew Ryan 17 November Renowned for his expertly crafted tirades and quick-fire banter with audiences, the award winning Montana native Rich Hall returns to Chichester. The working-class comedian of her generation, Suzi Ruffell has had five sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival, racking up critical acclaim. Acting as MC is Andrew Ryan, one of the most in-demand acts on the UK comedy circuit. Ages 14+
Russell Kane, Rosie Jones, Charlie Baker 24 November Multi award-winning comedian, presenter, actor, author and scriptwriter Russell Kane is best known for the flagship BBC Sounds podcast, Evil Genius. Rosie Jones has become a must see act on the comedy circuit and has starred on many TV shows. MC Charlie Baker’s talents as a stand-up comedian, actor and highly acclaimed jazz-singer have earned him sell-out runs at Edinburgh as well as numerous TV appearances. Ages 14+
THE BLACK CAT CABARET: SALON DES ARTISTES Festival Theatre, 19 – 21 November, 8pm
Salon des Artistes is an evening of five-star variety from London’s much-loved bohemian show troupe The Black Cat Cabaret, returning to Chichester following their-sell-out appearances at last year’s Spiegeltent season.
Inspired by the artistic Salons of vintage Montmartre, this is a chance to spend the evening with a diverse array of exceptional performers from the cabaret and Fringe circuit as they come together to share their latest creations. Comic chansons, superior showmanship, thrilling acrobatics and an enchanting house band are presided over by the incomparable emcee Miss Frisky (Frisky & Mannish). Ages 16+
BARELY METHODICAL TROUPE: SHIFT Festival Theatre, 26 – 28 November Thu & Fri 7pm, Sat 3pm & 7pm
Barely Methodical Troupe are at the forefront of a new kind of highly entertaining physical performance. Their sold-out production Bromance at the Spiegeltent last year rave reviews from audiences of all ages; this is a new chance to catch this remarkable and ground-breaking company.
Shift explores shifting perceptions and realities through power-based acrobatics performed mixing show-stopping circus tricks with the emotional punch of theatre. Ages 8+
A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Festival Theatre, 30 November – 3 December Mon – Wed 7.30pm, Thu 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Prepare to unwrap Christmas with a delightfully festive evening of seasonal words and music. West End singers Rebecca Caine and Rebecca Trehearn, matched with five fine musicians, will join CFT Artistic Director Daniel Evans and a special guest to sing a range of traditional carols, and share some favourite yuletide poems and prose with some surprises.
A joyous and warming start to the season, with a free glass of mulled wine or fruit punch for every member of the audience.
Rebecca Caine’s career has been divided between opera (including Glyndebourne and ENO) and musical theatre. She created the role of Cosette in Les Misérables; other West End appearances include The Phantom of the Opera and My Fair Lady.
Rebecca Trehearn’s many West End appearances include Show Boat (Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical), City of Angels and Ghost; she’s also a frequent guest on BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night.
Chichester Festival Youth Theatre PINOCCHIO by Anna Ledwich From the original novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi Music by Tom Brady Directed by Dale Rooks 12 – 31 December, Festival Theatre
Chichester Festival Youth Theatre present a brand new version of this classic tale, written especially for them by CFT’s Writer-in-Residence Anna Ledwich. Director Dale Rooks, whose work at Chichester includes The Butterfly Lion, The Midnight Gang and Running Wild, will bring her trademark visual flair and gift for storytelling to this darkly magical reinvention.
Geppetto the boatmaker tosses aside a piece of wood; it’s only good for the fire. To his amazement, a voice answers him back. Geppetto picks up the wood and begins to carve – and a small wooden boy is revealed. A puppet, which he names Pinocchio.
And that’s when the mayhem begins. Pinocchio can’t stop getting into trouble, despite the best efforts of the Blue Fairy and the Cricket to keep him on track. His intentions may be good – he truly wants to go to school like real boys and girls – but the temptation to discover the wonders of the world and make his fortune keep getting in the way.
Pinocchio encounters a host of fascinating characters, from Punch and Judy to the wily Fox and Cat and the strange Sea Monster, as he journeys to Wonderland and the world beneath the sea. But he discovers that it isn’t easy hiding the truth – especially when your nose gets longer with every lie you tell…
Anna Ledwich’s previous work at Chichester includes The Butterfly Lion (2019), Crossing Lines (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2018).
With music and orchestrations by Tom Brady, Pinocchio will have set design by Simon Higlett, costumes by Ryan Dawson Laight, lighting by James Whiteside, musical direction by Colin Billing, sound by Gregory Clarke and movement by Lauren Grant.
Recommended for ages 7+.
There will be a Polish-translated performance of Pinocchio on 21 December at 7pm and a Relaxed Performance on Sunday 27 December at 2pm.
Also booking for the Spring:
OMID DJALILI: THE GOOD TIMES TOUR Festival Theatre, 21 March, 7pm
Multi award-winning comedian and actor Omid Djalili is back in Chichester and bringing back the Good Times. Intelligent, always provocative and entertaining, Omid’s legendary stand-up performances are a captivating comedy masterclass. He gained rave reviews as Tevye in 2017’s Fiddler on the Roof and recently compered CFT’s Concert in the Park. Ages 16+
BOOKING INFORMATION
Priority online booking for Friends of Chichester Festival Theatre opens: Wednesday 30 September from 9am
General online booking opens: Friday 2 October from 9am
cft.org.uk 01243 781312
Tickets from £10 Social distancing necessitates the auditorium being reduced to less than 50% of its normal capacity. Audiences are invited to consider donating the cost of an ‘empty’ £10 seat to support the Theatre’s activities, as well as our employment of freelance artists during the pandemic.
Prologue: £5 tickets for 16 – 30s £5 tickets are available for 16 to 30 year-olds for all shows throughout Autumn 2020; sign up for free at cft.org.uk/prologue.
Autumn 2020 sponsors Crave is sponsored by Genesis Town Planning A Merry Little Christmas Celebration is sponsored by itd Consultants Pinocchio is sponsored by Henry Adams and Mercer Seaward Properties sponsor our brand new season
Monday 2 – Saturday 7 November 2020 (excluding Friday)
Guildford Fringe Theatre Company presents a new professional production of Jim Cartwright’s gritty play, Two, at the Back Room of the Star Inn, Quarry Street, Guildford from Monday 2 – Saturday 7 November 2020 (excluding Friday).
First performed in 1989 at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, Two follows the simple concept of two actors playing fourteen different characters between them. The action is set entirely in the local pub – in this case, The Back Room of The Star Inn of course! The Landlord and Landlady’s cheery greetings and friendly banter barely disguise their contempt for each other. Having met outside the pub when they were kids, they now own the place. During the course of the evening, assorted customers pass through and we are given a small snapshot into each of their lives. Two is storytelling at its best.
Laurie Duncan and Claire Marlein will play the Landlord and Landlady, respectively.
Laurie Duncan is best known for playing Callum Kane in Hollyoaks (Channel 4). Other screen roles include Danny in Law & Order UK (ITV). Laurie’s theatre roles include Kydd in Musical Boxes (The Rosemary Branch), Felix in Cougar and Peter in Cougar British Theatre Challenge (Brockley Jack).
Claire Marlein trained at the University of Cumbria. Her theatre roles include Eva Jackson in Absurd Person Singular (Theatre Row, NYC), Kelly in Gameplan, Rosie in Flatspin, Paige Petite in Roleplay (all for Lawrence Batley Theatre), Sandy in Keep The Change (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Rita in Educating Rita (UK Tour). Screen roles include Dollee in Venus, Veronica in The Day You Long Forand Jenny Mirren in Fate.
Two is directed and produced by Nick Wyschna and Charlotte Bateup for Guildford Fringe Theatre Company. The production comes hot on the heels of Guildford Fringe’s successful short tours of John Godber’s multi-role plays Teechers and Bouncers last year, as well as their recent online adult pantomime, Pinocchio Gets Wood.
To book tickets for Two, visit https://www.GuildfordFringe.com/events-archive/two-by-jim-cartwright/ or call the Box Office on 01483 361101. Running time: approx. 1 hour (no interval). The venue will be operating at a reduced capacity to allow for social distancing measures, and face coverings will be mandatory. For full details of health and safety measures in place, visit the Guildford Fringe website.
LISTINGS
Show: Two by Jim Cartwright
Category: Theatre, Drama
Dates/Times: Monday 2 – Saturday 7 November 2020 (excluding Friday);
Times: Tuesday – Saturday at 8.00pm (excluding Friday); Saturday at 3.00pm
Venue: The Back Room of The Star Inn, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3TY
If anyone under the age of 18 is attending, they need to get in touch with the pub beforehand to ask permission. The venue will be operating at a reduced capacity to allow for social distancing measures, and face coverings will be mandatory. For full details of health and safety measures in place, visit the Guildford Fringe website.
Watch out Bridlington, HORRIBLE HISTORIES will be rampaging into Bridlington Spa next month!
After a hugely successful West End season, HORRIBLE HISTORIES – THE BEST OF BARMY BRITAIN is touring the country and can be seen at the Bridlington Spa on Sunday 11 October. This hilarious hit show is a gag-filled gallop through British history with two amazing actors playing multiple historical roles!
It’s ‘Horrible’, it’s ‘Barmy’ – and it’s coming to Bridlington!
After a hugely successful West End season, HORRIBLE HISTORIES – THE BEST OF BARMY BRITAIN is touring the country and can be seen at the Bridlington Spa on Sunday 11 October. This hilarious hit show is a gag-filled gallop through British history with two amazing actors playing multiple historical roles!
Can you beat battling Boudicca? Would you be a martyr for the Magna Carta? Will you lose your heart or head to horrible Henry VIII? Will Parliament survive gunpowder Guy? Dare you stand and deliver to dastardly Dick Turpin? Escape the clutches of Burke and Hare and move to the groove with party Queen Victoria!
These are just some of the fascinating characters audiences will discover in this splendiferously funny 65 minute show. History with the nasty bits left in!
The Best of Barmy Britain is written by Terry Deary and Neal Foster from Deary’s bestselling Horrible Histories books. Terry Deary is the world’s bestselling non-fiction author for children and one of the most popular children’s authors in the country. He has written 200 books which have been translated into 40 different languages. His 50 Horrible Histories titles have sold over 25 million copies worldwide from China to Brazil!
Horrible Histories – The Best of Barmy Britain is directed by Neal Foster, design is by Jackie Trousdale, lighting by Jason Taylor, and sound by Nick Sagar, music by Matthew Scott and choreography by Kenn Oldfield.
Birmingham Stage Company are one of the world’s top theatre companies for families. As well as fourteen years of all the Horrible Histories stage shows, they have also produced the smash-hit productions of Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine and David Walliams’ Awful Auntie, Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy.
This fantastic show will entertain all ages with its hysterical historical journey through the barmiest bits of British history!
Perfect entertainment for those aged from 5 to 105!
BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME’S B-SIDE HIP-HOP FESTIVAL RETURNS TO CELEBRATE FIFTH BIRTHDAY
Birmingham Hippodrome’s annual B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival is back to celebrate its fifth year, with a combination of online dance battles, DJ sets and special events.
Taking place over Friday 25 – Sunday 27 September, this year the festival is going IN-SIDE with a host of online performances and events.
The festival will kick off with a special event hosted at Millennium Point with Hip-Hop’s Black Empowerment Evening on Friday 25 September at 6.30pm, which will premiere new films, alongside talks and Q&A sessions with prominent figures in the hip-hop scene. Limited free tickets are available for this event in line with social distancing guidelines. Highlights from this event will also be screened on the B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival Facebook page on Sunday.
Over the course of the weekend, festival co-producer Break Mission’s legendary breakin’ competitions will be streamed live through the B-SIDE Hip-Hop festival Facebook page from 1pm on Saturday 26 September, with the very best dancers battling one on one from a Covid-safe local studio.
The IN-SIDE digital programme will close on Sunday 27 September at 6pm with an exclusive performance of Between Us by world champion dancers The Ruggeds who will be streaming in from The Netherlands. The dance crew have international recognition, thanks to their appearance in Justin Bieber’s music video ‘Where Are U Now’ and NBC’s ‘World of Dance Season 2’.
Graham Callister, Director of Festivals at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival is one of our favourite events each year and whilst it was disappointing to postpone the festival earlier in the year, we are delighted to be bringing this event online to showcase the amazing talent and celebrate our fifth year in a unique way.
“This is the first time we have streamed our breaking battles and we are proud to be able to live stream so much of the festival, making it more accessible than ever.”
Hope Mill Theatre announces its long-awaited cast of RENT and it was worth the wait!
The 12-strong cast include West End favourites, Olivier nominees and 2020 graduates
The cast and full creative team has been announced for Hope Mill Theatre’s hotly-anticipated revival of the classic rock musical RENT, directed by Luke Sheppard.
RENT will play at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from Friday 30th October to Sunday 6th December 2020.
The 12 company members, who were originally cast back in February are finally getting the opportunity to come together for this special revival of the much-loved musical. The cast will receive a Covid-19 test prior to being placed in one household (bubble) for the length of the run in Manchester.
Jocasta Almgill(& Juliet, Dreamgirls – West End) will play Joanne; Blake Patrick Anderson (Be More Chill – The Other Palace, Closer to Heaven – Off West End/Above the Stag) will play Mark; Tom Francis (Arts Ed 2020 graduate) will mark his professional debut as Roger; Ahmed Hamad (The Boy in the Dress – RSC, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – West End) will play Benny; Dom Hartley-Harris (George Washington in Hamilton – West End, Bat Out of Hell – Manchester & West End) will play Collins; Millie O’Connell (Olivier nominated as Anne Boleyn in SIX The Musical – West End & UK Tour, 42nd Street – West End) will play Maureen; Maiya Quansah-Breed (Olivier nominated as Catherine Parr in SIX The Musical – West End & UK Tour) will play Mimi; Alex Thomas-Smith (Dear Evan Hansen – West End, Bat Out of Hell – West End) will play Angel.
Completing the cast in Featured Ensemble roles are 2020 Royal Academy of Music Masters graduate Kayla Carter; Allie Daniel(Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Film), Isaac Hesketh (Book of Mormon – UK Tour) and Bethany Terry (West Side Story – Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester, Bat Out of Hell – West End).
The full creative team has also been announced today. RENT is directed by Luke Sheppard, Choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves, Musical Supervisor Katy Richardson, Musical Director Chris Poon, Set & Costume Designer David Woodhead, LX Designer Howard Hudson, Sound Designer Paul Gatehouse, Projection Designer George Reeve, Assistant Director Priya Appleby, Costume Supervisor Ester Mangas, Production Photographer Dujonna Gift-Simms, Make Up and Wigs Designer Jackie Saundercock, and Casting by Pearson Casting.
Artwork by Feast Creative and video content by The Umbrella Rooms.
Director Luke Sheppard said:“This production of RENT is about placing this groundbreaking show in the hands of a new generation of exceptional musical theatre performers, and as we have shifted the lens on the production over the last months, the promise of this cast telling this story in these extraordinary times has felt increasingly vital. Most of them have been waiting in the wings since we cast the production at the start of the year and I’m enormously grateful for their patience and commitment. The Hope Mill Theatre continues to work tirelessly to make this production happen in a safe and secure way and it’s a privilege to be working with this visionary venue to bring this special production to the stage.”
With some performances including all Previews sold out and many close to selling out the venue is urging audiences to not delay and grab a ticket whilst they can.
Hope Mill Theatre will be operating with strict covid guidelines in place in line with the Government guidance for the performing arts.
This will include operating at 50% capacity per show with audience rows spaced 2 metres apart and a transparent safety screen separating bookings.
The show will rehearse with social distancing in mind and in a covid-secure environment. The venue will be clearly signposted with essential information and will put in place hand sanitising stations, extra toilets for patrons, staggered arrival times and temperature checks on arrival.
The theatre space will be fully sanitised before each performance and audiences will be asked to wear face coverings during the show or visors for those who are exempt.
In line with current guidelines the venue will not allow groups of more than 6 people per booking from different households and will be collecting audience details to comply with the NHS Test & Trace scheme.
RENT was originally produced in New York by New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and New York Theatre Workshop. Musical Arrangements by Steve Skinner, Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements by Tim Weil, Original Concept/Additional Lyrics Billy Aronson and Dramaturg Lynn Thomson.
Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited.
RENT is a rock musical with music, lyrics, and book by Jonathan Larson and is loosely based on Puccini’s opera La Bohème. It tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists living, loving and working in Manhattan’s East Village, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
The show premiered off Broadway in 1996 before moving to Broadway later the same year. The show has been staged all over the world, including in the West End in 1998 and in 2005 was released as a motion picture. It features hit songs such as Rent, Without You, La Vie La Bohème and the iconic Seasons of Love.
