LAMBERT JACKSON ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THEIR LEAVE A LIGHT ON CONCERT SERIES – WITH FULL LINE UP

Lambert Jackson today announces that, following their hugely successful series Leave a Light On during the first lockdown, they will bring back the online concert series for a more intimate run from 12 to 26 January showcasing a range of talent across the industry.

Each concert is recorded by performers in their own homes and streamed out at 7:30pm, with the line-up comprising Lauren Byrne, Lauren Drew, Chelsea Halfpenny, David Hunter, Rachel John, Lucie Jones, Rob Madge, Tim Mahendran, Nicholas McLean and Billy Nevers; as well as for the very first time, a show in connection with The Grad Fest – with a line-up of recent graduates, where they not only get a split of the ticket sales, but free links will also be supplied to agents, casting directors and industry figures who are keen to engage with new talent.

Eliza Jackson and Jamie Lambert of Lambert Jackson said today, “This series is designed to provide entertainment for people who are currently going through their third UK wide lockdown and are missing the magic of West End performances. We are super excited to be bringing Leave a Light On back, although we didn’t expect we would ever need to, and we would like to thank all of the performers involved for jumping on board so quickly.”

The series not only provides entertainment for audiences once more confirmed to their homes, but also work opportunities for performers at a time when theatres are forced to remain closed, and also provides a vital income stream for freelance talent across the industry.

Tickets can be purchased via: https://lambertjackson.eventbrite.co.uk/  

Leave a Light On Listings

All performances at 7.30pm, and last approx. 45 minutes

Tuesday 12 January                       Lauren Byrne

Wednesday 13 January                Billy Nevers

Thursday 14 January                      Grad Fest 

Friday 15 January                           Tim Mahendran 

Monday 18 January                       Rob Madge 

Tuesday 19 January                       Chelsea Halfpenny

Wednesday 20 January                 Rachel John

Thursday 21 January                      David Hunter

Friday 22 January                           Lucie Jones

Monday 25 January                       Nicholas McLean

Tuesday 26 January                       Lauren Drew

Tickets via: https://lambertjackson.eventbrite.co.uk/   

A One- Woman Black Comedy, where invisible illness and a ‘hostile environment’ collide.

Air is invisible.

A vibe is invisible.

Time is invisible.

A giggle is invisible.

And so are many illnesses

‘Illusions of Liberty’ is a Black Comedy about, a woman who has a fake identity, but not one of her choosing. She is in a constant battle to maintain what people believe she is. It’s a matter of survival. Over the course of four days, after some traumatic news, she battles with hard truths, and convincing lies.

‘Liberty Jones, is a Principal Cellist. For five years she has been plagued with an increasing number of bewildering symptoms. Five days ago, Liberty Jones received a diagnosis of an invisible illness. Against the backdrop of a ‘hostile environment, this Black comedy follows her for four days, when we see her struggle with her diagnosis, the mother daughter relationship, and what it means to have an illness no one can actually see.

As she struggles to maintain her equilibrium in her new status and relationships.

How does she feel when the dust settles? How does she deal with her new normal? How many new ‘normals’ will she have to adjust to, in four days?

Backed by Live Music, this funny, poignant semi-autobiographical play challenges us to look below the surface and ‘see’ the invisible

Lorna Wells, Writer of the play said.

“You can look really well, act perfectly ‘normally’ and be suffering from the most crippling symptoms and conditions. This can cause prejudice, misunderstanding, unfair judgement, and a lot of Drama. People often say that, they’re not pretending to be sick, they’re pretending to be well. I wanted to write something which could tell the stories of people with Invisible illnesses, but also highlight issues around the hostile environment, examine the-mother daughter relationship and racism”

‘Illusions of Liberty’ had its premiere at the King’s Head Theatre, London as part of their Playmill festival in 2019. It got an incredibly good reception from the audiences at the time. This is a further development of the play which will be live-streamed and is funded by the Arts Council England

The production will work with three charities in a joint fundraising venture. A percentage of the ticket sales will be divided between three charities whose members live with Invisible illness.

The play will be live streamed over three consecutive nights. The tickets will be available at the Box office www.applecarts.com You can book tickets via the website, or for more details, visit www.illusionsofliberty.co.uk

Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iofl_2019/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/liberty_2019

Full show schedule: DATE & TIME: 7:30pm, February 15th,16th and 17th 2021.

Running Time: 85 minutes.

Tickets: Payless £8/ Standard £10/ Pay More £12 plus £1 Booking Fee.

Venue: Applecart Arts, 170 Harold Road, London. London E13 0SE. “We at Applecart believe that stories are potent and have the power to challenge, change and strengthen communities… We aim to reach across cultural divides and tell stories which engage, inspire and entertain our audiences”. Applecart Arts have invested in live-streaming theatre shows. They have a strong reputation for quality and excellence in this area. Theatre and the arts are changing, and Applecart has changed with it.

Theatre Support Fund+ has been in included in this year’s Stage 100 list which has been dedicated to the extraordinary individuals response the ongoing crisis. Recognised for their outstanding financial and fundraising achievements were Damien Stanton and Chris Marcus the team behind the iconic The Show Must Go On! Campaign.

Theatre Support Fund + The eye-catching design of The Show Must Go On! campaign – the cornerstone of the Theatre Support Fund+ – has become one of theatre’s most memorable symbols in 2020.

In addition to this, Theatre Support Fund+ also won the Innovation award at this years The Stage Awards

It adorns T-shirts, tote bags and face coverings, is ever-present on social media, and is the simple message that has raised more than half a million pounds for the theatre community. This year, in the face of unimaginable hardship and a dearth of government assistance for so many in theatre, widespread fundraising efforts have proved both necessary and inspiring.

But while many well-known faces and affluent companies have, rightly, stepped up to the plate to galvanise funding, the Theatre Support Fund+’s innovative and effective response came from backstage professionals at the heart of the industry. Set up in May by theatre workers Chris Marcus, who jointly runs West End props company Marcus Hall Props, and Damien Stanton, an assistant stage manager and graphic designer, the campaign began as a way to put their lack of work and excess of time to good use by raising money for theatre charities. Using the Marcus Hall Props’ premises as a warehouse, they began work on a new project that would lead to them becoming website builders, logistics managers and order packers, aided by in-kind marketing and social support and alongside a small team.

With permission from the producers of 16 iconic West End shows, from Hamilton, Mamma Mia! and Come from Away to Six and Wicked, snippets of their logos were redesigned on a range of merchandise, as a mark of the West End standing together with the theatre community across the UK. From a standing start, after seven months the enterprise has amassed over 55,000 orders from over 70 countries, raising more than £600,000, which has been split between theatre charities Acting for Others and the Fleabag Support Fund, as well as the NHS Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.

Its impressive list of supporters includes Judi Dench, Patti LuPone, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Keira Knightley, Beverley Knight and Derek Jacobi. Upon its launch in May, few predicted that British theatres would still be largely dark by Christmas, but as the pandemic continued, unrelenting, so did the Theatre Support Fund+, growing as it went and continuing to innovate.

The original selection of T-shirts, hoodies, mugs and notepads were joined by collaborations with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (on a face mask to celebrate its reopening in August), and ice-cream brand Northern Bloc (whose The Show Must Go On! flavour is sold in Waitrose), as well as a Christmas range.

Next – and Covid-restrictions allowing – The Show Must Go On! Live at the Palace Theatre will run in March, starring casts from the shows featured on the T-shirts. Meanwhile, more than 30 West End stars – including Tracie Bennett, Alice Fearn, Janie Dee, Clive Rowe and Tyrone Huntley – have sung on a Christmas charity single. ‘The show must go on’ is a well-worn phrase, emblematic of the determination and commitment needed to work successfully in theatre, yet the idea has not always been one of tolerance, or of support. In this most challenging of years, the expression has been granted new meaning as a beacon of solidarity and hope, at least in part thanks to the imagination and extraordinary achievements of the Theatre Support Fund+.

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Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Rebecca Stafford Productions present
Witness for the Prosecution
By Agatha Christie

• ALL RISE! TRIAL RESUMES AFTER LENGTHY ADJOURNMENT
• ‘WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION’ WILL RETURN FROM 18 MAY 2021
• TICKETS ARE BACK ON SALE TODAY
• AGATHA CHRISTIE’S GRIPPING COURTROOM DRAMA WILL THRILL AUDIENCES ONCE AGAIN IN 2021
• STAGED IN THE SPECTACULAR CHAMBER OF LONDON COUNTY HALL ON THE SOUTHBANK

Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Rebecca Stafford Productions are today delighted to announce that performances of Witness for the Prosecution will resume from 18 May 2021 at London County Hall on the Southbank. Tickets are back on sale today and can be booked here www.witnesscountyhall.com.  Cast to be announced soon.

Eleanor Lloyd and Rebecca Stafford said ‘We cannot wait to bring ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ back to the magnificent setting of London County Hall and share Agatha Christie’s courtroom spectacle with audiences once again. When the theatres were closed last March we had just celebrated our 1000th performance having played to over 325,000 people over two and a half years. Last year was tough for everyone in the theatre industry. In order to be able to re-open as soon as we can, we are making this announcement now on the assumption that by our first performance government audience restrictions will be lifted and that contingency insurance will be available, either from the insurance market, or from a stop-gap government backed scheme.’

Since opening to critical acclaim in 2017 Witness for the Prosecution has captured the imagination of thousands who have been gripped by the case of Leonard Vole, accused of murder in cold blood. Director Lucy Bailey (Oleanna, Ghosts, Love From A Stranger) thrillingly places the audience in the thick of the action, as Agatha Christie’s enthralling tale of justice, passion and betrayal unfolds around them.

Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth. The stakes are high.  Will he be able to convince the jury of his innocence and escape the hangman’s noose?

The twists and turns of the case are played out in a spectacular courtroom setting inside the iconic London County Hall as prosecution battles defence and witnesses take the stand to give their shocking testimonies. The production received Best Revival nominations at the 2018 Olivier and WhatsOnStage Awards.

Witness for the Prosecution is now booking for performances from 18 May 2021 until 31 October 2021. The production is designed by William Dudley, with lighting by Chris Davey, sound design by Mic Pool and casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG.

Artwaves Festival Moves Online for 2021

The popular ArtWaves Festival has moved to an online event for the 2021 festival. This follows the latest government lockdown announcement. The festival will now digitally host creative online activities from the 1st March and across the main festival weekend 6-7th March 2021.

Much of the original content is still in place with online bookable workshops being held throughout the festival week, commencing 1st March, from festival favourites like pastel sessions with Robert Dutton to new additions such as at home ceramics with artist Anna Whitehouse.

The primary ArtWaves elements will be streamed via Facebook, Youtube and Instagram to ensure as many people can access it as possible.

ArtWaves Open Exhibition will be held solely online alongside free artist demonstrations, interactive artist sessions and several workshops embracing street art, dance and music by Hull Beats Bus.

It’s not all virtual though. Artwaves highly anticipated Visual Art Trail, will return with 25 artist designed ceramic birds nesting across Bridlington in shop windows as a trail to explore. Similarly, artist Sian Ellis will be bringing an environmental monster trail to the south promenade as part of the ArtWaves commitment to raising awareness on environmental issues.

Available to purchase will be a specially curated creative pack with printed booklets, art resources and activities for people to get involved with from home but retaining a sense of physical involvement rather than everything being virtual.

Lauren Frost, ArtWaves Festival Director said, ‘We have been working tirelessly with our artists and friends at Bridlington Spa to ensure a safe and secure in-person event for this year. However, this is no longer viable. The online variation is not the way we wanted to deliver the event but we’re hopeful that our artists can still inspire people to get creative from home. Like many events across the country, we hope that you will support us, our artists and the arts generally during these difficult times.’

ArtWaves Festival will also have a spin-off event later this year on the 21st August 2021. Featuring, installation artists spread amongst the various Bridlington based art galleries and larger than life puppets from Hull Carnival Arts roaming the streets for a one-off day of culture and vibrancy.

To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day,
Sky Arts and BroadwayHD will air Maureen
Lipman’s acclaimed digital drama, Rose
Available from Wednesday 27th January 2021

Thomas Hopkins & Michael Quinn for Ginger Quiff Media, Hope Mill Theatre & Guy Chapman

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, the critically acclaimed revival of Martin Sherman’s Rose, starring Olivier Award winner Dame Maureen Lipman, will be free to watch on Sky Arts on Wednesday 27th January at 10pm. The thought-provoking production from Ginger Quiff Media is a moving reminder of the harrowing events that shaped the century.

Following hugely successful digital runs throughout lockdown, the award-winning revival will also return online and be available to stream on BroadwayHD, the premier streaming service for live theatre. Featuring a star-turn from Lipman (Coronation Street, ITV; Celebrity Gogglebox, Channel 4; The Pianist), giving the “best performance” (Daily Mail) of her career, it’s an unmissable revival. Ginger Quiff Media are thrilled to bring Rose to Sky Arts and BroadwayHD’s portfolio of outstanding productions, continuing to make theatrical entertainment accessible for people at home or abroad.

Directed by Scott Le Crass (Country Music, Omnibus Theatre; Elmer, UK and International tour), in close collaboration with Sherman, this powerful one-woman production remains sadly relevant today due to continued racial tensions and allegations of antisemitism. This sharply drawn portrait of a feisty Jewish woman traces Rose’s story from the devastation of Nazi-ruled Europe to conquering the American dream. Blending the personal with the political, Rose reflects on what it means to survive.

Thomas Hopkins of Ginger Quiff Media comments, We’re thrilled to bring Rose back, fittingly on Holocaust Memorial Day, which serves as a timely reminder of the plight of a generation. Maureen Lipman embodies the story, and we can’t wait for a wider audience to experience this ‘tour de force’ performance on both Sky Arts and BroadwayHD.

As the UK’s only dedicated Arts channel, Sky Arts exists to bring more art to more people across the UK. By throwing open the doors to make the channel free to air, we want to increase access to and participation in the arts. Offering something for everyone, whatever their passion, Sky Arts showcases the best of classical and popular music, theatre, opera, dance and the visual arts, as well as original drama and comedy.

BroadwayHD introduces award-winning theatre from all across the globe with both classic and modern productions. Fans can expect to see the full works of Shakespeare, awe-inspiring performances from Cirque du Soleil and a selection of the world’s greatest musical including Kinky Boots, Cats, 42nd Street, She Loves Me, The Phantom of The Opera, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I, Sound of Music, and An American in Paris. All performances are adapted specifically for streaming audiences to maximize the entertainment experience. To learn more about BroadwayHD, visit www.broadwayhd.com

Chichester Festival Theatre postpones planned production of Benefactors

Chichester Festival Theatre is very sorry to announce that the new production of Michael Frayn’s Benefactors, which was due to open on 5 February, has been postponed due to the renewed COVID-19 lockdown.

The production was to have been directed by Charlotte Gwinner, with a cast headed by Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner, and scheduled to tour to Bath, Cambridge, Canterbury, Salford and Cheltenham after its Chichester run.

Kathy Bourne and Daniel Evans, Executive and Artistic Directors of Chichester Festival Theatre respectively, said: ‘‘We are bitterly disappointed by the postponement of Benefactors, which promised to be an outstanding revival of a play which would have been a real tonic for audiences around England. With the new lockdown, it’s become clear that it’s simply not possible to mount a touring theatre show over the next few months.

‘It’s been wonderful to welcome audiences back to the Theatre intermittently over the Autumn and to see how much they relished the live and streamed performances we were able to offer – from Crave to our Christmas concerts, Dear Santa and Pinocchio.

‘We are now focusing all our energies on planning for Festival 2021, which will open in April, and we look forward to sharing what’s in store for our audiences this Spring in due course.’

MORPHEUS LAUNCHES BRAND NEW

CHILDREN’S SHOW WINTER RESCUE

Winter Rescue is the fourth hit show from the pioneering virtual immersive theatre company Morpheus and is open for bookings now. Suitable for children aged 9 to 13, this new show transports children to an icy world of kidnapped elves and fearsome yetis, where they must work together throughout a time-twisting adventure to save the day!

For families with teenagers aged 13-17, Spymaker is also booking into January and beyond, as is espionage thriller Undercover which has been created specifically for adult audiences. Both Undercover and Spymaker immerse participants into an exhilarating, hilarious and unique world of secret agents, mysterious strangers and mindboggling encounters.

The critically-acclaimed Locked Down is also still playing into the new year. Dystopic and nightmarish, this show for grown-ups is perfect for fans of horror and science fiction. Locked Down challenges its audience to save the day as a deadly virus wreaks havoc throughout society and civil unrest threatens to destroy civilisation.

This is a theatrical experience like no other. Hosted online by live actors, audiences are invited to close their eyes and let Morpheus take control as they are guided on an entertaining and extraordinary sonic adventure. Groups of up to six people – each wearing headphones and a blindfold – are invited to join a sensory escapade via Zoom. Participants don’t need to have the latest gadgets or be IT experts, they simply need a stable internet connection and desire to see the unseen.

With Covid-19 restrictions currently in place throughout the world, the family-friendly shows offer a unique and innovative way to entertain children and teenagers who are now unable to attend school. For the adult shows, Morpheus offers the ultimate ‘night out at home’ for groups of friends or families looking for a unique and memorable party idea. As England enters a third national lockdown, these shows allows individuals and groups to virtually meet and make new friends. They are also the perfect team-building experience for workplaces whose employees are working remotely.

LISTINGS

Undercover and Locked Down

Aged 18+

Spymaker

Ages 13-17

Winter Rescue

Ages 9-13

Booking now open

Performances are ongoing

For timings please see website

Tickets available to book from http://morpheus-show.co.uk

From £39 with discounts available for groups of 6

To participate in any of Morpheus’s productions you will need a computer/tablet/smartphone with access to Zoom, a stable internet connection, headphones and a blindfold.

The show may not be suitable for anyone who is pregnant or who suffers from epilepsy, claustrophobia or anxiety.

Lucy Dusgate appointed new Partnership Director for Leeds Dance Partnership

Lucy Dusgate has been appointed the new Partnership Director of Leeds Dance Partnership, after previous Director Shirley Lundstram recently took up the role of Head of Programme – Heritage at Cause4.

An experienced cultural producer, Lucy joins the partnership from her most recent role as Art Programmer / Producer at The Lowry. She has extensive experience in delivering diverse and strategic programmes of art; developing cultural policy; consortium partnerships; fundraising; embedded learning; co-commissions; and large audience engagement across culture and public realm locations. Her past work includes two commissions with Phoenix Dance Theatre for NVA’s Speed of Light and Honour, two Motionhouse outdoor performances, as well as work with individual artists including Darren Pritchard, Dickson Mbi and Mac Daniel Palima.

Lucy said: ‘I am delighted to be leading the Leeds Dance Partnership as we continue to build the city into one of the two national centres of excellence for dance. The support and talent of the partnership enables us to acknowledge our achievements to date and develop a future that is ambitious and encompassing for all.’

Mark Skipper DL, Chair of Leeds Dance Partnership, said: ‘I am delighted that Lucy has joined Leeds Dance Partnership to carry on the excellent work that Shirley Lundstram has delivered over the last three and a half years. Lucy brings to us a vast range of experience as a Creative Producer with lots of international connections and I look forward to seeing how the Partnership develops under her leadership in the coming years.’

WEST END BARES

ANNOUNCES ONLINE GLOBAL

STREAMING EVENT

WEST END BARES: TURNED ON

SUNDAY 10^th JANUARY 2021

8.00

After ten spectacular years raising money for the Make A Difference Trust, WEST END BARES, theatre’s hottest annual fundraiser, announces a one-off online streaming event for 2021:

WEST END BARES: TURNED ON

SUNDAY 10^th JANUARY 2021 at 8pm.

WEST END BARES: TURNED ON will see the best of the West End and beyond take to the virtual stage from homes and studios around the world.  Filmed in accordance with (ever changing!) Covid safety guidelines, the show will feature brand new content created especially for this one-off event, along with guest appearances from Graham Norton, Michelle Visage, Tom Allen, Todrick Hall, Michael Auger and Amy Hart.

WEST END BARES is directed by Will Lucas, with choreography from Jenny Legg (9 to 5), Aaron Jenkins (Wicked), Fletcher Dobinson (Cats) and David Grewcock (Singin’ In The Rain).

Director Will Lucas said today: “After a year when we all missed being onstage and where we’ve not been able to see loved ones for months at a time, we are delighted to bring a bit of Bares magic to 2021. The show is one the biggest nights in the theatre calendar and we hope we can still bring people together for one night, from the safety and comfort of your own homes. Make sure you tune in, turn us on, and we can’t wait to see you back in a theatre for our next show!”

WEST END BARES benefits the Make A Difference Trust, a UK based charity with a vision of a world free from HIV and AIDS.  Since its first scintillating show in 2010 WEST END BARES has raised over £350,000.  WEST END BARES is based on the original concept BROADWAY BARES by Tony Award winning Broadway and West End director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell.

Melanie Tranter, chair of the Make A Difference Trust said;

“With all our fundraising shows cancelled this year, this is an important chance for the Make a Difference Trust to be able to share something truly spectacular with as many people as possible whilst raising funds and awareness. The majority of the performers have been out of work since theatres closed in March and they have no idea when they will work again.  But still they come together, supporting the Make A Difference Trust’s philosophy of community making a difference.  Working together, the theatre community use their skills and talents to help both their own colleagues and others. Their generosity is humbling”

Normally, West End Bares would raise funds for those living with or affected by HIV and AIDS.  This year, the charity has revived and repurposed their hardship fund into the Covid-19 Emergency Fund, to help the theatre community directly, by providing Emergency Hardship Grants for those on stage and off who are struggling financially due to theatre closures and the monies raised will go to the Emergency fund as well as to fund HIV work.  

Building on a legacy of over 30 years of fundraising by the theatre industry, The Make A Difference Trust raises funds for HIV and AIDS projects that build awareness and provide care, support and education in the United Kingdom and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Trust has distributed grants to support individuals experiencing hardship across the UK as well as grants to support projects with their UK and International partners, to relieve poverty, provide a safe environment and education for children and orphans affected by HIV and AIDS, and to secure the needs of the individual and the greater community as a whole

Tickets for WEST END BARES are on sale now priced £5.

Tickets are available here:

www.vimeo.com/ondemand/westendbaresturnedon

LISTINGS DETAILS

WEST END BARES: TURNED ON

SUNDAY, 10^th JANUARY 2021

8pm