The Dina Martina Christmas Show Review

Soho Theatre, London – until 30th December 2021

Reviewed by Bobbi Fenton

5*****

The Dina Martina Christmas Show at Soho Theatre is a comical masterpiece, which includes a few Christmassy songs, with some very funny jokes in between, and a quick costume change here and there. The songs are hilarious, with some being sung to the tune of some Beatles songs, such as ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘I am the Walrus’. My personal favourite was Dina’s rendition of ‘Let it Snow’ sung to the tune of ‘Let it Be’, and then vice versa. There are also a few life lessons scattered throughout; apparently murder is like cilantro, and John Wayne Gacy was one of Santa’s reindeer. The audience are also educated on the very honourable occupation of ‘earthquake clowns’, which is possibly the funniest story I have ever heard.

The costumes featured in the show are absolutely gorgeous, from a beautiful green floor length dress, to a long sparkly red jumper with one sleeve. These outfits were simply dazzling, and worked perfectly in the show to create a piece that engulfs all of the senses, the green dress specifically also engulfing the stool, alongside some humorous sound effects from Dina herself.

The set was very minimalistic, with a white Christmas tree, a table and stool, and a large wrapped box, the contents of which aren’t revealed until the very end as part of a hilarious moment in her final song.

Dina Martina is a comedic genius, and her show should definitely not be missed. Leave the kids at home and get down to Soho Theatre to see this hysterical Christmas show.

Dick Turpin Rides Again Review

Grand Opera House York – until 9th January 2022

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

3.5***

After retiring as the Dame, Berwick Kaler just couldn’t keep away, it’s in his soul, and Grand Opera House York have taken up the realm this year. York legend Berwick brings his regular band of highwaymen, to York’s Grand Opera House for their latest pantomime, his first at this lovely venue. As well as staring as Dotty Donut, the mammie of the bunch, he has also written and directed Dick Turpin Rides Again, presented by Crossroads Pantomimes.

As the regular gang of, Martin Barrass, Suzy Cooper, David Leonard and AJ Powell, graced the stage they were all greeted with enthusiastic applause. Obviously, a lot of the audience had followed them to their new “home”.

Suzy and Martin play Dotty’s children, Donna and Dunkin Donut, whilst David is the dastardly Vermin the Destroyer, the evil villain, until he isn’t. Last, but not least, is the loveable brummie, AJ Powell, as Luvlie Lumpit. New to their panto family is Daniel Conway as the Dashing Dick Turpin and his faithful steed Peggy.

As always with Berwick’s panto’s, they start with the story you may know, but this all goes out the window, with any semblance of sanity, pretty quick. This show did not disappoint. We had cowboys, vampires, and a garlic alien from the planet Garlatica to name but a few. The later had me snorting in laughter, quite literally, to see AJ in his skimpy shorts with his garlic head is a sight to behold. Suzy had us in stitches as a bat, teeth falling out and all. I must say she looked fantastic, very lithe.

The set and costumes were colourful, though the piéce de résistance was the flying Peggy, complete with Daniel in full voice, riding in the starry skies. This was truly magical and enchanting to watch. I must say I’ve only seen 2 pantos this year and both had flying horses??!! To be fair, though completely different, they were both spectacular. Unfortunately, Berwick’s costumes were a bit of a let-down, not nearly flamboyant and outrageous enough. We wanted more!

Overall, I did enjoy the show, but it was lacking the wow factor for me. Some of the jokes and humour were dated and missed the mark, at times the audience were just not getting involved with the bite backs. It is still worth going to see for a bit of out there escapism, a laugh and to see the York Dame back in action.

PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE The Immersive Show Announced for Summer 2022

IMMERSIVE EVERYWHERE

PRESENT

PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE

THE IMMERSIVE SHOW LIVE IN LONDON

AT THE VANGUARD THEATRE, CAMDEN

SUMMER 2022

Producers Immersive Everywhere, in association with Caryn Mandabach Productions and Steven Knight, are thrilled to announce PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE, a brand-new immersive theatre show, live in London at The Vanguard Theatre, Camden opening in summer 2022, with casting to be announced soon.

Priority sign-up to be the first to find out more is open now at www.immersivepeakyblinders.com

PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE is the first official fully immersive 360-degree theatre show set in the world of one of the most globally successful TV franchises, “Peaky Blinders” and taking place at The Vanguard Theatre, just moments away from the setting for Solomons Yard in the TV series. Follow the rise in fortune of Tommy Shelby and his family as the unfolding narrative and live actors place the audience right at the heart of the Shelby Company, featuring iconic locations, from the betting shop in Small Heath and The Garrison through to the bakery on the banks of Regent’s Canal, the home of the Solomons gang. PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE is the unmissable immersive show live in London from Summer 2022.

The Creative Director and Director of PEAKY BLINDERS: THE RISE is Tom Maller (Doctor Who: Time Fracture and Arcane, Casino Royale, Romeo + Juliet and Blade Runner: Final Cut with Secret Cinema) and Production Designer is Rebecca Brower (Doctor Who: Time Fracture, Secret Cinema Presents Arcane, Bat Out Of Hell).

Peaky Blinders, the tv series, was created and written by Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises and Locke). The multi award-winning BBC One and Netflix series is produced by Peaky Blinders’ official series and brand owner, Caryn Mandabach Productions.

Peaky Blinders® © Caryn Mandabach Productions. All rights reserved. Licensed by Caryn Mandabach Productions.

Theatres Trust comments on Covid restrictions in Scotland and Wales

Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust, the UK’s national advisory body for theatres, has commented on the new changes in Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland and Wales:

Theatres already have a range of safety measures in place to keep audiences, staff and performers safe, but as Covid cases rapidly rise Theatres Trust understand why both the Scottish and Welsh Governments have advised to limit social gatherings. While the regulations do not directly affect theatres, there has already been an impact on ticket sales and theatres are finding themselves in a precarious position. Like the hospitality sector, the theatre sector will need additional economic support to help it survive this latest challenge.

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS PATRICK DUFFY LINDA PURL & GRAY O’BRIEN IN CATCH ME IF YOU CAN BY JACK WEINSTOCK AND WILLIE GILBERT ON TOUR THROUGHOUT THE UK IN 2022

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS

PATRICK DUFFY

LINDA PURL  & GRAY O’BRIEN

IN

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

BY JACK WEINSTOCK AND WILLIE GILBERT

ON TOUR THROUGHOUT THE UK IN 2022

Dallas legend Patrick Duffy (The Man from AtlantisStep by Step) and Linda Purl (Happy DaysHomeland) fly in from Hollywood to star alongside Gray O’ Brien (Peak PracticeCoronation Street), leading the cast in this exciting new production of the classic Broadway thriller.

Catch Me If You Can, written by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, and directed by Bob Tomson, will embark on its nationwide tour, opening at the Theatre Royal, Windsor on 8 February 2022. Adapted from Robert Thomas’s French play Trap for a Lonely Man, this highly entertaining mystery has inspired three successful screenplays. 

Inspector Levine is called to a house in the remote Catskill mountains to investigate the disappearance of newly married Elizabeth Corban. But when Elizabeth suddenly turns up, her husband seems surprised – and this is only the beginning of a truly baffling train of events, in which nothing is what it seems and no-one is as they appear. Will this extraordinary sequence of surprising twists and turns lead to a murderous conclusion?

Patrick Duffy is known to audiences around the world for his twelve years in the role of Bobby Ewing in the CBS primetime drama Dallas. Other notable roles include Mark Harris in NBC’s Man from Atlantis, Frank Lambert in the ABC sitcom Step by Step and Stephen Logan in CBS’The Bold and the Beautiful. On stage, he played Serge in the award-winning West End production of Art.

Linda Purl’s numerous screen roles include Ashley (Fonzie’s girlfriend) in Happy Days, Helene  in the American version of The Office, Charlene Matlock in the legal drama series Matlock, and Elizabeth Gaines in Homeland. Her stage appearances include the international tour of Seven Deadly Sins Four Deadly Sinners, Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire (Rubicon Theatre, California) and, most recently, Rosemary Clooney in Tenderly at the New Vic, Santa Barbara.

Gray O’Brien is best known for his portrayal of villainous Weatherfield businessman Tony Gordon in Coronation Street, as Dr Tom Deneley in Peak Practice and as Dr. Richard McCraig in Casualty. He played Milo Tindle in Sleuth at the West End’s Apollo Theatre.

The cast also includes Ben Nealon, who played Captain Jeremy Forsythe in ITV’s award-winning series Soldier Soldier. He has appeared regularly on stage with the Agatha Christie Theatre Company and the Classic Thriller Theatre Company.

Catch Me If You Can is directed by Bob Tomson (Blood BrothersScroogeEvitaOn The Piste), with design by Julie Godfrey (How The Other Half LovesPack of LiesRehearsal for Murder) and lighting by Chris Davey (Witness for the Prosecutionthe Car ManTouching the Void). 

LISTINGS

Bill Kenwright presents

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

UK Tour from 8 February 2022

by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert

Based on the French play Trap for a Lonely Man by Robert Thomas.

Directed by Bob Tomson

Designed by Julie Godfrey

Lighting by Chris Davey

Website: kenwright.com 

Twitter: @BKL_Productions

Instagram: @bklproductions

DATES AND VENUES

Theatre Royal Windsor                                              theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

08 February – 19 February 2022                                  01753 853 8888  

Belfast Grand Opera House                                          www.goh.co.uk

21 February- 26 February 2022      02890 241 919

New Theatre Cardiff                                                      newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

28 February- 05 March 2022                                        03433 100 041

Blackpool Grand                                                             www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

07 March- 12 March 2022                                             01253 290 111

Darlington Hippodrome                                                darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

14 March- 19 March 2022                                             01325 405405

Malvern Festival Theatre                                              malvern-theatres.co.uk

21 March- 26 March 2022                                             01684 8922770

Theatr Clwyd                                                                   www.theatrclwyd.com

28 March- 02 April 2022                                                01352 344101

Milton Keynes Theatre                                                  atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes         
04 April- 09 April 2022                    02072 061174

Richmond Theatre                                                          atgtickets.com/richmond

11 April- 16 April 2022                                                    0844 8717615

Alexandra Theatre Birmingham                                   atgtickets.com/birmingham

25 April- 30 April 2022                                                    0333 0096690

Eastbourne Devonshire Park                                        eastbournetheatres.co.uk

09 May- 14 May 2022                                                     0132 3412000

Theatre Royal Bath                                                         theatreroyal.org.uk

16 May- 21 May 2022                                                     On Sale Soon

Cambridge Arts Theatre                                             cambridgeartstheatre.com              

23 May- 28 May                                                          On Sale Soon

The Lowry Salford                                                      thelowry.com

30 May- 04 June                                                          On Sale Soon

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre                                       atgtickets.com/aylesbury

06 June- 18 June                                                               On Sale Soon

Yvonne Arnaud Guilford                                           yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

13 June- 18 June                                                         On Sale Soon

Churchill Theatre Bromley                                             churchilltheatre.co.uk

20 June- 25 June                                                               On Sale Soon

Theatre Royal Glasgow                                                   atgtickets.com/glasgow

27 June- 02 July                                                                 On Sale Soon

The Aurora Award for Rising Stars

Although 2021 has been a yet another trying year with regards to theatre, we are absolutely delighted to announce the winner of the Aurora Award 2021 is Rob Madge.

Our reviewers nominated them because “They deserves an award just for existing – heavenly”

You can find the review for their 5* show, My Son’s a Queer, But What Can You Do? here :

“If you want to feel uplifted after lock down and feel enveloped into a loving family this little show will do that for you” https://fairypoweredproductions.com/my-sons-a-queer-but-what-can-you-do-review/

and the 5* Bedknobs and Broomsticks here:

“Norton the very northern fish voiced by Rob Madge all add an extra dimension of magic to the show” https://fairypoweredproductions.com/bedknobs-and-broomsticks-review/

So a huge congratulations to Rob and thank you for their amazing contribution to keeping us entertained during 2021

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL – CAST AND TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

CAST AND TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

Molly-Grace Cutler as Carole King
Tom Milner as Gerry Goffin
Seren Sandham-Davies as Cynthia Weil
Jos Slovick as Barry Mann

A Curve, Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Mayflower Theatre Southampton co-production

Leicester’s CurveTheatre Royal Bath Productions and Mayflower Theatre Southampton have today announced the company of talented actor-musicians joining their new UK tour of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.

Opening at Curve on Monday 28 February 2022, the company will be led by Molly-Grace Cutler (The Worst WitchGirls Don’t Play Guitars, We’ll Live and Die in these Towns) as Carole King. Tom Milner (Holby City, Waterloo Road) will play Gerry Goffin, Carole’s former husband and collaborator. Seren Sandham-Davies (Crazy For YouBrassed Off) and Jos Slovick, who performed in the original West End production of Once, will play husband and wife song-writing duo Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann.

Garry Robson returns to Curve as music producer and talent manager Don Kirshner. Garry was last seen on-stage in Leicester as General Henry Waverly in the 2018 Made at Curve production of White Christmas.

Clare Greenway, who originated the role of Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act at the London Palladium, will play Carole’s mother Genie Klein, and Dan de Cruz will join as the production’s on-stage Musical Director. The cast is completed by Naomi Alade, Kemi Clarke, Chris Coxon, Amena El-Kindy, Louise FrancisDylan Gordon-JonesJessica Jolleys, Sorrel Jordan, Myles MillerPeter Mooney and Adrien Spencer.

After its run in Leicester, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will tour to Theatre Royal Bath 17 – 26 MarchTheatre Royal Brighton 29 March – 2 AprilFestival Theatre Edinburgh 5 – 9 AprilMayflower Theatre, Southampton 12 – 16 AprilNewcastle Theatre Royal 19 – 23 AprilOrchard Theatre Dartford 26 – 30 AprilMalvern Theatres 3 -7 MayCambridge Arts Theatre 10 – 21 May and New Theatre, Cardiff 24 – 28 May.

Based on the story of Carole King’s remarkable rise from singer/songwriter to chart-topping music legend, this production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will take audiences back to the heart of King’s landmark 1971 album ‘Tapestry’.

The musical will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, whose recent credits include acclaimed five-star productions of A Chorus LineWest Side Storyand 2020’s streamed production of Sunset Boulevard – at Home.

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

“Carole King’s body of work speaks for itself and it is an honour to work on a show which celebrates some of the greatest pop songs ever written and the extraordinary life of the woman who has provided the soundtrack to our lives across the decades.

“In Molly-Grace Cutler, we have the perfect actor to lead our production and embody the spirit of King’s supreme artistry. Molly leads a phenomenal company of actor-musicians, who will recreate all the hits live onstage, under the supreme musical talents of Grammy winner Steve Sidwell and Tony winner Sarah Travis.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with our friends at Theatre Royal Bath and Southampton Mayflower, flying the flag for Leicester once Beautiful tours from Curve.”

Carole King’s music will be brought to life by Grammy Award-winning Orchestrator Steve Sidwell and adapted by Tony Award-winning Curve Associate and Musical Supervisor Sarah Travis. The production will be choreographed by rising star Leah Hill (The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre) and the creative team also includes Set Designer Frankie Bradshaw, Costume Designer Edd Lindley, Lighting Designer and Curve Associate Ben Cracknell, Sound Designer Tom Marshall, Associate Director Jennifer Lane Baker and Casting Director and Curve Associate Kay Magson CDG. The production will also provide training opportunities for Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme (RTYDS) Resident Assistant Director Lilac Yosiphon and Birkbeck Trainee Director Thyrza Abrahams.

Featuring countless classics such as You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman, Take Good Care of my Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, Up on the Roof, Locomotion and You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is written by Douglas McGrath, with songs by Carole King, Gerry GoffinBarry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical was originally produced on Broadway and in London by Paul Blake, SONY/ATV Music Publishing and Mike Bosner.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

Book by Douglas McGrath

Words & Music by Gerry Coffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil

Music by arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing

THE BARN THEATRE ANNOUNCES FULL 2022 BUILT BY BARN SEASON

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THE BARN THEATRE ANNOUNCES FULL 2022 BUILT BY BARN SEASON

MURDER FOR TWO (4 FEBRUARY – 5 MARCH)

THE MOZART QUESTION (21 MARCH – 30 APRIL)

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING® – THE SONGS OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN (6 – 28 MAY)

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (6 JUNE – 16 JULY)

DRIVING MISS DAISY (19 AUGUST – 17 SEPTEMBER)

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN (26 SEPTEMBER – 29 OCTOBER)

THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF MARIAN AND ROBIN HOOD

(21 NOVEMBER – 7 JANUARY)

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has today announced their 2022 Built by Barn Season, which comprises seven new productions.

Iwan Lewis, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Barn Theatre, said of the season:

“In March 2020, our team at The Barn Theatre were preparing for our second birthday celebrations and had just opened our most ambitious season to date. It is difficult to now comprehend that it won’t be long before we will be planning to celebrate our fourth birthday and we will have spent half of the theatre’s existence in a pandemic.

Our 2022 season is a sign of the theatre’s ambitious, innovative, and resilient nature. It comprises of new work, family entertainment, musical theatre, and new productions of beloved work that we are thrilled to share with our audiences.

This season would not have been possible without the support from the Culture Recovery Fund from the DCMS and Arts Council England or from our loyal supporters.

I will be forever grateful for the lifeline our theatre has been granted over this difficult period. This has enabled us to come out fighting in 2022 as we go into a new phase of rebuilding. The ambition remains the same, remarkable theatre for our remarkable community”

The 2022 season will begin with a new revival production of Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian’s award-winning musical comedy Murder For Two from 4 February – 5 March. The high-energy musical whodunit, which is a zany blend between classical musical comedy and madcap murder mystery, follows Officer Marcus Moscowicz as he is put to the test to prove his super sleuthing skills and solve the crime of novelist Arthur Whitney’s death before the real detectives arrive.

Bryan Hodgson will reunite with the Barn Theatre to direct the new production of the musical, which sees two actors play thirteen characters and the piano as they pay homage to the murder mystery canon. Bryan Hodgson previously directed the Barn Theatre’s 2019 Built by Barn production of The Importance of Being Earnest, which had successful runs at the Barn Theatre and London’s Turbine Theatre (which marked the Barn’s first London transfer).

The Cirencester theatre will then stage the world premiere of Vicki Berwick’s theatrical adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel The Mozart Question from 21 March – 30 April. The play, which was originally planned to debut as part of the theatre’s 2020 season, will be the fourth production based on Michael Morpurgo’s work to be staged at the theatre and continues their ongoing relationship with the internationally best-selling author.

The Mozart Question follows acclaimed violinist Paolo Levi as he recounts, to a young reporter, his family’s connection to the Holocaust and the power of music in the hardest of times. The new adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s haunting tale of love, secrets and survival will be directed by Jessica Daniels (The Butterfly Lion, Girl From The North Country) and comprise of an actor-musician ensemble with composition, arrangements and musical supervision by Rudy Percival.

Michael Morpurgo said of his story and the new stage adaptation, “…It is the most important story I have ever written, about the best and most beautiful and most heavenly that is in us, and the worst and most wicked and most hellish too. I have no doubt the Barn are creating a play worthy of the immensity of the tragedy, a play that reflects the power of music to heal, to bring reconciliation and peace in a troubled world.”

The Mozart Question will be produced by the Barn Theatre in association with Anthology Theatre and Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham.

Creative Director of Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre Paul Milton will direct a new production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein revue Some Enchanted Evening® – The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein from 6 – 28 May. The musical revue celebrates the work of the iconic duo during the golden age of musical theatre, featuring a parade of songs from Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s most beloved scores including Oklahoma!The Sound of Music and South Pacific. Conceived by Jeffrey B. Moss, the revue juxtaposes numbers in theatrical settings: ‘backstage’, where the songs are sung as personal interplay and ‘onstage’, where the songs are presented to the audience.

Some Enchanted Evening® – The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein is a co-production between the Barn Theatre and Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham.

The theatre will then debut a new production of the musical Million Dollar Quartet, which follows the events of the December 4, 1956, recording session at Memphis’ Sun Studio that brought four of the music’s best talents together for a once-in-a-life-time event: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. Million Dollar Quartet is based on an original concept by Floyd Mutrux, who also directed the original production. The new revival of the one-act musical, which features the songs of the legendary performers and book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, will run in Cirencester from 6 June – 16 July.

Next in the season, the Barn will mark the 35th anniversary of Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy with a new staging from 19 August – 17 September. The magnificent eulogy to friendship, which spans 25 years from 1948 to 1973, follows the relationship of an elderly Southern Jewish widow Daisy Werthan and her African American chauffeur Hoke Coleburn and how despite their early differences and prejudices become lifelong friends.

A new staging of Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel’s adaptation of the gripping mystery, suspense thriller The Girl on the Train will run at the Barn Theatre from 26 September – 29 October. Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and the blockbuster DreamWorks film, the thriller follows Rachel Watson as she finds herself a witness and suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could have ever anticipated.

The final production of the 2022 season sees Alan Pollock return for his fourth annual Christmas production with The True Adventures of Marian and Robin Hood from 21 November – 7 January. The new take on the classic tale follows archer, swordswoman, and trick rider Marian as she joins forces with her childhood nemesis Robin to thwart her hapless husband-to-be, the Sherriff of Nottingham, and overthrow his evil protector Prince John.

The Barn Theatre will hold a 2022 season launch event announcing further details on 21 January 2022.

Royal & Derngate nominated for Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards

Royal & Derngate nominated for Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards

Royal & Derngate is thrilled to have been nominated for Theatre of the Year Award in The Stage Awards 2022.

The theatre has been recognised for its outstanding work throughout 2021, reopening after the pandemic closure with acclaimed shows including original new musical Gin Craze! and taking Ralph Fiennes in Four Quartets to the West End. It has also been noted for launching a new three year partnership with the National Youth Theatre and re-imagining its education, community and outreach programme, both online and in-person

The other nominees for the award are Battersea Arts Centre, Donmar Warehouse, Lyric Theatre Belfast, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury and Pitlochry Festival Theatre.

Artistic Director James Dacre said: “It’s a heartening end to a really challenging year to be shortlisted for the Theatre of the Year Award. We’re truly proud to work with such remarkable colleagues and collaborators and hugely grateful to our amazing audiences and artists for their enduring support as we continue to weather the storm.”

Royal & Derngate Chief Executive Jo Gordon added: “This nomination cites some of the many projects that we’ve been lucky enough to have led on, but what it can’t capture is the tsunami of support from our Northamptonshire audiences, our funders, the artists we’ve worked with, our industry and the local partners and friends who have made it all possible and to whom we are truly grateful. It’s still a tough time for theatre and we are thinking of everyone trying to get back to doing what they do best, against impossible odds, doing brilliant and courageous work.”

The Stage Awards launched in 2010 to highlight the achievements of theatre companies and individuals across the UK and globally. Now in its twelfth year, The Stage has awarded 85 winners with its prestigious accolades, from national theatres and large-scale organisations to tiny theatres above pubs and individual unsung heroes. For the first time the regional and London theatre of the year categories have been merged to create a single “Theatre of the Year” award.

The winner of each category will be announced at the awards ceremony on Monday 31 January 2022 at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London.

Royal & Derngate was previously named Regional Theatre of the Year in 2011 in The Stage Awards’ inaugural year.

THE SHOW MUST GO ONLINE NOMINATED FOR THE STAGE AWARDS’ DIGITAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR

THE SHOW MUST GO ONLINE NOMINATED FOR THE STAGE AWARDS’ DIGITAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR

The Show Must Go Online has been shortlisted for the Digital Project of the Year Award at The Stage Awards 2020. The innovative Zoom theatre collective has been nominated alongside the National Theatre and Metcalfe Gordon’s digital productions of Romeo & Juliet.

The nomination from The Stage reads:

The Show Must Go Online was one of the first digital productions to take place after theatres were forced to shut because of Covid-19. Created by Robert Myles, and using Zoom, the first reading –The Two Gentlemen of Verona –went live on March 19, 2020, just days after the West End shut down and theatres across the UK closed.

The initial First Folio series took the form of readings of Shakespeare’s plays in what is believed to be chronological order. But once they completed this series, the project didn’t stop, it continued to evolve and grow across 2021.

Setting out to champion early-career and under-represented directors, and actively supporting global-majority, disabled and queer-led work, it produced readings of Doctor Faustus, Dido, Queen of Carthage and Gallathea, as well as a Marlowe-inspired cabaret.

The series eventually made a move away from the free-to-watch format to ticketed performances. At a time when audiences were starved of live performances and actors and creatives starved of work, The Show Must Go Online was one of the first projects to address this mutual need and to do so using gender balanced casting and proactive inclusion of under-represented groups.

It has also created a hardship fund for actors, so those experiencing difficulties in the pandemic could receive financial support. So far it has raised £23,534 in total. Viewing figures have also been extremely impressive, with the series attracting about 250,000 views from more than 60 countries.

Rob Myles, co-creator and Artistic Director said of the nomination, “We had a simple vision: to stay connected and creative at a time when the pandemic robbed us of both. It was a time of exclusion, isolation, shutdown, danger and fear, so we responded with a project we hoped would champion inclusion, connection, productivity, safe space, and hope. We had only the most rudimentary of resources, but we shared a mindset to do what we could. The execution required values-led practice, innovation, endurance, collaboration and community. In the beginning, the first thing we’d get asked was whether we would even finish the First Folio. Not only did we do that, but we went on to do so much more than that, and that same spirit of innovation is still driving us forward behind the scenes. Now, to be nominated alongside the country’s biggest producers is a testament to audacity, creativity in constraint, and shared passion.”