PAUL TAYLOR-MILLS & THE TURBINE THEATRE PRESENT RALLY FEST – A CELEBRATION OF LGBTQ+ VOICES & STORIES – RUNNING FROM 6 – 13 JUNE 2021

PAUL TAYLOR-MILLS & THE TURBINE THEATRE PRESENT    

RALLY FEST

A CELEBRATION OF LGBTQ+ VOICES & STORIES RUNNING FROM 6 – 13 JUNE 2021

Paul Taylor-Mills and The Turbine Theatre proudly present Rally Fest – a celebration of LGBTQ+ voices and stories, opening at the Battersea based theatre from 6-13 June 2021.  

The festival, which includes 12 shows, sets out to promote allyship within the creative industries and encourage artists to take up space with LGBTQ+ work.  Rally Fest aims to promote ways in which recognising the craft of under-represented voices can make society a richer, more cohesive and dynamic place to live. The festival will feature both new work and re-energised classics that mark important moments of our history. 

Paul Taylor-Mills, Artistic Director, The Turbine Theatre, said, “The opportunity to mount a festival of new work from under-represented voices has been an ambition of mine for some time. Over the last year we’ve had a huge amount of time to reflect about our practice, to think about the kind of work we want to create, encouraging artists to tell the stories of today. My hope is that #RallyFest provides us with a platform to do this, as well as allowing us to look back on some seminal moments in LBGTQ+ theatre.  

During the curation of the festival, I’ve come across artists who I didn’t previously know existed, and have learned a huge amount about what is and isn’t out there for under-represented theatre-makers.  

We hope the festival allows for conversation and for change. I believe so strongly in the power of theatre to unite people and to educate and to learn, including myself. I look forward to sharing our varied programme with our loyal audience and can’t wait to re-open our doors on 17 May.” 

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Queens of MT  

An evening of showtunes with drag queens! 

An Evening OF Show tunes with Drag Queens: Misty Van Cartier (Priscilla Queen Of The Dessert), River Medway, Samantha Stone and your Host; Tiana Biscuit (Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryBugsy Malone). 

Join these Broadway babes for ‘One Night Only’,  we‘ll be singing some of your favourite Show tunes. This is guaranteed to be a ‘Sunday In The Park With George’ you’ll never forget! So, ‘Don’t Rain on my Parade’ and BOOK NOW! 

All artists will appear subject to availability. 

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Wreckage 

‘This. What I’m feeling means you meant something. That you continue to mean something.

That the feeling we shared. Share. Is real.  

I never want that to go away. 

When that goes away you won’t be close anymore.’ 

Sam’s life is completely devastated by the sudden, unexpected death of his fiancé Noel. Left alone with his fractured mind, Sam works tirelessly to keep Noel close to him as he wrestles with his guilt and anger at the world. But when Sam stumbles upon new scientific theories about consciousness and our very existence, he is convinced there is a way to really see Noel again.
Harlow Playhouse presents this reading of new work by emerging talent Tom Ratcliffe (VELVETCirca) directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair. Wreckage is a touching and emotional two-hander about learning to live with a loss that can never be resolved. 

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Safe Sex 

A collection containing the following three plays by Harvey Fierstein

Manny and Jake 

Two young men meet in a bar. Manny is literally praying for sex; Jake is only too eager to oblige. What the latter does not know is that Manny has AIDS. 

Safe Sex 

Two recently reconciled male lovers confront the challenge of their on-again, off-again relationship in the time of AIDS. Ghee, an aging, congenial gay man, may be using guidelines for safe sex as an excuse for his fading sex drive. This dismays Mead, a virile and no-nonsense blue-collar type. The emotional seesaw of their interactions creates the compelling dynamics of this fascinating short piece. 

On Tidy Endings 

A man has died of AIDS, leaving behind a son, a male lover, and an ex-wife. She still loves him and accepts the fact that he was gay, and that he died in the arms of his male lover, who selflessly cared for him right up until the end. 

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Steenie by Ian Hallard 

George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, was a Seventeenth Century celebrity. He was beautiful, charismatic, and his lust for power led to him becoming the favourite of not one, but two, English kings.  

Steenie is a sexy, comedic, historical romp, and tells the true story of Villiers’ rise and fall, and of his infamous love affair with King James I. 

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Blowing Whistles 

Matthew Todd is the award winning author of the hit LGBT mental health book Straight Jacket, described by Elton John ‘as an essential read for every gay person on the planet’. His first play, Blowing Whistles, last seen in London in 2008, is a painfully honest and funny drama about the complications of aspects of modern gay life.    

Nigel loves his hedonistic lifestyle – he has a long-term partner, goes clubbing and has lots of sex in their open relationship. Jamie, isn’t sure things are so great…    

The night before Pride in London, the couple make contact with a stranger on the internet, a mysterious young man that seems too good to be true. They make plans for a night of casual sex, but their young guest has a very different agenda…   

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Obsession 

Obsession is a 1920’s gothic-horror romance about a young, black, American paranormal debunker who travels to England to find his Sceptics Society’s long absent founder but instead discovers the woman he left behind, intent on reliving their relationship in ways that will challenge this sceptic to his core.  

Obsession is Sophia Murphy’s debut play

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Boy Out The City 

‘I wanted to be as close to It as possible. If England was a body, It was the belly button and I wanted in. I want to crawl inside that pulpit of stink and feel in harness with it and with me.’ 

Boy Out The City is a brand new intimate autobiographical one man show written and performed by Declan Bennett (OnceJesus Christ SuperstarFatherlandKiss of the Spiderwoman).  

A story about moving in and moving out of the Big Smoke and the love loss and sexuality that showed up in the most unexpected places. 

Directed by Nancy Sullivan

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Work In Progress Showing: Oh We Do Like To Be 

HighTide present a work in progress extract of a new play by commissioned writer Sonia Jalaly

A stack of postcards, a trail of secrets and an innate curiosity leads Beth to Blackpool where the lights flash and the rain glistens. 

On a journey to find out who she is, Beth encounters all of what Blackpool has to offer from ballroom dancers to drag queens to organists to tribute acts. Someone must have the answers she’s looking for. 

Oh We Do Like To Be tells an intergenerational story about nostalgia, identity and the good old British seaside through the eyes of a woman who longs to know who she is, featuring appearances from the likes of Bonnie Tyler, Celine Dion and Bucks Fizz (kind of..) 

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Heterophobia 

Gays are the majority. Straights are illegal. 

Thanks to a population explosion, the UK government began to actively encourage gay relationships. Decades later, being gay is the law, babies are born only by government sanctioned IVF and anyone found harbouring heterosexual tendencies is punished severely in a correctional facility. 

We follow the story of Loretta Devlin, a woman in prison for having a heterosexual relationship. Heterophobia is a battle of wits between Loretta and her interviewer Doctor Kane. He has been tasked with sourcing specific information about Loretta’s ‘crimes’… but Loretta will only give the answers if she gets some answers herself, answers to questions like ‘who outed me?’ and ‘what became of my straight friends and lover?’ 
And then… we learn the terrifying instruction Doctor Kane has been tasked to perform before he leaves the room. 

Heterophobia is a two-hander for actors in their 70s, which, through its ‘flipped’ viewpoint, shines a light on modern-day homophobia. 
This performance is a rehearsed reading. 

Written by Ross Berkeley Simpson (Olivier nominated Warheads). 

Directed by Scott Le Crass (Oncomm winner Rose starring Maureen Lipman). 

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Fister Act 

‘We are lost in the darkness of heterosexuality. the endless beige of cisgender, searching, longing to be free’. 

Join me, Fatt Butcher, for the world premiere of my Fister Act, an autobiographical musical about my inability to get past the knuckles (inspired, I know). 

Fister Act, is a life-affirming queer fantasy adventure through time, space, bodies, and brains. Join intergalactic sexpot and non-binary drag icon in the making, Fatt Butcher, as we journey beyond the knuckles, battle our demons, and free ourselves from shame with the help of an enchanted bottle of poppers and the disembodied voice of Liza Minelli. 

With an original score of synth-pop electro musical theatre (think Bohemian Rhapsody in space) and kaleidoscopic visuals, Fister Act is a cult classic in the making. Oh, and it’s strictly BYOP – bring your own poppers! 

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Showtune Disco Bingo 

WARNING: this is not your ordinary bingo, Fatt Butcher’s Disco Bingo is a FULL ON PRODUCTION BABES! And this time we are bringing you an all musical theatre special, so get your tits and teeth on and jazz hands at the ready. 

Join Birmingham’s queen of [bingo] balls, statement earrings and sausage rolls, Fatt Butcher for an unmissable night of outrageous performance, powerhouse vocals, games, pastry, poppers, and prizes, with an unforgettable soundtrack from DJ Sophie Ellis Bisto. 

A critically acclaimed artist & winner of many awards, Fatt’s Butcher has been described by NME as ‘ramshackle’ and by trolls on twitter as ’the accelerating decline of humanity’ (accolades of which they are understandably proud). See you there babes! 

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A Brief History Of Drag  

Velma Celli © Tigz Rice 2018. http://www.tigzrice.com

Join international multi award winning Cabaret star Velma Celli as she celebrates the most iconic drag moments of film, stage and popular culture, many of which helped cultivate and shape her into the living drag legend she is today! 

From David Bowie, to Priscilla and every drag queen remix in between, be wowed by Velma’s triple threat of heavenly vocals, theatrical swagger and razor-sharp wit as we remember those trail blazing cross dressing legends who paved the way for equal rights, no matter the sexual orientation.

Known as “The UK’s Queen of live vocal drag”, Velma has been charming audiences across the globe for the past 10 years. The alter ego of West End star Ian Stroughair who has appeared in hit musicals CatsFameChicago and Rent, to which he received critical acclaim.

Last year Velma’s A Brief History of Drag entertained audiences across the globe on a tour which included Australia (Best Cabaret Nomination in Perth), 54 Below in N.Y.C, a sell-out U.K tour ending in a smash hit run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 

Velma is the currently reigning recipient of the “Best Cabaret” award from Fringeworld, Perth Australia! 

In 2015 Velma was invited to appear on BBC’s EastEnders for a very special guest episode playing herself, starred opposite Danny Dyer in the music short Nebraska, performed with pop icon Anastacia and West End and Broadway legends Ruthie Henshall, Kerry Ellis and Frances Ruffelle to name but a few. 
She can also be spotted in American comedy series Piss Off, I Love You and on the silver screen  in The Night of The Lotus

Last year she appeared in the Olivier award-winning circus show, La Soiree, fronted the McDonalds “we are awake” campaign, was nominated for a Great British Pantomime Award and even performed privately for royalty. 

The headline act for the BBC’s Best Of the Fringe closing night concert at the Edinburgh Fringe 2015 and the winner of the coveted Three Weeks Editors Award, a two-year long residency at The Hippodrome, London, there isn’t much our Velma hasn’t done! 

Bedknobs and Broomsticks extends UK Tour

UK TOUR EXTENDED AS WORLD STAGE PREMIERE OF

DISNEY’S CLASSIC MOVIE GENERATES HUGE PUBLIC DEMAND

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New musical directed by award-winning theatre-makers

Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison

World Premiere at Newcastle Theatre Royal in August 2021

For tickets and all information, see www.bedknobsonstage.com

Michael Harrison is thrilled to announce that Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks – which will make its world premiere as an exciting new stage musical this Summer – is to extend its UK Tour, and today confirms a series of new dates for 2022, following huge public demand for the initial tour.

Performances begin at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Saturday 14 August 2021, with the UK Tour now extended through to March 2022. The tour includes a 5-week Christmas season at Leeds Grand Theatre.

Tickets are on General Sale at www.bedknobsonstage.com

Michael Harrison said: “As theatres across the UK & Ireland prepare to reopen, I’m thrilled that so many want to host our exciting new production of Bedknobs and Broomsticks; so we are extending this world premiere tour. Bedknobs and Broomsticks will be one of the biggest shows on the road this year with a cast and crew of over 70 people to bring this classic story to magical life on stage.”

Enter a world of magic and fantasy with Disney’s classic movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks. With the original songs by the legendary Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), including Portobello Road, The Age Of Not Believing, The Beautiful Briny and new music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and book by Brian Hill, Bedknobs and Broomsticks will be brought to life by award-winning theatre-makers Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison.

When the three orphaned Rawlins children are reluctantly evacuated from wartime London to live with the mysterious Eglantine Price, they have no idea what adventures lie ahead. Upon discovering Eglantine to be a trainee witch, they join forces to search for a secret spell that will defeat the enemy once and for all. Armed with an enchanted bedknob, a bewitched broomstick and a magical flying bed, they encounter surprising new friendships on their journey from Portobello Road to the depths of the beautiful briny sea.

This magical musical starts its UK Tour this year….it’s time to start believing!

Casting for the production will be announced at a later date.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is produced by Michael Harrison by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions.

Sadiq Khan announces the ‘biggest domestic tourism campaign the capital has ever seen’, as he’s signed in for second term as London Mayor

Sadiq Khan announces the ‘biggest domestic tourism campaign the capital has ever seen’, as he’s signed in for second term as London Mayor

  • During speech at the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe, Sadiq confirms focus on ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ as he begins second term as Mayor
  • Mayor launches new ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign to attract domestic visitors to our city and bring central London’s economy back to life
  • The campaign and events programme backed by industry to kick-start London’s economy will bring together the capital’s world-leading hospitality, culture, nightlife and retail venues to promote all London has to offer  

Sadiq Khan will this morning formally sign in for a second term as Mayor of London on stage at the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe, as he announces plans for the biggest domestic tourism campaign the capital has ever seen to help London’s economy get back on its feet as COVID restrictions are eased. He will be joined at the Globe by award-winning British actor and director Adrian Lester.  

In his speech this morning Sadiq will confirm that a top priority for his second term as Mayor will be ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’, standing up for the Londoners who lost their jobs during the pandemic and helping to skill up Londoners to get back into work.  Sadiq will also confirm that as well as focusing on the urgent task of London’s recovery and the need to invest in skills and jobs, he will continue to prioritise the long-standing issues that matter most to Londoners – safer streets, more affordable housing and action to tackle air pollution and the climate emergency.   

An immediate priority for the Mayor will be his new ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign launching today, which is being created in partnership with the city’s hospitality, culture, and retail industries. The flagship campaign to encourage Londoners and visitors back into central London will include a programme of one-off special events created in partnership with London’s best-known cultural institutions and tourism attractions. It will kick off later this month with the capital’s famous chefs, foodies and hospitality venues coming together to promote and celebrate London’s world-class food offer.

There will be new exciting public art installations to attract people back into London from this month. David Hockney, one of the UK’s most influential living artists, has redesigned TfL’s iconic roundel ‘Hockney Circus’ in a special artwork as part of a takeover of Piccadilly Circus Station starting today. Turning central London into a huge outdoor art gallery, award winning London designer Yinka Ilori is leading on ‘Asphalt Art’, a series of major new temporary streetscape commissions in central London and the City of London, in partnership with the London Design Festival and Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative.

There will also be a transformation of road crossings and street furniture in the West End, with a partnership between Royal Academy artists and the Heart of London Business Alliance Art of London programme. And multi-award-winning artist and designer Es Devlin will plant a living forest at Somerset House for this year’s London Design Biennale.

Alongside the excitement of the delayed UEFA Euro 2020, a season of summer family fun will make London a great choice for a staycation. From Alice in Wonderland at the V&A and Fantastic Beasts at the Natural History to the Royal Opera House ‘Unlocked’ taking over the Covent Garden piazza. ‘London Lates’ over the summer months will see extended opening across museums, galleries and cultural and grassroots music venues. Shakespeare’s Globe for example will stage ‘Midnight Matinees’ with performances starting at 11.59pm, and an invitation to get back to the big screen will see outdoor film screenings curated by BAFTA and the British Film Institute.

The Autumn will welcome back major creative festivals, such as London Fashion Week, Frieze London, the London Design Festival, and the 65th BFI London Film Festival, before the return of major events and attractions over the winter.

There will be further exciting announcements across the year to showcase London’s world class nightlife, cultural attractions and hospitality businesses as well as the city’s grassroots venues and how creative freelancers, artists and performers will be at the heart of the programme as it continues to develop.

The Mayor has allocated £6M to directly support the new campaign, in addition to industry contributing over £1m in funding and value-in-kind. The campaign will include a major advertising push supported by London & Partners and TfL, alongside new content on the Visit London website outlining all the campaign has to offer to Londoners and visitors to the capital. It will include a new TfL campaign launching next month, involving TV and poster advertising, that will encourage people to rediscover London by public transport.

To ensure London re-opens safely the capital’s venues are doing a huge amount of work to ensure they follow COVID guidance – including new queuing systems, staggered arrival times, and a variety of social distancing measures. The Mayor continues to urge Londoners to show caution and follow the rules when out and about, wearing a face covering in shops and other indoor venues, carrying hand sanitiser, and keeping to social distancing. He continues to urge Londoners to take up the vaccine as soon as they are offered it. 

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “It’s an honour to have been re-elected with a huge mandate as Mayor of the city I love – the greatest city in the world. The work begins anew today to refresh and reignite our city and to kick-start our economy as London continues to reopen.  This includes making jobs, jobs, jobs a top priority and banging the drum for London to attract the jobs, tourism and investment our city needs. 

“Today I am at the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe to launch ‘Let’s Do London’ – the biggest domestic tourism campaign London has ever seen to champion our businesses, cultural institutions and attractions that have suffered so much during the pandemic. This is about getting the message out to Londoners and people across the country that our capital stands ready to entertain, inspire and enthral once again.        

“Our new campaign is bringing together many of the capital’s leading organisations and venues to offer an unparalleled experience for anyone visiting the capital throughout the year.  With restrictions on international travel likely to continue this year, Londoners and visitors from the UK have a unique opportunity to experience all the capital has to offer without the queues. In doing so you’ll be providing vital support for our world-leading venues as they start to re-open and need our help more than ever.

“My mission over the next three years is to put the dark days of the pandemic behind us and to deliver a better and brighter future for London – creating a fairer, greener and more prosperous city, where everyone gets the opportunities they need to fulfil their potential.  As well as focusing on the urgent task of London’s recovery and investing in jobs and skills, I promise to continue putting everything I have into tackling the long-standing issues that matter most to Londoners, including making our streets safer, building more affordable homes and tackling the twin emergencies of air pollution and climate change.”

British actor and director Adrian Lester CBE, said: “This has been the toughest year in decades for our incredible cultural and creative sectors but I’m certain that London’s theatres, music venues and cultural attractions will be vital to London’s economic recovery from Covid-19 this year.

“It is exciting to see the Mayor and so many of the capital’s venues come together to put on a truly wonderful programme of events and activities that should encourage people back into London in large numbers. 

“As creative artists we depend enormously on our fans and the visitors who want to see us perform. I have no doubt that at the heart of London’s recovery this year will be people flocking back to our cultural venues”

Neil Constable, CEO of Shakespeare’s Globe, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sadiq Khan to be signed in for his second term as Mayor of London and to launch this vital ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign to encourage the successful reopening of venues, hospitality and leisure activities.

“We at the Globe are eager to see domestic tourists return to our theatres and our bar and restaurant The Swan. With shows, talks, educational activities, tours, a shop, and food and drink, we have so much to offer visitors returning to the capital. From 19 May we reopen with A Midsummer Night’s Dream and we look forward to welcoming audiences in safely to enjoy the thrill of live theatre at last “

With restrictions on international travel likely to continue over the coming months, attracting domestic tourists back to the capital – whether for day trips or overnight stays – will be vital for supporting London’s economy as COVID restrictions are lifted.  The ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign will continue throughout the year urging non-Londoners to consider the capital for mini-breaks where they might have once automatically booked the countryside or headed for the coast.

London’s economy has always relied on huge levels of both domestic and international tourism – but that has virtually dried up due to the pandemic. City Hall analysis of forecasts by VisitBritain showed that consumer spending in central London by overseas tourists was £7.4 billion lower throughout 2020, while domestic tourists will have spent £3.5 billion less.

Shakespeare’s Globe, where the Mayor is today being signed in and launching his new campaign, will reopen with A Midsummer Night’s Dream on 19 May, and has confirmed that it will be continuing to run its wide range of education activities as well as the return of its ever-popular ‘Midnight Matinee’ performances starting at 11.59pm. The original Shakespeare’s Globe itself was closed for long periods during pandemics in the 16th and 17th centuries but survived. It was reborn as a symbol of our city’s resilience and remains an important cultural landmark for people across the world.

Partners who are coming together to support the ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign include: Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), BAFTA, BFI, Barbican, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Capital & Counties, City of London Corporation, Central London Alliance, Discover South Kensington, English National Opera, Exhibition Road Cultural Group, Film London, Frieze London, Grosvenor Estates, Heart of London Business Alliance, Heathrow Airport, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Historic Royal Palaces, London Councils, London Design Festival, London First, London Fashion Week, London Symphony Orchestra, London Tourism Cooperative, London Tourism Recovery Board, Marriott International,  Merlin Entertainments, Museum of London, National Gallery, National Theatre, Natural History Museum, New West End Company, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Photo London, PPHE Hotel Group, Roundhouse, Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Opera House, Royal Parks, Sadler’s Wells, Science Museum, Shaftesbury, Shakespeare’s Globe, Society of London Theatre, Southbank Centre, Tate, The Crown Estate, V&A, Visit Greenwich, Westminster Council, Whitbread, UKHospitality, ZSL London Zoo.

More details about some of the exciting events planned in London throughout the year can also be found on the Visit London webpage – www.visitlondon.com/letsdolondon

Bernard Donoghue, Director Association of Leading Visitor Attractions & Co-Chair, London Tourism Recovery Board, said: “London’s visitor economy has been hit hard over the last year and we’ve all missed our theatres, museums, galleries, performances venues and heritage properties. Without them London has just felt less ‘Londony’. But this Summer we can reclaim, rediscover and fall back in love with these special places. They will all be contributing to a Summer and a year like no other when the visitor experience will be phenomenal, the welcome never warmer and the importance of London’s attractions, culture and tourism economy never better appreciated.

“We thank the Mayor, his team and partners for all they have done in working with us to help London recover better. Let’s Do London.”

CEO of UKHospitality, Kate Nicholls, said: “It is incredibly encouraging that the Mayor has wasted no time after his re-election to make tourism a clear and immediate priority. The ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign is a shot in the arm to help revive the capital’s ravaged visitor economy.

“With such limited international travel, the immediate priority is to remind Britons that one of the world’s top tourist destinations is on their doorstep. We look forward to working with the Mayor and his office to revive employment, hospitality and tourism in London.”

Jace Tyrrell, Chief Executive at New West End Company representing Bond Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Mayfair said: “With international travel still uncertain and domestic lockdown restrictions lifting further over this month and next, London and UK visitors will be able to enjoy the very best of the capital, without all the overseas tourists, with its truly remarkable retail, leisure, hospitality and cultural offering – a summer like no other.

“The Let’s Do London campaign celebrates London as a destination in itself and will help attract our much missed customers to the capital. In the West End alone, we are home to utterly brilliant hotels, galleries, flagship stores, Christmas light displays and art installations; so our big, bold unambiguous ask is come and support the West End as one in ten Londoners jobs depend on it.” ‎

Merlin’s UK Marketing Director & Chair of the London Recovery Board Marketing Directors Group Sara Holt, said: “Merlin has been involved with the Mayor’s “Let’s Do London’ campaign from the beginning and is focused on enticing overnight domestic tourists from outside the capital.

“This campaign is critical to helping attract visitors back to our amazing city. Research has found that for every £1m invested in advertising outside London, 1,200 jobs are secured in London.”

Yinka Ilori, artist and designer, said: “Super excited to be part of the Asphalt Art project and really looking forward to creating something magical that brings people from around the world together.”

Es Devlin, artist, designer and Artistic Director for London Design Biennale, said: “When I was first shown around Somerset House many years ago, I discovered that the Enlightenment principles on which the building was conceived, specifically forbade the introduction of trees into the courtyard. Of course, the first thing we wanted to do when considering this year’s Biennale was to counter this attitude of human dominance over nature, by allowing a forest to overtake the entire courtyard. In literature forests are often places of transformation: the forest of Arden in Shakespeare, the enchanted forests of the Brothers Grimm. The UN Global Goals offer us clear ways to engage and alter our behaviour and it is our hope that an interaction with the Goals in the forest will be transformative.”

Kate Garvey, Forest for Change Executive Producer and Co-founder of Project Everyone, said: “Forest for Change, Global Goals Pavilion at the London Design Biennale will be one of the first large scale public events to be held in the city since the start of the pandemic. London has a pivotal role to play as we look to a new future – it is recognised around the world as a beacon for creativity, innovation, and diversity. As one of the world’s leading global cities, I can think of no better home for the biggest ever UK Global Goals activation than London.”

Seasonal breakdown of the ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign:

SPRING:

Kicking off this month with a focus on promoting London’s global food offer and new world class public art installations transforming some of London’s most well-known locations.

·        London Eats: with many of the capital’s famous chefs, foodies and hospitality venues coming together to promote and celebrate London’s diverse food and drink venues in new ways.

·        David Hockney, one of the UK’s most influential living artists, has redesigned TfL’s iconic roundel. ‘Hockney Circus’ is a very special artwork as part of takeover of Piccadilly Circus Station and Piccadilly Lights with the Circa project, celebrating the arrival of Spring in the run up to his exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts.

·        Royal Academy artists Yinka Shonibare CBE (RA), Michael Armitage, Farshid Moussavi OBE (RA), Vanessa Jackson RA and Isaac Julien CBE (RA) will also transform road crossings and street furniture in the west end. In a partnership with the Heart of London Business Alliance Art of London programme.

·        Turning central London into a huge outdoor art gallery, award winning London designer, Yinka Ilori will lead major new temporary streetscape commissions in central London Westminster and the City of London, in partnership with the London Design Festival and Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative.

·        Multi-award-winning artist and designer Es Devlin is planting a living forest at Somerset House for her Forest of Change project as this year’s artistic director of the London Design Biennale.
 

SUMMER FUN

A season of summer family fun, for young and old. Rediscover London through great outdoor events and at famous tourist destinations, opening up the city or families to explore. Highlights include:

  • The summer of 2021 will see a celebration of sport in London, with the UK capital hosting eight games in UEFA Euro 2020, including the semi-finals and the final at Wembley. This June will also see the return of The Championships, Wimbledon, and a brand-new cricket competition (The Hundred), followed by the Rugby League World Cup and Virgin Money London Marathon later this year.
  • ROH Unlocked will see the Royal Opera House out and about, taking over Covent Garden with performances, participation and installations (10-11 July 2021)
  • Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser is an immersive theatrical show for all ages at the V&A will open on 22 May.
  • Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature Exhibition at the Natural History Museum reveals how the wonders of the natural world have inspired myths and magical creatures for generations, from 17 May.
  • West End Live in Trafalgar Square and Kids Week and will showcase the best of the West End as theatre roars back to life.
  • A number of London theatres will be welcoming back audiences from 17 May with social distancing, and more to reopen from 21 June. From new plays to long-running favourites, there is a huge variety of musical theatre, plays, dance and opera returning to the stage later in the year.
  • Organised by the London Tourism Cooperative the London Festival of Hope will bring a true celebration of life with an art and photography contest, competitions for all the family including an amateur ‘bake-off’, community activations, giant inflatables taking over London’s skyline and a series of outdoor live music concerts that will reimagine the performance space.
  • Breakin’ Convention, the world’s biggest festival of hip hop dance, is back at Sadler’s Wells for its 18th year (3 – 4 July 2021)
  • Roman Weekend Takeover at the British Museum in August where families will be able to enjoy a Roman Encampment on the front lawns and meet the Emperor Nero himself.
  • You can even learn to be a knight at the Tower of London’s ‘Knight School: The Show’ (29 May to 6 June 2021)
  • Play Streets – London Play, the capital’s leading charity for children’s play, will be opening up central London for families and transforming streets with play
  • A large-scale free activity for families at Tate Modern throughout the school summer holidays
  • Southbank Centre welcomes audiences back with their Summer Reunion programme – 15 consecutive weekends of free outdoor activity from 21 May including music, poetry and visual art as well as indoor performances of ballet, literature, contemporary and classical music starting with the Chineke! Orchestra on 28 May in the Royal Festival Hall.
  • London’s leading festival of free outdoor theatre and performing arts, Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, returns on 27 August until 11 September 2021
  • Mayfair Sculpture Trail –  galleries from across this renowned art district present sculptures beyond their walls, with visitors being able to enjoy artworks showcased across Bond Street, Berkeley Square and within Grosvenor Square (2 – 27 June 2021)

SUMMER LATES

·        Over the summer months museums, galleries, cultural venues and attractions like London Zoo will open late. New collaborations will celebrate London’s film and music, working with London’s grassroot venues, LGBTQ+ venues and night clubs.

·        An invitation to get back to the big screen will see outdoor film screenings curated by BAFTA and the London Film Festival.

·        ‘Midnight Matinees’ at Shakespeare’s Globe with performances starting at 11.59pm and special adults-only Twilight Tickets at London Zoo in July are just a few of the great things in store

·        Art Night will happen across central London in June and July. The Proms will be back at the Royal Albert Hall and BMW Classics, a free outdoor concert in central London, by the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.

AUTUMN

London’s Autumn season will see the crown jewels of London’s creativity return.

·        London Fashion Week will burst back onto the catwalks.

·        The 19th London Design Festival will take place across the city from 18-26 September 2021.

·        Frieze London returns to Regent’s Park with the best of international contemporary art by emerging and established artists, alongside a dynamic programme of newly commissioned artworks, films and talks – (13–17 October, 2021)

·        Photo London brings the finest international photograph to Somerset House between 9–12 September 2021

·        65th BFI London Film Festival runs from 6 to 17 October 2021 with a selection of the best in world cinema, showing audiences a wide array of films, representing a variety of languages, genres and filmmaking styles

WINTER: Lights

  • Finally in the lead up to the festive period, magical lighting will brighten central London supporting the critical pre and post-Christmas ‘golden period’ for London’s culture, hospitality and retail businesses

Mikron Theatre to premiere Poppy Hollman’s new canine comedy caper A DOG’S TALE – Opening June

In their 49th year of touring, Mikron Theatre Company present

dog + title rosette on yellow.png

A Dog’s Tale

A new play by Poppy Hollman

Director: Rachel Gee

Composer and Musical Director: Rebekah Hughes

Designer: Celia Perkins

Cast: Rachel BensonThomas CotranJames McLean, and Elizabeth Robin

Also

Mikron Theatre double bill of A Dog’s Tale and Atalanta Forever

Wednesday 14 July at 3pm – Lawrence Batley Theatre

A Dog’s Tale at 3pm and Atalanta Forever at 7pm

Touring: 5 June – 19 September 2021

 Mikron Theatre, in their 49th year of touring, are celebrating (wo)man’s best friend this season when they stage the premiere of Poppy Hollman’s new musical comedy caper A Dog’s Tale, which looks at canines past and present and the enduring bond between people and their dogs.

You would be FURgiven for thinking that Mikron is just another run of the mill theatre company, but you would be BARKING up the wrong tree. 2020 will see them LEAD you on a unique journey. It is a PAWsome show you will not be able to TERRIER yourself away from.

A Dog’s Tale will kick off its tour at The Holbeck in Leeds on Saturday 5 June and then tour nationally by canal, river, and road until 19 September.

Linda and her wayward rescue dog Gary are pursued by security through the halls and history of Crufts, accused of a terrible crime.

When Charles Cruft, the ‘Greatest Showman in Dogdom’, held his first show in 1891, he had a sense that dog ownership and breeding was about to become big.

In this extraordinary world of heroic hounds, pampered pedigrees and naughty nobblers, does Gary have what it takes to win the day?

A Dog’s Tale is directed by Rachel Gee, designed by Celia Perkins, music composed and directed by Rebekah Hughes. The cast will feature Rachel Benson (Redcoats, Mikron Theatre), Thomas Cotran (Loserville, Union Theatre), James McLean (Much Ado About Nothing, Northern Broadsides) and Elizabeth Robin (The Little Mermaid, Everyman Theatre, Liverpool).

Why a play about dogs? Why not? Mikron tells the stories of the people behind the big events in history and the things that are close to our hearts. A great story, cracking songs and versatile quartet of actor musicians will guide audiences through the halls and history of Crufts.

Playwright and cat lover Poppy Hollman said about her new play:

I have written over twenty characters to be played by only four actors, but I know they will enjoy the challenge of bringing it to life! I was picked to write the play after participating in Mikron’s 2018 Writer’s Scheme: it is my first professional commission. It has been a delight to work for Mikron, a company whose creativity and ethos I love. I cannot wait to see them work their magic on ‘A Dog’s Tale’.

I spent two fascinating days at Crufts last year, eavesdropping on competitors and trying to work out which dog would win in each competition (success rate: zero). People were very friendly and frank in sharing their suspicions about judging bias. ‘Well, you know, that dog will win because it’s Scottish and so is the judge!’ (it did win). My impression of Crufts was that whilst dog participation was on an exclusive basis, a huge variety of humankind was in evidence, on two legs or four wheels. Testament perhaps to the huge importance of dogs to many different people in their roles as pets, medical assistance dogs, working dogs and more. It is also true to the founding principles of Charles Cruft, who charged only a penny so that everyone could enter their best friend.

Director Rachel Gee added:

A Dog’s Tale is my first directing job with Mikron and it’s the ideal show for me as a dog owner. We cannot wait to welcome audiences (and their dogs) to shows up and down the country. Dog lover or not, this is the perfect night out for fun, laughter and wonderful songs.”

The atmosphere at most Mikron performances is disarmingly informal, but do not mistake informality for simplicity – in its laidback way, it is an ambitious undertaking, and dogs are welcome at most Mikron venues.

In 2021, Mikron Theatre Company will embark on their 49th year of touring.  Based in the village of Marsden, at the foot of the Yorkshire Pennines, Mikron Theatre Company are like no other. For starters, they tour for most of the year on board a vintage narrowboat, secondly, they put on their shows in places that other theatre companies would not dream of; a play about growing-your-own shown in allotments, a play about bees performed next to hives, a play about chips to audiences in a fish and chips restaurant, as well as plays about hostelling in YHA Youth hostels and the RNLI at several Lifeboat stations around the UK.

A Dog’s Tale will be touring nationally from 5 June – 19 September 2021 alongside the previously announced new play by Amanda Whittington Atalanta Forever.

For further information on A Dog’s Tale please visit https://mikron.org.uk/shows/a-dogs-tale

Linzi Hateley will make a sensational return as the Narrator at special performances, in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat this summer at the London Palladium

LINZI HATELEY

THE ORIGINAL, OLIVIER AWARD NOMINATED NARRATOR OF JOSEPH, JOINS THE PRODUCTION AT SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AS THE SMASH HIT SENSATION RETURNS TO THE LONDON PALLADIUM

Previously announced ALEXANDRA BURKE to also play

the Narrator – Linzi to play the role at special performances

Casting reunites Linzi with JASON DONOVAN, who returns

in the role of Pharaoh

JAC YARROW will wear the Dreamcoat again

100% capacity audiences planned following Government’s Road Map

Performances begin Thursday 1 July 2021

Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are delighted to announce today that Linzi Hateley – who starred in the original London Palladium production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – will make a sensational return to the musical in this summer’s strictly limited season at the iconic theatre.

Linzi – who was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance as the Narrator, and starred alongside Jason Donovan in the title role – will perform as in the role at special performances, in the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s legendary musical.

The production will begin performances on Thursday 1 July and will be one of the highlights in the return of theatre to the UK cultural landscape.

Alexandra Burke will play The Narrator for the other performances this summer in the celebrated musical. Her many West End credits include the lead roles in The BodyguardSister Act, Chess and Chicago. Alexandra first rose to fame winning The X-Factor in 2008, and has since gone on to sell over 5 million records.

Jason Donovan will return in the role of Pharaoh. He was originally in the show when he made his defining stage performance as the title character of Joseph in the 1990s, in a sold-out 18-month run which produced a No.1 single and best-selling soundtrack album. Jason raised the roof of the London Palladium in 2019 as Pharaoh, who rocks ‘Song of the King’ in the iconic musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Jac Yarrow caused a sensation when he made his professional stage debut playing Joseph, following in the footsteps of a line of stars who have previously played the title character. His portrayal of Joseph won him unanimous acclaim and an Olivier Award nomination, with his rendition of ‘Close Every Door To Me’ regularly stopping the show with standing ovations.

The production will begin live performances on Thursday 1 July, with Linzi Hateley’s first performance on Saturday 17th July after the proposed “Step Four” in the Government’s roadmap to easing restrictions, and therefore is planning to accommodate full-capacity audiences in accordance with the intended lifting of all limits on social contact.

Michael Harrison said: This dream just keeps getting better. It was special enough to announce Alexandra Burke recently as the Narrator, but to now have the added bonus of Linzi playing the role at special performances – and to reunite her with Jason Donovan again at the London Palladium –  turns Joseph into a dream ticket. The combination of nostalgia for the original Palladium production, coupled with the excitement of our new critically acclaimed version, means we all have a summer to look forward to.”

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat enjoyed a completely sold out season in 2019. Audiences and critics were unanimous in their acclaim for the legendary musical – the first major collaboration by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber – as it returned to the London Palladium.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be directed by Laurence Connor. Laurence’s credits include the acclaimed London production of School of Rock and the Tony-Award nominated production on Broadway, the recent London productions of Miss Saigon and Chess, the international arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and he is also the Co-Director of the new version of Les Misérables which has enjoyed worldwide success including Broadway, UK and US tours. He is the director of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of Cinderella, which also opens this July at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

Laurence will be joined on the creative team by Choreographer JoAnn M Hunter (who has 20 Broadway shows to her credit, including School of Rock and On A Clear Day You Can See Forever), the award-winning Morgan Large who will design the set and costumes, Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell and Sound Designer Gareth Owen.

Released as a concept album in 1969,the stage version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the world’s most belovedfamily musicals. The multi-award-winning show, which began life as a small-scale school concert, has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway, international number one tours, and productions in over 80 countries as far afield as Austria and Zimbabwe and from Israel to Peru! The show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including Any Dream Will DoClose Every Door To MeJacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go Go Go Joseph.

Told entirely through song with the help of the NarratorJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat follows the story of Jacob’s favourite son Joseph and his eleven brothers. After being sold into hardship by the brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled showman, the Pharaoh. As Joseph strives to resolve Egypt’s famine, he becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man and eventually reunites with his family.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is produced by Michael Harrison.

New musical adaptation of Lady Chatterley’s Lover to West End | 18-19 June 2021

New musical adaptation of the infamous
Lady Chatterley’s Lover comes to the West End
Friday 18th – Saturday 19th June 2021

The new musical adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s infamous literary classic, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, will come to the West End for a strictly limited run this summer. Crafted by composer John Robinson (Behind the Iron Mask, Duchess Theatre; Closer to the Sun, Harold Pinter Theatre), this world premiere at Shaftesbury Theatre will reenergise Lawrence’s sensation for a new audience.

This world premiere adaptation will be filmed to stream later in the year before future live performances.

The impassioned tale of female agency and Lady Chatterley’s pursuit of a life more than halflived changed the literary landscape of Britain. Banned as scandalous erotica when first published and subject of a watershed obscenity trial, Lawrence’s text caused outrage not just because of the expletives and explicit sexual relationship, but because it presented a physical relationship that traversed social class divides. This intense and fiery classic will find new frenzied power in its translation to the stage.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover is directed by the award-winning Sasha Regan (Blondel, Union Theatre; The Last Five Years, St. James Theatre) with original libretto by Phil Willmott (Once Upon a Time At the Adelphi; Relativity: The Einstein Musical), and production design by Andrew Exeter (High Fidelity, Turbine Theatre; Scaramouche Jones, Stream.Theatre).

Composer John Robinson comments, I am thrilled to be back in the West End with my latest musical – it’s a project very close to my heart given my own roots in D.H. Lawrence country and I hope to give due justice to both the ground-breaking novel as well as the area in which it is set. By recording the show for streaming later this year we’re also guaranteeing it a fabulous future life to ensure more audiences can enjoy the work.

Hairspray the Musical – Les Dennis to join the huge-hearted new production at the London Coliseum, performances begin Monday 21st June

ONE OF THE UK’S BEST-LOVED ENTERTAINERS

OF STAGE AND SCREEN

LES DENNIS

TO STAR IN THE ROLE OF WILBUR TURNBLAD IN

He will join Olivier Award-winning MICHAEL BALL

who returns to his legendary role of Edna Turnblad.

LIZZIE BEA to perform the iconic role of Tracy Turnblad, MARISHA WALLACE stars as Motormouth, RITA SIMONS as Velma Von Tussle and

JONNY AMIES as Link Larkin

Hairspray to begin performances Monday 21st June 2021 | London Coliseum

Entertainment legend Les Dennis is to join the huge-hearted new production of Hairspray the Musical which is set to play a limited season at the magnificent London Coliseum from Monday 21st June – Wednesday 29th September 2021

As a comedian, impressionist, game show host, reality TV star, soap, screen and stage actor, Les Dennis’ showbiz career has spanned 50 years. Now, he is to return to the West End in the multi-award-winning smash hit musical as Wilbur Turnblad having previously performed the role on tour. He stars alongside Michael Ball, who returns to his legendary, Olivier Awardwinning role of Edna Turnblad.

Les replaces Paul Merton in the role of Wilbur. Following the delay to the production because of the pandemic, Paul is unfortunately not able to join the company due to long-standing scheduling commitments.

Lizzie Bea will star in the iconic role of Tracy Turnblad. Lizzie’s credits include a UK Tour of Kinky Boots and a performance in the world premiere production of Becoming Nancy in Atlanta (Alliance Theatre).

Acclaimed West End star Marisha Wallace will take the role of Motormouth. Marisha won rave reviews when she took over from Amber Riley in the smash hit Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre), and also starred in the original West End cast of Waitress (Adelphi Theatre).

Her spine-tingling lockdown recording of a gospel-inspired version of the Strouse and Charnin track ‘Tomorrow’ was originally released in support of struggling theatre professionals – but its message of hope in troubling times proved a tonic for the nation. Following BBC Radio 2 airplay and the track reaching Number 2 in the Download Charts, Wallace was subsequently signed by Decca where the release of her debut album (Tomorrow) saw powerhouse performances follow on Strictly Come Dancing and the Royal Variety Performance.

Rita Simons (Eastenders’ Roxy Mitchell) and Jonny Amies (Granchester on ITV; Sex Education on Netflix/Eleven Film) will also join the cast as Velma Von Tussle and Link Larkin respectively.

Liverpool born Les Dennis came to prominence as a comedian in the 1970s after honing his craft on the northern Working Men’s Club circuit and turning pro after a winning set on New Faces. He became a stalwart of Saturday Night TV in the 80s and 90s, starring in TV comedies including The Russ Abbot Show and The Les Dennis Laughter Show performing sketches and impressions, and most famously as the host of Family Fortunes between 1987 and 2002 on ITV.

In recent years Les has enjoyed a busy career as an actor, starring with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and in numerous hit plays and musicals in the West End and on tour, as well as playing a regular role for two years on Coronation Street.

Despite the pandemic, Les has kept busy, filming a travel series for Channel 5, a guest lead in the Jimmy McGovern drama Moving On and a starring role in the Christmas Special of Birds of a Feather. He is excited to be able to return to the stage in 2021. .

The full company includes Georgia Anderson, Kimani Arthur, Dermot Canavan, Lori Haley Fox, Mari McGinlay, Ashley Samuels, Michael Vinsen and Imogen Bailey, Pearce Barron, Jordan Benjamin, Joel Cooper, Luke George, Christopher Gopaul, Bradley Judge, Winny Herbert, Lily Laight, Madeleine Lawton, Holly Liburd, Will Luckett, Mireia Mambo, Kody Mortimer, Robyn Rose, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, Amy West and Natalie Woods.

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

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

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

Hairspray is produced by Adam Spiegel Productions & Fiery Angel.

LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW – CLIMATE CHANGE PLAY COMMISSIONED BY THE NT, CREATED BY THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF COVENTRY PERFORMED ALL OVER THE UK FOR CITY OF CULTURE YEAR

LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW

CLIMATE CHANGE PLAY COMMISSIONED BY THE NATIONAL THEATRE IN 2020 AND CREATED BY COVENTRY YOUNG PEOPLE PERFORMED ALL OVER THE UK FOR THE CITY OF CULTURE YEAR

STREAMING FROM THE BELGRADE THEATRE
FROM 19 MAY – 13 JUNE

In 2020, in recognition of the Belgrade Theatre’s ground breaking co-creation Theatre in Education practices, and as part of Coventry’s City of Culture Year,  the National Theatre commissioned the Belgrade’s Young Company to create a piece of theatre about Climate Change as part of its NT Connections Programme.  This was the first play to be commissioned from, and co-created by, young people rather than adult professional playwrights.

The words and ideas of Coventry’s Young People on this key issue are now being amplified around the country through the NT Connections Festival 2021, in which 20 different youth groups from Plymouth to Falkirk are staging the play in various formats, both live and digital.  

As part of the festival, Like There’s No Tomorrow returns to the Belgrade with a brand new digital version from the Belgrade Young Company, which will be available to view online  here from Weds 19 May until Sun 13 June. Tickets are free, with an optional donation to support the Belgrade. 10% of all the online donations will also go to support the vital work of the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

There are strange cracks appearing in the land on the other side of the world, turning habitats into wastelands and creating a new wave of climate refugees. But no one’s worrying about that here – where a mayoral candidate is promising more, more, more. It’s what the people want. Apart from Maru that is, who can’t breathe.

LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW is a work that has emerged from Belgrade’s leading participatory work and pioneering co-creation process adopting aspects of Theatre in Education – first pioneered by the theatre in 1965. 

The Belgrade will be hosting the region’s NT Connections Festival this June as a West Midlands partner organisation. Due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions, the usual in-person format of the festival has been adapted, with two of the three participating youth companies having use of the B2 stage in the venue to film their productions. An online festival will take place on Friday 4 and Sat 5 June, showcasing the work of all participating youth companies – along with their own Youth Theatre’s digital rendering of Like There’s No Tomorrow – and will invite the young people to connect, discuss and celebrate their work and process in post-show forums.

Justine Themen one of the Belgrade’s three Co-Artistic directors, who co-created and directed the original stage version of Like There’s No Tomorrow with Claire Procter in 2020, said, “We chose to make a piece about climate change because it is the urgent issue of our time – and what better way to have impact than to be reaching and inspiring young people across the country.  We are so delighted that the play has been chosen for performance by 20 youth groups from Plymouth to Falkirk and is also being performed by one of our own youth theatres.  The play was co-created with our 2020 Young Company, a group of young people aged 13 to 26 showing particular flare for theatre making and an interest in climate change.  They were involved at every stage of the process from the exploration of the subject matter to shaping the narrative to improvising the dialogue – a true reflection of the Belgrade’s collaborative process for making participatory theatre, building on its strong history of Theatre in Education practises.  As a result, the play is a rich reflection of young peoples thoughts and ideas about the crisis that the world finds itself in – plenty of fear, but also plenty of hope.  We hope the show helps people to understand the urgent need for global thinking and systemic change and to think about how they can contribute.”

Lindsay Butler, Director of Marketing and Fundraising for the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, said, “Warwickshire Wildlife Trust are delighted to have been chosen by Belgrade Theatre Coventry to receive a donation from the screening of ‘Like There’s No Tomorrow”. The production shines a spotlight on the failure of people to live in harmony with nature, and the consequences of this imbalance. Globally we are facing some of the biggest interconnecting threats to our natural world, namely the ecological crisis and the climate crisis, made worse by the disconnection of people with nature.  Warwickshire Wildlife Trust have launched a £3million Nature Recovery Fund Appeal to buy land of low wildlife value, improve this land by restoring lost habitats and reconnect people with nature at a scale we have not done before. Any donations made to ‘Like There’s No Tomorrow’ will help us to take local action in response to the global problems facing our natural world. To learn more about our appeal visit https://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/appeal.”

WINNING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED FOR LAUNCHPAD – DEVELOPMENT SCHEME FROM THE WATERMILL AND WILDCARD THEATRE

COMPANIES ANNOUNCED TO BE SUPPORTED BY LAUNCHPAD

THE WATERMILL THEATRE AND WILDCARD’S

NEW ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The Watermill Theatre and Associate Company Wildcard are pleased to announce details of the four companies that will be supported this year by LAUNCHPAD, a new artist development programme, that will provide mentorship, professional support and free rehearsal space as well as a cash investment of up to £2,000 to put towards developing a new piece of work.

The four successful companies are: Power Play Productions (telling women’s stories of social injustice, using theatre, activism, and visual art), Produced Moon (creating work at the intersection between theatre and technology, making interactive work for the digital age), Chuchu Ngwagu Productions (an independent black-led theatrical and live entertainment production company based in London) and FlawBored (an emerging company made up of three 2020 Central Graduates creating socially provocative devised work with creative access at its core).

The successful companies will have the opportunity to undertake a week of research and development with free rehearsal space at Wildcard Studios in central London or at The Watermill Theatre near Newbury between May and June 2021.

Through LAUNCHPAD, The Watermill and Wildcard teams will provide support before and after the development week, offering dramaturgical and artistic guidance where required. Producing support and networking opportunities will also be key components of the programme, helping companies to establish future opportunities and an onward life for their new pieces of work.

James Meteyard, Artistic Director for Wildcard, said, “It’s been an incredible process meeting so many talented companies through LAUNCHPAD. We’re really excited by the four organisations we’ll be supporting over the next year. The diverse range of artistic approaches and company objectives is very inspiring to see and has reminded me of the extraordinary breadth of our industry. As the programme is intended to be bespoke, and designed around the needs of each company, it really is starting to feel like the beginning of a journey for all of us and already the conversations are extremely exciting. I have every faith that these organisations have an extremely bright future ahead of them and I’m so pleased that Wildcard and The Watermill are able to support the projects and companies to help take the next step in their respective journeys.”

Abigail Pickard Price, Associate Director (New Work and Artist Development) for The Watermill, said, “The Watermill and Wildcard are thrilled to be joining forces with these four brilliant companies to assist them in the creation of new work and see them through the next stage of their company’s development. As we emerge out of this impossible time for theatre the energy, innovation and ambition that we have seen from huge numbers of emerging companies through the LaunchPad application process has served to demonstrate what an exciting future there is for theatre. 

New Adventures Announces CYGNET SCHOOL Resident at the Marlowe Theatre

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NEW ADVENTURES ANNOUNCE

CYGNET SCHOOL

A BRAND-NEW DANCE TRAINING PROGRAMME

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE,

RESIDENT AT THE MARLOWE THEATRE

AT THE MARLOWE THEATRE

New Adventures today announced its brand-new training programme, Cygnet School, principally funded by The Dorfman Foundation. The programme will be resident at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury for the next three years.

Cygnet School is a dance training programme for young people predominantly from backgrounds with limited access to arts provision and has been developed as part of New Adventures commitment to increase diversity in the sector and provide equity of opportunity. This programme fills a fundamental gap between young people participating at a grass roots level through their engagement work and those who progress onto vocational training.  Believing that talent is everywhere but opportunity is not, they are committed to changing this through the launch of Cygnet School.

The first cohort of 12 young dancers aged 12 – 24 from across the country will take part in an annual programme of monthly workshops and holiday residencies at The Marlowe Theatre launching in July 2021. Cygnet School will harness raw potential, enabling participants to develop a breadth of creative performance skills and a passion for dance to equip them with a range of skills and training to progress into the second year of Cygnet School training or onwards. This might be through other New Adventures pathways including Swan School or other creative opportunities and vocational training across the dance sector.

Participants have been identified through New Adventures’ wider participation work including Sadler’s Wells Curtain Raiser, 2020 (residency and response piece to New Adventures’ production of The Red Shoes), Civil Blood, 2019 (performance partnership with Dance United Yorkshire and Studio 3 Arts, London), Romeo and Juliet auditions, 2019 (engaging 80 of the finest emerging artists aged 16-19 alongside professional dancers over 13 UK cities)  and Dancers in Residence, 2018 (entire school performance programme with William Patten Primary School).

New Adventures and The Marlowe are passionate about diversifying the dance landscape and removing barriers for those who typically struggle to access opportunities in the arts, from limited training opportunities at a young age to prohibitive associated costs. Given the detrimental impact the pandemic is having on opportunities to progress within the arts, they are more committed than ever to inspiring and providing clear pathways for young people to grow and succeed, regardless of background or circumstance.

New Adventures is thrilled and very grateful to receive support from The Dorfman Foundation as Cygnet School’s principal funder. This inaugural year marks the first in a three year commitment from the Foundation, enabling sustained growth and development of the programme. This partnership is established through a shared commitment to providing opportunity for young people to access the arts which the Foundation so resolutely represents.

Sir Lloyd and Lady Dorfman said today We are pleased to support New Adventures’ Cygnet School programme as part of our joint commitment to providing opportunities for young people to access pathways into the arts. New Adventures’ mission to seek out and nurture those who don’t have the same opportunities as others strongly aligns with our own.  We are excited to see the impact of this work, not only on the young people who participate, but its ripple effect in helping to diversify the sector as a whole.”

New Adventures is an Associate company at The Marlowe and this new three-year programme will see both organisations build on previous collaborations which have included; the Romeo And Juliet local cast (2019), Cinderella Curtain Raiser (2018) and Lord of the Flies (2014).

Cygnet School forms part of The Marlowe’s mission to inspire young people to make and experience theatre, especially in areas of low cultural engagement.  The first year of the residency is supported by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP Ltd) as part of Catalyst For Culture, a Marlowe-led initiative to widen access to the performing arts across the South East.

Matthew Bourne said today “This past year has highlighted an ever more urgent need to address the lack of accessible opportunities to enter the arts. New Adventures is passionate about diversifying the industry and celebrating talent from across a broad spectrum of backgrounds.  The launch of Cygnet School is an important cornerstone in our commitment to increasing diverse representation within the arts. We are sincerely grateful to The Dorfman Foundation for their support and encouragement of this pioneering programme, and to The Marlowe Theatre for welcoming Cygnet School to their building.”

Deborah Shaw, Chief Executive of The Marlowe Theatre said today “We are delighted to be working in partnership with New Adventures on this project and we are very much looking forward to welcoming the first Cygnet School cohort to our theatre in July.  We are passionate about levelling up access to the performing arts and the impact of the pandemic over the last year has made this more important than ever.”

New Adventures is a National Portfolio Organisation supported using public funds from Arts Council England.