Month: March 2020

ALAN BENNETT’S 

THE HABIT OF ART 

AND ALI MILLES’S THE CROFT

FILMED PERFORMANCES AVAILABLE

ON THURSDAY 26 MARCH AT 8:15 PM AND

FRIDAY 27 MARCH AT 7:30PM 
In light of the closure of theatres across the UK due to COVID-19, the Original Theatre Company’s productions of Alan Bennett’s THE HABIT OF ART and Ali Milles’s THE CROFT, both of which were touring the UK, will now each have an online launch performance:  THE HABIT OF ART on Thursday 26 March at 8:15pm and THE CROFT on Friday 27 March at 7:30pm. The performances are available to pre-order now. The videos will then be available to watch online until 2 June 2020.

The performances are available to watch at www.originaltheatreonline.com

The Original Theatre Company operates with no Arts Council support and relies solely on box office takings. With productions of THE HABIT OF ART and THE CROFT both out on national tours, the immediate cancellations are financially devastating. The company is determined, wherever possible, to meet financial commitments made to actors, stage managers and suppliers who are all dependent on the company to survive the coming months. They therefore ask people pay what they can afford but have a suggested minimum donation of £2.50.

Every penny they make through this online release will go to the people who helped make these shows and who now find themselves in a hugely precarious financial position. People in exceptional financial difficulties can access the videos for free by emailing directly the Original Theatre Company.

In addition to the show, there will also be access to a programme and backstage videos as part of the package.

Alastair Whatley, Artistic Director of The Original Theatre Company, said “Gaining access to these films is an extraordinary opportunity that has been permitted by the kind permissions of our writers Alan Bennett and Ali Milles, the acting companies, stage managers and creative teams to allow us to share these with you as a way of saying a heartfelt thanks to you, our audiences, for helping sustain the Original Theatre Company and all those who work with us.

“We hope people who have booked tickets and are now unable to attend, along with many thousands of others, can now access these videos and enjoy two superb pieces of theatre in the comfort of their homes. Some small respite in these trying times.

“We want to encourage people to make their own in-house theatre experience. We will be making play-appropriate drink suggestions, suggestions of what people might wear to watch the productions, a fun code of conduct which amounts to ‘do whatever you like, as you are in your own house’, and ask people to share photos of their home theatre experience.”

THE HABIT OF ART is directed by Philip Franks and stars Matthew Kelly as Fitz (W. H. Auden), David Yelland as Henry (Benjamin Britten), Veronica Roberts (Kay, the stage manager), Robert Mountford (Neil, the author), John Wark (Donald/Humphrey Carpenter), Jessica Dennis (George, the assistant stage manager) and Benjamin Chandler (Tim/Stuart).

THE HABIT OF ART explores friendship, rivalry and heartache, the joy, pain and emotional cost of creativity.  It is centred on a fictional meeting between poet W. H. Auden and composer Benjamin Britten.  Bennett wrote it as a play-within-a-play – actors Fitz, Henry, Tim and Donald are rehearsing a play called Caliban’s Day under the direction of stage manager, Kay, and in the presence of the playwright, Neil. In Caliban’s Day, a fictitious meeting occurs in 1973 in Auden’s (Fitz) rooms at Oxford not long before he dies.  Britten (Henry) has been auditioning boys nearby for his opera Death in Venice, and arrives unexpectedly – their first meeting in 25 years after falling out over the failure of their opera Paul Bunyan.

Alan Bennett’s THE HABIT OF ART premiered at the National Theatre in November 2009, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Richard Griffiths, Alex Jennings and Frances de la Tour.  The National then toured the production in Autumn 2010 with a new cast led by Desmond Barrit, Malcolm Sinclair and Selina Caddell.

This production of THE HABIT OF ART has been designed by Adrian Linford, with lighting by Johanna Town, sound by Max Pappenheim and casting by Joyce Nettles.

THE CROFT is directed by Philip Franks and stars Gwen Taylor as Enid, Caroline Harker as Suzanne / Ruth, Drew Cain as David / Alec, Lucy Doyle as Laura / Eilene, Simon Roberts as Tom / Patrick,

THE CROFT is set in the remote Scottish Highlands village of Coillie Ghille, where we encounter three women from different eras whose lives are intertwined by the croft’s dark history. In the 1880’s, we have Enid, the last person left in the village – she’s resilient, a survivor, who takes in the Laird’s pregnant daughter, Eilene. In 2005, Ruth occupies the croft, which she and her husband Tom bought as a holiday home and where Ruth has her affair with local man, David. In the present day, Laura returns with her friend Suzanne to her parent’s croft after her mother Ruth’s death. They discover the terrifying truth that lurks within the croft. In this bold and haunting play, the present interweaves with the past, as these women search for love in the midst of great danger. As we watch their stories intertwine and ancient tales surface, can the present heal the past?

THE CROFT is designed by Adrian Linford, with lighting by Chris Davey, sound by Max Pappenheim and casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG.

Website:          www.originaltheatre.com
Facebook:       @OriginalTheatre
Twitter:            @OriginalTheatre #OriginalOnline #HabitOfArt #TheCroft
Instagram:       @OriginalTheatreCompany

Running Time The Habit of Art:  2 hours
Suitable for 13+

Running Time The Croft:  1 hour, 45 minutes
Suitable for 13+ 

HEADLONG AND CENTURY FILMS ANNOUNCE UNPRECEDENTED: REAL TIME THEATRE FROM A STATE OF ISOLATION

• A MAJOR NEW DIGITAL PROJECT BRINGS TOGETHER CELEBRATED PLAYWRIGHTS, DIRECTORS AND ACTORS TO CREATE A SERIES OF SHORT DIGITAL PLAYS RESPONDING TO THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

• THE SERIES WILL BE AN IMMEDIATE AND INTIMATE THEATRE EXPERIENCE, FEATURING ACTORS PERFORMING FROM ISOLATION, BROADCAST ACROSS THE NATION DURING THIS PERIOD OF LOCKDOWN

• APRIL DE ANGELIS, CLINT DYER, JAMES GRAHAM, JENNIFER HALEY, JASMINE LEE-JONES, DUNCAN MACMILLAN AND PRASANNA PUWANARAJAH ARE AMONG THE PLAYWRIGHTS CREATING NEW WORK FOR THE SERIES

• EACH PIECE WILL EXPLORE A DIFFERENT ASPECT OF HOW OUR COMMUNAL EXPERIENCES ARE CHANGING AT AN UNPRECEDENTED RATE

• CURATED AND DIRECTED BY HEADLONG AND CENTURY FILMS, EACH DIGITAL PLAY WILL BE CREATED USING DIGITAL CONFERENCING TECHNOLOGY AND WILL COMBINE LIVE AND PRE-RECORDED MATERIAL

• UNPRECEDENTED: REAL TIME THEATRE FROM A STATE OF ISOLATION WILL BE AVAILABLE TO WATCH ONLINE FROM APRIL

Award winning theatre company Headlong, in association with the BAFTA winning Century Films, have today announced a new creative response to the current global crisis, Unprecedented: Real Time Theatre From a State of Isolation.

Written by celebrated playwrights, curated and directed by Headlong and Century Films and performed by a cast of over twenty UK actors, Unprecedented is a series of short digital plays exploring our rapidly evolving world. The plays will respond to how our understanding and experiences of community, education, work, relationships, family, culture, climate and capitalism are evolving on an unprecedented scale. The series will ask how we got here and what the enduring legacy of this historic episode might be. Further details will be announced shortly.

The series will include new works from a diverse group of celebrated playwrights including: April De Angelis (My Brilliant Friend; The Village), Josh Azouz (The Mikvah Project; Buggy Baby), Deborah Bruce (The Distance; The House They Grew Up In), John Donnelly (The Pass; The Knowledge), Clint Dyer (Death of England), Jennifer Haley (The Nether; Sustainable Living), Sami Ibrahim (Two Palestinians Go Dogging; Wind Bit Bitter, Bit Bit Bit), James Graham (Ink; QUIZ; Coalition; Brexit: An Uncivil War; Labour of Love), Charlene James (Cuttin’ It; Tweet Tweet), Jasmine Lee-Jones (seven methods of killing kylie jenner) Duncan Macmillan (People, Places and Things; City of Glass; Rosmersholm; 1984; Lungs), Nathaniel Martello-White (Torn; BLACKTA), Chloë Moss (This Wide Night; The Gatekeeper), Prasanna Puwanarajah (Nightwatchman; Patrick Melrose; Doctor Foster) and Tim Price (Salt, Root, Row; The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning).

Using digital conferencing technology, and combining live and pre-recorded material, these intimate new plays will give an immediate insight into this unprecedented communal experience. Working closely with several directors and a team of freelance creatives, Headlong and Century Films will publish the series online in April for audiences to stream directly from their homes.

Jeremy Herrin, Artistic Director / CEO, Headlong says:

“At Headlong, we’ve been trying to process the disruption and, like many of us in the theatre industry, we have been trying to cope with the closure of shows, and the challenges facing future productions.

In these uncertain times we want to engage with our family of artists: our playwrights, directors and actors and other creatives, and provide them with a platform to share their insight, wisdom, humour, anger, fear and optimism or whatever else they’ve got at this pivotal moment. Theatre is a way of processing contradictions meaningfully, and I hope that this project will help artists and audiences alike find connection and meaning in their isolation, and provide an uplifting and perhaps inspiring diversion”  

Holly Race Roughan, Associate Artistic Director, Headlong says:

“In this extraordinary time, we at Headlong are humbled to be collaborating with some of the country’s most imaginative writers to process what is happening to us and around us in real time.  

Playwrights from all generations and backgrounds are urgently responding to the crisis to help us and our audiences make sense of our world transformed. We will be rehearsing digitally and streaming directly to homes in isolation around the world. Our quest is to connect a population in isolation through a series of short dramas.” 

Brian Hill, Managing Director, Century Films says:

“I’m very excited to be working with the team at Headlong and to show how a collaboration of storytellers from the worlds of theatre, film and television can produce brilliant work that addresses the current crisis.”

Unprecedented: Real Time Theatre From a State of Isolation is the latest digital project from Headlong. Previous projects have included two series of short films produced in partnership with the Guardian, Europeans: Dramas from a Divided Union (2020), and Brexit Shorts (2017).

IN LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS,
GREENWICH THEATRE PROUDLY PRESENTS
GREENWICH CONNECTS
AN ONLINE INITIATIVE FOR AUDIENCES, ACTORS AND
THOSE ACROSS THE ARTS INDUSTRY

Last week, following government advice, we took the painful decision to suspend all performances in both the main house and the studio with immediate effect. There is very little that we find more upsetting than a closed theatre, particularly when we had a host of exciting new shows lined up for the weeks ahead, but public health is and has to be our priority

As most members of both the creative industry and our audiences are now based at home, we are announcing the launch of Greenwich Connects, an online programme of interactive theatre opportunities for anyone and everyone to express and expand their creativity and engage with other members of the community through a series of weekly events.

These events are as follows:

Monologue Mondays

Every Monday morning we’ll send out a theme or a style and invite performers to send in self-taped monologues, all of which we will stream across our social media channels the following day. Think of it as an online monologue slam which anyone can watch for free.

Wednesday Wisdom

Every Wednesday, an expert from the theatre world will take over our Instagram account for a Q&A session. Simply submit your questions via Instagram and tune in every Wednesday for some words of wisdom.

Flashback Fridays

Watch some of Greenwich Theatre’s greatest past performances, including acclaimed productions of School for Scandal and The Duchess Of Malfi. Tune in to Facebook every Friday for an evening show at 7.30pm and watch with friends and family. Simply share your show on social media or email it to [email protected] for the
chance for us to share it with the Greenwich Theatre community!

Short Play Submission Sundays

Every Sunday we will set a theme for a piece of short writing to be submitted by the following Sunday. Our top picks will have the opportunity to be performed once the theatre is reopened in a sharing event or even an online table reading. Simply share your show on social media or email it to [email protected] for the chance for us to share it with the Greenwich Theatre community!

James Haddrell, the theatre’s artistic and executive director, said:

“We know that this is a global crisis, and people will have heard from many arts organisations about the impact the closures will have on all theatres and arts venues. For those that are unaware, at Greenwich Theatre less than 10% of our income comes from public funding, so 90% is generated through a combination of ticket sales, bar sales and hire fees – all of which have taken a substantial hit during this crisis. It has been through our community’s help and support over the years that we have not only continued to function but to thrive, but that is now under threat. For anyone who would like to support us during this unprecedented crisis, we are encouraging them to make a donation, to buy a Friends membership or to support our Buy a Brick campaign.

However, this initiative is not about income. This is about the fact that whatever the situation, Greenwich Theatre is here for both artists and audiences. We’re not saying ‘see you when this is done’. We’re saying whatever the situation, Greenwich Theatre is here and serving its users and its supporters.”

A Statement from Edalia Day

Edalia Day’s Too Pretty To Punch is a comedy spoken word show about gender, the media and not fitting any of the boxes, full of explosive movement, original songs and kickass video projection. They are a banjo wielding, poetry slam winning, trans warrior, taking on the world one troll at a time.

The show was on tour in 2020, which has now been cancelled. It will be released digitally on Edalia’s website on March 31st, International Trans Day of Visibility – head to https://www.edaliaday.co.uk/. 

★★★★★ “a magnificent tapestry of gender expectations…a digital masterpiece” Feminist Fringe

With the growth of social media, trans people all over the world are connecting – however, there’s a huge gap in people’s understanding about the issues being talked about. In this show, Edalia plays several characters, leading the audience through a mixture of comic and serious situations. They say: “I grew up in a town where if you’re trans you don’t speak up. You keep your head down and you keep out of sight. I wrote this show for places like that, where even just being visible is an act of rebellion.”

“Head-spinning, joyful, painful, funny. It’s a blast from and to the heart” Chris Thorpe

Too Pretty To Punch is a hilarious, inspiring and uplifting 60 minute journey through everything you need to know about what it means to be trans in 21st century Britain that reminds all of us (regardless of who we are) of the power of celebrating our existence.

Edalia is a transgender/non-binary spoken word artist, animator and theatre maker based in Norwich. Trained at Lecoq and Alra, their theatre is visually stunning, with physical comedy and a child like sense of play at the heart of everything they make.

★★★★★ “Too Pretty to Punch is the rare queer show that I have no qualms recommending to anyone. Everyone should see this show” Broadway Baby

To our wonderful West End LIVE audience.

In line with recent guidance from the Government over Covid-19, we have today taken the decision to postpone West End LIVE which was due to take place on the 20th and 21st of June.

We understand how disappointing this news will be to you all but rest assured it is not a decision that has been taken lightly.
However, the health advice is clear, so we felt it better to act now and ensure our loyal fan base – some of whom travel from far and wide – can plan accordingly.

West End LIVE has established itself over the years as a highlight of the theatrical year. It is a unique event for a world capital and one that provides an introduction into the wider West End for tens of thousands of visitors who go on to enjoy shops, restaurants, and other attractions.

When the coronavirus pandemic lifts and London revives, West End LIVE will have an even more important role to play as a curtain raiser to the best of our fantastic West End. We look forward to being back bigger and better than ever before and as soon as we have dates to announce, you will be the first to know.

Stay safe for now, and rest assured that at some point the show will go on!

Thank you for your ongoing support.
Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre

PAPATANGO THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCE NEW MONOLOGUES FROM RACHEL DE-LAHAY AND ANDERS LUSTGARTEN

AS PART OF ISOLATED BUT OPEN COMMISSIONS

Papatango Theatre Company today announces that Isolated But Open Commissions – Voices From Across The Shutdown will now include two new monologues from award-winning writers Rachel De-Lahay and Anders Lustgarten,alongside ten monologues chosen anonymously from an open call-out. Also announced today, in addition to being filmed and shared for free, all monologues will be published by Nick Hern Books as an online PDF available for free download.

Rachel De-Lahay(Circles, My Twin, Routes – for which she won the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright, Peckham: The Soap Opera, Pussy Riots, The Westbridge, Noughts + Crosses) has penned Balcony Bonding, a witty and wry look at neighbours suddenly making long-overdue introductions following self-isolation. It will be performed by Susan Wokoma (Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Labour of Love (Noel Coward Theatre), Year of the Rabbit). 

Anders Lustgarten (The Hope of the Sea, The Secret Theatre, Seven Acts of Mercy, The Sugar-Coated Bullets of the Bourgeoisie, If You Don’t Let Us Dream, We Won’t Let You Sleep – for which he won the inaugural Harold Pinter Playwright’s Award) has written Solastalgia, a chillingly beautiful yet funny reflection on humanity’s place in the world. It will be performed by Danny Kirrane (Jerusalem (Royal Court, Apollo Theatre, MusicBox Theatre), Vassa, The Hunt (Almeida Theatre), As You Like It (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre)).

The performances of Rachel and Anders’ monologues will be released at noon on Friday 27 March, providing a dose of inspiration for everyone working on a monologue ahead of the deadline for submissions at midnight on Tuesday 31 March. 

Once all ten monologues have been selected, the performances will be shared for free online, accompanied by a downloadable PDF of the playscripts, generously provided by Nick Hern Books. 

Isolated But Open Commissions – Voices From Across The Shutdown is one of Papatango’s several initiatives to encourage creativity and facilitate the enjoyment of new writing in the face of theatre closures across the country. Other projects include the Papatango Mobile Library, and free advice services on Arts Council funding and any other creative concerns.

ABOUT PAPATANGO

Papatango is a charity who discover and champion new playwrights by running free, open-application, anonymously-assessed opportunities, under the motto: all you need is a story.

The Papatango New Writing Prize is free to enter and open to any resident of the UK or Ireland. It is assessed anonymously by a reading team which identifies as at least 50% female and is at least 25% BAME. All entrants receive personal feedback on their scripts, an unmatched commitment to supporting aspiring playwrights. The 2020 Prize will assess and give personal feedback to 1,504 plays from every region of the UK and Ireland. The winner is guaranteed a full production, publication, royalties and commission. The Prize was the first UK award to make such a commitment, changing the landscape for new writing.

Winners have been evenly divided between men and women, aged from their 20s to their 50s, and 70% have been state educated. They have won BAFTAs, Off West End and Royal National Theatre Foundation awards, premiered in over 20 countries and in the West End, and worked with the RSC, National Theatre, BBC and HBO, among many other leading organisations.

As well as the Prize, Papatango offers a yearly Resident Playwright scheme, taking an emerging playwright through commissioning, development and production of a new play. Previous Residents have won an Alfred Fagon Audience Award, adapted their play for BBC Radio Four, been commissioned by Headlong, the Tricycle Theatre, and the North Wall Arts Centre, and seen their work tour nationwide with Papatango.

Papatango also run GoWrite, an extensive programme of free playwriting workshops, performances and publication for children and adults across the country. Each year it provides free face-to-face training or productions for over 4000 budding writers at state schools, regional venues and community centres, launching plays that have gone on to be staged at Hampstead Theatre, the Vaults Festival, Old Red Lion Theatre, Arcola Theatre, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Luton Hat Factory and the Quarry Theatre, Bedford. GoWrite also provides £5000 in bursaries to enable in-need writers nationwide to access opportunities. In 2019 Papatango launched WriteWest, a playwriting programme across south-west England which provides free training, performances and seed funding for over 1000 grassroots writers and producers.

Papatango’s first book, Being A Playwright: A Career Guide for Writers, was published in autumn 2018 by Nick Hern Books. It topped Amazon’s best-seller list in the playwriting category, and has been described as a “phenomenon for playwriting good…a bible for playwrights” by Steve Waters and “enlightening…an excellent tool for playwrights” by Indhu Rubasingham.

www.papatango.co.uk

Twitter: @PapaTangoTC

Facebook: PapaTango Theatre Company

Instagram: Papatangotc

Fane announces cancellation of 

WORDS WEEKEND at Bury St Edmunds Festival which was due

to take place at THE APEX, 15 – 17 May 2020.

Following the decision of Bury St Edmunds Festival to postpone due to the escalation of COVID-19 in the UK, Fane is cancelling Words Weekend at The Apex.

Words Weekend Artistic Director Beth Gallimore’s statement reads:

‘This is a devastating decision to take, but we are consistent in our belief that the health of authors and audiences must be our top priority. As you may be aware, we had already taken the decision to cancel Words Weekend at The Lowry, and all FANE events in March and April have been cancelled or postponed.

All ticket holders will be contacted directly by the venue.’

Opera North Update

By Dawn Smallwood

It comes as no surprise that the majority of theatre productions nationwide have been cancelled or postponed including those by Opera North. A Little Night Music, a joint production with Leeds Playhouse, was due to begin its rehearsals this month and to open at the Playhouse in May.

Opera North however hopes the 2020/21 season can go ahead as planned in the autumn. In the meantime Opera North are sharing opera with people online and these include the following:

· Trouble in Tahiti is available via NowTV and Sky on-demand services. · The Ring Circle (full version) is available via the website. · The Turn of the Screw which was recently live streamed is available via Opera Vision.

Updated information about the cancelled shows and events can be found on the website. Opera North conveys their best wishes at this uncertain and challenging time. They look forward to returning with an incredible range of productions they take pride in.

Meet Julie – the Regional Editor for North West and Midlands

Favourite show?  OMG is this even possible? Every time I leave the theatre I declare its my new favourite.  I’ve seen so many great shows.  From musicals, opera and ballets to art shows. There’s so much to see and do, motto when reviewing just see it, don’t pre-judge and go outside of your comfort zone. One that kept us talking Trainspotting (beware where you sit) 

Favourite Theatre?  I love The Lowry in Manchester for my first reviews plus they are always so accommodating and friendly. 
The show they put on for kids when In The Night Garden toured was Brill.  Storyhouse is a newly built theatre in my home city,  its built where the old Odeon cinema was, still has the original stair case and many features I remember well.  They serve great coffee and include little shortbread biscuits too.  The seats are so comfy, at my age comfort is paramount lol. I love the smaller floating stage they build its great to sit so close 

Role I’d like to play? Shirley Valentine?  Or to be able to star in a ballet if I had any talent ?ohhh or perhaps an Agatha Christie who-dunnit.  Ultimate fun laugh a minute would be The Play That Goes Wrong franchise. 

How I began reviewing?  My hubby Ian was posted in the surrounding area of Salisbury, 22 years later we came home (well just outside 12 miles away in North Wales) The lovely Jo had posted on Facebook that her friend was after someone close to Manchester to review shows… I’m an hour away or 50 miles so thought I’m fairly local.  Then suddenly thought OMG I have to write something ? I have to say I feel very privileged and have enjoyed every show.  I always try to find the positive vibes.  I’m conscious that my views are not your views, I might love something you hate. 

About Me? Forty something Mum of 2 teenagers,  dog and cat (Toto and Salem) Work in Waitrose (yes discounted Yum Yums ?). Youth club volunteer where my talents are in colouring within the lines ?

RSC CONFIRMS PERFORMANCES CANCELLED UNTIL 30 APRIL 2020

Responding to the Coronavirus pandemic, Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Catherine Mallyon, said:

We are continuing to follow all government guidelines around the COVID-19 outbreak, which includes the temporary cancellation of some of our performances, events and other activities.

We want to give our audiences and visitors as much certainty as possible, so we are today confirming that all RSC performances and public activities are cancelled up to and including Thursday 30 April 2020.

This date will be under constant review following government, Public Health England and industry advice, and it may lead to the RSC extending these cancellation dates.

We are, of course, extremely sad that we are needing to take this step, but our first priority is always to protect our audiences, our staff and the general public.

Our Box Office team will be in touch with existing bookers from next week with specific details of ticket exchanges and refunds, as well as the opportunity to donate your ticket refund to the company to help us through these very challenging times.

We ask audiences to be patient and avoid calling the Box Office as we work through the long list of customers we need to contact; we may not be in touch immediately but we will eventually get to everyone.

Temporarily closing venues is not a decision that is taken lightly, and we hope we are able to welcome audiences back to our theatres before too long. We’d like to extend our thanks to our audiences for support during this challenging time.