Month: May 2020

   

• THE WOW FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES ONLINE WOW – WOMEN OF THE WORLD FESTIVAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BBC ARTS’ CULTURE IN QUARANTINE, ON 16 & 17 MAY
   
• BBC ARTS’ CULTURE IN QUARANTINE IS BRINGING THE VERY BEST ARTS AND CULTURE INTO THE HOMES OF EVERYONE IN THE UK AT A TIME OF NATIONAL LOCKDOWN
   
• WOWxBBC FESTIVAL LINE-UP INCLUDES MAXINE PEAKE, JULIA GILLARD, EMMA DABIRI, SANDI TOKSVIG, REBECCA SOLNIT, KIERAN YATES, NIHAL ARTHANAYAKE AND THE TRIPLE CRIPPLES
   
• THE DIGITAL FESTIVAL WILL FEATURE TALKS, CLASSES AND A BIG FEMINIST QUIZ COVERING EVERYTHING FROM SPORT TO SEXUALITY TO SCIENCE. ALL AVAILABLE TO WATCH AND TAKE PART IN LIVE AT BBC.CO.UK/ARTS
   
• WOW ALSO CONFIRMS PLANS FOR ITS FIRST EVER VIRTUAL GLOBAL FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE AROUND THE WORLD ACROSS 24 HOURS ON 27-28 JUNE

The WOW Foundation has today announced a partnership with BBC Arts, as part of its Culture in Quarantine initiative, to curate a brand new digital WOW festival online. This weekend, the WOWxBBC Festival – the first ever WOW – Women of the World Festival to take place online – will take over a number of BBC channels with a host of inspiring talks, workshops and a quiz led by iconic women in a multitude of fields. The WOWxBBC Festival will span topics from history, health, sport, science and sexuality, and respond to the devastating social and economic consequences for women and girls the pandemic is having. It will be available to watch live on 16-17th May at bbc.co.uk/arts.

The WOW Foundation has produced festivals across the world to celebrate women and girls and raise awareness globally of the issues they face for the past ten years. Amid the COVID-19 crisis there are increasing concerns about how the pandemic has worsened existing gender inequalities for women. More than ever, WOW is committed to shedding light on these issues and bringing together people from around the world to mobilise, activate and, most importantly, celebrate women and girls.

BBC Arts’ Culture In Quarantine initiative has brought together many of the live events, shows and festivals cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis, making them available through exclusive films and digitally broadcast events, providing everyone around the UK with access to arts and culture at a time of national lockdown.

Following the 10th anniversary of the WOW Festival at London’s Southbank Centre in March, and the online festival with the BBC Arts this May, The WOW Foundation has also announced it will host a major global festival to take place online from 27th-28th June (BST). WOW – Women of the World’s 24 Hour Global Virtual Festival will be the first ever female-focused worldwide festival, convening women and girls across the earth over a 24-hour period to share their local stories, celebrate achievements and together look for learnings to map out new ways to think and act in the future.

First up in May, WOWxBBC Festival will start the conversation in the UK; hosting a full programme of inspiring and influential women in a variety of fields and industries streamed on on bbc.co.uk/arts. The online weekend festival will open on Saturday 16th May with events including an opening session featuring an interview with former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and The WOW Foundation’s Founder and Director Jude Kelly, as well as appearances from co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change Hindou Ibrahim and broadcaster Afua Hirsch; Women’s Equality Chief of Staff Hannah Peaker and comedian Angie Le Mar will explore Chore Wars – the balance and divide of domestic tasks and childcare between genders in lockdown – WOW’s Big Ideas will be hosted by Gemma Cairney featuring short talks from Sex Educator Ruby Rare on orgasm inequality and activist Tea Uglow on who our LGBTQIA+  Covid-19 heroes should be; plus discussions on Women and Money in Covid-19 and Fixing the Glitch – Making the Web Work for Women with Seyi Akiwowo. The day will culminate with a closing session featuring Suzanne Jacob, Chief Executive of domestic violence charity SafeLives

On Sunday 17 May journalist Kieran Yates will host the second Big Ideas of the festival, including a talk on women and civil liberties with Baroness Helena Kennedy,  Dr Devi Sridhar ON STEM role models, and disability activists The Triple Cripples on what it means to be Black disabled women in a world that insists they don’t exist. Karen Blackett OBE and Radio 5 Live’s Nihal Arthanayake will discuss Bringing up Boys, a panel discussion examining how to raise sons to contribute to a gender-equal world; there will be a look through the papers in WOW favourite Views on the News with speakers including Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and Head of Editorial at gal-dem Charlie Brinkhurst Cuff; writer Rebecca Solnit will be in conversation with Jude Kelly about hope in the time of Coronavirus; Comedian Sandi Toksvig, actor Maxine Peake and Don’t Touch My Hair author Emma Dabiri will bring to us their favourite women from history whose stories have been silenced. The weekend will build to a big Quiz from QI host Sandi Toksvig, Silent Witness actor Liz Carr and scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, with Aderin-Pocock’s “Putting the Fem into STEM” Science Quiz , Carr’s Trivial Her-suit *Not a Quiz About Hairy Women and Sandi Toksvig’s Great Big Lady-Lockdown History Quiz. Full programme and timings can be found at bbc.co.uk/arts and the Festival will also appear across other BBC channels, including guest appearances on BBC Radio 4 and Asian Network. Many of the events will be available on catch up on BBC iPlayer following the event.

The festival will also include events to get people moving and inspired. Both days will begin with live Morning Stretches – Saturday’s session will be led by basketball player Asma Elbadawi, who successfully lobbied the International Basketball Association to remove a ban on hijabs and religious headwear in the professional sport. TV producer, yoga teacher, and first-time body builder aged 63 Nia Ceidiog will help us see in Sunday with her round of Morning Stretches, with audiences invited to end the festival later that day with a wind down yoga class led by Sanchia Legister. Grace Gebbie and Ebuni Ajiduah are also on hand for a WOW How To, leading the nation through cutting and styling your hair during lockdown.

The WOW Foundation’s Founder and Director Jude Kelly CBE said “At this time, when we are isolated from one another, the connections and conversations that WOW ignites are more important than ever. Amongst all the gravity and seriousness of the issues the WOW Festivals explore, they are also a place of warmth, inclusiveness and fun; places that are filled not just with serious intent but also with energetic spontaneous encounters, human connection, adventure, levity of spirit, and laughter. We will work with BBC Arts to replicate this experience online to bring people across the world together.”

BBC Arts Executive Editor, Lamia Dabboussy said “BBC Arts’ Culture in Quarantine is all about working together with fantastic partners like WOW to ensure arts and culture in the UK remains open and accessible – continuing to provide inspiration to us all.  And I can’t imagine a better way to spend a lockdown weekend than at a virtual WOW – Women of the World Festival on the BBC. The hugely ambitious programme responds to some of the most important global issues today whilst also providing a bit of a practical guide to surviving lockdown.  It’s truly a cultural festival for now.”

The WOW Foundation produces festivals across the world to celebrate women and girls and raise awareness globally of the issues they face and possible solutions. Led by Jude Kelly CBE, it is an independent organisation that works to build, convene and sustain a global movement that believes a gender equal world is possible and desirable through WOW festivals and empowering women and girls.   

Over the past 10 years WOW Festivals have reached more than two million people across six continents, from Baltimore to Brazil, Cardiff to Karachi.

The WOW Foundation is proudly supported by its Global Founding Partner Bloomberg and Global Partner MasterCard.

RIVERSIDE STUDIOS

Eddie Izzard, Dara O’Briain and Robert Bathurst to host star-studded Riverside Studios’ Charity Quiz

In aid of the Riverside Trust and the Imperial College HealthcareNHS Trust 

Top prize a £300 VIP dinner experience for 4 at Sam’s Riverside

Eddie Izzard 10 June, Dara O’Briain 24 June, Robert Bathurst 8 July

Riverside Studios, the newly re-opened multi-arts venue in Hammersmith, is continuing its star-studded series of online fundraising quizzes with a new set of hosts joining the already stellar line up. The quizzes have been set up to raise funds to ensure it can continue its current artistic offering beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

The series kicked off on 29 April with a quiz hosted by much-loved author and presenter Gyles Brandreth, with some well-known faces amongst the participants, including Stephen Fry, Jo Brand and even Dame Judi Dench joining in the fun.

Tonight, Wednesday 13 May, will see legendary actor and presenter Stephen Fry taking on the role of quizmaster with comedian Jo Brand hosting on Wednesday 27 May, Eddie Izzard asking the questions on 10 June, Dara O’ Briain taking the helm on 24 June and much-loved actor Robert Bathurst on 8 July.

With questions curated by QI and Blackadder producer John Lloyd, participants answer 6 rounds of questions from the worlds of music, theatre, cinema, comedy, art and food and drink, with a chance to win some incredible luxury prizes. The winner will receive a dinner for 4 (value £300) at the beautiful brasserie Sam’s Riverside, with other prizes including subscriptions to healthy recipe box service Mindful Chef, online streaming service MUBI and for film lovers, 12 months’ worth of tickets for Riverside Studios’ brand-new state of the art cinema.

Re-opening its doors to the public in November 2019 after a five-year redevelopment, Riverside Studios firmly re-established itself as one of London’s finest multi-arts venues. Money raised from the quizzes will help ensure it is able to continue putting on the very best theatre, film and comedy after the crisis is over. 10% of proceeds will go to Riverside Studios’ local NHS charity, the Imperial Health Charity, which supports five hospitals around Hammersmith.

Riverside’s Artistic Director/CEO, William Burdett-Coutts, commented:  

“The charity quizzes have so far been a brilliant way not only to raise funds for our incredible arts venue, but also to bring people together in an uncertain time. Riverside Studios has

always been about community, and now more than ever we’re asking people to come together to raise some money, get their thinking caps on and have some fun. We’re delighted

to welcome entertainment legends Eddie Izzard, Dara O’Briain and Robert Bathurst along as hosts following on from Gyles Brandreth, Stephen Fry and Jo Brand.”

METTA THEATRE

ARTS COUNCIL EMERGENCY FUNDS ENABLE ONE OF THE UK’S LEADING MID-SCALE TOURING COMPANIES TO PRODUCE 3 NEW DIGITAL WORKS

ALONGSIDE BSL INTEGRATED & CAPTIONED MUSIC VIDEO CREATION
TO MAKE WORK ACCESSIBLE TO DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING AUDIENCES

• HOUSEFIRE – THE CLIMATE CRISIS MUSICAL – ALBUM TO BE DISTRIBUTED VIA PODCAST
• THE RHYTHMICS – THE CRISIS OF MASCULINITY MUSICAL – CAST ALBUM, ALSO MADE POSSIBLE BY CROWDFUNDER CAMPAIGN, TO STAR WEST END ARTISTS NEIL MCDERMOTT AND KELLY PRICE; MUSIC VIDEO TO BE PRODUCED
• IN THE WILLOWS – THE HIP HOP MUSICAL – RELEASE OF EP OF FIVE TRACKS, WITH ACCOMPANYING MUSIC VIDEO

Metta Theatre are one of the non NPO organisations that have been granted emergency funds by Arts Council England, which will enable them to continue developing three of their new musicals as cast albums / audio musicals – transforming them into digital projects. This funding will exclusively pay the freelance artists involved, at a time when so many are struggling acute financial hardship. Metta Theatre Artistic Directors Poppy Burton-Morgan and William Reynolds have also committed £20,000 from the company’s own funds to support the three albums as well as over £3,000 raised from their Crowdfunder campaign for The Rhythmics album, which thanks to the generosity of supporters exceeded its original target.

At the start of 2020, Metta Theatre had six new British musicals in progress. In the wake of the devastating coronavirus pandemic, UK lockdown and the closure of theatres around the country, those plans have been radically revised.

Planned productions of HouseFire in the autumn, and In the Willows in spring 2021 have now been cancelled, with the likely spring opening of The Rhythmics being pushed into autumn 2021. Instead, over the next six months they will focus on cast album creation for each show, alongside BSL integrated and captioned music videos, in order to make the work fully accessible to deaf and hard of hearing audiences.

Established in 2005 by Poppy Burton-Morgan and Motley trained Designer William Reynolds, Metta Theatre has been at the forefront of new work – with a strong focus on the development of new British musicaltheatre, and a commitment to highlighting climate justice and sustainability; disability and deaf integration and inclusion (both from a political perspective and in order to artistically enrich the work); queering mainstream and family theatre – writing characters that represent and normalise (rather than problematise) the diverse range of queer experiences and identities; re-gendering protagonists in order to give girls strong female role models.

Poppy Burton-Morgan, who earlier this year won the Writers Guild of Great Britain Award for musical theatre book writing for In the Willows – The Hip Hop musical (which toured the UK in 2019), said “We’re so grateful to ACE for their continued support of the company and although it’s a terrifying and destabilising time for the world, and the sector, we’re really looking forward to expanding our practices into digital and audio performance. All three of these shows have such uplifting and heart-warming narratives – so we can’t wait to share them with the world and spread a little light in the darkness”

THE RHYTHMICS – a feelgood new British musical exploring the crisis of masculinity via a collection of oddballs belting their way through a thrillingly catchy Brit pop score. With music & lyrics from Stiles&Drewe award winner Ben Glasstone (Reanimator) and choreography from Mark Smith (Artistic Director or Deaf Men Dancing).

HOUSEFIRE – a climate crisis family musical, with music by award winning American Composer Ben Toth. Part gig-theatre, part song cycle – Housefire unpacks some of the complexities around the climate crisis through a series of songs sung by a quartet of endangered animals.

“I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.” Greta Thunberg 2019

IN THE WILLOWS – the extraordinary new British Musical, with music from award winning composer Pippa Cleary (Adrian Mole) and Keiran Merrick which toured the UK in 2019 is being revamped ahead of a new production in 2021. The show also features integrated BSL, and a fusion of BSL and hip-hop choreography from Zoo Nation choreographer Rhimes Lecointe.

The Wind in the Willows is brought leaping into the twenty first century. Featuring ballads, beats and backflips this fresh new musical is fun for the whole family.

Dear Rishi,

Thank you for meeting with me and other trade union leaders on Wednesday.

The trade union movement has a crucial role to play in economic recovery. Equity’s priority, since the crisis began, has been not just ensuring the economic security of our members, but also safeguarding the future of the whole of the UK’s creative industries, which as you know is worth £111bn.

In the early weeks of shutdown we negotiated agreements throughout the industry to protect our members, but also to recognise the difficulties faced by their engagers. There is now an urgency to develop recovery plans to ensure workplaces and workspaces can reopen safely and with confidence that their work will be financially viable.

It is in this spirit that I repeat my call to you yesterday to provide additional financial assistance for the creative sector.

While it may be possible for some sections of the audiovisual industry to go back to work in the coming months, health and safety issues such as social distancing provide complex challenges to a sector where audiences are an integral part of the experience. We anticipate that the majority of theatres, pubs, comedy clubs and other live entertainment venues across the country will not start to open their doors until early next year – if indeed they manage to survive until then.

In this context the financial risk that is normally borne by self-employed creative workers is greatly multiplied. We therefore urgently need an extension of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme until the end of this year – either in full or in a tapered form.

We also know that a substantial proportion of our members fall through the gaps within the current SEISS – particularly younger workers, parents, carers, those who earn over £50k, those who operate through personal service or limited companies or those who incur large but legitimate business expenses. These groups are looking at a prolonged period without income and desperately need help which is why I also repeat my call to you to consider introducing an additional hardship grant scheme for creative self-employed workers who are not currently eligible for SEISS.

Throughout their history, the UK’s creative industries have been incredibly resilient. The unique challenges of this crisis however, could force many large and small arts organisations and venues ​to close, and end the careers and limit the future work opportunities of thousands of Equity members.

It was incredibly sad to see Southampton Nuffield Theatre fall into administration yesterday and I fear they could be the first of many if we do not intervene now.

Christine Payne

General Secretary, Equity

Covid-19 Emergency Appeal

Protect Malvern Theatres

Malvern Theatres has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to help secure its future in the face of the Covid-19 crisis.

Malvern Theatres’ income disappeared overnight when it closed its doors in March. Unlike most other theatres, only 1% of its running costs are publicly funded and so it relies on ticket sales to keep operating.

Malvern Theatres has some emergency reserves to rely on, but with social distancing measures set to continue and theatres likely to be one of the last places to reopen, these savings will soon run dry.

The theatre has taken all steps to reduce its monthly overheads but still has significant unavoidable outgoings and the next few months will be critical for its survival.

Chief Executive Nic Lloyd said: “The vital role Malvern Theatres plays in our community has never been clearer and we are appealing for help from our audiences, friends and neighbours to help ensure that we can continue to bring life-enhancing culture to the town.

“The loss of Malvern Theatres would be devastating, not just to our loyal visitors, but also to our local community and economy. To avoid this fate, we must act now and work quickly to ensure that we are ready to reopen when allowed.

“As we emerge from this pandemic, Malvern Theatres is poised to play a crucial role in helping to bring our community back together.”

Open 364 days of the year, Malvern Theatres welcomes 300,000 ticket holders annually. It also has an active creative learning department, which develops talent through its youth theatre programme, as well as offers weekly classes, such as dance for the over 55s and creative arts for those with learning disabilities.

Malvern Theatres regularly hosts specialist workshops, such as classes with professional dance companies and non-verbal interactive workshops for those with special needs, as well as touch tours and audio described work.

Malvern Theatres also offers a weekly subtitled film for people with hearing loss, as well as a monthly relaxed screening.

To support the appeal, please visit malvern-theatres.co.uk/support-us

REPEAT ATTENDERS

– a documentary taking us inside the fascinating and unexplored world of musical theatre superfans – 

is to appear on the world stage

Australian independent filmmaker, Mark Dooley, is excited to announce the worldwide Video on Demand (VOD) release of REPEAT ATTENDERS – a feature-length documentary film that takes us inside the fascinating and unexplored world of musical theatre superfans.

REPEAT ATTENDERS will be available from Saturday 16th May 2020 via Vimeo On Demand, and will later be released on iTunes, Amazon and all other VOD platforms. 

Important Dates

Tuesday 12th May – Pre Order opens via repeatattenders.com

Saturday 16th May – REPEAT ATTENDERS VOD worldwide release 

Filmed on Broadway, London’s West End, Bochum Germany and Australia’s Melbourne and Brisbane over a six-year period, REPEAT ATTENDERS introduces us to some of the world’s biggest, most extreme superfans of shows such as CATS, RENT, LES MISÉRABLES and STARLIGHT EXPRESS.

REPEAT ATTENDERS delves into the psychology of the most extreme Broadway superfans, to reveal the quirks and complexities of their obsessions. STARLIGHT EXPRESS superfan Gudrun Mangel, has been following her favourite musical for over 20 years. Her story reveals the pain she has endured since childhood, after being told by her parents, that she would never fulfil her dream of becoming an actress because she was too ugly and overweight. 

REPEAT ATTENDERS shines a spotlight on Broadway superfans and this growing global phenomenon of ‘repeat attending’, as it examines just how far the most extreme superfans will go in pursuit of their passion – some with devastating consequences.

Mark Dooley, the filmmaker’s message to the Audience: “With the world’s stages shut down for the foreseeable future, REPEAT ATTENDERS now plays a different role for the viewer. The film was originally created as a love letter to fans of theatre of all levels, but is now an archive of what going to the theatre used to be like, before COVID-19 put an end to being an audience member anywhere. It will be detrimental to the well-being of the human race that this experience can no longer occur. 

“I hope REPEAT ATTENDERS gives comfort to those missing theatre and performing arts at the moment. It will be back, and we will be able to enjoy our passion once more. For now, hold onto those memories and treasured moments, because they can’t be taken away from you.”

 “Repeat Attenders is both a compelling and slightly disturbing look at obsessive musical fans” – James Groot, STUFF NZ

“Mark Dooley’s first feature shows he has an eye for story, character, heart and entertainment”– Pop Planet

“Repeat Attenders is a rich, touching, fascinating documentary exploring its characters’ psychology with generosity” – via Twitter @MehdiBalamissa

PARK THEATRE ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF

ONLINE CREATIVE LEARNING PROGRAMME

VIA ZOOM

MAY – JULY 2020

Park Theatre has today announced that its celebrated Creative Learning Programme will be moving online from May, with adult classes in acting technique, a script based acting course and devising available, as well as drama and performance skills classes for children and young people aged between 4 – 18.

Lead by professional actor and creative learning facilitator Amy Allen and professional director and experienced creative learning facilitator Natasha Kathi Chandra, the courses will be held weekly via the Zoom video conferencing platform and will be available to book via https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/creative-learning, with both individual drop in sessions and full courses available to purchase.

As with all theatres across the UK, Park Theatre has had to temporarily close to help prohibit the spread of Covid-19. This meant cancelling all performances, hires and in person classes for the foreseeable future. As a small charity with no government or Arts Council funding, this has led to a catastrophic loss of income.

Community Engagement Manager Nina Graveney-Edwards said: “Although the current situation means we are sad not to be running our wonderful Creative Learning classes in person, we are very pleased and excited to be able to now offer them virtually. Via Zoom video conferencing, we can continue to connect, explore new ideas and create innovative and exciting creative work during this challenging time.”

COURSES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Virtual Act and Play (4 – 11 year olds)

Saturday 16 May – Saturday 18 Jul (10 weeks), 10.00am – 10.50am, £7 per session

https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/creative-learning/virtual-act-play-4-11-years/about

Packed full of theatre games and drama activities to get the creative ideas and the energy flowing and keep the young ones entertained. Develop theatre skills, build confidence and share your ideas whilst keeping connected during lockdown.

Virtual Park Younger Company (12 – 14 year olds):
Tuesday 12 May – Tuesday 14 Jul (10 weeks), 6.00 – 7.00pm, £7 per session

https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/creative-learning/virtual-younger-company-12-14s/about

Learning the foundations of acting and theatre need not be delayed during lockdown – join our Zoom hosted Younger Company classes for a fun, creative class brought to you at home. Learn drama games, professional actor techniques and devise your own work.

Virtual Park Young Company (15 – 18 year olds):
Tuesday 12 May – Tuesday 14 Jul (10 weeks), 7.30 – 8.30pm, £7 per session

https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/creative-learning/virtual-young-company-15-18s/about

The start of your journey as a performer, writer or director need not be delayed during lockdown –share your story, your voice and ideas as you develop your performance skills virtually. Learn drama games, professional actor techniques and devise your own work.

COURSES FOR ADULTS

Virtual Park Theatre Company (Adults): Devising
Thursday 14 May – Thursday 16 Jul (10 weeks), 6.30 – 8.00pm, £100 for full course

https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/creative-learning/virtual-park-theatre-company-devising-course/about

Create a film from home over the course of 10 weeks – be a part of an acting community online and create a piece of unique theatre! Devise your own work as an individual and as a company through improvisation and writing. Feed back to other members of the company and develop your own work.

Virtual Park Theatre Company (Adults): Script Course
Thursday 14 May – Thursday 16 Jul (10 weeks), 8.15 – 10.00pm, £100 for full course

https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/creative-learning/virtual-park-theatre-company-script-course/about

A script based acting course, rehearsing and performing a scripted piece – develop your skills, focus on developing a well-rounded character and bringing a script to life within the rehearsal process.

Virtual Park Theatre Company (Adults): Develop Yourself: Acting Course
Wednesday 13 May – Wednesday 15 Jul (10 weeks), 6.30 – 8.30pm, £10 per session

https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/creative-learning/develop-yourself-virtual-park-acting-course/about

Look at a different acting technique each week; try out your skills with an emphasis on listening and reacting, and apply professional acting techniques to an exciting and diverse range of scenes including classics such as Albee’s ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’, recent West End hit ‘The Inheritance’, & Shelagh Stephenson’s ‘Memory of Water’. Without physically being present, concentrate further on the words and delivery.

The launch of the online Creative Learning Programme comes hot on the heels of the launch of Park Life, a critical new fundto secure the future of the venue. Artistic Director Jez Bond was able to raise £300,000 in 48 hours from key donors, the minimum amount to keep the theatre running during the lockdown period on a skeleton staff, make use of the government’s job retention scheme to keep all others on payroll, ensure the building stays functional, and stop the theatre from liquidating. But the venue needs to raise a further £100,000 to fund a 3 month run up to in order re-open at a time where no income will be generated – funds will be needed to pay staff, rehearse a production in each theatre, generate an audience, resume our community work and other areas of activity.

So much more than ‘just a theatre’, Park Theatre is a community hub in Finsbury Park and has been a huge part of the redevelopment of the area. In seven years of providing affordable, accessible theatre, it has enjoyed eight West End transfers (including Daytona starring Maureen Lipman, The Boys in the Band starring Mark Gatiss, Pressure starring David Haig and The Life I Lead starring Miles Jupp), two National Theatre transfers, twenty five national tours, five Olivier Award nominations, has won Offie Awards for Best New Play and Best Foodie Experience (two years running), a West End Wilma Achievement in Accessible Theatre award and won a Theatre of the Year award from The Stage.

If you are able to donate to the Park Life Fund please visit https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/support-us/park-life-fund. Your donation would be hugely appreciated.

Online Booking only at: https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/creative-learning

Box office enquiries:  [email protected]

THE NATIONAL THEATRE ANNOUNCES FURTHER

PROGRAMMING FOR NATIONAL THEATRE AT HOME

Including productions broadcast from the NT, 

Young Vic and Donmar Warehouse 

The National Theatre has today announced further productions that will be streamed live on YouTube every Thursday at 7PM BST via the National Theatre’s YouTube channel as part of National Theatre at Home; the new initiative to bring content to the public in their homes during the Coronavirus outbreak. The titles announced today include productions from partner theatres which were previously broadcast to cinemas by National Theatre Live.

On 14 May the NT will stream the never-before-seen archive recording of Inua Ellams’ smash-hit play Barber Shop Chronicles, a co-production with Fuel and Leeds Playhouse. Captured at the National Theatre in January 2018 during its second sold-out run at the Dorfman theatre, the production went on to tour internationally including performances at BAM in New York with a return to London’s Roundhouse last Summer. The play tells the interwoven tales of black men from across the globe who, for generations, have gathered in barber shops where the banter can be barbed and the truth is always telling. Directed by Bijan Sheibani the cast includes Fisayo Akinade, Hammed Animashaun, Cyril Nri and Sule Rimi. 

The 2014 NT Live broadcast of the Young Vic and Joshua Andrews co-production of the Tennessee Williamstimeless masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire will be streamed on the 21 May. As Blanche’s fragile world crumbles, she turns to her sister Stella for solace – but her downward spiral brings her face to face with the brutal, unforgiving Stanley Kowalski. The cast includes Gillian Anderson as Blanche, Ben Foster as Stanley and Vanessa Kirby as Stella. The production, directed by Benedict Andrews, remains the fastest-selling production in Young Vic history. 

The National Theatre production of This House by James Graham (Quiz, West End and ITV) will be streamed on 28 May. Filmed live in 2013, This House is a timely, moving and funny insight into the workings of British politics.  It’s 1974, and Britain has a hung Parliament.  The corridors of Westminster ring with the sound of infighting and backstabbing as the political parties battle to change the future of the nation. Jeremy Herrin directs a cast including Phil Daniels, Reece Dinsdale, Charles Edwards and Vincent Franklin.

The Donmar Warehouse production of Coriolanus staged by former Artistic Director Josie Rourke will be streamed on the 4 June.  When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. In one of the Donmar’s most popular ever productions, Tom Hiddlestonplays the title role in Shakespeare’s searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge. Cast also includes Alfred Enoch, Deborah Findlay and Mark Gatiss. 

All productions will be free and screened live at 7.00PM BST and will then be available on demand for seven days.

The next National Theatre at Home Quiz will be available from 7pm on Monday 25 May, introduced by James Graham, and featuring Imelda Staunton, Jim Carter, Lucian Msamati, Meera Syal, Simon Callow, Tamsin Greig, and Jessie Buckley posing the questions on topics including Science and Nature, Literature and Theatre. The Quiz is available via the NT’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

National Theatre at Home launched in April in response to theatre and cinema closures due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Over the past month, five productions have been streamed for free via YouTube to an audience of 8 million. With the closure of theatres set to continue for some time, the future of the industry for artists and organisations remains uncertain. The National Theatre has, in agreement with Equity, committed to pay all artists and creatives involved with productions streamed as part of National Theatre at Home. 

Lisa Burger, Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive said – “I’m delighted that in this next collection of titles to be streamed as part of National Theatre at Home we are including productions from our NT Live partner theatres. When we launched National Theatre at Home last month, we wanted to offer audiences the opportunity to engage with theatre during this time of isolation while we were unable to welcome them to the South Bank or into cinemas. This initiative wouldn’t have been possible without the support of a great number of artists for which we are incredibly grateful. We have been absolutely thrilled by the response from viewers enjoying the productions from right across the globe, and we have also been surprised and delighted at the generous donations we’ve received since closure. Whilst the National Theatre continues to face a precarious financial future, we now feel able to make a payment to all artists involved, as we recognise a great many are also experiencing a particularly challenging time at this moment. While theatres across the world remain closed, we’re pleased that we can continue to bring the best of British theatre directly into people’s homes every Thursday evening.”

The National Theatre is currently closed to audiences and like theatres all around the world is facing a devastating impact from Coronavirus.  NATIONAL THEATRE AT HOME is free of charge but should viewers wish to make a donation to support the National Theatre, we have launched a public appeal on our home page: nationaltheatre.org.uk

Money donated via YouTube will be shared with the co-producing theatre organisations of each stream, including the Donmar Warehouse, Fuel, Leeds Playhouse and the Young Vic, helping to also support them through this period of closure and uncertainty.  

For more information on NATIONAL THEATRE AT HOME go to https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/at-home

VISIONARY HONOURS 2020 WINNERS ANNOUCEMENT

WINNERS OF THE UK’S FIRST AWARDS CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY IN THE ARTS

INCLUDE GEORGE THE POET, JESY NELSON, JUNO DAWSON & DAVE

Winners for the second annual Visionary Honours have been announced following a special virtual awards ceremony on Wednesday 6^th May. Celebrating a wide range of diverse and under-represented voices, the virtual awards ceremony was hosted by award-winning TV presenter Scarlette Douglas, featuring acceptances from Jesy Nelson, Ross Kemp and George The Poet. 

Launched in 2018 by the not-for-profit Visionary Arts Foundation, the awards shine a light on culture, media and entertainment that has inspired social change or debate. As well as rewarding deserving talent, the Visionary Honours aim to highlight the social impact their work has had and the inspiration it will provide for the next generation of creatives.

Winners across the nine categories included bestselling author, screenwriter and Stonewall UK School Role Model, Juno Dawson, who took home the Book of the Year award for curating Proud, an inspiring anthology of short stories by LGBTQ+ writers. Documentary of the Year was won by Little Mix star Jesy Nelson for Odd One Out (BBC Three), an intimate reflection on mental health and cyber bullying, whilst Song of the Year went to South London rapper Dave and producer Fraser T. Smith for Black, a powerful anthem addressing issues of racism and inequality in Britain today. 

Musical of the Year was scooped up by female led SIX, an uplifting re-telling of the lives of Henry VIII’s wives and Film of the Year went to Blue Story, a vital British crime drama written, directed, and narrated by Andrew Onwubolu through the medium of rap.

Other awards were given to spoken-word artist George The Poet (Influencer of the Year), broadcaster, campaigner and the BBC’s first Director of Creative Diversity June Sarpong (Most Inspiring Person of the Year), founder of innovate disability-led organisation ThisAbility Sulaiman Khan (Community Person of the Year) and TV personality Ross Kemp (Television Show of the Year), who was awarded for the Living With series, which delves into issues such as homelessness, knife crime and young carers.

FULL LIST OF VISIONARY HONOURS 2020 WINNERS:

BOOK OF THE YEAR

Proud – Juno Dawson

INFLUENCER/JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

George The Poet

SONG OF THE YEAR

Black – Dave/Fraser T. Smith

DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR

Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out

MUSICAL/PLAY OF THE YEAR

Six – Arts Theatre

TELEVISION SHOW OF THE YEAR

Ross Kemp Living With…

FILM OF THE YEAR

Blue Story

MOST INSPIRING PERSON OF THE YEAR

June Sarpong

COMMUNITY PERSON OF THE YEAR

Sulaiman Khan – ThisAbility

Award nominees and selections were made up of votes from the public and from a panel of industry judges, who themselves were chosen to reflect a wide range of voices. Judges included BAFTA and Olivier nominated writer Tom MacRae, author and diversity activist Nikesh Shukla, Sunday Times Bestselling author Emma Gannon, Poet, filmmaker, spoken word artist and founder of the Caramel Film Club Be Manzini, Arts, Culture & Entertainment Correspondent for BBC London News Brenda Emmanus, arts and culture journalist, editor, TV writer and award-nominated playwright Emily Jupp, Apple Music editor and former BBC6 Music producer Camilla Pia, Entertainment Director of Heat magazine Boyd Hilton and social impact entrepreneur Joanna Abeyie.

Focused on making the arts, media and entertainment industries more inclusive and accessible in the UK, the Visionary Arts Foundation helps to develop and launch the careers of young creatives from BAME, LGBTQ+, disabled and low income groups as well as anyone who feels their story is not being told in the mainstream. Founder of the awards, and Creator of the hit West End musical, ‘Thriller Live’, Adrian Grant commented:

“The Visionary Honours are not about awarding egos or fame. They are about recognising culture, media and entertainment that has created awareness of social issues and inspired change or debate. Through the Visionary Arts Foundation it is my goal to empower young creatives to produce work that can influence positive social change.”

The virtual awards ceremony premiered the video for the charity single You Raise Me Up by BRIT award winner and Grammy nominee Denise Pearson, in aid of NHS Charities Together. The song is a tribute to the NHS and Healthcare workers, doctors and nurses who have lost their lives due to COVID-19.Sales from the single (available via iTunes, Amazon and other platforms from the 6th May) will be donated to NHS Charities Together or you can donate directly here.

The virtual awards ceremony take place Wednesday 6 May at 8pm, streamed via visionaryhonours.com and Facebook Live.

For more details about the organisation visit www.visionaryarts.org.uk

Update for West End theatre audiences

Statement from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT)

London’s West End looks forward to welcoming audiences back into theatres as soon as performances can safely resume.  

To give our customers some clarity, we have been cancelling performances across the West End on a rolling basis, in line with the latest advice from the Government. 

We are now extending those cancellations until Sunday 28 June.

This does not mean theatres will reopen on 29 June; if further cancellations are necessary they will continue to be announced on a rolling basis. Different theatres and productions are likely to reopen at different times.

Ticketholders for affected performances do not need to do anything. They will be contacted by the organisation from which they bought their tickets to arrange a refund, credit note or exchange for a later date. 

We are grateful to customers for the patience they are showing during this challenging time for our industry. With 300,000 people visiting West End theatres in a normal week, it’s a major undertaking to process refunds, exchanges and credit notes, particularly when many staff are working remotely. Please rest assured that we are all working as quickly as we can and we appreciate the on-going support of our audiences.