Month: October 2020

£3.3 MILLION RAISED FOR ACTING FOR OTHERS

AND ITS 14 MEMBER CHARITIES

Theatrical charity, Acting for Others,today announce that together with their network of charities they have so far raised £3.3 million as part of their ongoing efforts to support the industry. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the 14 member charities have offered emotional and financial support, welfare and benefit advice and worked closely to support over 5000 theatre workers in need, becoming the go to charity for the theatrical industry.

Through wonderful acts of industry support, the money has been raised by over 200 theatrical organisations and initiatives including Fleabag For Charity, Theatre Support Fund The Show Must Go On! merchandise, Les Misérables: The Staged Concert DVD and the Noël Coward Foundation with events including the star-studded A Marvellous Party and many others.

Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, co-chair of Acting for Others, said today, “This moment of crisis has illustrated the magnificent creativity and supportive nature of those in the performing arts with the huge variety of fundraising efforts we’ve seen and generous donations received. It has been wonderful to see all our long-term supporters, including our Ambassadors, continuing to offer their time and resources to support their less fortunate colleagues, and to see many newly engaging with Acting for Others and its member charities. We – and the thousands of beneficiaries – are enormously grateful to all those who have donated and fundraised.

William Differ, co-chair of Acting For Others, added “Sixty years ago Combined Theatrical Charites was founded by Richard Attenborough, Laurence Olivier and Noël Coward; as Acting for Others we’ve become a network of 14 charities working together to offer financial and emotional help to all workers from the theatre community through times of adversity. Long may we continue to provide this central core for mutual support for our industry!”

Judi Dench, President of Acting for Others, also commented It is truly wonderful to see how much Acting for Others and the member charities are doing to provide help for those who work (or used to) in our industry at this time. Since March, the need for support has drastically increased and without so many generous people, donating and fundraising in all these incredible ways, the charities simply wouldn’t be able to do the work they do. It is important that our less fortunate colleagues among performers, backstage and front of house staff all know that we are here to offer that helping hand.

The generosity of our supporters who have raised this astonishing total is remarkable. Thank you from us all and for being part of the A4O family.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Vice President of Acting for Others, These numbers are evidence of the incredible solidarity at the core of the performing arts community, and a reminder of how precarious this time has been for many members of it. Here’s to a huge thank you for the passionate dedication of everyone at Acting for Others, and to those who have contributed, donated and worked so hard to ease the present and ensure the future of our peers.

Francesca Moody, Acting for Others, Ambassador, it’s incredible that the member charities have been able to raise so much – thrilled for everyone and I know it’s a much-needed lifeline for so many. 

Donations to Acting for Otherscan be made here: www.justgiving.com/ctcafo

www.actingforothers.co.uk       

Twitter: @ActingForOthers

A FULL LIST OF FUNDRAISERS AND DONATORS

#LockdownSondheimQuizNight

#WEAREACTINGFOROTHERS

12 Days of Lockdown

2020 Jumble Sale, Craft Book & Quiz

24 Hour Dance Marathon

60 Hour Shakespeare

A4O Ambassadors

A Marvellous Party

A Song for Our Time – Looking at the Moon

After the Tempest

Alfie Boe – Birthday Fundraiser

All in this Together

All the Webs a Stage

Alone together Song

Amazon Smile

Amelie’s Daily Readings for the Arts

An Evening at Joe Allen

Arts Ed Theatre

Belle Weckmann

Bohemian Rhapsody

Brewing Actors

Brightside of Life

Bring on Tomorrow

Cabaret at the Covid

Carrie Hope Fletcher

Cast reunion of From Here To Eternity

Cat Ogden – Online Concert

CBD Dance

CelebriTeas Zeb Soanes

Charity Zoom Singing Showcase

Claire’s Acting Through Song Classes

Clive Dunstall’s Voxtet is raising funds for The Entertainment Industry.

Come From Away Standbys Quiz

Coming Together (Jason Robert Brown Song)

Connor Strange gaming Marathon

Conversations with Mark Curry

Corona Concert!

COVID-19 Charity Single of “Sing”

Covid-19 Theatre Support Memorabilia Raffle

Dad’s Army Radio Show: On Air – The HOME Front Edition

Dame Emma Thompson

Dame Judi Dench

Daniel Hope

Daniele Arbisi

Dan’s STAYINDERELLA

Dark Theatres Project – Nina Dunn

Digital Download

Digitally Shook

DMT QUIZ NIGHT

Do You Hear The People Sing

Dramatic Inking

Eugenius Live concert

Fiona’s 10 Ironman 70.3s at home!!!

Five 4 Five

Fleabag For Charity

Fosse Ballet

Friday Night Rambles

Front of House Cabaret!

Fundraising Day For Acting for Others

Ghost Light – Save the Arts

Gigging with Grads

GLEEK OF THE WEEK: The Ultimate Showdown

Godspell 50th Anniversary Concert

Grinning Man Masks

Hamilton Quiz

Hannah’s Half Marathon

Harry’s Acting for Others – Light from Next to Normal

Hashtag Quiz

Ian McKellen – On Stage

Inspirations Theatre Company

Interviews with the West End

Irvine Iqbal

Isobelly Laughs

Jack shaves off his hair

Jen Kenney’s 40th Birthday

Joseph and the Amazing All Star ‘Highlights’ Concert

John Mclachlan

KCL G&S presents A Night at the Cabaret

Keep Theatre in the Frame

Kieran Brown

Kerry Ellis

Kids Monologue Slam

Kings of Broadway

Kymera’s ‘The Most Important Bits of Being Earnest’ Zoom Performance

Leave a Light on

Leave on a Light

Leicester Oldbags murder mystery

Les Miserables Live Concert DVD

LILY’s Theatre Rally

LockdownLive – West End Workout

Masks for Good

Masterclasses and workshops

Mayflower Supports

Mean Girls – Apex Predator

Metcalfe Gordon Productions

Monday Moon Store

Moving Pictures Theatre

Musical Marathon

Nathan Amzi

Noël Coward Foundation

Noir

Odiham Fest

OU Theatre Group Bookers Club

Our Big Theatrical Bike Ride

OUTGBC bookings

PATIENCE: THE AUDIO DRAMA

Paul Burton Productions

Phil’s VE Day Charity Show on Facebook Live

Pippa’s Lockdown Singing Showcase

Pips-drawing

Portfolio Websites for Actors

Pros From The Shows

Raise You Up – Kinky Boots

Ray Cooney

Rebecca Ward’s Birthday Fundraiser

Remember Us, Love the West End

Richard Clifford

Richard II – A Free Charity Production in association with Acting For Others

Roby’s Musical Marathon

Rock Perfumes

Rodgers & Hammerstein Virtual Concert

Rosie Glow Productions

Ross Noble

Run 100km in August for Acting For Others

Ruth Moore Vocal Coaching Online Student Showcase

Samantha Bond

Sarah Johnson’s – Birthday Fundraiser

Sarah Parker

Save The Arts!

Share your Shakespeare

Shook Productions

Show Themed Hearts

Show themed Scrunchies

Showtoons from Home

Sienna ‘s Birthday Fundraiser

Simon Greiff Productions

Simon’s Kitchen Sink Drama

Sir Derek Jacobi

SLOCOACH

Spotlight

Spotlight on the Future

St Eval Candle Company

Stepping Up For The Arts

Sunday Masterclasses

Support The Arts

Sustainable Book Club

Tales from the Edge

Talking Icons

The Araca Group

The Corona Sessions and Masterclass

The Craft Brewing Company

The Importance of Being Earnest

The Industry Craft

The Interval Act

The Lockdown Diaries

The London Throwdown

The Lost Alhambra

The Lovie Diaries – A4O Take 5 Challenge

The Other Palace

Theatre Support Fund The Show Must Go On! – Merchandise

The Stagey Couple

The Understudy

The Virtual Vaudeville

Theatre 5 Challenge

Theatre Fan Parties

Theatre Super Auction

Tils Theatre Graphic Week

To Broadway, With Love – A Virtual Concert

Todd’s Big Fat Musical Theatre Quiz of Lockdown

Towers School- #ForTheArts Performance

TOZI Restaurant

Trustees of Elizabeth Jolly

Until the Curtains Rise

VE Day Concert

VocalHome

Voices of the West End

Voodini’s Science Fiction Double Feature Challenge

Walk4TheArts Actors

We Are Theatre – Adam Clayton

West End Best Friends

West End Extravaganza

West End Illustrations

West End in Darkness

West End Talks

West End Understudies

West End Workshops Live Online Concert

What Matters Now

Where it all starts and Lifeline

Wind in the Willows screening – Jamie Hendry

Yorktown Tote bags

Zoe’s Support your theatre industry campaign

Stroke opera shown in hospital and streamed for World Stroke Day  Rehearsed and recorded across Zoom, I Look For The Think brings together sixty stroke survivors from London, Berkshire and Bristol with Garsington Adult Community Company  The opera will premiere at Bristol After Stroke on 7th October  For World Stroke Day on 29th October, the film will be shown at Royal Berkshire Hospital and streamed online

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/459126141 

At the height of the pandemic when vulnerable members of society were shielding, a community of the UK’s most isolated and vulnerable people came together online to create an opera about love after stroke. The sixty stroke survivors, supported by pioneering arts-health organisation Rosetta Life and by their carers, worked to overcome the physical and neurological difficulties that prevent them from using tools that most take for granted: keyboards, microphones, headphones and the internet. Together with professional musicians and the Adult Community Company from Garsington Opera, the participants from Bristol, Berkshire and London rehearsed and film a twelve minute  opera, I Look For The Think, based on the lived experience of participant Kim Fraser and his wife and carer, Sarah.  

On World Stroke Day on 29^th October, the film will be screened at Royal Berkshire Hospital for staff and patients, and will receive a public streaming online at 6pm alongside the launch of Recovering Hope, the handbook for Stroke Odysseys, the arts health intervention that I Look For The Think is part of. The Facebook streaming of the event will be accompanied by a panel Q&A with Rosetta Life creative director Lucinda Jarrett accompanied by stroke survivors who participated and Sarah, the carer that the film was based on. The film will receive its premiere with anonline streaming 7^th October as part of Bristol After Stroke’s Wellbeing Month. It will be accompanied by poetry and art from local participants, a talk from Rosetta Life, and a practical exercise.  

Composed by Orlando Gough, I Look For The Think explores the uncertainty and anxiety of being discharged from hospital after a stroke both for the patient and for the new carer, and the challenges of loving anew. For the patient, it can be a painful journey to find a new way of living with the altered capacity to move, speak and express themselves. For the carers, it throws up some heart wrenching questions of whether their new charge is the same person they fell in love with, and can they fall in love with the new person they’ve become? 

In June and July, participants from London, Reading and Bristol rehearsed across Zoom. The participants received sound recordings and video footage to watch before the group teaching sessions, then sent recordings of themselves to Rosetta Life to edit into the final film. The participants form the patients’ chorus in I Look For The Think alongside Garsington Adult Community Company as the staff chorus, a carers’ chorus drawn from the groups, and soloists Robert Gildon and Melanie Pappenheim. 

Rosetta Life was founded in 1997 to use arts in health innovation to change the way we perceive the elderly, frail, disabled, and those who live with life limiting illnesses. Their work with stroke communities, Stroke Odysseys,started as a song cycle developed as part of Derry, City of Culture 2013. Since then, Rosetta Life has produced Hospital Passion Play, which was performed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2017, Stroke Odysseys, which premiered at The Place before touring, choreographed by Ben Duke and composed by Orlando Gough. Orlando Gough is known for his operas, choral music, music for dance and theatre, and is a former Associate Artist at the Royal Opera House. I Look For The Think is an extension of Act 2 of Hospital Passion Play. 

Creative Director of Rosetta Life Lucinda Jarrett said, “The pandemic has compelled all arts organisations to change and often radically adapt their practices. We are grateful that it has given us an opportunity to bring all our ambassadors groups across the country to perform together in the short online opera I Look For The Think.  We hope that the Ambassadors will recognise that they are part of a growing national movement that puts their creative voices at the heart of the story of recovery.” 

Stroke Odysseys is one of three interventions, all of which have been proven to improve patient health, that will be trialed among larger groups of people within NHS hospitals as part of SHAPER, the world’s largest study into the impact of arts on mental health. SHAPER – Scaling-up Health-Arts Programmes: Implementation and Effectiveness Research – has been launched by King’s College London and UCL. The study also encompasses arts interventions Melodies for Mums and Dance for Parkinson’s. More information about the study can be found here. 

@RosettaLife | #ILookForTheThink | strokeodysseys.org 

Company information 

Composed by Orlando Gough              Written by Lucinda Jarrett and Chris Rawlence 

Video direction by Chris Rawlence       Stage direction by Karen Gillingham 

7October, 10.30 – 12 noon 

FREE 

www.bristolafterstroke.org.uk/events/107-wellbeing-month 

29 October 

Online screening via Facebook, 6pm 

Screenings at Royal Berkshire Hospital (closed event) 

Companies information 

Rosetta Life was founded in 1997 to use arts in health innovation to change the way we perceive the elderly, frail, disabled, and those who live with life limiting illnesses. It is led by Artistic Director Lucinda Jarrett. Stroke Odysseys started as a song cycle developed with Orlando Gough and patients from Altnagelvin Chest, Heart and Stroke Hospital, Derry as part of Derry, City of Culture 2013. Rosetta Life’s past projects have included: The Art of Touch, a programme of movement workshops in dementia care and End of Life Care; Our Hearts in the Balance, a promenade performance at the British Museum performed by 11 people living with dementia; and Performing Ourselves, a touring exhibition of self portraiture developed in partnership with four hospices, two NHS Hospital Trusts and leading British photographers Tom Hunter and Clare Park.   

Garsington Opera have developed a programme of Opera and Wellbeing initiatives with the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and most recently with High Wycombe Hospital Stroke ward, linking in with an Adult Company drawn from all levels of the local community. The Garsington Opera Learning & Participation Programme aims to demonstrate the benefits for wellbeing of the arts, as well as encouraging participation from those unable to engage with the arts easily as a result of difficult circumstances. Garsington Adult Community Company offers performance opportunities and encourages the development of new skills and friendships. This work is being developed in collaboration and partnership with Rosetta Life. 

Bristol After Stroke is an independent local charity helping people rebuild their lives after stroke. Their services offer a unique combination of practical, social, emotional and psychological support to stroke affected people and their carers and loved ones.  The onset of stroke is sudden and can turn people’s lives upside down overnight, their mission is to support stroke affected people adjust to life after stroke. Bristol After Stroke has been supporting people in the area for 37 years and is guided by local trustees, their services are managed and delivered by a small staff team, assisted by many willing and able volunteers.  They are a growing charity and last year they supported nearly 900 people. For more information on their Wellbeing month and to book for the premier of I Look For The Think visit their website here 

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WOW – WOMEN OF THE WORLD AND PARTNERS MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL 2020 WITH THREE DAYS OF DIGITAL ACTIVITY PROMOTING GIRLS’ EMPOWERMENT

• 20 SCHOOLS FROM LONDON TO NAZARETH WILL TAKE PART IN A DAY OF ONLINE PANEL DISCUSSIONS CURATED BY MULBERRY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WOW 
   
• FORTY GLOBAL GIRL AND NON-BINARY ACTIVISTS AGED 11-19 WILL COME TOGETHER ON 11 OCTOBER TO CONNECT AND DISCUSS IDEAS AROUND CLIMATE, GENDER EQUALITY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND EDUCATION ACTIVISM TO ESTABLISH A NEW NETWORK TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS GIRLS HAVE AND THE CHALLENGES THEY CONTINUE TO FACE 
   
• A GLOBAL DIRECTORY HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TODAY FOR YOUNG ACTIVISTS TO PLATFORM THEIR WORK PROVIDING A RESOURCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WORLDWIDE
   
• A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH JUDE KELLY, AMIKA GEORGE, HEBA AHMED AND HAYAT MUSE EXPLORING BEING A YOUNG ACTIVIST WILL PREMIERE ONLINE ON 11 OCTOBER 
   
• PARTICIPANTS IN THIS YEAR’S EVENTS INCLUDE PINKY LILANI, JING LUSI, LIPA NESSA, NDIDI OKEZIE, DR JOANNA ABEYIE AND MANY MORE

WOW – Women of the World, Mulberry Schools Trust and Purposeful have today announced online plans to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl taking place across the weekend of 9 – 11 October 2020. For the past eight years, International Day of the Girl (11 October) has highlighted and addressed the needs girls have and the challenges they face, whilst also promoting their activism  and the fulfilment of their human rights. 

Mulberry Schools Trust in partnership with WOW are curating a day of digital panel discussions and workshops using its Global Girl Leading platform to focus on activism in an ever-changing world to mark International Day of the Girl. Taking place on Friday 9 October, Mulberry School for Girls will broadcast live webinars intermixed with pre-recorded interviews to over 20 different schools from Somerset to Singapore,as well as schools in the Mulberry family

Speakers will include founder and chair of the Women of the Future Awards and Asian Women of Achievement Awards Pinky Lilani; Jude Kelly founder of The WOW Foundation, which runs WOW – Women of the World; human rights and equality barrister Schona Jolly QC; human rights campaigner Rahima Begum; girls education activist Nusrath Hassan; actress Jing Lusi; creative director, artist activist and DJ Saliah M Bryan; youth sports ambassador and podcast host Lipa Nessa; CEO of UK Youth Ndidi Okezie and multi-award-winning broadcaster, social impact entrepreneur and diversity champion Dr Joanna Abeyie MBE. 

A panel discussion exploring being a girl activist, hosted by Jude Kelly and featuring three influential young activists, will premiere via WOW’s YouTube Channel and website at 12PM on 11 October. Amika George, founder of Free Periods campaign, will be joined by Hayat Muse, youth activist and co-founder of Kow iyo Labo, and  Heba Rose Ahmed, a human rights and anti-racist activist who was responsible for 15,000 people attending the Black Lives Matter protest at Piccadily Gardens in Manchester earlier this year. Three shorts with the girls taking part can now be viewed online: Amika George, Hayat Muse, Heba Rose Ahmed.

Working in partnership with Purposeful, a feminist movement-building hub for adolescent girls, WOW has brought together forty girl and non-binary activists between the ages of 11 – 19 who are known for their work, both in their home countries and globally, in areas such as social justice, LGBTIQAI+ rights, climate action, education activism, sexual and reproductive health and rights activism and gender equality. Over two sessions on Saturday 10 October and Sunday 11 October, WOW and Purposeful will hold two closed, virtual convenings to bring together these inspirational activists to connect, share ideas and learn from one another to help establish a new network. The sessions will end with a Self Care in Activism workshop led by Manal Omar (Across Red Lines) and Haleema Bharoocha (Alliance For Girls).

Participating in the convenings are; education activists  Maryam and Nivaal Rehman (Pakistan); climate justice, gender equality and human rights activist Ariadne Papatheodorou (Greece); sustainability advocate and founder of BYO Bottle Singapore campaign Kate Yeo (Singapore); climate and social justice activist Theresa Rose Sebastian (Ireland); youth activist and Teen Advisor for Girl Up Rym Badran (Lebanon); founder of Youth Advocates for Sustainable development and Malala Fund Girl child advocate Peace Ayo Adegbola (Nigeria); climate activist Lola Fayokun (UK);  Youth Activist with Plan International Australia Maya Ghassali and co-host of podcast Refugees on Air Sarah Ghassali (Syria / Australia); child marriage activist and member of the national child forum Dola Akter Reba (Bangladesh); environmental activist Catarina Lorenzo (Brazil); gender, youth and climate activist Seravi Silva Harris (Sri Lanka), coding and tech activist Selin Ornek (Turkey); gender-based violence activist Mariam Hussein (Somalia); girl empowerment activist Saru Khadka (Nepal);  and gender activist Viktorija Milosevic (Serbia).

A global online directory, the first of its kind, has been launched today on the WOW website which will provide these 40 activists with a platform to share their work with girls all over the world. The global directory can be accessed here. 

Jude Kelly, Founder WOW – Women of the World – Festivals and Foundation said: “For 2020’s International Day of the Girl, we’ve set out to find brilliant girls from across the globe who, despite tremendous obstacles, are demonstrating creativity and courage to change the world and empower others. The range of things the girls that we are working with across the weekend have already done is staggering. We must create spaces for them to continue, we must champion them as the future. 2020 has so far shown itself to be an age of division but within that we are seeking to build networks across cities, countries and continents. It is in their lifetime that the UN goal of gender equality by 2030 should have been reached.  These girls are showing us how to build a more equal world and how to imagine a better future across human rights,  education, environment, sports and business, for a fairer, more sustainable planet. 

“We are already beginning to see the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women around the world, from labour markets to domestic spaces – on the frontline and in the home. For younger girls everywhere much has changed already, child marriage is rapidly increasing, access to education is diminishing, often girls are the ones who have to help with household chores or increased childcare. There are great concerns that doors we’ve previously fought to open will begin to close again during this crisis. It is essential that we urgently work alongside the next generation to keep these open and ensure we are empowering them against existing gender inequalities. WOW has adapted over the last six months, connecting women across the globe in two major Festivals, and so it is fitting that alongside our friends at Mulberry School Trust and Purposeful we are able to put into practice those skills to create digital events and collectives to support the movement.”

Dr Vanessa Ogden, CEO of the Mulberry Schools Trust and Headteacher of Mulberry School for Girls said: “This conference provides a platform for girls in their advocacy for each other – and for boys to show their support for equality. Our global sisterhood is important to us and we hope Global Girl Leading backs girls to be active change-makers in the range of issues affecting their world.”

Over the past 10 years, WOW Festivals and events 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. 

SAGE LIVE 2020

SAGE GATESHEAD ANNOUNCES PROGRAMMES AND ARTISTS FOR AUTUMN SERIES OF LIVE PERFORMANCES

Sage Gateshead reopens its doors to audiences with 7-week series of live music; all performances will also be live streamed.

Northumbrian pipe legend Kathryn Tickell, acclaimed singer-songwriter Richard Dawson, Mercury nominated Lanterns on the Lake and Royal Northern Sinfonia set to fill the hall with live music.

Sage Gateshead announces details of programmes and artists for Sage Live 2020, a seven-week series of live performances running from 23 October until December. These will be the first live music performances in the venue since it closed its doors in March this year due to coronavirus. The concerts aim to present the very best of Sage Gateshead, they feature Royal Northern Sinfonia on Fridays and a series of contemporary musicians from a range of genres on Saturdays.

Sage Live 2020 will be announced in ‘waves’, and the first three weeks of concerts go on sale to the public on 8 October. Sage Gateshead hopes to welcome both regular and new audience members and has designed the series with this in mind. There is also an allocation of free tickets available to Gateshead residents attending for the first time, as well as for Health and Social Care workers.

To ensure that these concerts are as accessible as possible some will be performed twice over the weekend and they will also be live streamed to allow as wide as possible an audience to enjoy these musicians and music, and so that should social restrictions be reintroduced the events can go ahead.

Audiences also have the option of booking a table on the Concourse before each show, where they can enjoy a drink and free live music from emerging musicians including Yakka Doon – the solo project by guitarist and songwriter Claire Welford, inspired by the traditional and not so traditional songs of the North, Holly Clarke, the singer and guitarist from Cumbria whose powerful voice and storytelling connects traditions to today, and Martha Hill with her infectious rhythmic alt-pop.

Contemporary gigs include appearances from master of the Northumbrian pipes and Sage Gateshead favourite Kathryn Tickell in a very special show with her family created for the occasion; a rare solo show from celebrated songsmith Richard Dawson whose album 2020 late last year has been described by multiple critics as a masterpiece, and the chance to hear Mercury nominated indie rock band Lanterns on the Lake perform its critically-acclaimed album Spook the Herd.

Royal Northern Sinfonia will perform well known works from the classical repertoire alongside some lesser known music including a world premiere and Sage Gateshead commission from Kristina Arakelyan. A highlight for many will be the return of Principal Artistic Partner Lars Vogt, with two performances of Beethoven’s mighty ‘Emperor’ concerto. RNS is also delighted to welcome Jessica Cottis and Chloé van Soeterstède as guest conductors. RNS is committed to showcasing the talent of underrepresented groups in its programming, joining a vital cultural conversation about the future of classical music.

The safety of artists and audiences is a top priority at the venue, with carefully planned social distancing measures in place on stage, in the auditorium, and throughout all public areas. Concerts will be in Sage One, using only 300 of the 1,700 seats to ensure that households can be safely distanced.

Sage Gateshead also recently launched its 20/21 season of online activity, including Make Music – its weekly programme of adult music classes, its Young People’s Programme which usually offers musical activity for over 10,000 young people, and its artist development programme which supports musicians from across the region. This activity would usually take place in the world-famous music centre but has now moved online to ensure that people across the North can continue their music making as we head into the winter months.

During lockdown Sage Gateshead launched a major fundraising campaign, Crisis, Recovery and Renaissance, which aims to raise £3 million in the next three years in response to the urgent financial challenge posed by Covid19. 60% of the company’s income stopped overnight when the building closed in March, and a further 20% of income has been significantly impacted by the crisis. Many people have generously donated tickets, memberships or cash, which has helped the company to survive, although there is still significant money to raise. The charity aims to raise £1m by summer 2021 to safeguard its future.

Abigail Pogson, Managing Director at Sage Gateshead, said: “This year has changed all of our lives. Our families, friendships, workplaces, schools, and communities have been through a period of extraordinary challenge and upheaval. 2020 also threatened the very survival of live music as we know it, a threat which is sadly ongoing.

“We cannot wait to welcome back musicians, both our orchestra and these talented freelance musicians who need our platform and our support to work. And we cannot wait to welcome our audiences back. Sage Live 2020 will be for everyone, whether you’re a music lover visiting us for the first time or someone who already knows and loves Sage Gateshead. We know not everyone will be able to visit our venue, which is why we’re delighted to be live streaming our performances.

“Our 7-week series will feature the region’s orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, performing works that will remind us why live classical music is so special. They cannot wait to play together again as an orchestra. In our contemporary programme, we’ll present brilliant artists from across genres – familiar names and new talent all of whom we are delighted to be able to programme and support as freelancers, a crucial and passionate role for Sage Gateshead as we re-open.  We’ll aim to bring you the best of Sage Gateshead and something new, all with everyone’s safety at the fore.

“To get us to this point many people have generously donated tickets, memberships or cash. This is helping us to survive and to run online programmes There’s still significant money to raise, but we would simply not be here without this support. With safety at the front of our minds, we will start in a modest way so that we can navigate steadily through the coming months, and hopefully grow our live programme through the year.

“We have heard resoundingly from people during lockdown that music can make our lives better and we are determined that Sage Gateshead – despite the significant financial and logistical challenges which Covid 19 brings for us – will play a role in our region’s life through and in recovery from the pandemic.”

Sage Live 2020: Full programme listing

Friday 23 October

Royal Northern Sinfonia

Jessica Cottis conductor

Philip Nelson double bass

Mozart Overture to The Marriage of Figaro

Françaix Concerto for Double Bass

Jessie Montgomery Strum

Mozart Symphony No.39

Saturday 24 October

Kathryn Tickell’s Saturday Social
Pre-concert performance: Holly Clarke               

Friday 30 October

Royal Northern Sinfonia

Lars Vogt conductor/piano

Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture

Kristina Arakelyan Fantasia on a theme by Ludwig van Beethoven (World Premiere – Sage Gateshead commission)

Beethoven Piano Concerto No.5 ‘Emperor’

Saturday 31 October

Richard Dawson
Pre-concert performance: Yakka Doon              

Friday 6 November

Royal Northern Sinfonia

Chloé van Soeterstède conductor

Steffan Morris cello

Elgar Serenade for Strings

Ylva Skorg They Call Her Love

Tchaikovsky Andante Cantabile

Sibelius (arr. Farrington) Symphony No.5

Saturday 7 November 

Lanterns on the Lake Spook the Herd    

Pre-concert performance: Martha Hill

Hope Mill Theatre to release tickets to watch their sold-out production of RENT online

• Production to be filmed during a single performance and broadcast online starting during the production’s run.
• A limited number of tickets to watch online will be on sale from 10am on Friday 9^th October 2020.
• Audiences can register today for Priority Booking receiving a limited special ticket offer.

Hope Mill Theatre are delighted to announce that after selling-out the live run of their revival of the classic rock musical RENT in only 48 hours, the production will be filmed and broadcast online to a  strictly limited number of viewers.

Captured during a live performance by Umbrella Rooms, the production will then be made available over four weekends during the production’s run, starting from the final two weeks.

William Whelton, Executive Director of Hope Mill Theatre, said:

“One of the hardest challenges we faced as a venue was producing Rent with the current restrictions on our seating capacity as a result of social distancing being in place. The option of operating at 50% capacity during the run was financially completely unviable and meant we stood to have a large financial deficit as an organisation, which at this time we are unable to allow. So being offered the opportunity from the rights holders to make up our lost capacity with the chance for audiences to view an online version of the show is incredible and has allowed us to move forward with staging such an ambitious production during this time. Although it will not be a live stream, we will be filming the show live in its entirety and then working alongside our video team and creatives to beautifully and intimately capture the real essence and heart of our production, so that audiences feel as though they are part of the action. This is a rare opportunity for us and we cannot wait to be able to share our unique and special production with more audiences.”

Online tickets will be available over the following weekends:

27^th, 28^th & 29^th November

4^th, 5^th & 6^th December

11^th, 12^th & 13^th December

18^th, 19^th & 20^th December

Performances start at 7.30pm

Online tickets are available from 10am on Friday 9^th October 2020. For more information or to register for priority booking, which will allow you to book 24 hours before general on sale visit www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk.

Previously announced cast includes Jocasta Almgill (& Juliet, Dreamgirls – West End) as Joanne; Blake Patrick Anderson (Be More Chill – The Other Palace, Closer to Heaven – Off West End/Above the Stag) as Mark; Tom Francis (Arts Ed 2020 graduate) will mark his professional debut as Roger; Ahmed Hamad (The Boy in the Dress – RSC, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – West End as Benny; Dom Hartley-Harris (George Washington in Hamilton – West End, Bat Out of Hell – Manchester & West End) as Collins; Millie O’Connell (Olivier nominated as Anne Boleyn in SIX The Musical – West End & UK Tour, 42nd Street – West End) as Maureen; Maiya Quansah-Breed (Olivier nominated as Catherine Parr in SIX The Musical – West End & UK Tour)  as Mimi; Alex Thomas-Smith (Dear Evan Hansen – West End, Bat Out of Hell – West End)  as Angel.

The rest of the cast features Allie Daniel (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Film), Isaac Hesketh (Book of Mormon – UK Tour) and Bethany Terry (West Side Story – Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester, Bat Out of Hell – West End).

The 12 company members will receive a Covid-19 test prior to being placed in one household (bubble) for the length of the run in Manchester.

RENT is directed by Luke Sheppard, Choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves, Musical Supervisor Katy Richardson, Musical Director Chris Poon, Set & Costume Designer David Woodhead, LX Designer Howard Hudson, Sound Designer Paul Gatehouse, Projection Designer George Reeve, Assistant Director Priya Appleby, Costume Supervisor Ester Mangas, Production Photographer Dujonna Gift-Simms, Make Up and Wigs Designer Jackie Saundercock, and Casting by Pearson Casting.

Artwork by Feast Creative and video content by The Umbrella Rooms.

Hope Mill Theatre will be operating with strict covid guidelines in place in line with the Government guidance for the performing arts.

This will include operating at 50% capacity per show with audience rows spaced 2 metres apart and a transparent safety screen separating bookings.

The show will rehearse with social distancing in mind and in a Covid19-Secure environment.

The venue will be clearly signposted with essential information and will put in place hand sanitising stations, extra toilets for patrons, staggered arrival times and temperature checks on arrival.

The theatre space will be fully sanitised before each performance and audiences will be asked to wear face coverings during the show or visors for those who are exempt.

In line with current guidelines the venue will not allow groups of more than 6 people per booking from different households and will be collecting audience details to comply with the NHS Test & Trace scheme.

RENT was originally produced in New York by New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and New York Theatre Workshop. Musical Arrangements by Steve Skinner, Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements by Tim Weil, Original Concept/Additional Lyrics Billy Aronson and Dramaturg Lynn Thomson.

Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited.

RENT is a rock musical with music, lyrics, and book by Jonathan Larson and is loosely based on Puccini’s opera La Bohème. It tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists living, loving and working in Manhattan’s East Village, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

The show premiered off Broadway in 1996 before moving to Broadway later the same year. The show has been staged all over the world, including in the West End in 1998 and in 2005 was released as a motion picture. It features hit songs such as Rent, Without You, La Vie La Bohème and the iconic Seasons of Love.

NOTABLE CULTURAL LEADERS, ARTISTS AND ACTIVISTS COLLABORATE TO

LAUNCH NEW FUND: ARTCRY – SUPPORTING URGENT ARTISTIC RESPONSES

TO CURRENT SOCIAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS

OCTOBER to launch fundraiser and to showcase events and artworks released

in support of the campaign – with art by Jo Paul // Moongate Productions // ThisEgg // Ferg Cooper // Jonzi D

AND a series of conversations with

James Graham // Kathryn Bilyard // Jude Kelly // Shazia Bibi // Manuela Benini // Alan Lane // Kate McGrath// Keisha Thompson // Deborah Frances-White // Ben Monks // Akram Khan // Suzanne Alleyne // Dan Glass and Nettie Pollard

A committee of prominent cultural leaders, artists and activists including Artistic Director and the  CEO of Sadlers Wells, Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director at HighTide Suba Das, and the Executive Producer and the Executive Director of Improbable Kathryn Bilyard and Ben Monks, visual artist Ferg Cooper, Independent Editor and Producer Sara Sjölund, Creative Strategist and ACE changemaker Suzanne Alleyne, multi-disciplinary creative Shazia Bibi, and activist and artist Manuela Benini, have teamed up to launch a new artists funding platform.  ARTCRY goes live today (5^th October 2020). The launch month will include events, artworks and talks released in support of the campaign – info on all events below, and further details of all events can be found on the Artcry website – www.artcry.co.uk

Although plans were in place to establish the initiative prior to the realities of Covid-19, the panel, realizing support for the arts is was needed now more than ever have chosen to launch their fundraising initiative now, despite the challenges of raising donations in the midst of a pandemic and a recession. The initiative aims to raise and distribute £50,000 in its first year of operations, and all artists from any discipline at any stage in their career are welcome to apply. Work must be free for audiences and presented in the public realm and be time critical.

The fund will encourage and support artists to create work responding to social and political events with fast- turnaround funding which enables fast action. ARTCTRY will fund small grants (up to £5k) with decisions on applications made within a week of applying so that artists know within seven days whether they have received funding so they can start work.

Today marks the launch of a month-long fundraising campaign including a crowdfunding appeal which can be accessed and donated to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/artcry and will run from 5 October – 31 October The fund will open to applications in November.

“No matter where you sit along the many political lines you could draw, we are no doubt facing vital and complex questions about the future of the country, the way our democracy functions and how we relate to each other face to face and digitally.

Personally, I always find my mind opens when I am faced with a creative response. Whether I agree or disagree, it makes me consider a question and pushes me to think more deeply. Art can offer a glimpse into a story far beyond our own lived experience which can change perspectives. I think we need this now.  The fastest rolling fund has a turnaround of six weeks, we need to find a new way of supporting responsive work. In the wake of covid, fundraising will be even more difficult and competitive than it was before. Freelance artists and small companies in particular are in critical need of funding to support making new work. We need artists who can shine a light and startle some sense into the world with radical, inspiring ideas. And we need to encourage and support each other to do it.”

Kathryn Bilyard, Director of ARTCRY

Artcry Advocates supporting the campaign are: James Graham, Jude Kelly, Deb Mullins, Arji Manuelpillai, Stephanie Dittmer, Alan Lane, Keisha Thompson, Ivan Michael Blackstock, Akram Khan, Deborah Frances White, Kate McGrath, Dan Glass, Nathalie Teitler and La Gateau Chocolat.

ARTISTS AND EVENTS;

Jo Paul: Each and Every One:

On March 5th 2020 the first death as a result of COVID-19 was recorded in the UK. Each person who dies as a result of the virus is a life that matters. Each should be marked and memorialised. This durational work goes a small way towards doing that. Every thread stretched across the canvas and wrapped around a nail represents a person that died. The film from Each and Every One will be screened in the window of the Deptford Lounge. The film will play for 11 hours and 18 minutes, one second for each life memorialized in Each And Every One carving out time for public memorial, respect and grief in the face of rising covid-denial. Starting Friday 9 October at 6pm.

Moongate Productions, I Am Not A Virus:

ARTCRY will be running a digital campaign, taking over ad space with Moongate Production’s I Am Not A Virus from 5 – 15 October. A short film created in response to the sharp rise in the overt racism expressed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. “We have created this piece with the intention of standing up in the face of hate and refusing to back down quietly.” – Jennifer Lim

ThisEgg with Philippa Hogg in collaboration with The Koppel Project DISMANTLE:

An installation & film in the window of The Koppel Projects’ studio building in Soho. The Koppel Project have recently had to move 70+ artists out of their Soho Studios building in order for it to be torn down to make space for yet another luxury hotel. DISMANTLE is a film of a live performance that happened in the space itself at the end of August. It is a final offering hope and resilience

 “We are responding to the social & economic structures that affect our industry. We have created this piece with the intention to raise awareness to the ongoing & accelerating effects of capitalism & gentrification.” – Josie Dale-Jones & Philippa Hogg . 21st – 25th Oct (photo Camilla Greenwell)

Ferg Cooper, new work:

A new large scale collage from Ferg Cooper turned into a flyposting campaign across London highlighting misinformation and bombardment of images which focus our public narratives and shape political outcomes. “I am responding to ideas around the bombardment of visual information our brains are asked to deal with, and the pressure we put on ourselves to stay informed (particularly in relation to the 2020 news cycle)” -Ferg Cooper

The Giant Megaphone

In partnership with Penned in the Margins, across October the Giant Megaphone will be touring across London amplifying voices of protest and freedom of expression from some of the UK’s foremost poets – including Anthony Anaxagorou, Rebecca Tamas, Hannah Silva, Inua Ellams and Raymond Antrobus – in places where they most need to be heard. Locations and dates to be announced. The megaphone was designed by Amy West and created with Pablo Cattermole, Cristina Ottonello, Jess Dickinson and supported by Emergency Exit Arts.

The News with Jonzi D

A live digital event curated by Jonzi D – the UK’s foremost advocate for hip hop, MC, dancer, spoken word artist and director Jonzi D has changed the profile of the British hip hop dance and theatre scene in the past two decades. Watch the six o clock news, and then watch Jonzi D and friends take on the day’s events in a battle of words, movement and performance. 

Friday 16 October at 8.30pm web details to be announced.

THE 1-2-1 SERIES:

The 1-2-1 series presents recorded conversations with artists and activists supporting ARTCRY.

These will be released digitally on the Artcry website.

Olivier Award winning British playwright and screenwriter James Graham in conversation with Executive Producer of Improbable and Director of Artcry Kathryn Bilyard

Theatre director and producer Jude Kelly, CBE in conversation with multi-disciplinary creative – actor, writer, producer, and poet Shazia Bibi

Activist and artist Manuela Benini in conversation with Artistic Director of Slung Low Alan Lane

Director of Fuel Kate McGrath in conversation with writer, performance artist and producer Keisha Thompson

Comedian, author, screenwriter and creator and host of the podcasts Global Pillage and The Guilty Feminist Deborah Frances-White in conversation with Executive Director of the Improbable Ben Monks

Dancer and choreographer Akram Khan in conversation with creative strategist and cultural thinker Suzanne Alleyne

Activist, educator, academic, performer, consultant, and writer Dan Glass in conversation with long-term campaigner with Gay Liberation Front, Nettie Pollard

ALTY FRINGE BRINGS THEATRE BACK TO MANCHESTER

New Covid-Secure event will offer a week of live entertainment

November festival takes place at Garrick Theatre in Altrincham

First on sale Odyssey with full line up announced on Thursday

Live Theatre returns to Manchester next month with a new Covid-Secure live arts event staged at the Altrincham Garrick Theatre.

The #AltyFringe will showcase the amazing talent from our region and beyond, with everything from live theatre, dance, comedy, and live music staged from Monday 23rd to Sunday 29th November.

Event Organiser Max Eden has been working with the Altrincham Garrick Theatre to bring live theatre and the arts back safely to the community by staging a week-long ‘Fringe Style’ series of events.

They have been working together to create a great re-introduction programme to theatre for the local community following its temporary closure earlier in the year; putting in place a number of Covid safety measures which include – reduced socially distanced capacity in the redesigned auditorium along with other safety measures in the foyers and other areas.

The aim of the series is to show theatre can return safely and offer a platform for artists to perform in front of a live audience once again.

Organiser Max Eden explains “With such an amazing abundance of talented artists and performers in the local region, I wanted to create a new platform for the arts and live entertainment which could be enjoyed safely.

“Working with the wonderful Altrincham Garrick Theatre; we’ve introduced a number of new Covid-Safety measures and reworked the venue’s capacity to enable social distancing in the venue and make sure everyone can get back to enjoying performances at their local theatre and seeing their favourite local live entertainment safely, theatre is coming back, and I’m excited for a week of incredible performances!”

The first of 12 shows has been announced with local community festival, Hale Barns Carnival taking over the Saturday night slot, presenting festival favourites, Odyssey Live In Concert, with special guest Junior on Saturday 28^th November, there will be two shows at 6pm & 9pm and tickets are on sale now!

Disco Superstars, Odyssey are set to perform an intimate show at the Altrincham Garrick Theatre with a show filled with all their biggest hits including ‘Use it Up & Wear it Out’, ‘Native New Yorker’, ‘Inside Out’ and the iconic disco anthem, ‘Going Back to My Roots’.

They will be joined by special guest R&B star; Junior, who was one of the first British R&B artists to be successful in America with his incredible hit ‘Mama Used to Say’ which he’ll be performing live alongside his other hits including the duet ‘Another Step (Closer to You)’ originally recorded with Kim Wilde.

The complete line up will be announced on Thursday, tickets for all shows including the Hale Barns Carnival concert will be available at www.altyfringe.co.uk

Facebook:       /AltyFringe

Twitter:           #AltyFringe

Instagram:      AltyFringe

LISTING INFORMATION

ALTY FRINGE

Monday 23 – Sunday 29 November 2020

Altrincham Garrick Theatre

Leece Street, Liverpool, L1 2TR

ODYSSEY LIVE IN CONCERT

Saturday 28 November 2020

Performance times 6pm / 9pm

Show duration: 75 minutes (no interval)

Tickets are £32 + BF

For tickets visit www.altyfringe.co.uk

RIVERSIDE STUDIOS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF

COMMUNITY ARTS PARTNERSHIP SCHEME TO ENRICH

ARTISTIC PROGRAMME AND ENGAGE WIDER COMMUNITY

Today, Riverside Studios announces their community Associates Programme, a partnership scheme which will provide exclusive opportunities for individuals, organisations and charities to develop creative, collaborative relationships with the iconic community arts venue.

These special partnerships will start a unique journey exchanging ideas, educating one another, expanding audiences, promoting access to the arts and championing diversity and inclusion. Working closely with people who are often overlooked and marginalised the scheme promises to deliver a long-lasting positive social impact and will once more put Riverside Studios right at the heart of its community.

The first four Associates appointed today, are Cats Whiskers Community Arts, This New Ground, Simone Nyack and Flute Theatre all of whom are based in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

From This New Ground who seek to elevate the artistic voices of people with learning difficulties, Flute Theatre who change the lives of children with autism and their families through their award-winning theatre troupe, to Cats Whiskers who make film and theatre more accessible for the over 50s, each Associate is working hard to remove barriers to the arts.

Creative Director of Riverside Studios Rachel Tackley said today, “Our local community is at the heart of everything we do at Riverside and we are thrilled to announce our fabulous new Associates. They will bring their unique skill sets to expand and diversify our artistic programme, our community programme – Dive In, as well as inspire and develop audience engagement. Together, we look forward to strengthening our identity, creating long-lasting networks and inspiring positive social change in the community and beyond.”

This New Ground commented today, “We are delighted to be partnering with The Riverside Studios as a Dive in Associate. As an exciting cultural hub with a rich, local history, Riverside will provide valuable opportunities to deepen our roots in the borough and extend the reach of our community. We look forward to learning and collaborating together!”

RIVERSIDE STUDIOS DIVE IN ASSOCIATES:

CATS WHISKERS COMMUNITY ARTS

Cats Whiskers is a charity theatre group for people over 50 which was developed after working with the local community at Open Age’s New Horizons’ Centre in Chelsea for the past 10 years. As a Dive In Associate, Cats Whiskers aim to continue expanding its already existing popularity with elders through its innovative film and drama related activities. Some of these outreach aims include filmmaking workshops, Q&A screenings, drama classes and performances for older people in the community.

THIS NEW GROUND

This New Ground is an ambitious initiative that seeks to elevate the artistic voices and talents of people with learning disabilities in Hammersmith and Fulham. Their aim is to remove barriers

and increase access for people with learning disabilities to lead, make and participate in the arts.  Through a rich programme of creative engagement they raise the bar for what communities can achieve and create vital, relevant new artworks for audiences to

connect with.

SIMONE NYACK

Simone Nyack is an Arts Award qualified teacher who runs after school arts and crafts clubs in local primary schools, teaching and inspiring them to create bold, abstract paintings and sculptures, and even utilises art to help teach kids science. Simone is a resident of the Queen Caroline Estate in Hammersmith.

FLUTE THEATRE

Flute Theatre is an award-winning company. They create productions of Shakespeare for autistic individuals and their families, based on the Hunter Heartbeat method created by their founder and Artistic Director Kelly Hunter MBE. They combine pioneering research with artistic excellence.  Since March 2020, in response to COVID-19 they have adapted our work to be accessible virtually.  They are committed to changing the lives of autistic individuals and their families using their ground-breaking Hunter Heartbeat Method with their community projects and our collaborations with neuroscientists at UCL and Goldsmiths University of London. “Our personal heroes, during lockdown – are Flute Theatre. During this crisis, they have helped us and the entire autistic community EVERY SINGLE DAY, WITHOUT FAIL.” -Lisha Aquino Rooney, Parent. 

DIVE IN MEMBERSHIP:

Dive In membership offers resident local to the venue enhanced and unique opportunities to engage with the Riverside Studios artistic programme and the building in general.

For further details, please see here: https://www.riversidestudios.co.uk/community/dive-in-membership

Theatres Trust awards £25,000 in grants to
improve theatre accessibility

Theatres Trust, the national advisory body for theatres in the UK, is awarding £25,000 in grants to six theatres through the Accessible Theatres Scheme to make their buildings more inclusive. Theatres Trust works to ensure theatres in the UK meet the needs of their communities and improving the accessibility of theatres is a vital part of their remit. Thanks to funding from the Theatre Development Trust, the grants have been awarded to improve the accessibility of professional theatre buildings for audiences, performers and staff, with projects split between building works and the installation of assistive technology.

Seating will be reconfigured to create more flexible wheelchair user spaces in the dress circle of Grade I Bristol Old Vic, the UK’s oldest continuously working theatre. A comprehensive external project will create level access to all areas of The Spire in Brighton, housed in Grade II listed St Mark’s Chapel. Funding will allow The Barn in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, to move its technical control booth so it is accessible to all its staff and volunteers.

Theatres Trust funding will contribute to the accessibility element of the 50th anniversary capital project at Newcastle’s Live Theatre, which will include installing a new assistive listening system and hand-held captioning equipment in its main theatre, and power-assisted doors in its auditoria, rehearsal, backstage areas and offices. As part of a larger project at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, hearing loops will be installed across the building including in rehearsal spaces, meeting rooms and box offices. Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford will upgrade its assistive audience system, which will significantly improve access to its programme.

Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan comments, Responding to the pandemic has been at the forefront of everyone’s minds this year, but it is important that theatres continue on the journey to being truly inclusive spaces and that accessibility does not fall by the wayside. We are therefore delighted to be able to support six theatres with projects that will improve accessibility, whether it is for their staff and performers or the local communities they serve.

THEATRE SUPPORT FUND+

AND TAKE TWO THEATRICALS

PRESENTS

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

LIVE AT THE PALACE THEATRE

13, 14 & 15 NOVEMBER 2020

PALACE THEATRE, LONDON

TICKETS ON-SALE NOW!

The Theatre Support Fund+, the team behind ‘The Show Must Go On!’ campaign and Take Two Theatricals present, THE SHOW MUST GO ON! LIVE AT THE PALACE THEATRE for four performances on 13, 14 & 15 November 2020 at the Palace Theatre, London.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON! LIVE AT THE PALACE THEATRE will be a concert celebrating the wealth of West End talent with all profits going to Acting For Others and The Fleabag Support Fund. The concert will be a collection of  cast performances from West End shows. Shows confirmed to perform include & Juliet, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, MAMMA MIA!, The Prince of Egypt, SIX, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, and Wicked. Further shows and an all star cast will be announced soon!

THE SHOW MUST GO ON! LIVE AT THE PALACE THEATRE will be the first show to reopen The Palace Theatre as part of Nimax Theatre’s autumn season of socially distanced shows.

Nimax Chief Executive Nica Burns said today, “We are delighted to be hosting these special concerts: The Show Must Go  On Live!  at the Palace Theatre where all profits will be going to theatre charities.  It warms the heart to see all these fantastic  West End shows coming together to benefit our community.  A big thank you to everyone taking part on stage and off and a special shout out to the producers, The Theatre Support Fund+ and Take Two Theatricals for making it happen.  Please rush to buy tickets and help out whilst enjoying a wonderful, socially distanced evening!”

The concert will be directed by Luke Sheppard and Anna Fox, Set Design by Soutra Gilmour Lighting Design by Neil Austin and Howard Hudson, Video Design by Fray Studio, Sound Design by Adam Fisher and Musical Supervisor and Conductor is Stephen Brooker.

Luke Sheppard is an award-winning director and most recently directed ‘& Juliet’ at the Shaftesbury Theatre which won six WhatsOnStage Awards and received nine Olivier award nominations. His other directing credits include ‘In The Heights’ at King’s Cross Theatre which won three Olivier Awards and a nomination for Best New Musical.

Anna Fox will co-direct and her credits include ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ at the Arts Theatre and the UK and international tour and ‘Ghosts’ at Greenwich Theatre.

Soutra Gilmour, is an award-winning designer who has worked on a range of productions with the Jamie Lloyd Company, National Theatre, Young Vic and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Most recently Soutra designed ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ at the Playhouse Theatre and ‘& Juliet’ at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Neil Austin is a Tony Award winning Lighting Designer. His West End theatre credits include ‘Harry Potter and The Cursed Child’ at Palace Theatre, ‘Leopolstadt’ at Wyndham’s Theatre and ‘Company’ at the Gielgud Theatre.

Howard Hudson’s West End credits include ‘&Juliet’ at The Shaftesbury Theatre, ‘9 to 5 The Musical’ at the Savoy Theatre and ‘Strictly Ballroom’ at the Piccadilly Theatre.

FRAY Studio’s Theatre credits for Broadway include Disney’s ‘Frozen’ and ‘Mean Girls’, for the West End, ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ at The Palace Theatre and ‘Back To The Future’ at Manchester Opera House.

Adam Fisher ‘s credits as a Sound Designer include ‘Tonight At The London Coliseum’, ‘The Last Five Years’ at Southwark Playhouse and ‘The View UpStairs’ at Soho Theatre. Adam’s Associate Sound Designer credits include ‘Miss Saigon’ (London, New York UK tour and Japan) and ‘School of Rock’ (New York, US Tour and London).

Stephen Brooker is firmly established as one of Britain’s leading Musical Supervisors and Conductors.Stephen was musical director and conductor for Universal Pictures’ film of ‘Les Misérables’ and has conducted the Oscars and the 85^th Academy Awards. His MusicalSupervision credits in the West End include ‘Miss Saigon’ (New York, London, UK, US and Tokyo), ‘Half A Sixpence’, ‘Les Misérables’ (London, New York, US, UK, Tokyo) ‘Mary Poppins’ (London, Tokyo, US, International Tour), ‘Oliver!’ (London & UK Tour)and ‘My Fair Lady’ (USA and London).

Theatre Support Fund + was set up in April by theatre industry workers Chris Marcus and Damien Stanton who wanted to form an initiative to help individual workers who are no longer working due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. They created and designed ‘The Show Must Go On!’ t-shirt, the design of which is an amalgamation of the world-famous artwork of 16 of the biggest musicals in the West End. Since Theatre Support Fund’s inception the team have raised over £350,000 with all profits from merchandise sold goes to Acting for Others, Fleabag Support Fund and the NHS Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.

Take Two Theatricals is led by co-founders Jack Maple and Brian Zeilinger-Goode, who have the distinction of having been the two youngest West End and Broadway producers in history and combined credits of 21 productions in the West End and 14 productions on Broadway.

They are currently producing a new production of Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Private Peaceful’ at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester, as well as the new streamed concert series ‘Tonight at the London Coliseum’ featuring concerts from Sharon D Clarke, Kerry Ellis, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Cassidy Janson, Ramin Karimloo, Sharon Sexton & Rob Fowler, and the new British musical ‘After You’ by Alex Parker & Katie Lam which stars Bradley Jaden and Alexia Khadime.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON! LIVE AT THE PALACE THEATRE is produced by Chris Marcus & Damien Stanton for the Theatre Support Fund+ with Executive Producers, Jack Maple & Brian Zeilinger-Goode for Take Two Theatricals.

Casting to be announced soon.

Capacity at the Palace Theatre has been reduced to comply with COVID-19 Secure guidelines for social distancing plus robust risk mitigation. In addition to hand sanitation, face coverings and track and trace, other measures will include contactless tickets, temperature testing and the deep clean and sanitation of the theatre.