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#WritewithMike #HTIgnite #HTInspire #WritersoftheFuture

HAMPSTEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES TWO NEW EXCITING INITIATIVES – A NEW PLAYWRITING PROGRAMME LED BY MULTI-AWARD-WINNING WRITERMIKE BARTLETT AND A NEW YOUTH PROJECT FOR CAMDEN TEENS

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• MULTI-AWARD-WINNING WRITER MIKE BARTLETT WILL LEAD A NEW, PAID PLAYWRITING PROGRAMME THAT FOCUSES ON WRITING FOR THE BIGGER STAGE

• THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOW OPEN TO ALL UK-BASED WRITERS AGED 18 AND ABOVE WHO HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE PLAY PRODUCED

• HAMPSTEAD LAUNCHES IGNITE, A NEW YOUTH PROJECT FOR 13-17 YEAR OLDS LOCAL TO CAMDEN

• INSPIRE, HAMPSTEAD’S GROUP FOR EMERGING PLAYWRIGHTS, LED BY RENOWNED PLAYWRIGHT ROY WILLIAMS, WILL CULMINATE DURING FEBRUARY, WITH REHEARSED READINGS OF 9 FULL-LENGTH PLAYS

• HAMPSTEAD’S OPEN SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS REMAINS OPEN 24/7

• ALL INITIATIVES ARE BASED ONLINE WHILST THE VENUE REMAINS CLOSED

Hampstead Theatre is delighted to announce a new playwriting programme, for which participants will be paid, led by the multi-award-winning TV and theatre writer, Mike Bartlett (BBC Doctor Foster, BBC Life, King Charles III), and IGNITE a new, free youth project for 13-17year olds living in Camden.  Both initiatives will launch online this spring alongside the INSPIRE writers’ group, led by Roy Williams and Hampstead’s Literary Department whilst the venue remains closed under UK Government guidance.

Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive of Hampstead Theatre said:

Now more than ever we need to support our communities and our industry to sustain ourselves against the devastating impact of this pandemic.

I am delighted to announce today two new initiatives at Hampstead that I hope will provide a collective space for some joy and creativity this spring as well as offering a framework for experience and further opportunity.

We are so pleased to have Mike Bartlett join us to lead this unique new writing programme, which aims to support talented writers whose experience has been limited to studio spaces to explore ways of approaching writing new plays for large stages.

Likewise, we are so pleased to launch our new youth project within our local community.Whilst a lot of the world has been driven indoors and online out of necessity, it feels more important than ever to connect with our neighbours and especially a generation isolated during such formative years.  IGNITE will offer a creative space for expression and experimentation and forge voices of the future.

Mike Bartlett will lead an eight-week, online programme called Writing the Bigger Picture starting in March.

The programme is an open application initiative for up to ten writers, from across the UK, looking to develop further their skills for larger scale productions. Each writer will need to have had at least one play produced.  They will be paid £1000 each for their participation.  

Mike will lead group workshops during an 8-week period and mentor playwrights one-to-one.  The programme will culminate in the sharing of a group-written play.

The application process is now open.  Information about how to apply can be found on hampsteadtheatre.com. The deadline is Thursday 18 February 2021.

Mike Bartlett is currently under commission with Hampstead Theatre and previous plays include WILD (2016) and Chariots of Fire (2021).  He has won numerous awards for his plays, which include Olivier Awards for King Charles III (Best New Play, 2015), Bull (Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre, 2015) and Cock (Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre, 2010).

He had huge success in 2015 with his smash hit BBC mini- series Doctor Foster which won Best New Drama at the 2016 National Television Awards, Best Drama Series at the 2016 Broadcast Awards, and Outstanding Newcomer for British Television Writing at the British Screenwriting Awards.  The second series went on to win Best Drama at the National Television Awards in 2018.  Recent most recent TV work is Life, a mini-seriesstarring Alison Steadman and Victoria Hamilton broadcast on BBC One in autumn 2020. 

The theatre is also launching IGNITE, a new, youth projectfor 13-17 years olds living in Camden.  IGNITE will start online in March and is free of charge.  It will be led by Director, Lizzie Manwaring (Hampstead Theatre Resident Assistant Director, 2019-2020), supported by Literary Manager Davina Moss.

The project will culminate in the sharing of a short film comprising of devised work from all participants in summer 2021. 

Additional activity at Hampstead Theatre this spring will include its current group of INSPIRE writers receiving a rehearsed reading of their first full-length play, online to an invited industry audience, to mark the end of the year-long programme.

Mentored by the award-winning playwright Roy Williams, Georgina Burns, Ollie George Clark, Maud Dromgoole, Lucy Foster, Subika Anwar-Khan, maatin, Kristian Phillips, Kit Sinclair and Isla van Tricht will each have their script performed by professional actors with direction by Lizzie Manwaring and Anna Himali Howard.

Applications for the INSPIRE 2021/2022 programme will open in the summer. 

Hampstead Theatre’s open script submissions remains open all year-round. 

LIVE THEATRE IS SET TO RETURN AS

BY THE WATERS OF LIVERPOOL ANNOUNCES

THE CONTINUATION OF ITS UK TOUR

THE HELEN FORRESTER PLAY BASED ON THE BEST-SELLING BOOK WILL RUN FROM SEPTEMBER 2021 VISITING SEVENTEEN VENUES ACROSS THE UK

The acclaimed stage production of Helen Forrester’s, By The Waters Of Liverpool was cut short last March after just three venues into a seventeen venue tour; but now producers have announced the continuation of their UK tour in Autumn 2021.

Writer and Co-producer Rob Fennah said: “When we launched By The Waters Of Liverpool last year the response was so overwhelming we were determined not to let the pandemic get the better of us. We have a mantra when things get tough, ‘don’t give up – don’t give in!’

“By The Waters is not only returning to the stage in September, it is going to be bigger, bolder and more glorious than ever.”

Co-producer Bill Elms added: “With the vaccine roll-out going so well, we can now see the light at the end of a dark tunnel for the theatre industry and we just hope people will feel safe enough to come back in their droves; embracing theatre and live performance more than ever before.”

The stellar cast featured star names from stage and screen, including Sian Reeves, Mark Moraghan, Parry Glasspool, Lucy Dixon, Eric Potts, Lynn Francis, Danny O’Brien, Roy Carruthers, and Chloe McDonald.

By The Waters Of Liverpool opened on Tuesday 3 March 2020 at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton – just a few miles from the author’s birthplace in Hoylake. It was there a blue plaque was unveiled by actors Sian Reeves and Mark Moraghan to coincide with the opening of the tour which received a raft of 4-5-star reviews.

After an enforced 18 month break due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the tour will now continue to run from September 2021, opening in Lytham, then visiting towns and cities across the UK, including Lancaster, Darlington, St Helens, Warrington, Bolton, Stockport, Crewe, Halifax, Coventry, Winchester, Rhyl, Hayes, Chesterfield, Malvern, Southport and Wirral.

By The Waters Of Liverpool is a stunning period drama produced by the team that brought the smash hit Twopence To Cross The Mersey to the stage, produced by Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elms, written by Rob Fennah and directed by Gareth Tudor Price.

By The Waters Of Liverpool is set in the 1930s after Helen’s father went bankrupt during the Depression. Her family were forced to leave behind the nannies, servants and comfortable middle-class life in the South West of England. The Forrester’s chose Liverpool to rebuild their shattered lives, but they were in for a terrible shock. Taken out of school to look after her young siblings, Helen is treated as an unpaid slave. So begins a bitter fight with her parents for the right to go out to work and make her own way in life.But by 1939 and with Britain on the verge of war, Helen now aged 20, has still never been kissed by a man. But things start looking up for her when she meets a tall strong seaman and falls in love.

Helen Forrester’s best-selling volumes of autobiography include Twopence To Cross The Mersey, Liverpool Miss, By The Waters Of Liverpool, and Lime Street At Two.

The new production of By The Waters Of Liverpool also features sizeable chunks from Helen Forrester’s Liverpool Miss and Lime Street At Two plus flashbacks to Twopence To Cross The Mersey.

Adapted by Rob Fennah   ·   Directed by Gareth Tudor Price

Produced by Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elms

Fully endorsed by the Helen Forrester Estate

Website:         www.bythewatersofliverpool.com

Facebook:       facebook.com/ByTheWatersThePlay

Twitter:           @bythewatersofl1

LISTING INFORMATION

HELEN FORRESTER’S

BY THE WATERS OF LIVERPOOL

LOWTHER PAVILION – LYTHAM

Thursday 9 – Saturday 11 September 2021

West Beach, Lytham St Annes, FY8 5QQ

Website:          www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk

Box Office:      01253 294221

LANCASTER GRAND THEATRE

Monday 13 – Tuesday 14 September 2021

St Leonardgate, Lancaster, LA1 1NL

Website:          www.lancastergrand.co.uk

Box Office:      01524 64695

DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

Wednesday 15 – Thursday 16 September 2021

Parkgate, Darlington, DL1 1RR

Website:          www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Box Office:      01325 405405

ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL

Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 September 2021

Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1LQ

Website:          www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Box Office:      01744 756000

WARRINGTON PARR HALL

Thursday 23 – Friday 24 September 2021

Palmyra Square, Warrington, WA1 1BL

Website:          www.parrhall.culturewarrington.org

Box Office:      01925 442345

BOLTON ALBERT HALLS

Monday 27 – Tuesday 28 September 2021

Victoria Square, Bolton, BL1 1RU

Website:          www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk

Box Office:      0843 7080500

STOCKPORT PLAZA

Wednesday 29 – Thursday 30 September 2021

Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1SP

Website:          www.stockportplaza.co.uk

Box Office:      0161 477 7779

CREWE LYCEUM

Friday 1 – Saturday 2 October 2021

Heath Street, Crewe, CW1 2DA

Website:          www.crewelyceum.co.uk

Box Office:      01270 368242

VICTORIA THEATRE – HALIFAX

Monday 11 – Tuesday 12 October 2021

Fountain Street, Halifax, HX1 1BP

Website:          www.victoriatheatre.co.uk

Box Office:      01422 351158

THE ALBANY THEATRE – COVENTRY

Wednesday 13 – Thursday 14 October 2021

Albany Road, Coventry, CV5 6JQ

Website:          www.albanytheatre.co.uk

Box Office:      02476 998964

THEATRE ROYAL WINCHESTER

Friday 15 – Saturday 16 October 2021

21-23 Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8SB

Website:          www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/

Box Office:      01962 840440

PAVILION THEATRE – RHYL

Monday 18 – Thursday 21 October 2021

East Parade, Rhyl, LL18 3AQ

Website:          www.rhylpavilion.co.uk

Box Office:      01745 330000

BECK THEATRE HAYES

Monday 25 – Tuesday 26 October 2021

Grange Road, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 2UE

Website:          https://becktheatre.org.uk

Box Office:      020 85618371

POMEGRANATE THEATRE – CHESTERFIELD

Monday 1 – Wednesday 3 November 2021

Corporation Street, Chesterfield, S41 7TX

Website:          www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk

Box Office:      01246 345222

MALVERN THEATRES

Friday 5 – Saturday 7 November 2021

Grange Road, Malvern, WR14 3HB

Website:          www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Box Office:      01684 892277

THE ATKINSON – SOUTHPORT

Tuesday 9 – Friday 12 November 2021

Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB

Website:          www.theatkinson.co.uk

Box Office:      01704 533333

FLORAL PAVILION – WIRRAL

Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 November 2021

Marine Promenade, New Brighton, CH45 2JS

Website:          www.floralpavilion.com

Box Office:      0151 666 0000

Award-nominated actor Beaux Harris, inspires and teaches throughout lockdown

Despite Coronavirus, 25-year-old award-nominated actor Beaux Harris continues to dance her way through lockdown and is encouraging others to keep going through her Instagram page and online dance classes, suitable for all age groups.

Beaux was recently shortlisted for an Off-West End Award for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical for her role as air raid siren Elsie/Dance Captain in Lionel Bart’s Blitz! directed by Phil Willmott, which ran at the Union Theatre in Southwark last year.

Since then, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last March, she taught and choreographed for a number of highly regarded dance and performing arts institutions across the UK, including at The Urdang Academy and Momentum Performing Arts Academy.  Beaux is now concentrating on motivating those wishing to take up a career in the performing arts:“The clouds will clear one day and until then we just have to keep going and keep creating in the waiting”, she says.  “We have to keep recognising what made us initially drawn to this profession and how important it is that we keep fighting for its survival.  After all, the alternative would be a world full of suffering without the arts and creativity.  That would be one hell of a scary place.  Let’s keep filling it up with our light.” 

During the first national lockdown, Beaux joined forces with ‘Magnetic Movement’ (Now ‘Magnetic Studios’), a wonderful online collective of artists offering free dance classes during the isolation period, praised by ‘The Stage’ in April 2020. Beaux ran free online tap dance classes through Magnetic Movement and Capezio London, part of the #CAPEZIOATHOME movement and would choreograph and share her new routines regularly, both as a reference point for those taking her classes, but also as a way of developing her own choreographic voice in addition to providing essential performance art for the general public. She has also taken part in an online collaboration video featuring the Blitz! 2020 Union Theatre cast to honour the life of Dame Vera Lynn (June, 2020) and performed alongside guest singer Kerry Ellis in The Singers Space Cabaret last August. One of her most memorable times over the past year was assisting director Phil Willmott as Associate Director for Hamlet On The Beach which ran at Rotherhithe Beach last summer. Beaux explains: “We managed to produce a free, outdoor, Covid-safe production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet with the aim of making theatre accessible again in these harsh times, in particular for those who may be struggling and just needed an evening of free entertainment. It was very successful.  Audiences were desperate for theatre and Rotherhithe Beach provided the perfect backdrop for Hamlet.  It was a magical experience; I will never forget working with those actors as we fought to keep theatre alive while we could still perform at that time.”

Beaux also volunteered as an extra for a short promotional film Grief Encounter for a bereavement charity, and choreographed for A Christmas Carol (Free Theatre UK, December 2020), an open air Covid-safe production that unfortunately, like so many other shows, closed due to government restrictions.  The show was produced by www.freetheatreuk.com which was founded by Artistic Director Phil Willmott 17 years ago with the aim of providing free, exciting theatre accessible for all. Willmott is inspired by the work of Joseph Papp who founded Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater, an open-air theatre in New York City’s Central Park. Over the years Willmott and his dedicated team have produced productions in locations including at The Scoop, an amphitheatre adjacent to City Hall London, where he mounted 25 free multi award-winning family shows and bold revivals of world classics to an audience of over 350,000 people, and in Hoxton, where he most notably produced a popular free production of Great Expectations to wide acclaim on the front lawn of the Geffrye Museum. 

“Everyone worked so hard on A Christmas Carol, but Lockdown 2 came into force and sadly it was pulled,” explains Beaux. “It was devastating.”

Later on this year, if permitted and restrictions are lifted, she plans to continue with her current directing project; an independent short film, Eternity exploring themes of contemporary loss, love and marriage. “It’s a terrific script written by actor Eleanor Griffiths, and we were all set to film last December in a house in Norfolk when unfortunately, the area went into Tier 4. Then of course the full lockdown came in.  Filming is on hold for now and while we wait some of us have suffered loss and real mental health setbacks, but we continue to push through; it’s something positive to work towards and I know that we’ll be back together again one day soon. I can’t wait for that day.”

Having discovered new ways of working, Beaux hopes to carry on lifting up and inspiring those in the business to keep going through her teaching: “Whether you are just starting out or simply looking for inspiration and creative tuition, I am an experienced teacher and emerging choreographer/director who can instruct all age groups and create a safe and nurturing space for all types of glorious artists. Ideal for schoolchildren stuck at home right now and in need of an escape and area of focus. Group and Private classes take place on Zoom. Dancing is a terrific way to release positive endorphins in the body and mind, making us feel happier and healthier.  It’s great for our mental health.”  

Beaux’s message to anyone starting out in the arts who might be feeling overwhelmed or anxious is to “Stick with it, particularly if you find it brings so much joy.  We can and will get through this together.  Keep being brave.”

Anyone wishing to inject some positivity into their life should contact Beaux for private or group dance tuition/online theatrical workshops through her Instagram account on: @BeauxHarris or directly by email on [email protected]      

IRIS THEATRE ANNOUNCE SEED COMMISSION SCHEME FOR 2021 – CULMINATING IN A ONE-WEEK RUN AT IRIS THEATRE’S OUTDOOR SUMMER FESTIVAL

Paul-Ryan Carberry, Artistic Director of Iris Theatre, today announces Seed Commission Scheme for 2021, a program supporting five early-career artists or companies to develop and present a piece of work as part of Iris Theatre’s Outdoor Summer Festival 2021, which runs in the heart of Covent Garden, June – August 2021. Full dates and programme to be announced in due course.

Five artists will be selected, with each receiving a fee of £1000 towards the cost of developing their work. In addition, they will also receive technical, marketing and creative support from Iris Theatre as they develop their work, culminating in a one-week outdoor run in Summer 2021, with the artist receiving 50% of the box office revenue.

Paul-Ryan Carberry, Artistic Director and Charlotte Lund, Executive Director of Iris Theatre said today, “Iris Theatre strives to be a home for early-career artists as they begin their journey in the performing arts industry. With the challenges of the past year, providing support and opportunities for artists feels all the more important and so, we are delighted that through our Seed Commission Scheme, successful applicants will develop a piece of work to present as part of our Outdoor Summer Festival this year. As a company we have a long and successful history of innovative, outdoor performance, and we are so excited to share the full programme for Iris Theatre’s Outdoor Summer Festival 2021 soon!”

Iris Theatre’s Seed Commission Scheme is open to all early-career artists and companies developing a piece of narrative work that has not yet received a full production and can thrive in an outdoor space.

Applications open Thursday 4 February at 10am until Monday 15 March 2021 at 6pm. Applicants will receive notification by 21 March, and if successful, invited for a meeting w/c 22 March.

For further information and details on how to apply please visit: iristheatre.com

NEW EDITION OF KEN REA’S

THE OUTSTANDING ACTOR: SEVEN KEYS TO SUCCESS PUBLISHED –

WITH FOREWORD BY LILY JAMES

“Ken’s lessons were like a treasure chest full of knowledge, provocations, and challenges to be met. Throughout this wonderful book we have been given the map to the treasure and the keys to what lies within.” – Lily James

Ken Rea’s bestselling book The Outstanding Actor: Seven Keys to Success is published in a new edition by Methuen Drama. This second edition incorporates up to date interviews with actors and creatives, a foreword by former student Lily James, and for the first time, Rea shares some of his key techniques with HD video recordings.

“Ken’s classes were easily my favourite while I was training. When we think of our favourite actors, we are drawn to danger, risk, charisma, spontaneity, charm…Ken is a master at drawing these qualities out of you as a student and teaching you to own them. He’s brilliant.” – Paapa Essiedu

Drawing on Ken Rea’s 40 years’ teaching experience and research, as well as interviews with top actors and directors, The Outstanding Actor identifies seven key qualities that the most successful actors manifest, along with practical exercises that help nurture those qualities.

“… you can be hugely talented and brilliantly trained, and yet still not have a good career. The key is simple: you must be proactive rather than reactive. You can’t afford to drift through your career waiting for opportunities to come, because the odds are, they won’t. By being proactive you can make a difference.”  Extract from The Outstanding Actor

In addition to new contributions and insights from former students Orlando Bloom, Paapa Essiedu, Lily James, Lesley Sharp, Jodie Whittaker, Daniel Craig and many more, the second edition is revised to reflect the impact of developments across society and the industry, including the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements. Using the latest technology, the edition also features HD video recordings of over 20 of the exercises described in the book, giving readers an insight into Rea’s masterclasses and the chance to see exactly how the exercises work and are developed during a session.

The Outstanding Actor gives techniques that actors can immediately put into practice in rehearsals, classes or private preparation, to consciously develop the qualities needed to step up to the next level of success. Rea has also used the techniques to train thousands of senior executives throughout Europe to develop their presence and charisma.

Ken Rea said today, “There’s never been a more crucial time for actors to develop their skills. The Covid crisis won’t last forever, and when the theatres do re-open, opportunities will come very quickly. This means that actors need to be match-fit now, so they’re ready to go. As I show in the book, this is not just about being physically ready; it’s also about having that winning mindset that will get you the job in the first place, that makes a director say, “Yes, this is the kind of energy I want in my cast!”

Ken Rea is Professor of Theatre at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London.  He began as a professional actor and director in New Zealand, working with some of the country’s leading theatres and on television as well as running his own company, The Living Theatre Troupe. Later, in the UK he was artistic director of Jet Theatre and Koru Theatre. In addition to his work at Guildhall, he has taught in the national drama academies of China, Indonesia, India, Italy and New Zealand, as well as in Germany, Greece and Canada. He has also worked as a movement coach with many theatres including the Royal Shakespeare Company. He has been a regular feature writer for The Times and was for 15 years a theatre critic for The Guardian. His book A Better Direction, examines the issues of director-training. His plays produced in Britain include The Brave Magicians of Mangalore and Voyagers. His adaptations performed in London include the Swedish classic, Pippi Longstocking and the Italian Renaissance comedy, The Deceived.

TRU POWELL TO JOIN BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME BOARD

Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust (BHTT) have today (Thursday 4 February) announced the appointment of Tru Powell to its Board of Directors.

Deputy Chair of BHTT and Chair of the BHTT Nominations Committee, Ann Tonks said: “I am delighted that we have appointed such a standout, highly accomplished individual who will strengthen the skills on our board.

“Tru is a successful entrepreneur with great experience in events planning, marketing and communication who will bring further commercial acumen to our business. His work with young people in the arts is exemplary and we are very excited to have him joining our Board. Tru brings with him great energy and enthusiasm.”

Tru is the Founder & Managing Director for The Alternative Events & Wedding Company, an event management company that specialises in coordinating high quality corporate, youth events and weddings.  In addition, Tru is the Director of the UK’s first kids’ salon, Kandy Girl and also the Creative & Events Director for Aston Performing Arts Academy, a community interest organisation that exists to empower young people through performing and creative arts. Since the organisation’s inception in 2004, the company has impacted the lives of thousands of young people in the Midlands.

Speaking of his appointment Tru said: “I am really excited to have joined the Hippodrome board. I am even more excited at the prospect of championing the arts and contributing to the mission of making the Hippodrome inclusive and accessible for all. I am hoping to bring my wealth of knowledge in enterprise, the arts and marketing to this role to compliment the board’s existing skills and expertise.”

Over the years Tru has been awarded with numerous accolades for enterprise and his contribution to the arts. In 2014 he was recognised as one of Birmingham’s most inspirational young leaders and in 2018 was crowned Birmingham’s Young Professional of the Year – Marketing and Communications. In 2019 Tru was also named the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Entrepreneurship as well as winning the prestigious Great British Entrepreneur Award from Natwest.  

Chair of BHTT, Glenn Howells, said: “On behalf of the board here at the Hippodrome we are thrilled to announce that Tru Powell is joining us a Trustee. Tru’s experience and track record as a ground-breaking, creative entrepreneur will be a great addition to the Hippodrome in exploring new ways to realise the opportunities that are beginning to emerge as we enter the next stage of our development as a regional cultural hub for performing arts.” 

Tru will be officially joining the BHTT Board of Directors on Tuesday 23 February.

PARK THEATRE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH NEW STAFFING STRUCTURE, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BUILDING, AND A RECRUITMENT DRIVE

TANIA DUNN JOINS AS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Jez Bond and the team at Park Theatre are pleased to announce that Tania Dunn has been appointed to the role of Development Director, replacing Founding Development Director Dorcas Morgan, who recently moved on after nearly eight years at the theatre. Tania joins Park Theatre from the Young Vic, and previously worked in development at Shakespeare’s Globe and Historic Royal Palaces.

Tania’s appointment comes at a time of significant change for Park Theatre. A new staffing structure will facilitate a different model of programming, with the theatre aiming to reach out further to find, nurture, and develop artists. The position of Associate Artistic Director has been made redundant, with co-founder Melli Marie receiving the honorary lifetime title ‘Creative Director Emeritus’ to recognise her remarkable achievements over the years, whilst the Artistic & Executive Directors will be supported by a new General Manager, Producer Programmer and a team of readers & viewers. Recruitment for the new posts will begin in mid-February. Park Theatre continues to operate a Positive Action policy to aid in the endeavour to diversify their workforce. Any disabled candidates or candidates from a BAME background who meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification will be guaranteed a first-round interview.

Furthermore, the closure of the building during the pandemic has facilitated several physical changes. In addition to various new Covid-secure measures, these include the introduction of digital screens and painting and repairs throughout – most of which would have been totally impractical if the building were open to the public.

Due to increasing demands placed on the Box Office and changes to the catering offering at the theatre, the team have converted the kitchen into a larger box office with two dedicated workstations in order to better service incoming patrons. As well as also ensuring a more comfortable experience for staff and patrons with access needs, this has an added benefit of increasing the circulation area in the downstairs bar: a concern exacerbated by the pandemic. 

Artistic Director Jez Bond says “I’m pleased that, with the support of our donors and funders, we have been able to craft a silver lining to the dark cloud of the last ten months. Tania Dunn arrives with a wealth of experience from, most recently, her work as Development Director at the Young Vic and, along with all the other changes we’re making, I’m thrilled for what this means for our next chapter. I am determined that we now reflect on who we are, what we are and why we are – so that we not only return, but burst forth with new promise for our community.” 

Tania Dunn says, “I’m delighted to be joining the team at Park Theatre. I’ve been to countless brilliant productions there and I lived in Stroud Green when the theatre was being built so I’d always hoped to work there at some point. Jez and Dorcas have established a real community amongst the donors and I’m so looking forward to being a part of that as the theatre reopens and welcomes everyone back” 

Park Theatre’s trial programme of socially distanced work plus Park Sessions Masterclasses for underrepresented groups was postponed earlier in the year due to the national lockdown, with plans to announce new dates for the work in spring when the theatre can safely reopen its doors.

Ashington writer Sarah Tarbit wins inaugural Box of Tricks & Sky Studios Screen/Play Award

Selected from nearly 350 entries from underrepresented talent right across the North of England, Box of Tricks and Sky Studios are delighted to announce that Sarah Tarbit from Ashington is one of two writers who have won the inaugural Screen/Play Award. Sarah and Liverpool writer Conway McDermott will be awarded £10,250 to write a 70-minute stage play and a 20-minute screenplay inspired by a single central idea to be developed with support from the two partners throughout 2021.

Sarah Tarbit [she/her] is from Ashington, Northumberland. Her work documents life in the region and often calls for social and political change. In 2020, she was Highly Commended for the Sid Chaplin Award (part of the Northern Writers’ Awards) and had two short plays produced by Live Theatre in Newcastle. For Screen/Play, Sarah will develop You Belong Here exploring the effects suicide can have on a community and the people left behind.

“I’m buzzing to have been chosen for the Screen/Play Award! What an opportunity! I can’t thank Box of Tricks, Sky Studios, and the rest of the judging panel enough for believing in me and seeing value in my story. It means validation – not just for me as a writer, but for working-class stories and stories from underrepresented groups as a whole.” – Sarah Tarbit

“The world Sarah chooses to write about is rich, full of life and familiar to me. Voices I know but don’t hear and faces I recognise but don’t see, exist there. Sarah’s desire to bring what exists in the periphery into focus is what I think this award was designed for and I can’t wait to see how her pitch develops!” – Panellist ,actor and playwright David Judge

Launched last year to unearth exceptional Northern talent from communities currently underrepresented on stage and screen, the Screen/Play Award will seeboth writers this year develop a brand-new play for Box of Tricks and a short screenplay with Sky Studios.

Following online interviews with six finalists, the two winning writers were selected by a panel of leading industry figures comprising of the acclaimed actresses Mina Anwar (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) and Melissa Johns (Life, I Hate Suzie, Coronation Street); writers Chris Bush (UK Theatre Award-winning playwright), David Judge (writer of Box of Tricks’ SparkPlug – finalist for Alfred Fagon Award for Best New Play of the Year 2017) and Temi Wilkey (2020 Stage Debut Award, The High Table); as well as Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder (Joint Artistic Director, Box of Tricks) and Donna Metcalfe (Script Executive, Sky Studios).

In addition to developing new scripts with the two winning writers, Box of Tricks and Sky Studios will support the 15 shortlisted writers through a tailored package of masterclasses – offering an invaluable opportunity to explore their craft and the world of screenwriting with industry experts. As well as the two winners, those writers include Shazia Ashraf, Mohammed Barber, Rosa Hesmondhalgh, Asif Khan, Aisling Lally, Rosie MacPherson, Lauren-Nicole Mayes, Amy Rhianne Milton, Laurie Ogden, Stefanie Reynolds, Elis Shotton, Ted Steptoe, and Christopher York.

Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder and Adam Quayle, Joint Artistic Directors, Box of Tricks, said: “In partnership with Sky Studios, we set out to uncover exceptional Northern talent and to celebrate creativity at a time of adversity. Reading submissions for the Screen/Play Award has highlighted for us the wealth of talent we have here in the North but that far too many of those voices still go unheard and their stories go untold. We want to unlock doors and create opportunity and we’re delighted to champion Conway and Sarah as they uncover the stories they want to tell.”

Vicky Wharton, Executive Producer, Sky Studios, said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better response to the Screen/Play Award. At a time of unprecedented challenge for the Arts, working with Box of Tricks has underlined for us the importance of the whole creative sector in nurturing and developing new writers. Throughout the process we have uncovered some truly exceptional new talent from the North of England, in particular Sarah and Conway who both have unique stories to tell that will resonate with audiences of both stage and screen.”

Temi Wilkey, Writer, actor and Screen/Play panellist said: “I feel so honoured to have been part of the selection process for this award and so excited about Sarah and Conway. They both represent exactly why I think this award is important, in completely different ways. Their voices are so important and so underrepresented in the TV & theatre landscape. Both of them have so much talent, so much potential and so much to say that the world needs to hear! I can’t wait to see what they both do.”

A MUSICAL SPRING FROM CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE:

FACING THE MUSIC interviews with Sheila Hancock, Philip Quast, Patricia Routledge, Imelda Staunton and Giles Terera streamed to audiences at home

Encore screening of CELEBRATING SONDHEIM

The distinguished and much-loved performers Patricia Routledge, Philip Quast, Imelda Staunton and Giles Terera join writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson to discuss their lives in musical theatre, illustrated by treasured recordings,in a new series of Facing The Music interviews streamed from Chichester Festival Theatre in February and March. Sheila Hancock’s recent Damehood is celebrated with a repeat of her Facing The Music event from November.

There’s also another chance to see the acclaimed Celebrating Sondheim concert first broadcast last autumn – this time marking the composer’s 91^st birthday on 22 March – with Gabrielle Brooks, Daniel Evans, Clive Rowe, Jenna Russell and Hannah Waddingham.

While CFT’s Theatres remain closed, our commitment to staying connected with our community is undimmed. Offstage, our adult weekly community classes continue to run online during lockdown, along with Little Notes music sessions for babies and toddlers, Chichester Festival Youth Theatre sessions, and a new programme of weekly creative workshops for Young Carers.

FACING THE MUSIC interviews, hosted by Edward Seckerson:

PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE

Streamed as live, Wednesday 24 February at 7pm
Patricia Routledge has acted in many productions at Chichester Festival Theatre over five decades, ranging from The Magistrate to Office Suite. She won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Darling of the Day on Broadway, and an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Candide with Scottish Opera; her many other musicals include The Pirates of Penzance and Leonard Bernstein’s 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in New York, and Carousel at the National Theatre.

IMELDA STAUNTON

Streamed as live, Wednesday 3 March at 7pm

Imelda Stauntonreceived Olivier Awards for Best Actress in a Musical for her roles in Sweeney Todd and Gypsy­ – both of which transferred from Chichester to the West End – as well as for Into The Woods. Her innumerable musical appearances also include The Beggar’s Opera, Guys and Dolls, The Wizard of Oz and, most recently, the National Theatre revival of Follies.

GILES TERERA

Streamed as live, Wednesday 10 March at 7pm

Giles Tererawon the 2018 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical as Aaron Burr in the original London cast of Hamilton. His extensive musical credits include Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon, The Rat Pack, Jailhouse Rock, 125^th Street and Rent in the West End, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Candide and Honk! at the National Theatre. He appeared at Chichester’s Concert in the Park last summer.

PHILIP QUAST

Streamed as live, Wednesday 17 March at 7pm

Philip Quast is renowned for his interpretation of Javert in Les Misérables in Sydney and London. He has won three Olivier Awards for Best Actor in a Musical: in the original London production of Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George; in Dempsey & Rowe’s The Fix; and as Emile in the National Theatre production of South Pacific. His many other musicals include Evita, Mary Poppins, La Cage Aux Folles and Sweeney Todd.

SHEILA HANCOCK

Encore stream, Wednesday 24 March at 7pm

Another chance to see Dame Sheila Hancock’s fascinating interview looking back at her musical theatre career. Sheila’s most recent Chichester appearance was in This Is My Family (2019); her many West End credits include Sister Act, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd and Annie. She was created a Dame in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List.

CELEBRATING SONDHEIM

Encore stream, Monday 22 March at 7pm and on demand until Thursday 25 March

This dazzling cornucopia of music and song – staged last autumn to celebrate musical legend Stephen Sondheim’s 90^th birthday year – saw CFT Artistic Director Daniel Evans joined on the Festival Theatre stage by stars from the West End to perform numbers from some of Sondheim’s major and lesser-known works. This encore streaming is broadcast on the composer’s 91^st birthday.

Gabrielle Brooks wowed audiences at CFT’s Concert in the Park whilst Clive Rowe was last seen in Chichester in Me and My Girl. Jenna Russell starred opposite Daniel Evansin Sunday in the Park with George in London and on Broadway, for which they both won Olivier Awards. Hannah Waddingham made a welcome return following Kiss Me, Kate (2012).

COMMUNITY EVENTS

CFT’s programme of weekly online activities aims to welcome a diverse group of participants. Get Into It!sessions offer adults the chance to stay connected to the Theatre and to learn new creative skills, socialising online in a supportive environment.

Little Notes sessions run weekly online during term-time: a perfect introduction to live music for ages 0 – 4, led by classically-trained opera singer and musician Mark Bradbury.

At a time when efforts to protect children’s mental health are paramount, online sessions for the award-winning Chichester Festival Youth Theatre are running weekly via Zoom, including for technical youth theatre, musical theatre, youth dance and for young people with additional needs.

Participants in the Young Carers Connect project are also taking part in free weekly creative workshops delivered online by professional artists, ranging from dance and puppetry to drawing and design. Young Carers Connect is providing 300 laptops to young caregivers across West Sussex to keep them connected with their education and the arts.

BOOKING INFORMATION

Booking for all events is now open:

cft.org.uk       01243 781312

Tickets from £10

STAGE STARS JOIN ARTS PLATFORM THESPIE FOR TALKS AND CONCERTS CELEBRATING BLACK AND LGBT+ THEATRE ARTISTS

Leading theatre artists feature in live-streamed artist talks and streamed concert premieres, coinciding with Black History Month (US) and LGBT+ History Month (UK) and raising funds for charity

• Thespie is spending the month of February celebrating Black and LGBT+ theatre artists on its discovery platform including free artist talks and new concerts supporting Stonewall and Black Lives Matter.
• The programming includes two filmed concert premieres: The Road to Prominence which celebrates Black musical theatre creators, and Break Free, which features LGBTQ artists sharing stories and performances about their personal journeys
• Two series of free artist talks will run throughout the month: In the Room, conversations with performers and creators about writing, rehearsal, and collaboration, and Thespie Thursdays, informal artist chats designed to show artists in a more personal light.

Theatre discovery platform Thespie today announces eight new online theatre and arts events during the month of February, highlighting the work of Black and LGBT+ theatre artists. The initiative is inspired by LGBT+ History Month (UK) and Black History Month (US) celebrations, but instead looks at theatre artists working today

The programming is headlined by two marquee concert premieres:

• Break Free is an empowering musical celebration with LGBT+ theatre artists, sharing their personal journeys and performances of musical theatre and pop songs that have inspired them. The cast includes Natasha Agnew, Paul Baker, Allie Daniel, Eloise Davis, Andrew Derbyshire, Nick Hayes, Mark Inscoe, Eleanor Kane, Millie O’Connell, Alex Thomas-Smith, Courtney Stapleton, La Voix, Andrew Patrick-Walker, Shona White, Layton Williams and Charlotte York. Proceeds will go to LGBT+ charity Stonewall UK.
• The Road to Prominence celebrates Black musical theatre writers and composers, from the early twentieth century to today, including performances and interviews with leading UK theatre performers. The filmed concert is directed by Dominic Powell whose musical Cases is featured in the concert, alongside works such as The Wiz, The Color Purple, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Shuffle Along. The cast includes Zoe Birkett, Adrian Hansel, Waylon Jacobs, Aisha Jawando, Bobby Little, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Alex Thomas-Smith and Andrew Patrick-Walker. Proceeds will go to Black Lives Matter UK.

Break Free premieres on Friday, 19 February at 8PM GMT (3PM EST / 12PM PST) and
The Road to Prominence premieres on Friday, 26 February at 8PM GMT (3PM EST / 12PM PST).

Both concerts will be available to stream on-demand following their premieres, and purchasers will have 72 hours to view.
Tickets for each are £8/$10 per household with all proceeds going to Stonewall UK and Black Lives Matter UK.
£15/$25 and £25/$30 tickets also available which include an extra donation.

The In the Room series of free artist talks comprise conversations with performers and creators and about writing, rehearsal, and collaboration. It will feature Max Harwood (3 Feb), star of the forthcoming film of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, with cast members from the Leicester Curve production of The Color Purple in conversation with Dominic Powell (10 Feb), and more to be announced later.

The informal chat series Thespie Thursdays will feature artists Eloise Davis and Courtney Stapleton (4 Feb), Millie O’Connell (11 Feb), Genesis Lynea (18 Feb) and Melanie La Barrie (25 Feb) and is also free to view on Thespie.

Thespie offers listings for theatre streaming, theatre music & audio, theatre eBooks, educational resources, live London theatre, theatre news, and more. Audiences can use Thespie to stream its original programming of concerts and artist talks, as well as more than 400 other shows; and to discover over 1000 theatre resources available on other popular platforms and services, such as Disney+, Amazon Prime, Spotify and Audible.

Artists, producers and arts organisations interested in adding their show listings and theatre streaming to Thespie can learn more at https://thespie.com/submissions.

BOOKING LINKS

Break Free: https://thespie.com/digital/break-free-thespie/2728

The Road to Prominence: https://thespie.com/digital/the-road-to-prominence-thespie/2727

SOCIAL MEDIA

Website: https://thespie.com Twitter: @thespie_ (https://twitter.com/Thespie_) Facebook: @thespie (https://www.facebook.com/thespie) Instagram: @thespie_ (https://www.instagram.com/thespie_)