Month: April 2021

IRIS THEATRE ANNOUNCES PROGRAMMING FOR OUTDOOR

SUMMER FESTIVAL 2021 –

INCLUDING THE 2021 SEED COMMISSION RECIPIENTS

Paul-Ryan Carberry, Artistic Director of Iris Theatre, today announces full programme for their Summer Festival 2021, running in the courtyard of the Actors’ Church, their home in the heart of Covent Garden from 21 June – 22 August 2021. All performances will adhere to social distancing in line with government guidelines.

The Summer Festival includes Iris Theatre’s world première production Arthur/Merlin, areimagining of the Arthurian legend featuring spoken word and original songs written by previous PLATFORM artist, Reuben Johnson and directed by the company’s Artistic Director, Paul-Ryan Carberry.

The festival also includes five pieces from the company’s Seed Commission Scheme for 2021,an initiative opened for applications from early-career artists or companies in Spring this year. The selected artists/companies are: 

• Flux Theatre with Danielle Pearson’s Queen Mab in a co-production with Arsalan Sattari Productions
• Tom Ryalls presents Can You See Into A Black Hole?,directed by Deidre McLaughlin
• FAIR PLAY. present Shoes to Fill by Tanya Bridgeman, directed by Alex Miller
• Zoe Woodruff and Kathryn Tindall presentnew musical The Red Side of The Moon
• Tiny T’s Storytelling & Theatre present Spectacular! a new show for children

Each recipient receives £1000, as well as technical, marketing and creative support from Iris Theatre to develop and present their work as part of the Summer Festival. Each artist receives 50% of their production’s box office revenue.

In addition, Iris Theatre present Eyes On – a series of one-off work in progress shows from a variety of artists running throughout the festival, and Shakespeare Sunday’s which will present new pieces inspired by the bard and his work on selected Sundays throughout the summer, with full programming and dates to be announced.

Paul-Ryan Carberry, Artistic Director and Charlotte Lund, Executive Director of Iris Theatre said today, ““We’re thrilled to be launching our Summer Season today alongside these five incredible companies. Make no bones about it, this festival is an unabashed celebration of theatre, a championing of early-career artists and of their exceptional work. Iris has long been renowned for innovative, bold and site-specific outdoor work and we can’t wait to welcome audiences back to our garden once again this summer. With our new retelling of one of the greatest adventures ever told; Arthur/Merlin, and loads of incredible new work from a generation of new voices, there is, as always, something for everyone. Come down…you’re all welcome…and we’ll see you in the garden!”

Sofi Berenger, Chair of Iris Theatre Board, also commented, “We’re very excited to be able to offer much needed outdoor performance space this summer for early-career artists. The exceptional talent on offer ensures there is a bit of something for everyone and marks a defiant return to live performance. We very much look forward to welcoming all the artists and audiences back to Iris Theatre and the stunning St Paul’s church gardens.”

Flux Theatre, Arsalan Sattari Productions and Iris Theatre present

QUEEN MAB

By Danielle Pearson

Directed by Georgie Straight; Designed by Isobel Nicolson

21 – 26 June 2021

Mab is an ancient being who doles out dreams and nightmares to her sleeping victims. She has watched humans for centuries, knows our worst fears and wildest fantasies – and quite frankly, she’s bored of us. That is until a chance meeting with Freya Roberts, a locked-down teen watching her best years slip away. As Mab and Freya strike up an unlikely friendship, the faerie is reluctantly drawn into the laughter, squabbles, triumphs and anxieties of the Roberts’ family. But when grief threatens their world, can Mab maintain her impartial role of observer? 

Inspired by Mercutio’s famous speech in Romeo and Juliet, Queen Mab brings this mythic dream-weaver into the mundanity of pandemic life. A coming-of-age tale for fifteen-year-olds and five-hundred-year-olds alike. Through music and storytelling, Queen Mab examines the euphoria, confusion and loneliness of youth. 

Danielle Pearson is an Associate Artist at the Watermill Theatre, where recent workincludes A Christmas Carol, Jane Eyre and Newbury Yarns. Other work includes Combe Gibbet (Paines Plough), D Day 75 (101 Greenham Arts), This Restless State (Ovalhouse/UK tour), and A Prickle of Hedgehogs (Southwark Playhouse). In 2017 she was a member of the Royal Court Writer’s Group and a winner of the EU Collective Plays! Competition.

Georgie Straight is a freelance director and Joint Artistic Director of Flux Theatre. She is an associate artist at the Watermill Theatre.Her directing credits include A Christmas Carol, Camp Albion (Watermill Theatre), Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon (Old Red Lion/Barn Theatre), Eigengrau (Waterloo East Theatre), D-Day 75 (Watermill Theatre/101 Greenham Arts), CHUTNEY, Section 2 (Bunker Theatre), Into the Numbers, Dubailand (Finborough Theatre), Dreamless Sleep (Arts Theatre/Bunker Theatre), and Flood (Tristan Bates Theatre). Her credits as Assistant Director include Sweet Charity, Our Town (Watermill Theatre)and Legally Blonde: The Musical (Bernie Grant Arts Centre).

Tom Ryalls and Iris Theatre present

CAN YOU SEE INTO A BLACK HOLE? 

By Tom Ryalls

Directed by Deidre McLaughlin; Sound and Music by Christian Czornyj

Associate Director: Sally Lofthouse

28 June – 3 July 2021

When Tom grows up he wants to be an astronaut… or the blue power ranger, they’re kind of the same thing anyway, right? But, when he has his first seizure aged 8 and a black hole opens up inside his head, his entire world is swallowed and he must find an even bigger adventure.

In this autobiographical show, developed through interviews with his parents, the real Tom tries to reconstruct this invisible part of his life which has changed him so much. Performed by one actor with a soundscape of interviews, Can You See into a Black Hole? is an epic adventure exploring one family’s journey to adapt in the face of celestial scale events.

The show was originally commissioned by Upstart Theatre as part of DARE Festival 2018.

Tom Ryalls is a writer and producer whose work includes How to be an Astronaut (artsdepot – shortlisted for the Unlimited Emerging Artist Award). Their writing has been seen at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Theatre503, the Arcola Theatre, Slunglow and Shoreditch Town. They are also part of the SSE Creative Leadership programme funded by ACE and a trustee of the disabled commissioning organisation Unlimited.

Dierdre McLaughlin is an award-winning director and dramaturg whose work spans drag and cabaret, live art, and contemporary performance. She has worked with venues including Shakespeare’s Globe, the National Studio, The Place, Dance City, Cambridge Junction, Hackney Showrooms, Finborough Theatre, the Kensington Karavan and Hong Kong Performing Arts Centre. Her directing credits include In the Beginning, and the upcoming Live to Tell: (a proposal for) The Madonna Jukebox Musical which will première as part of Battersea Art Centre’s Wild Times Season in May 2021. She is a disabled director and creative access is featured frequently within her work.

FAIR PLAY. and Iris Theatre present

SHOES TO FILL

Written by Tanya Bridgeman

Directed by Alex Miller; Designed by Charlotte Dennis

5 – 10 July 2021

1950 – Dublin to London 288 Miles

1954 – Bridgetown to London 4,214 Miles

As another birthday draws closer Granddaughter feels like her life is slipping away. Through stories told to her by her Bajan and Irish Grandmothers she learns to take control of her own narrative so she can proudly fill their shoes. 

Shoes to Fill is a celebration of mixed-race identity and the coming together of two cultures. With elements of music, and spoken word, this one-woman new play takes us on an unexpected lyrical journey that questions who we are and where we fit in. 

Tanya Bridgeman is a theatre maker trained at ALRA and Mountview – this marks her playwriting debut. She is also part of the Soho Writers Lab 2020 – 21.

Alex Miller is a theatre director. His credits include BardfromtheBarn (Barn Theatre), Alice in Winterland (Mountview/South London Youth Theatre), Up Your Prana (Brighton Fringe), Parliament Square (ALRA foundation), Greenwood Scratch (Tristan Bates Theatre), The Mercy Seat (Hen and Chickens Theatre) and Seminar (Etcetera Theatre); and as assistant director, Bon Ami (Battersea Arts Centre/Unicorn Theatre/UK tour). He also founded Greenwood Theatre Company in 2019.

Zoe Woodruff, Kathryn Tindall and Iris Theatre present

The World Première of new musical

THE RED SIDE OF THE MOON

By Zoe Woodruff

Music & Lyrics by Kathryn Tindall

12 – 17 July 2021

Ellen and Beth meet in a bar at an open mic night in the early 2000s. They are thrust head first into the public eye and whilst audiences are falling in love with them, they are falling in love with each other. 

From an all-female creative team, this beautiful, uplifting, original score will whisk you away on a journey about love, superstardom and the courage to be who you truly are. 

Zoe Woodruff co-wrote and produced You Have A Match (Theatre503/Edinburgh Festival Fringe) and wasResident Production Assistant on The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience.

Kathryn Tindall‘s theatre credits as a performer include Sensation – Music of The Who (UK tour) and Mamma Mia! The Party (O2 Arena); and for Orchestration and Musical Direction her credits include

Vernon God Little (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre). The Red Side of the Moon marks her writing debut.

Tiny T’s Storytelling & Theatre and Iris Theatre present

SPECTACULAR!

24 – 28 July 2021

For this family of three, things have hit rock bottom – so it’s time for their adventurous neighbour to step in and help! Through the power of some magical specs, will Starla, Flo and their new friends be able to grant their family’s wish at last? 

First performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2019, Tiny T’s Storytelling & Theatre present a brand-new musical adaption of Spectacular!, along with a rhyming Picture Book that will leave everyone, tiny or tall, with a twinkle in their eye. Performed with high energy, life size puppets, creative props and catchy songs that will get everyone toe-tapping.

For audiences aged 3+

Tara Harris writes and plays Starla. Her credits as an actor include Who Dunnit and Zog (UK tour).

Bethany Filler plays Mrs Marigold and also puppeteers.Her credits as an actor include Hairspray, Sister Act, The Producers and Singing in the Rain (Gordon Craig Theatre),and Rapunzel the Musical (Gordon Craig Theatre/UK tour).

Jemma Carlisle directs and plays Flo. Her theatre credits include Annie (UK/international tour), Peter Pan the Musical (Malaysia), Thursday’s Child (Sadler’s Wells), Life of Riley (Covent Garden Theatre Museum), Alice in Wonderland (UK tour), Adore the Musical (Rosemary Branch Theatre) and The Sound of Music (Lincoln Theatre Royal).

Iris Theatre presents

ARTHUR/MERLIN

by Reuben Johnson

Directed by Paul-Ryan Carberry; Designed by Sophia Pardon; Composed by Nick Hart 

4 – 22 August 2021

Escaping at pace from their childhood home, the young Arthur happens upon an epic Forest. A place filled with strange and wondrous goings on. Encountering Merlin; a word-wielding wizard, their adventure must begin at once. With the future of a divided nation at stake, can these two companions complete their quest and reach their goal?

Featuring spoken word, original songs and led by an exceptional cast of actor-musicians, this brand-new re-imagining takes you on a lyrical ride of one of the greatest adventures ever told.

For audiences aged 12+ 

Reuben Johnson is a spoken word artist, actor and writer. His credits include Being Jess (Mac’s Arcadian/Unicorn Theatre), and Territory (Edinburgh Festival Fringe – winner of the NSDF Best Emerging Artist Award). His work has also been seen at venues such as The Lowry, Pleasance Islington, Pleasance Edinburgh and Theatre503. His work has also been seen on BBC iPlayer and Radio and is featured on the advert for Volkswagen.

Paul-Ryan Carberry has been Artistic Director of iris Theatre since 2019. His credits for the company include Festive Folklore and The Three Musketeers. Other directing credits include London – a theatrical film (Online/Mountview), Dead Dog in a Suitcase & other love songs (Backstage Theatre, Peckham), A Serious Business (Luton Hat Factory/The Pleasance), The Nativity (St James’s Church, Paddington), Touched (Bernie Grant Arts Centre), The Outback Games (Edinburgh Festival Fringe – nominated for an MTN Award), Star Jumps Are Not Essential (The Lost Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Central Academy of Drama, Beijing), Half A Sixpence, James Joyce’s The Dead, Heathers, Ourselves Alone, Into The Woods and Parade (Mountview). As an associate director his credits include Grease (UK tour); and as assistant director, Strangers on a Train (UK tour). As an actor, his theatre credits include The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Octagon Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Birmingham Rep/West Yorkshire Playhouse), As You Like It (Grosvenor Park Open Air), Billy Liar (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Everybody Loves a Winner (Royal Exchange Theatre) and All the Fun of The Fair (UK tour); and for television, A Song For Jenny and The Village.

LISTINGS

St Pauls Covent Garden, Actors’ Church, Bedford Street, London, WC2E 9ED

Box Office: https://iristheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows

Tickets

Single show: £22.50 / £17.50 (concession)

Festival Pass: Buy all 5 shows in the festival and get tickets for just £13.50 plus get 10% off at the bar. (Excluding Arthur/Merlin, Shakespeare Sundays & Eyes On events). Available until 1 June 2021. Discount applied at checkout. Must book 1 ticket to each of the 5 shows. Not valid on concession tickets.

Early Bird: Book any Summer Festival show before 1 June 2021 (£15 / £14 (Concessions)

All tickets being sold for in-person events have social distancing restrictions in place and masks must be worn unless proof of exemption is provided. For more information on how events will be taking place, please visit www.iristheatre.com/whatson

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DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, NOW OR NEVER TO RETURN FOR THREE WEEK ON-DEMAND RUN

• THE ON-DEMAND DIGITAL RUN WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 15 APRIL – 9 MAY 2021

Due to popular demand, the Barn Theatre have today announced that the world debut production of the British song cycle Now or Never will return for a three week on-demand digital run from 15 April – 9 May 2021.

This song cycle, which first debuted as a livestream from the Barn Theatre on the 1^st April, marked the first collaboration between The Barn Theatre and associate artist Matthew Harvey. Harvey created the song cycle with the intention of writing about individual responses to global adversity without writing specifically about the pandemic.

The piece features 7 songs with relatable everyday characters as they each take a defiant act of positivity in the face of adversity on what might be their last week on Earth.

The ambitious digital spin presents the work as a non-stop, one-shot, song cycle, with one camera navigating the entire building, featuring 7 characters moving between 7 spaces.

Tickets for the on-demand run are priced at £5 and can be purchased at barntheatre.org.uk/barn-at-home from 7pm BST on 15^th April 2021. Once purchased the customer will gain one-hour access to the production.

The cast of Now or Never is Eloise Davies (Be More Chill, Grease), Ahmed Hamad (Rent, Stay Awake Jake, The Boy in the Dress), Matthew Harvey (Les Misérables, Violet, Jesus Christ Superstar, Murder Ballad), Irvine Iqbal (The Boy in the Dress, Aladdin, Broken Wings), Lucy St Louis (Man of La Mancha, Motown, Beautiful), Katie Shearman (The Sound of Music UK Tour, Evita) and Courtney Stapleton (Dear Evan Hansen, Six, Les Misérables). The production also features a cameo performance from Olivier Award winner Janie Dee (Follies, Carousel).

Matthew Harvey created the concept and wrote the song cycle. Freddie Tapner is Musical Supervisor and Ryan Carter is Creative Director, who is responsible for the innovative digital approach. Ben Collins as Director of Photography, supported by Ben Thomas & Alex Tabrizi. Harry Smith as Sound Designer.

Matthew Harvey said of the extension, “I’m absolutely delighted Now or Never is making a return! Mostly because it means I can actually watch it. I think what Ryan & The Barn have made happen is nothing short of remarkable; having shown up with only a guitar and a hard drive full of songs I had no idea just how far the team would push the bounds of digital theatre. I can’t wait for people to see what this amazing team and incredibly special cast have created.”.

Creative Director Ryan Carter said, “This whole project is the epitome of how theatres should approach digital theatre post-pandemic. An ambitious digital approach that emulates the live theatre experience as much as possible, broadcast live, and is now being streamed for an on demand run due to popular demand. Matthew Harvey has done such an incredible job writing this piece, This video-on-demand run is just the next step in what is undoubtedly an exciting future for the work”.

• BEHIND-THE-SCENES IMAGES RELEASED TODAY FOR A KILLER PARTY
• BEN FORSTER COMPLETES THE CAST OF THE UK PREMIERE OF NEW EPISODIC MURDER MYSTERY MUSICAL A KILLER PARTY ALONGSIDE OSCAR CONLON-MORREY, DEBBIE KURUP, JASON MANFORD, CEDRIC NEAL, AMARA OKEREKE, LUCAS RUSH, EMMA SALVO, ASHLEY SAMUELS, HARRIET THORPE AND RACHEL TUCKER.
• TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR A KILLER PARTY WHICH WILL BE STREAMED IN 9 EPISODES DIGITALLY ON-DEMAND FROM 26 APRIL – 23 MAY 2021 ON STREAM.THEATRE

Ben Forster will join the cast of the UK premiere of A Killer Party which will be released as a series of 9 episodes to watch on-demand, at home or on the go, bringing the very best of British stage and screen directly into your living room from 26 April – 23 May. Behind-the-scenes images are released today.

The full cast includes Ben Forster (Jesus Christ Superstar, Elf The Musical),  Oscar Conlon-Morrey (Only Fools and Horses, Nativity The Musical) as Shea Crescendo, Debbie Kurup (The Prince of Egypt, Sweet Charity) as Vivika Orsonwelles, renowned comedian, actor and presenter Jason Manford (Curtains, Sweeney Todd, The Producers)  as Varthur McArthur, Cedric Neal (The Voice, Motown The Musical) as George Murderer, Amara Okereke (Les Misérables, The Boyfriend) as Lily Wright, Lucas Rush (The Merry Wives of Windsor, Les Misérables) as Clarke Staples, Emma Salvo (Come From Away, The Toxic Avenger)  as Justine Case, Ashley Samuels (Motown The Musical, The Book of Mormon) as Cameron Mitchelljohn, Harriet Thorpe (Wicked, Les Misérables) as Detective Case and Rachel Tucker (Come From Away, Songs From a New World) as Joan McArthur.

This side-splitting new musical, fueled by a contemporary pop score, will be available to watch on stream.theatre from 26 April – 23 May. A Killer Party was a hit in the US last year, where it was written and developed in response to the closure of theatres. Filmed entirely in each artist’s home, viewers are invited to experience the joy of theatre in an entirely new way.  

The show has been adapted for UK audiences and will be directed by Benji Sperring (The Toxic Avenger, Night of the Living Dead – Live!, An Act of God and Shock Treatment) with a Book by Rachel Axler (four-time Emmy award-winner as a writer on Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show” and supervising producer on “Veep”) and Kait Kerrigan, Music by Jason Howland (Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Theatre album of “BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical”,  Broadway musical “Little Women”) and lyrics by Nathan Tysen. The show is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Tanisha Spring for Blue Mahoe Productions and Ilai Szpiezak for Upstage Creative.

When Varthur McArthur, failed West End actor and current artistic director of Blackpool’s smallest regional theatre, calls a read-through for his latest murder mystery play, the cast of local actors arrive at the party with anything but theatre on their minds. But when Varthur ends up face down in his soup (a gluten-free cheese bisque), it’s up to Traffic-Police-Officer-turned-Detective Justine Case to piece together what happened. If only the ensemble of suspects would stop singing…

Olivier, Critics’ Circle and What’s On Stage Award-winning ‘Best New Musical’

WELCOMED BACK TO THE WEST END FROM 22 JULY

“Uplifting, irresistible, and a reminder of what matters”
Financial Times

The global hit musical tells a remarkable and inspiring true story of kindness and generosity shown to strangers under extraordinary circumstances.

Tickets available from 2pm on 14 April via comefromawaylondon.co.uk

“This is the show we all need right now”
Sunday Times

The shutters of the Phoenix Theatre in London will lift on 22 July and welcome in audiences to the highly anticipated re-opening of international hit musical Come From Away.

Winner of every major Best Musical award when it opened in the West End in March 2019, Come From Away tells the remarkable and inspiring true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but as uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Twenty years ago on 11 September 2001, the world stopped. On 12 September and in the years following, their stories of kindness, generosity and love have moved us all.

The international hit musical has celebrated sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, in Canada, throughout Australia, and on a 60-city North American Tour.

Producers of Come From Away, John Brant and Joseph Smith, say: It’s been too long since we were able to welcome people to ‘The Rock’ and we’ve really missed our audiences.  The resilience and kindness of Newfoundlanders is known the world over and constantly provides inspiration to us all in these challenging times. Theatre is integral to the vibrancy of the UK’s creative sector and we look forward to being part of welcoming people back to London’s West End.   It’s now more than ever that we want to tell our story and give audiences the chance to see us live again.

Come From Away stars Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), James Doherty (Claude and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Mark Dugdale (Kevin T/Garth and others), Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette and others), Kate Graham (Diane and others), Alasdair Harvey (Nick/Doug and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo (Janice and others), and Cat Simmons (Hannah and others), with Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Sorelle Marsh, Alexander McMorran, Micha Richardson, Jennifer Tierney and Matthew Whennell-Clark.

Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and is directed by Christopher Ashley, with musical staging by Kelly Devine, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Gareth Owen, hair design by David Brian Brown, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen, and casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.

In addition to winning 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical”, the Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for “Best Musical” (London) and 4 What’s On Stage Awards (London) including ‘Best New Musical’, Come From Away has scooped multiple awards across the globe. In North America they include: the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical”, 5 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical”, 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical”, 4 Helen Hayes Awards (Washington DC) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical”, 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical”, 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical”, 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical”, 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production”, and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).

Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre, and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC and Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada, all in partnership with Junkyard Dog Productions. Come From Away (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam CT. The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the 5thAvenue Theatre in Seattle WA also provided development support.

Come From Away is produced in the UK by Junkyard Dog Productions and Smith & Brant Theatricals. The European premiere of Come From Away was co-produced with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre.

Tickets for Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre are available via comefromawaylondon.co.uk from 2pm on Wednesday 14 April 2021. Should the timeline of the Government’s Road Map change, or be delayed for any reason, the schedule will be adjusted as necessary to ensure that all performances can continue safely under the conditions of Step 4 of the Road Map. Come From Away continues to call for a government-backed insurance scheme to properly support the re-opening of the theatre industry.

Ovation is proud to present

Written and originally Directed and Choreographed by
STUART R0SS
Musical Continuity, Supervision and Arrangements by
JAMES RAITT
Originally Produced by
GENE WOLSK

When most of us think of the 1950s, we think of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Hot Rods, Elvis, D.A. haircuts and teenage rebellion. But there was a ‘flipside’ to this era – the side of harmony, innocence and the sincerity of dreams – when American families gathered in front of the TV to watch their favourite programmes, like Ed Sullivan or the Perry Como Show. It was a period when vocal groups harmonised their way across the airwaves and jukeboxes of the USA

Francis, Jinx, Smudge and Sparky loved to sing. They all met in high school around 1956, and, as Forever Plaid, dreamed of becoming like their idols – The Four Aces and The Crew Cuts. They rehearsed in the basement of Smudge’s family’s plumbing supply company. It was here they became FOREVER PLAID.

1st – 27th June 2021

UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE, Highgate Village, London N6 4BD

We are delighted to be bringing this socially distanced production of Forever Plaid back once more to the Gatehouse. This ‘Heavenly Musical’ is one of our favourites with its ‘square’ songs from the Fifties. This delicious fun revue is chock-full of
classic quartet harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies.

Songs include:
Magic Moments / Catch a Falling Star
Cry / Love is a Many Splendored Thing / Three Coins in a Fountain

Director – John Plews
Choreographer – Racky Plews
Musical Director – Ian Oakley
Lighting Designer – Aaron Dootson
Sound Designer – Toby Burrow
Associate Choreographer – Eddie Slattery
Casting – Pearson Casting
Producer – Katie Plews for Ovation

performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited

Cast includes: Cameron Burt, George Crawford, Alex Zane

CURVE TO RE-RELEASE FIVE-STAR PRODUCTION OF SUNSET BOULEVARD – AT HOME

All proceeds to be donated to The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre

The critically acclaimed Made at Curve streamed production of Sunset Boulevard – at Home will once again be available to view online from Mon 10 to Sat 15 May, and all money raised will benefit The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre.

Hailed as a ‘game changer’ by The Telegraph, Curve’s streamed production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical reunited company members from the award-winning 2017 Made at Curve touring production. The show ran 22 December 2020 to 17 January 2021 and was seen by almost 15,000 people across 45 countries.

Sunset Boulevard – at Home was the last show Curve’s Head of Production Andy Nairn worked on before he sadly passed away on 26 November 2020. All money raised from ticket sales and donations for the upcoming week-long run of the musicalwill go towards The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre, which was set-up by Curve, Derby Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse in honour of Andy’s contribution to theatre in the region. The scheme will provide accessible training opportunities for aspiring theatre technicians from challenging socio-economic and diverse backgrounds.

Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

“We were truly blown away by the incredible response to our production of Sunset Boulevard, a testament to the incredible freelance artists, technical teams and musicians who made it all possible. And we are thrilled the gates of Paramount will open once again before we start to emerge from lockdown. What makes this screening even more special is that when you buy a ticket, you will be supporting The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre, named in honour of Andy Nairn, our much missed Head of Production, who passed away last November aged just 34 years old.

“Andy wasn’t only an exceptionally talented and respected technician and production manager, but he was an incredible leader and mentor for those starting out. He was deeply passionate about training the technicians of tomorrow, encouraging people from all backgrounds to embark on a career in theatre. All money raised from these screenings will support the bursary programme at Curve, meaning many young technicians will be able to benefit from accessible training in our state-of-the-art theatre..

“Our thanks and enormous gratitude to The Really Useful Group, Paramount Pictures, UK Theatre, the Musicians Union, sponsors PPL, Arts Council England, Leicester City Council and the DCMS’ Culture Recovery Fund which has enabled us to produce this show.”

Andy, who was born on 11 June 1986, is survived by his wife Anne Nairn and three daughters. Anne commented:

“I find it incredibly heart-warming and humbling knowing that Andy’s name will live on forever in the world of theatre.

“Anyone that knew Andy, knows that as well as an immeasurable love for his family and friends, he also loved theatre and was particularly passionate about giving opportunities to young people. To know that the three theatres in the East Midlands, where Andy loved working, are coming together to enrich the lives of young people, who otherwise might not have had the chance to experience theatre, as Andy did, would make him so proud.

“My immense gratitude goes to Curve and Andrew Lloyd Webber, for showing such grace and compassion, in supporting the Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre.”

Sunset Boulevard – at Home includes a host of original company members from Curve’s award-winning 2017 international touring production, including Ria Jones as Norma Desmond, Danny Mac as Joe Gillis, Molly Lynch as Betty Schaefer, Adam Pearce as Max Von Mayerling, Dougie Carter as Artie Green and Carl Sanderson as Cecil B DeMille.

The company is completed by Benjamin Chambers, Owen Chaponda, Joanna Goodwin, Kristoffer Hellström, James Meunier, Gemma Naylor, Joanna O’Hare, Jessica Paul, Sam Peggs and Barney Wilkinson.

Set over a turbulent New Year’s Eve in 1940s Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard is a gripping tale of romance, glamour and obsession. Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster directs this production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical masterpiece, which features book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton and is based on the 1950 film by Billy Wilder.

A 16-piece orchestra, supported by music licensing company PPL, brings the musical’s score to life with musical supervision by Stephen Brooker, musical direction by Chris Mundy and orchestral management by Stephen Hill for Musicians UK Ltd. The production team also includes Set Designer Colin Richmond, Choreographer Lee Proud, Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell, Sound Designer Tom Marshall, Video Designer Douglas O’Connell and casting by David Grindrod CDG. The production was filmed and edited by Crosscut Media.

Tickets for Sunset Boulevard – at Home are available to purchase online from today (Tue 13 April) at 10am. Tickets will cost just £20 per household, with all money raised going towards the Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre.

For more information on Sunset Boulevard – at Home, to buy tickets or make a donation visit www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/sunset-boulevard-at-home/

THE LONDON CLIMATE CHANGE FESTIVAL PRESENTS

SONG FOR NATURE

A SPECIALLY CREATED CONCERT

DIRECTED BY DOMINIC DROMGOOLE & BILL BUCKHURST

TO RAISE AWARENESS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

FEATURING APPEARANCES FROM
DAVID SUCHET, ROB BRYDON,

JANIE DEE, DANIELLE DE NIESE, KERRY ELLIS AND BRIAN MAY, NATHAN EVANS, GERALD FINLEY, AKRAM KHAN,

LONDON VOICES, JOCELYN POOK, BETH PORCH,

RACHEL PORTMAN, MARCELINO SAMBÉ,

SHEILA ATIM, SAM LEE, MICHELLE TERRY, STUART RAMSAY

THE ENO CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA AND MANY MORE

TO BE SCREENED ON SKY ARTS ON

EARTH DAY, 22 APRIL 2021 AT 9.00PM

The London Climate Change Festival is delighted to announce SONG FOR NATURE, a specially created concert to raise awareness of Climate Change. SONG FOR NATURE  was filmed over three days on stage at the London Coliseum, and all around this iconic building. It will be free for everyone to watch on Sky Arts on Earth Day, 22 April 2021 at 9.00pm.

This unique hybrid of dance, song, music and activism, features…

• Nathan Evans singing his No1 song, the sea shanty, Wellerman with the ENO Chorus
• Brian May and Kerry Ellis singing a brand new song, and a stunning new arrangement of a well loved classic
• Akram Khan performing an extract from DESH, accompanied by a choir of children singing Alleluia by Jocelyn Pook
• Rob Brydon singing Lullaby with the ENO orchestra
• Royal Ballet principal Marcelino Sambé performing a new solo choreographed by William Tuckett
• Oscar winning composer Rachel Portman’s new piece, Earth Song, performed by the celebrated London Voices
• Danielle De Niese singing a new composition by Hal Cazalet, Song For Nature
• Sam Lee and his Nest Collective  performing classic British folk songs to the accompaniment of nightingales.
• Classic environmental texts spoken by David Suchet, Sheila Atim, Michelle Terry and Jonah Hauer King.
• NHS nurse and Britain’s Got Talent sensation Beth Porch singing Resolution Song
• Gerald Finley singing from A Cunning Little Vixen with the ENO orchestra
• A new company of young musical stars singing Stephen Sondheim’s Our Time
• Will Todd’s renewal sung by the ENO Chorus

Interleaved amongst the performances are contributions from some of the leading environmental activists of the day, including…

Bella Lack – Youth ambassador for The Born Free Foundation. 

Natalie Fee from City to Sea and authoress of ‘How to Save the World for Free’.

Rokiah Yaman from MadLeap.

Dr Chantelle Rizan and Dr Helen Kingston, two leading voices in the new marriage of health care and enviromnental responsibility

Hannah Peck from Cool Earth

Stuart Ramsay from Sky News, whose reports of the global consequences of climate change will be included in the programme.

Abbey Wright who has spear-headed the effort to get one song, the Resolution Song, to be sung all over the world.

Each of them were filmed around the iconic London Coliseum over a hectic and thrilling three days of art and activism. The performance was envisioned by Dominic Dromgoole, with performance directed by Bill Buckhurst (Sweeney Todd), and the television capture directed by Ross MacGibbon (Uncle Vanya).  The concert’s musical director was Stephen Higgins, its Lighting Designer was Paul Anderson, and Sound Designer was Paul Smith. The television capture was produced by stream.theatre.

20 months ago Janie Dee formed The London Climate Change Festival and set about organising a Festival for 8 weeks in March 2020. The country then went into lockdown. The ambition and energy of that first festival has now grown into this concert. Janie Dee said today, “It has been a year like no other. We have all, no doubt, realised the value and preciousness of life. To this end this concert, filmed, in place of a live event, displays a collection of great artists compelled to do what they can to focus on mending the Earth. Amongst may other examples of activism and goodwill across the world, it marks a time we shall never forget. We are given hope by the innovation and will-power of the activists and artists taking part in this concert”.

Former Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, and co-Director Dominic Dromgoole said, ‘This extraordinary moment has proven a unique opportunity for all to reorganise priorities, and to find fresh ways of expressing what matters to us. This unprecedented blend of lyric dance, song, music and text, together with words both practical and polemical, will hopefully serve as testament to a troubling present and a hopeful future’.

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment, commented:

“At Sky we’re committed to a zero carbon future and keenly aware of the need for all of us to take urgent action to keep our world alive. So we are delighted to be the broadcast home of this unique event which will look at the issues and at what we can all do to help, all while providing an incredible evening of world class entertainment.”

Sunday Soul concerts return to Chiswick
Playhouse alongside Chiswick Playhouse
Recharged
Chiswick Playhouse, 2 Bath Road, London W4 1LW
Sunday 25th May – Sunday 27th June 2021

After a successful run in December, the amazing Sunday Soul concert series will return to Chiswick Playhouse as part of the already announced Recharged Festival. Sunday Soul see musical theatre stars dig deep and explore music that feeds the soul in these intimate gigs. Performers include Ellie Clayton, Ahmed Hamad, Shanay Holmes, Steph Parry, Sharon Rose and Shaq Taylor.

Currently playing Eliza Hamilton in the highly renowned Hamilton, powerhouse Sharon Rose will join the series with musical direction from Dominic Nyarambi. Sharon has also been seen in West End classics including Caroline or Change, Motown The Musical and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Meanwhile uber talented Shanay Holmes will provide an intimate evening of song, exploring the music that speaks to her with musical direction from Chris Poon. Shanay has graced our stages in The Bridges of Madison County, Rent (20th Anniversary), Jesus Christ Superstar and The Bodyguard Musical.

Shaq Taylor will take to the stage to explore the music that inspires him with musical direction from Enoch. Shaq graduated from Arts Ed in 2017 and has since appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar, Girl from the North Country, Sweet Charity, Hadestown and Les Misérables.

Ahmed Hamad, a graduate from Arts Ed in 2019 known from the likes of Rent, Stay Awake, Jake and The Boy in the Dress, will perform some of the music that gives him his drive with musical direction from Tamara Saringer.

Ellie Clayton, currently in Magic Mike London, will perform the music that drives her as an artist, with musical direction from Sam Coates. Steph Parry, as seen in Mamma Mia! The Party, 42nd Street, Billy Elliot and Wicked will take to the Chiswick Stage with a soulful mesmerising performance, under the musical direction of Yshani Perinpanayagam.

Mark Perry, Executive Director of Chiswick Playhouse, comments, Following the success of the first series of Sunday Soul in Autumn 2020, we are delighted to be able to bring this popular series back. We are excited to have such an unbelievably talented line up and cannot wait for you all to come to these special evenings.

“BOURNE TO DANCE”

THE NEW ADVENTURES PODCAST

LAUNCHES ON INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY
THURSDAY 29 APRIL 2021

AVAILABLE ON

SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCASTS AND AMAZON MUSIC

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures is delighted to announce their latest venture, BOURNE TO DANCE, a podcast which will be available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music launching on International Dance Day, Thursday 29 April 2021. https://new-adventures.net/reel-adventures#podcast

BOURNE TO DANCE offers listeners an exclusive insight into the world of dance from a variety of perspectives. Each episode will see New Adventures Resident Artist, Paul Smethurst interview people with a passion for dance who occupy a variety of roles within New Adventures and beyond. The first episode, an interview with New Adventures Artistic Director Sir Matthew Bourne, will be available from Thursday 29 April 2021. Further episode dates and guests for the first series of Bourne To Dance below.  

Thursday 29 April – Sir Matthew Bourne

Thursday 6 May – Ashley Shaw

Thursday 13 May – Brenda Emmanus

Thursday 20 May – Layton Williams

Thursday 27 May – Kane Husbands

Thursday 3 June – Paule Constable

Sir Matthew Bourne OBE is widely hailed as the UK’s most popular and successful choreographer and director. For over 30 years he has been creating and directing dance for musicals, theatre, film as well as his own highly successful, award-winning companies. A Tony Award winning artist, he also holds the prestigious honour of being the individual with the most Olivier Award wins, having won nine in his career.

Ashley Shaw has been a principal dancer with New Adventures since 2010 dancing roles including Cinderella in Cinderella (2010-11 and 2017-18), Princess Sugar in Nutcracker! (2011-12), Aurora in Sleeping Beauty (2012-13 & 2015-16), Kim Boggs in Edward Scissorhands (2014-15) and Lana in The Car Man (2015). Ashley originated the role of Vicky Page in the world premiere of The Red Shoes (2016-2017). Ashley was the Winner of The Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Female Performance (Modern) 2018.

Brenda Emmanus OBE has had a long career in national television and radio, being a familiar face on ITV’s “This Morning”, and a regular presenter of the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Specials with Kirsty Wark. She is an Arts, Culture and Entertainment Correspondent most recently working for the BBC. Brenda was awarded an OBE for services to Broadcasting and Diversity in 2019, and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Arts in 2020.

Layton Williams began his career at the age of 12 playing the title role of ‘Billy’ in the West End production of “Billy Elliot”. He went on to make his debut TV appearance as ‘Kylie’ in the BBC comedy “Beautiful People”. His subsequent credits include appearing in “The Car Man” and “The Lord of the Flies”, both for Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, as well as playing ‘Jamie’ in “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” at the Apollo Theatre, ‘Paul’ in “Kiss Me, Kate” at the Sheffield Crucible, ‘Seaweed’ in the 2018 UK Tour of “Hairspray” and ‘Angel’ in the London and UK Tour production of “Rent”.

Kane Husbands is Artistic Director of The PappyShow theatre company, a company dedicated to diverse approaches to visual narratives with movement training at the heart of their practice. For the company he has directed “BOYS”, “GIRLS, “CARE” and “Wait til the End”. As a movement director he has worked on “Butterfly Lion” for Chichester’s Minerva Theatre, “Last King of Scotland” for Sheffield Crucible and “One Night in Miami” for the Nottingham Playhouse. He is a lecturer at University of the Arts London, and University of West London.

Paule Constable is an Olivier and Tony Award winning Lighting Designer who is an Associate Artist of New Adventures and whose work with the company includes “Swan Lake”, “The Red Shoes, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Romeo and Juliet” “Dorian Gray ” and “Play Without Words”. Her National Theatre credits include “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time”, “Follies”, “Angels in America” and “War Horse”. Her other credits include “Wolf Hall” for the RSC in the West End and on Broadway, “Les Misérables 25^th Anniversary Concert” at the O2, together with designing the lighting for the new 25^th Anniversary production of “Les Misérables” worldwide.

Paul Smethurst joined New Adventures in 2005 and has worked for the company as a dancer, character principal, dance captain and rehearsal director. In 2015 Paul transitioned to a career in Arts Management and Education, working for New Adventures as Projects Manger and Resident Practitioner, later moving into his current role as Resident Artist. Paul is the strategic and creative lead on all of New Adventures’ projects with Children, Young People and Communities.   

New Adventures is a national portfolio organisation supported using public funds by Arts Council England.

For more information please visit: www.new-adventures.net

Facebook /MBNewAdventures    Twitter @New_Adventures     Instagram @MBNewAdventures

ORANGE TREE THEATRE ANNOUNCES REOPENING WITH THE RECOVERY SEASON –

ALSO ANNOUNCED THE 2021 OT WRITERS COLLECTIVE

Artistic Director Paul Miller and Executive Director Hanna Streeter today announce that the Orange Tree Theatre will reopen its doors from 22 May with The Recovery Season, marking the first return of audiences to the Orange Tree in over 14 months. The season opens with Bernard Shaw’s How He Lied to Her Husband and Overruled directed by Miller, followed by the London première of Bryony Lavery’s Last Easter directed by Tinuke Craig. In a co-production with Actors Touring Company, Matthew Xia directs the UK première of Michele Lee’s Rice, and Miller revives his sold out 2019 production of Terence Rattigan’s While the Sun Shines.

Continuing their partnership with the JMK Award, following the success of 2019 winner Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu’s production of Little Baby Jesus, the Orange Tree will present the 2021 JMK Award-winning production. The play and the director will be announced in the spring.

Paul Miller today said, “It’s been a long time, but with live-streamed new plays this week, and nine months of work to announce, the OT is back. New work, education shows, a British première, entertaining rediscoveries, a London première, and emerging talent championed: this is a classic OT mix to be proud of. We can’t wait to start employing artists and welcoming audiences: the magic begins when everyone works together.”

The OT’s Writer’s Collective also returns with writers Jade Anouka, Nimmo Ismail, Gemma Lawrence, and Tamsin Daisy Rees, and dramaturg Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong. Led by OT Literary Associate Guy Jones, the collective is an opportunity for a group of writers and a dramaturg to share skills and techniques, and to fire up conversations and collaborations. 

The OT’s Education and Participation programme will start to return in person, having engaged with the Youth Theatre, Young Company and Over 60s group via Zoom throughout lockdown. Bec Martin’s Shakespeare Up Close productions of Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet filmed in the theatre in March 2021, are available for schools to watch, and the OT will also return to schools with a touring Primary Shakespeare production of Twelfth Night, directed by Fiona Drummond.

Each production in the season will also be filmed by The Umbrella Rooms and streamed online with OT On Screen following the success of the company’s recent new plays project Inside/Outside. Over 3,500 tickets will be available for anyone at £15 across the season.

All productions will be rehearsed and presented in line with government guidelines, with social distancing in place for Shaw Shorts. For full information on how events will be taking place, please visit orangetreetheatre.co.uk/covid-19-safety.

SHAW SHORTS: HOW HE LIED TO HER HUSBAND and OVERRULED 

By Bernard Shaw

Directed by Paul Miller; Designed by Simon Daw; Lighting Design by Mark Doubleday

Composer Elizabeth Purnell

OT On Screen: 3-4 June 7.30pm

In How He Lied to Her Husband, Aurora is concerned about what has happened to the poems written for her by her admirer, the impetuous Henry, and fears they may get into the hands of husband Teddy. Henry suggests they confess the truth and go to the theatre as planned… to see Bernard Shaw’s Candida. Then Henry arrives home. 

Overruled sees two strangers fall in love at sea. Both married they decide they must part, but then are surprised to find their spouses at a hotel together. They’ve fallen for each other too. Do they stay together or swap? 

Two short plays by Bernard Shaw, directed by Artistic Director Paul Miller following his hugely successful OT productions of Shaw’s Candida, Misalliance, The Philanderer and Widowers’ Houses. 

The plays can be seen separately or together as a double bill, with each play around 40 minutes.

Bernard Shaw wrote more than sixty plays in his lifetime, including Man and Superman, Pygmalion, Saint Joan, Major Barbara, Heartbreak House,and The Doctor’s Dilemma. Shaw was awarded the 1925 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Paul Miller has been Artistic Director of the Orange Tree since 2014, where he has directed Jo Clifford’s Losing Venice, Charlotte Jones’ Humble Boy, Bernard Shaw’s Misalliance, The Philanderer and Widowers’ Houses, Lot Vekemans’ Poison, Marivaux’s The Lottery of Love, Somerset Maughan’s Sheppey, Terence Rattigan’s French Without Tears (also tour with English Touring Theatre), Doris Lessing’s Each His Own Wilderness and The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd by DH Lawrence. Between 2009 and 2014 he was an Associate Director at Sheffield Theatres, he directed Macbeth at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2019, and for the National Theatre he has directed The History Boys (revival for the West End and UK tour), Baby Girl by Roy Williams, DNA by Dennis Kelly, The Miracle by Lin Coghlan, The Enchantment by Victoria Benedictsson, Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads by Roy Williams, and The Associate by Simon Bent.

LONDON PREMIÈRE

LAST EASTER by Bryony Lavery

Directed by Tinuke Craig;Designed by Hannah Wolfe;Lighting Design by Elliot Griggs

Sound Design by Anna Clock

3 July – 7 August 

OT On Screen: 22-23 July, 7.30pm

A lighting designer, an actress, a prop maker and a drag singer go on a pilgrimage looking for a miracle.

Even when June, the lighting designer, is diagnosed with a devastating illness, the jokes don’t stop coming as a quartet of theatre friends career across France. They glug red wine and hope to find a miracle at Lourdes for June, a non-believer who thinks the only good thing about religion is the lighting. They’ll soon discover that miracles come in many different forms.

Last Easter is a funny, moving and provocative play about the true nature of friendship.

Bryony Lavery is a multi-award-winning playwright. Her theatre credits include The Borrowers, The Lovely Bones, The Midnight Gang, Swallows and Amazons, Brighton Rock, Frozen (winner of the TMA Best Play Award), Balls, Brideshead Revisited, Queen Coal, The Believers, Treasure Island, Beautiful Burnout, The Origin of the Species, Wicked Lady, and More Light.

Tinuke Craig’s previous theatre credits include Crave, Random/Generations (Chichester Festival Theatre), Hamlet for Young Audiences (NT tour), Cinderella (Lyric Hammersmith), Vassa (Almeida Theatre), The Color Purple (Leicester Curve, Birmingham Hippodrome), I Call my Brothers (Gate Theatre), Dirty Butterfly (Young Vic). Craig was the 2015-2016 Associate Director at Gate Theatre, and received the 2014 Genesis Future Director Award. She is an Artistic Associate at the Lyric Hammersmith, and an Associate at the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.

THE JMK AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION 

28 August – 2 October

OT On Screen: 23-24 September, 7.30pm

A contemporary play directed by the winner of the JMK Award. See the work of a great emerging director in a brand-new production selected from the following:

• Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. by Alice Birch 
• Statements After An Arrest Under the Immigration Act by Athol Fugard 
• Tom Fool by Franz Xaver Kroetz 
• When I Was a Girl I Used to Scream and Shout by Sharman Macdonald 
• Rum and Coca Cola by Mustapha Matura 
• Mules by Winsome Pinnock 
• Peggy Pickett Sees the Face of God by Roland Schimmelpfennig 

The finalist directors will be announced shortly, with the winning director and selected play to be announced in spring.

The OT produced the JMK Award-winning production for the first time in 2019 with Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu directing a critically acclaimed production of Little Baby Jesus by Arinzé Kene. 

The JMK Trust was founded in the memory James Menzies-Kitchin – a theatre director of thrilling promise – to give practical learning opportunities to theatre directors of similar ability and vision. The JMK Award allows an early career director to stage their own production of a play of their choice. www.jmktrust.org

UK PREMIÈRE
An Orange Tree Theatre and Actors Touring Company co-production

RICE
by Michele Lee 

Directed by Matthew Xia 

OT On Screen: 4-5 November, 7.30pm

Nisha is a young hotshot executive working for Golden Fields, Australia’s largest producer of rice. Ambitious and headstrong, she’s determined to become the first female Indian CEO in Australia. She’s close to sealing a contract with the Indian government, which would see her company take over India’s national rice distribution system. A secret deal worth billions.

Working late nights in the office she encounters Yvette, an older Chinese migrant, who cleans up her mess. Yvette has her own entrepreneurial ambitions, but her daughter faces court after participating in a protest against the unethical practices of a national supermarket chain.

The two form a powerful – if unlikely – bond as they navigate the complexities of their lives and the world at large.

Brimming with wickedly humorous observations on globalisation, politics and family, this is the UK premiere of a powerful new play from Asian-Australian writer Michele Lee, which has won numerous awards including the Australian Writers’ Guild Award for Best Original Stage Play.

Michele Lee is an Asian-Australian writer working across television, film, stage, books, audio and live art. Her other theatre credits include Security (finalist for 2021 Patrick White Award), Single Ladies, Going Down (shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award, the Nick Enright Prize, an Australian Writer’s Guild Award and five Green Room Awards), An Assistant’s Notes for a Pandemic, The Naked Self, and Off Centre. For television, her credits include Hungry Ghosts, and Secret Threads.

This is the third collaboration between the Orange Tree Theatre and Actors Touring Company, following Amsterdam by Maya Arad Yasur and Winter Solstice by Roland Schimmelpfennig, both of which also toured the UK.

Artistic Director of Actors Touring Company Matthew Xia returns to the Orange Tree Theatre to direct Rice – he previously directed Amsterdam (ATC co-production) and Blood Knot at the OT. Other directing credits include Eden (Hampstead Theatre), One Night in Miami (Nottingham Playhouse, HOME, Bristol Old Vic), Into the Woods, Frankenstein, Wish List (Royal Exchange as Associate Artistic Director), Shebeen (Nottingham Playhouse, Stratford East), and Blue/Orange, The Sound of the Yellow, Sizwe Banzi is Dead – for which he won the 2013 Genesis Future Director Award (Young Vic). Xia is an Associate Artist at the Nottingham Playhouse. 

WHILE THE SUN SHINES
by Terence Rattigan 

Directed by Paul Miller; Designed by Simon Daw; Lighting Design by Mark Doubleday

Sound Designer & Composer Elizabeth Purnell

20 November – 8 January 

OT On Screen: 6-7 Jan 2022 at 7.30pm 

One of the most successful productions in Orange Tree history returns. 

On the eve of his wedding, the young Earl of Harpenden – Bobby to his friends – has offered his room to Joe, an American soldier he drunkenly met the night before. When Bobby’s fiancée Lady Elizabeth turns up, Joe makes a move, thinking she must be Bobby’s ex, the wonderful Mabel Crum. But a Free French lieutenant also has eyes for her… And to complicate matters, Bobby’s future father-in-law turns up too. London in the Blitz, and identities get confused: time to make hay… 

This first major London revival of Rattigan’s delectably charming comedy in decades had an acclaimed sold-out run in 2019. It was the writer’s greatest hit playing for over 1,000 performances in the West End when it opened in 1943. 

Terence Rattigan is one of Britain’s greatest playwrights. His numerous works for the stage include French Without Tears, After the Dance, Flare Path, Love In Idleness, The Winslow Boy, The Browning Version, Harlequinade, Adventure Story, Who is Sylvia?, The Deep Blue Sea, The Sleeping Prince, Separate Tables, Variation on a Theme, Ross, Man and Boy, A Bequest to the Nation, In Praise of Love and Cause Célèbre.

Orange Tree Theatre

Listings

1 Clarence Street, Richmond, TW9 2SA

Box Office: 020 8940 3633

orangetreetheatre.co.uk