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Nevill Holt Opera moves outdoors this August with its
largest and most inclusive opera festival offering free
tickets for under-18s
Nevill Holt Opera, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 8EG
4th, 5th, 7th, 8th and 10th August 2021 (La traviata)
19th, 21st, 22nd, 24th and 25th August 2021 (Don Giovanni)

While the country remains locked down, Nevill Holt Opera (NHO) is looking ahead and has made the bold decision to move its opera festival outdoors and stage it later than usual this summer. With dates now throughout August, NHO will build an outdoor stage and seating that will enable each performance to play to a socially distanced audience of up to 650 people. At the same time, Nevill Holt Opera has worked to make its pricing more affordable, with tickets starting from just £35 and free for under-18s.

The summer festival will present the operas that had been scheduled for the cancelled 2020 season Verdi’s La traviata and Mozart’s Don Giovanni. A giant, covered stage will feature a socially distanced orchestra for each performance, while a further stage in front ensures all audience members will feel close to the action. The stage set-up is being designed to frame the sensational valley views from Nevill Holt, and to celebrate NHO’s location in Leicestershire and the East Midlands. As part of the festival’s commitment to its home, NHO will be working with more local businesses to deliver its festival than ever before this year.

Three seating zones will enable audiences to choose whether they would prefer to relax and spread out on picnic blankets on the lawn, to watch the opera from a comfortable seat, or to ensure they beat the weather by choosing a premium spot in a tiered and covered grandstand. Nevill Holt Opera is housed within one of England’s most beautiful country house estates and the outdoor stage will highlight the breath-taking views and enable visitors to truly immerse themselves in the landscaped gardens adorned with outstanding British sculpture including works by Anthony Gormley, Marc Quinn and Conrad Shawcross.

Managing Director, Annie Lydford, says, We are all invigorated to be presenting our largest and most inclusive festival yet despite the challenges of the last year. We felt strongly, at this time when people crave brilliant live experiences perhaps more than ever, that reducing our capacity and raising our prices simply wasn’t an option. With fantastic artists and technicians, two creative, beautiful productions – not to mention the wonderful Nevill Holt grounds and gardens – we want to make sure our audiences have an unforgettable time with us this summer. Having received crucial support to aid our survival from government, from independent trusts and foundations, and from individuals, we recognise the responsibility we have to ensure that the communities we serve across the East Midlands can continue to enjoy fantastic performances with us this summer. Particularly, we are proud to offer hundreds of free tickets across the season completely free of charge to under18s – a commitment which reflects the importance of the year-round education programme which has been at NHO’s core since the company began.

Nicholas Chalmers, Artistic Director of Nevill Holt Opera, comments, Nevill Holt Opera 2021 is to be our biggest and most ambitious festival to date. We invite you to come and immerse yourselves in the world of Mozart and Verdi in a beautiful outdoor staging. Our exceptional young artists, creative teams and orchestra partners are working hard to bring you visual and musical delights as you take in the fantastic view of the Welland Valley from our home at Nevill Holt. We are responding to the events of the last year by opening up the festival to a larger audience, sharing our high artistic standards and doing everything we can to make your experience entertaining and uplifting. We are all missing the arts and I personally cannot wait to conduct Verdi’s masterpiece, La traviata. In June, we will be hosting chamber music and solo recitals in our award-winning theatre and inviting you to share in the glories that make Nevill Holt such a special place; intimacy, spectacular gardens and wonderful singing. All this can be enjoyed while knowing you are supporting some of the very best of operatic talent, alongside our year-round programme of education work

NHO is an independent charity and festival run by its board, Artistic Director, Nicholas Chalmers, and Managing Director, Annie Lydford. More than 55% of its income is generated from ticket sales, 25% from fundraising and membership, 10% from other activity such as catering, merchandise and theatre hire, and 10% through an annual grant from the David Ross Foundation. NHO has received vital support this year from the Cultural Recovery Fund and from the Garfield Weston Foundation, both of which have played a crucial role in the organisation’s ability to mount a festival this summer.

In addition to its festival in August, NHO is planning to present further performances and a mini festival in June, to include chamber music and solo recitals in its theatre, as well as additional performances in August. Full details of cast and creatives will be announced in due course.

DEAFINITELY THEATRE ANNOUNCES BURSARY RECIPIENTS FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING THEATRE FREELANCERS

Deafinitely Theatre today announcestherecipients for their bursary supporting deaf or hard of hearing freelance theatre practitioners and performers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Twenty recipients, at various stages in their careers, will receive £1000 to develop their practise in Spring 2021. Deafinitely Theatre will also provide recipients with networking sessions and keeping-in-touch sessions to monitor their personal development.

Artistic Director, Paula Garfield, said today, “Deafinitely Theatre is incredibly excited to be able to support 20 deaf British freelance theatre professionals at this difficult time thanks to the support of the Arts Council England Cultural Recovery Fund. These 20 artists represent just a fraction of the wide-ranging, diverse deaf talent in our industry and we are excited to support their personal development on innovative theatre projects and initiatives. We can’t wait to share the work developed as a result of their bursaries, which will be profiled on our website in the spring. Take a look at our website now to find out more about this brilliant group and the work they are making.” 

Richard France, a freelance creative practitioner and soundscape artist commented, “Receiving this Bursary is a dream come true. I’ve been wanting to develop this project for a long time but I’ve not had the opportunity due to conflicting schedules and other work. It will allow me to work with deaf dancers to see how dance can develop through sensory feeling and sonic sounds, exploring an area that I haven’t worked on before and opening up opportunities for me to work with contemporary dancers. I want to explore the diversity of British culture, particularly in light of Brexit, through expressive dance.”

Chisato Minamimura, a performance artist and choreographer, also said, “I am very excited to be receive this bursary, as it will allow me to deepen my research into an area of contemporary performance which I find truly fascinating. I am using this brilliant opportunity to learn more about Visual Vernacular (VV) and to digitally connect with international Deaf VV experts. From this, I hope to further explore the artistic and choreographic potential VV offers, with the ambition of developing my Deaf-led practice and creating innovative choreographic elements, inspiring future creative projects.”

Recipients in full:

• Stephanie Back –will use the bursary to develop her show Fow and further her skills in translation, presenting work online and reaching Deaf audiences.
• Rinkoo Barpaga – will use the bursary to build on his Visual Vernacular training and develop a clowning piece aiming to reach new audiences, particularly young Asian and black communities.
• Duffy – will use the bursary to hone his writing and storytelling skills, and develop a new play.
• Katie Erich – will use the bursary to develop her BSL performance skills, working toward BSL Level 6, and expand her experience in translating scripts.
• Richard France – will use the bursary to work with deaf dancers to see how dance can develop through sensory feeling and sonic sounds, exploring an area that he hasn’t worked on before.
• Fifi Garfield – will use the bursary for the research and development of a solo play or stand-up comedy routine, as part of which she will get training from experienced stand-up comedy professionals.
• Ben Glover – will use the bursary to develop creative captioning video design for a new production and train in Notch and Cinema 4D technology to expand his skills and creative portfolio. 
• Alim Jayda – will use the bursary to create a new digital platform, Released Voices, which will present a series of stories and experiences from underrepresented deaf voices and minorities.
• Sahera Khan – will use the bursary for the research and development of a new short play about deaf women in prison and develop her skills as a writer.
• Ace Mahbaz – will use the bursary to develop his writing skills, exploring the concept of masculinity in the deaf community and what it means to be a deaf man.
• Zoë McWhinney – will use the bursary to experiment with cutting edge musical equipment and develop her Visual Vernacular performance skills.
• Harri Marshall – will use the bursary to undertake R&D on a new verbatim piece that explores the search for human connection in an increasingly digitised world.
• Colly Metcalfe – will use the bursary to research, write and rehearse new material in BSL and English for performances in the North of England and to develop her digital skills for online work. 
• Chisato Minamimura – will use the bursary to further explore the Visual Vernacular performance style, with the use of sign and mime, with highly respected deaf performers and develop her performance skills. 
• Julian Peedle-Calloo – will use the bursary to work with a deaf playwright to develop a new short play about the impacts of Covid-19 on the deaf community, which could be filmed for digital broadcast.
• Jamie Rea – will use the bursary to develop a new interdisciplinary digital performance developing his skills as a performer, visual artist, filmmaker and painter.
• Mary-Jayne Russell de Clifford – will use the bursary to explore the feasibility of setting up a deaf community theatre group in the Midlands with a research project including a series of online taster workshops.
• Rebecca Saffir – will use the bursary to research and write two new plays developing her experience of two contrasting forms: a large, multi-lingual ensemble piece and a monologue.
• Deepa Shastri – will use the bursary to develop her knowledge of casting and creative producing and gain professional experience in these areas which have little involvement from deaf professionals.
• Otis Waby – will use the bursary to fund the writing of a new play inspired by his tinnitus and mental health, interviewing other creatives that suffer from similar issues and exploring how this affects and inspires their creativity.

The bursary is supported by the Arts Council Recovery Fund.

ARTPARTY: A UNIQUE ONLINE ARTS EXPERIENCE

ARTPARTY: A UNIQUE ONLINE ARTS EXPERIENCE

FROM PRODUCERS SOCIAL CONVENTION

ARTPARTY, the exciting new interactive online micro-festival from producers Social Convention launches this month kicking off with a residency from Opera Director Alexander Gedeon and Grammy-Award winning Singer Songwriter Judith Hill.

On the last Friday of every month, ARTPARTY will present new work – including screenings, live performances, and immersive experiences – from cutting edge creatives from around the world. The eclectic participatory audience experience will include UK and world premieres of work combined with interactive artist interviews, a mix-along cocktail bar, a live DJ set & multimedia dance party and general ridiculousness with host, drag legend and performance artist Virgin X.

Natalie Hall, Co-Founder of Social Convention, says: “ARTPARTY is like taking the Tate Lates programme and sticking it in The Glory. It’s high art and low art, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. What we promise is that you can come to see some completely new creative work but also have a bit of a laugh, hop up on stage with the host, flirt in the chats with other arty types, and have a good sweaty dance sesh”.

She continues, “Our initial idea for ARTPARTY was born out of a rather heavy pub night with Cimoen [Cimeon Ellerton-Kay, Social Convention Co-Founder] where we wondered, why is it that we LOVE new theatre, dance, art, whatever – but so often just end up at the pub? We work in the arts and are the target market for so many arts experiences – why is it so hard to get us there? We were frustrated and bored with the restrictions and ostentation and wine in plastic cups. Our hope is this offers people like us the chance to enjoy new and exciting art in an active, unpretentious way whilst also enjoying a ‘night out’ with like-minded people.”

ARTPARTY launches on the 26 February as Experimental Opera Director Alexander Gedeon steps into the spotlight with Concerto for Having Fun with Elvis on Stage, a new theatrical piece designed for video, composed by Daniel Corral and created with Video Director Allen Cordell of cult comedy site SuperDeluxe. Concerto was created around a cult 1973 album of Elvis speaking on stage between songs at live concerts. One reviewer wrote: “hearing it is like witnessing a car wreck, leaving onlookers too horrified and too baffled to turn away.”

Concerto is a reimagining of this vilified recording where Corral’s live musical score is performed along with the original LP as if they were the pit orchestra for opera or musical theater, while Gedeon’s “Elvis” persona becomes a vehicle to explore all things banal and absurd in pop idolatry, race and representation in music, as well as the performative aspects of ‘stage presence.’ First premiered at REDCAT Los Angeles in November 2020, this is the UK premiere of this bizarrely beautiful piece and not to be missed.

26 March sees Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Judith Glory Hill sharing new work in development in a collaborative Artist Residency with Gedeon. Hill’s impressive repertoire includes being Prince’s protege and backing vocalist for Michael Jackson, Josh Groban and John Legend, with her rise to fame recounted in documentary film 20 Feet from Stardom. Where she truly captured the world’s attention was her breathtaking performance of “Heal the World” at Michael Jackson’s memorial service.

April will celebrate the work of Leonie Rae Gasson – a Glasgow-based Queer artist creating innovative digital and live performance work, with a premiere of her new immersive audio theatre work Can You Hear Me?, a deeply intimate experience for two audience members exploring the complexities of distance and nostalgia, as Leonie cleverly pushes the boundaries of immersivity. 

In May, participants can look forward to spending time with groundbreaking composer, electronic music artist, and performer Dan Samsa with a live 360 audio premiere of his new album Contours. Samsa is an eclectic upcoming composercombining the technique and rigour of classical training, with the popular electronic music of South East London.

With a full year of programing to be announced,  ARTPARTY promises to offer something truly unique to arts lovers around the world who don’t take themselves too seriously. As Natalie confirms “If you’re sat at home craving live music and theatre; something fresh and provoking and a whole load of fun to share with friends, this is for you. Get your art fix but also pop some glitter on and dance with us. Everything goes.”

You can book your tickets to ArtParty from just £5.99 – £14.99 at www.socialconvention.org

Live stream of unique production for young audiences next week

I WISH I WAS A MOUNTAIN

Written and performed by TOBY THOMPSON

Monday 15 February, 5pm

Although doors remain temporarily closed this half term, The Egg Theatre is still bringing children and families superlative theatre! On Monday 15 February, Bath’s internationally acclaimed performance poet Toby Thompson presents his much-acclaimed production I WISH I WAS A MOUNTAIN for a performance live-streamed into your own home.

For one show only, Toby Thompson will be back on the Covid-secure stage of the Theatre Royal Bath, performing his enchanting concoction of poetry and rhyme, music and story-telling.

On the day of the famous annual fair, the town of Faldum receives an unexpected visit, a wanderer who offers to grant a wish to anyone who wants one. Before long, the city is transformed. Mansions stand where mud huts once squatted, and beggars ride around in horse-drawn carriages. But one man wishes only to be turned into a mountain…

Winner of the IPAY (International Association of Performing Arts for Youth) Victor Award, this is a beautiful and witty adaptation of Herman Hesse’s fairytale Faldum.

“With wonder, wit and sophisticated storytelling, I Wish I Was A Mountain embraces big questions and reveals Thompson as a star in the making” Guardian

I WISH I WAS A MOUNTAIN will be performed on Monday 15 February at 5pm. Tickets to watch the live streaming from the comfort of your own home cost £10 per household, and can be purchased online from www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Following the live stream, the audience will also have the opportunity to join Toby via Zoom for a post-show discussion and Q&A, helping adults and young people alike to discover how Toby approaches his work and how his globally-loved, award-winning show came to be. Whether a student, poet, performer or just curious, this is a unique opportunity to hear Toby share his thoroughly unique insights on poetry and theatre whilst offering some priceless words of advice and encouragement for anyone seeking to follow in his footsteps.

The live stream of I Wish I Was A Mountain and post-show event are supported by INNOVATE UK and The Egg Assembly

-ends –

I WISH I WAS A MOUNTAIN

Dates: Monday 15 February 2021

Venue: Live stream into your home

Times: 5pm (log in from 4.50pm)

Price: £10 per household

Age: Recommended ages 7+

Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk or www.theeggassembly.com

Post Show Event – BEHIND THE SCENES with Toby Thompson

Date: Monday 15 February 2021

Venue: Live stream

Time: 6pm, after the performance of I Wish I Was A Mountain

Price: Free to ticket holders

Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk or www.theeggassembly.com

Please note these are live streamed events from the Covid-secure Theatre Royal Bath – no audience tickets are available.

45NORTH AND ELLIE KEEL PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE FULL CASTS FOR RECOGNITION AND

THE GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS MARITIME SCHOOL

– PART OF AUDIO PLAY SERIES WRITTEN ON THE WAVES

45North and Ellie Keel Productions today announce full casts for Amanda Wilkin and Rachael Nanyonjo’s recognition, available from 17 February; and Jaclyn Backhaus’ The Giant Pacific Octopus Maritime School,the penultimate piece in the audio play series, Written on the Waves, which will be released 8 April. The final play in the series will be announced shortly.

Rachael Nanyonjo directs Obioma Ugoala (Samuel) and Shiloh Coke (Song) in recognition, based on the life and music of Afro-English composer and conductor Samuel Coleridge-Taylor; and Jessica Rose McVay, CEO and Creative Director of 45North, directs Adjoa Andoh (Emma), Sam Crerar (Ilya), Andrew Gower (Guy), Amita Suman (Priya) and Manjinder Virk (Seema) in Jaclyn Backhaus’ The Giant Pacific Octopus Maritime School.

Jessica Rose McVay today said “I’m so proud of the exceptional and varied writing displayed through Written on the Waves so far, and am so excited to be adding these two fantastic pieces to the series, and to be sharing our first family friendly piece (and trans-Atlantic collaboration!) with The Giant Pacific Octopus Maritime School. We hope audiences enjoy and look forward to sharing the final piece in the series soon.”

Written on the Waves comprises eight world premières – Loss and Hope,a trilogy of short audio pieces including Luke Barnes’ This is a Man starring Liam Jeavons; Rafaella Marcus’ The Gift starring Olivia Marcus; and Tife Kusoro’s We Have Sinned starring Seraphina Beh, Rafaella Marcus’ debut play for audio, The You Play: small acts with Rebecca Banatvala, Jonathan Case, Amber James, Daisy Lewis, Ken Nwosu, Katherine Parkinson and Boadicea Ricketts, Lem ‘N’ Ginge: The Princess of Kakos written and directed by Ell Potter and Mary Higgins and starring Olivier Award-winning Sharon D. Clarke; A Passion Play by Margaret Perry with Hannah Bristow and Nicola Coughlan; and Rafaella Marcus’ second play in the series, The You Play Volume Two: The Haunted Woman withOlivia Williams and directed by Jessica Lazar. These can be accessed via www.forty-fivenorth.com/writtenonthewaves

#WrittenOnTheWaves

RECOGNITION

Co-created by Amanda Wilkin and Rachael Nanyonjo

Written by Amanda Wilkin

Directed by Rachael Nanyonjo; Original Music by Cassie Kinoshi

Sound Design and Editing by Tom Foskett- Barnes; Music Mastering by Ollie Shelton

Piano by Deschanel Gordon; Violin by Fra Rustumji; Cello by Zara Hudson-Kozdoj

In 1898, classical composer Samuel is hearing his Ballad in A minor being performed for the first time. Nervous.

In 2020, Song is staring at her composition. Nervous.

120 years apart their music meets the other.

‘Looking him up… Has made me walk a little taller, into my music class, the last week. He was born in Holborn in 1875.  Victorian London. Black Victorian London. Musical Black Victorian London existed. Ha. I’m gonna remember that – next time I go into a room and notice I’m the only Black person here.’

How do we honour the forgotten whose work was once celebrated? And who gets to decide the work that stands the test of time?

Samuel Coleridge Taylor (15 August 1875 – 1 September 1912) was an Afro-English composer and conductor. He is best known for the Longfellow Triology including Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast (1898), The Death of Minnehaha (1899) and Hiawatha’s Departure (1900). 

Amanda Wilkin is a playwright. Her theatre credits include And I Dreamt I Was Drowning (Talawa Firsts Festival 2018), Shedding A Skin (Winner of Soho Theatre’s Verity Bargate Award 2020) and The Little Sob (Shakespeare’s Globe). As an actor, her credits for theatre include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, Hamlet, Gabriel (Shakespeare’s Globe), Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre / Shakespeare’s Globe), White Teeth (Kiln Theatre), The Grinning Man (Trafalgar Studios) and Pilgrims (Theatr Clwyd).

Rachael Nanjonjo directs. Her previous credits include Freedom Project, Assata – She Who Struggles (Young Vic), Bobsleigh (The Old Vic), An Alternative Musical (for NT Learning at National Theatre) and 2:1 (Kanzaze Dance Theatre); as an assistant director her credits include The Stepmother, Caroline or Change (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Kayla (Young Vic).

Obioma Ugoala plays Samuel. Ugoala will originate the role of Kristoff for the West End run of Disney’s Frozen, his previous credits includeThe Lost Love Speakeasy (site specific/The Lost Estate), Much Ado About Nothing (Dubai Opera/international tour), Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre), Motown (Shaftesbury Theatre), Henry V, Holy Warriors, Antony and Cleopatra, The Mouse and His Child (RSC), The Jungle Book, Crime and Punishment (Glasgow Citizens Theatre), Neighbors (Nuffield Southampton Theatres) and The Physicists (Donmar Warehouse).

Shiloh Coke plays Song. Her previous theatre credits include Small Island (National Theatre), Misty (Bush Theatre), Emilia (Shakespeare’s Globe), Julius Caesar, The Tempest, Henry IV (Donmar Warehouse), The Chaplain (The Yard Theatre) and The Litter (Bargehouse).

Cassie Kinoshi is a Mercury Award nominated and Ivors Academy Award winning composer, arranger and alto-saxophonist. Kinoshi is part of the ensemble SEED working alongside bands KOKOROKO and  Nérija. She was Mercury Musical Developments’ and Musical Theatre Network’s Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer Scheme recipient at Dundee Rep Theatre from 2018-19 and was a part of the London Symphony Orchestra Panufnik Scheme 2018-19.

THE GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS MARITIME SCHOOL

Written by Jaclyn Backhaus

Directed by Jessica Rose McVay

What’s it like once the Earth’s surface is uninhabitable?

Well, if you ask Priya and Ilya, citizens of a newly constructed underwater society, it’s pretty boring. That is, until their discovery in the basement of their school catches the eye of the base’s omnipresent AI system.

The Giant Pacific Octopus Maritime School is an ode to what we will have left behind once we retreat to the depths of the sea.

Jaclyn Backhaus is a playwright and screenwriter based in New York City. Her plays include Wives, India Pale Ale (Horton Foote Prize, 2018), Men on Boats, and You on the Moors Now. In addition to her writing, she is a co-creative director of arts facilitation group Fresh Ground Pepper and a teacher of playwriting at New York University.

Adjoa Andoh plays Emma. Her theatre credits includeRichard II (Shakespeare’s Globe),Troilus and Cressida (RSC),Leave Taking (Bush Theatre), Assata Taught Me (Gate Theatre), Soul (Royal & Derngate/Hackney Empire), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Donmar Warehouse), A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes (Tricycle Theatre), Great Expectations (Bristol Old Vic), Julius Caesar (RSC/Noël Coward Theatre/BAM), Or You Could Kiss Me, The Revenger’s Tragedy, His Dark Materials, Stuff Happens (National Theatre), Sugar Mummies, Breath Boom (Royal Court Theatre), Nights At The Circus, Pericles (Lyric Hammersmith) and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Young Vic). For television, her credits include as series regular Lady Danbury in Bridgerton, as DI Nina Rosen in Silent Witness, Acceptable Risk, Cucumber and The Awakening. For film her credits include Brighton, Fractured and Brotherhood.

Sam Crerar plays Ilya. This is their professional debut having graduated from LAMDA in 2020.

Andrew Gower plays Guy. His theatre credits include Conquest of the South Pole (Arcola Theatre/Rose Theatre Kingston), Terror Tales (Hampstead Theatre) and 1984 (Nottingham Playhouse/Almeida Theatre/Playhouse Theatre).

Amita Suman plays Priya.Her television credits include Shadow and Bone, The Outpost, Ackley Bridge; and for film her credits include Daughter and Girl Like You.

Manjinder Virk plays Seema.Her theatre credits includeA Kind of People, Bodies, Free Outgoing, Workers Writes (Royal Court Theatre),Dance Nation (Almeida Theatre), Redcrosse (RSC), I Call My Brothers (Arcola Theatre), Shabnam and Autobiography of a Face (Lyric Hammersmith). For television, her credits include Bad Move, as series regular Dr Kam Karimore in Midsomer Murders, Ordinary Lies, Hunted and Monroe.

Jessica Rose McVay is Creative Director and CEO of 45North. Her theatre credits include (un)written (un)heard (Fringe World Festival – Fringe World Dance and Physical Theatre Award 2020), Post-Mortem (Holden Streets Theatre/The Blue Room Theatre/The Space), Leave A Message (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Vaults Festival) and The Testament of Mary (Open Eye Figure Theatre).

‘SUPPORTING THE THEATRE COMMUNITY ISN’T JUST FOR GROWN-UPS!’

THE CREATORS OF

‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON!’

THEATRE SUPPORT FUND+

LAUNCH CHILDREN’S T-SHIRTS

TO CONTINUE RAISING FUNDS FOR CHARITIES

ACTING FOR OTHERS, FLEABAG SUPPORT FUND, NHS COVID-19 URGENT APPEAL

The creators of ‘The Show Must Go On!’ Campaign, the Theatre Support Fund+ (TSF+) are thrilled to launch products for children, the first of its kind in their range of merchandise.  The new items include Children’s T-Shirts, Draw String Sports Bags and Mobile Phone Cases.

While theatres remain closed, TSF+ are continuing to come up with new initiatives to raise further monies for charities Acting For Others, The Fleabag Support Fund and NHS COVID-19 Urgent Appeal.

Theatre Support Fund+ was set up by theatre industry workers Chris Marcus and Damien Stanton to help those who have been affected by the pandemic. In just nine months the team have taken over 60,000 orders and have helped thousands of workers who have had no or limited work since theatres shut 11 months ago. ‘The Show Must Go On!’ design is an amalgamation of the 16 biggest West End Musicals and has been recognised internationally with orders been sent to over 70 different countries across the globe.

Chris and Damien said today, ‘We are continuing to think of new ways to help support the theatre industry and we wanted to make a product which was accessible to children so they too could show their support. We have some amazing shows as part of our design which are really loved by, younger audiences so we wanted to make products they would love (and could fit into) so they could also show their support for the theatre community!  After all this is not just for adults but for all lovers of theatre!’

Shows included on the design are & Juliet, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Everybody’s Talking about Jamie, Hamilton, Les Misérables, MAMMA MIA!, Mary Poppins, Matilda The Musical, Six The Musical, Tina, The Tina Turner Musical, The Book of Mormon, The Prince of Egypt, Disney’s The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.

The children’s t-shirts can be purchased in sizes, 5-6, 7-8, 9-11 and 12-14 and are priced at £13. The children’s t-shirts and the full range of merchandise can be purchased from the website, www.theatresupportfund.co.uk.

FALL IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN AT DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

Treat the one you love to a memorable theatre experience to look forward to this Valentine’s Day

Whether it’s a musical theatre hit, an intimate drama or side-splitting comedy, Darlington Hippodrome has something for that special someone in your life this Valentine’s Day.

Music lovers are in for a treat with many fabulous nights to look forward to, celebrating the music of some of the greatest stars including Lionel Richie, Bon Jovi, The Temptations, Carole King and Tina Turner.

If your idea of a great date night is an evening of laughter, some of the biggest names in comedy are coming to Darlington including Carl Hutchinson, Al Murray, Jason Manford and Chris Ramsey. For those who want to let their hair down and make it a night to remember then how about spending it with the Dreamboys or maybe The Ladyboys of Bangkok – whichever you choose you are guaranteed to go home with a huge grin on your face.

If snuggling up with a good book at home rocks your boat then choose from one of several livestream events with best-selling authors, comedians and personalities direct to your living room.

We all know that love is endless, and so are theatre tokens. These can be spent not only on tickets for shows but also on any other Darlington Hippodrome product such as packages, programmes, and courses. Our vouchers can be purchased online and are delivered directly via email (just in case you need to buy something in a hurry!).

Councillor Andy Keir said “You may not be able to go out on a date this Valentine’s Day but you can still give the one you love a night to look forward to with the great gift of theatre. Darlington Hippodrome has a marvellous selection of shows on offer including music, dance, comedy and drama. Now is a great time to start making plans for some spectacular nights out.”

For full details or to book please visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

PEDAIR GŴYL GELFYDDYDOL GYMREIG YN YMUNO I GYFLWYNO GŴYL 2021; GŴYL AR-LEIN AM DDIM

www.bbc.co.uk/gwyl2021 | 6-7 MAWRTH 2021

Adwaith | Ani Glass | Arlo Parks | BERWYN | Carys Eleri | Cate Le Bon | Gruff Rhys | Catrin Finch | Brett Anderson, Charles Hazlewood a’r Paraorchestra, yn cyflwyno gwestai arbennig – Nadine Shah | Charlotte Adigéry | Dani Rain | The Gentle Good | I Wish I Was an Only Child | Jordan Brookes | Juice Menace | Kiri Pritchard-McLean | N’Famady Kouyate | Sinead O’Brien | Sprints | Tarot | Tim Burgess’ Listening Party | Welcome to Spooktown | A llawer mwy…

Mae pedair o hoff wyliau Cymru – Gŵyl y Llais, FOCUS Wales, Lleisiau Eraill Aberteifi aGŵyl Gomedi Aberystwyth – wedi dod ynghyd yn ystod y cyfnod clo i greu Gŵyl 2021; gŵyl ar-lein am ddim yn llawn dop â cherddoriaeth a chomedi cofiadwy, sy’n cofleidio amrywiaeth a sgwrs. Wedi’i gipio mewn lleoliadau ledled Cymru ac yn rhyngwladol o dan ganllawiau Coronafeirws, bydd Gŵyl 2021 ar gael ar draws y DU ar www.bbc.co.uk/gwyl2021 drwy gydol penwythnos 6-7 Mawrth.

Mae Gŵyl 2021 yn ddigwyddiad digidol heb ei ail ar gyfer cyfnod digynsail, sy’n taflu goleuni, gobaith a gwytnwch y sin greadigol yng Nghymru. Wedi bron flwyddyn o gadw pellter cymdeithasol, mae Gŵyl 2021 yn nodi undod emosiynol – rhwng artistiaid a chynulleidfaoedd, o Gymru a’r byd. Mae’n cydnabod bod pŵer yn ein llais cyfunol, a thaw mewn undod mae nerth.

Fel pob gŵyl gwerth ei halen, bydd Gŵyl 2021 yn dathlu lleisiau cyfarwydd ac yn darganfod lleisiau eclectig a newydd, o Gymru a thu hwnt. Mae’r artistiaid yn cynnwys Cate Le Bon yn cydweithio â Gruff Rhys, yr arobryn Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Tim Burgess’ Listening Party, a Catrin Finch; yn ogystal â BERWYN (BBC Music Sound of 2021), Carys Eleri (enillydd Gŵyl Fringe Adelaide), Arlo Parks a Dani Rain, sef drymiwr y grŵp Neck Deep.

Ymhlith uchafbwyntiau eraill mae Charlotte Adigéry, Adwaith – y grŵp ‘post-punk’ a enillodd Wobr Gerddoriaeth Gymreig, Sinead O’Brien y Wyddeles sy’n fardd ac yn arloeswr ‘art rock’,a Jordan Brookes enillydd Gwobr Comedi Caeredin; Ani Glass a enillodd wobr Albwm Cymraeg y flwyddyn, Sprints y grŵp o Ddulyn, N’Famady Kouyate – y cerddor o Gini, sy’n byw yng Nghaerdydd, a’r grŵp sgetsh Tarot. Mae cwmni dawns Jukebox Collective hefyd wedi curadu perfformiadau gan yr artist reggae Aleighcia Scott, yr artist RnB/canu enaid Faith, y rapiwr King Khan, y canwr a rapiwr Reuel Elijah a’r artist gair llafar Jaffrin Khan a rhagor.

Bydd perfformiad ecsgliwsif, unigryw gan Brett Anderson, Charles Hazlewood a Paraorchestra, yn cyflwyno’r gwesteion arbennig Nadine Shah, Adrian Utley a Seb Rochford, yn ogystal â phenodau arbennig o’r podlediad comedi Welcome to Spooktown ac I Wish I Was an Only Child, gydag ambell i westai gwadd cyfarwydd.

Bydd cynnwys o’r ŵyl ar gael ar blatfformau eraill, hefyd; mae FOCUS Wales wedi trefnu darllediad o Eternal Beauty, ffilm newydd gyda chast yn cynnwys David Thewlis a Sally Hawkins, a detholiad o’r gerddoriaeth newydd orau o Ganada a Québec, y cyfan i’w ffrydio ar yr app diwylliannol Cymreig AM Cymru, 5-10 Mawrth 2021. Bydd S4C yn darlledu uchafbwyntiau ecsgliwsif o Leisiau Eraill Aberteifi yn y dyfodol (dyddiad i’w gadarnhau).

Mae bob ymarfer, sesiwn ffilmio a recordio wedi digwydd, neu’n mynd i ddigwydd o fewn canllawiau Coronafeirws lleol. Mae’r holl gynnwys a gafodd ei greu yng Nghymru wedi’u wneud mewn ymgynghoriad â Llywodraeth Cymru.

Bydd modd mwynhau cynnwys yr ŵyl eto am saith diwrnod ar www.bbc.co.uk/gwyl2021 ac ar draws BBC Cymru Wales.

Dwedodd Graeme Farrow, Cyfarwyddwr Artistig Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru:
“Mae Gŵyl y Llais wedi bod yn uchafbwynt ein calendr ers 2016, ac roedd gŵyl y llynedd yn argoeli i fod yn wych. Yn sgil y pandemig, canslwyd ein cynlluniau cyffrous ac uchelgeisiol, ond rydyn ni wrth ein boddau’n cydweithio â phartneriaid ardderchog i gyflwyno Gŵyl 2021 ym mis Mawrth. Daw â’r gorau o’r pedair gŵyl, ynghyd â’n chwilfrydedd a’n hangerdd dros fwynhau perfformiadau gwych. Gobeithiwn y daw’r ŵyl ag ychydig o lawenydd i’w chynulleidfa ar ddechrau’r gwanwyn.”

Dwedodd Henry Widdicombe, Gŵyl Gomedi Aberystwyth:

“Rydyn ni wrth ein boddau yn cydweithio â thair gŵyl Gymreig anhygoel, er mwyn cyflwyno’r digwyddiad ar-lein yma ym mis Mawrth. Er bod hwn wedi bod yn gyfnod heriol a digynsail i’r sector digwyddiadau, mae digwyddiad fel hwn yn dangos bod y gymuned gelfyddydol wedi dod ynghyd o ganlyniad i’r heriau. Mae’r rhaglen sy’n cael ei churadu yn ardderchog, rydyn ni’n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at gael bod yn rhan ohoni.”

Dwedodd Neal Thompson, FOCUS Wales:

“Mae’n bleser bod FOCUS Wales wedi gallu gweithio mewn partneriaeth â thair o wyliau mwyaf adnabyddus Cymru, i greu Gŵyl 2021. Yn dilyn blwyddyn dywyll ac anodd i bob un ohonom ni, rydyn yn edrych ymlaen yn fawr at ddod ynghyd a dathlu diwylliant cyfoethog ac amrywiol Cymru gyda rhaglen o gerddoriaeth a chomedi rhagorol.”

Dwedodd Dilwyn Davies, Lleisiau Eraill Aberteifi:

“Mae Lleisiau Eraill a Mwldan yn hynod gyffrous am y syniad o benwythnos anhygoel o gerddoriaeth a chomedi o Gymru, a’r cyfan wedi’i greu a’i rannu ar draws y DU gan ein partneriaid hyfryd. Yn ystod cyfnod o wahaniad, pellter a chyfnod cloi, mae’n fwy pwysig nag erioed ein bod ni – artistiaid, cynulleidfaoedd a chriw – yn dod ynghyd i rannu a dathlu cyfoeth ein diwylliant amrywiol.”

Dwedodd Rhodri Talfan Davies, cyfarwyddwr BBC Cymru Wales:

“Mae BBC Cymru Wales wrth ei bodd yn cydweithio â Gŵyl 2021. Rydyn ni gyd angen tamaid o greadigrwydd, comedi a cherddoriaeth ar hyn o bryd, ac mae’r bartneriaeth newydd hon rhwng pedair gŵyl Gymreig wych yn argoeli i fod yn wych.”

Dwedodd yr Arglwydd Elis-Thomas, Dirprwy Weinidog Diwylliant, Twristiaeth a Chwaraeon:

“Rwy’n falch iawn ein bod ni wedi gallu cefnogi’r bartneriaeth Gymru gyfan yma, a fydd yn rhannu’r gorau o’r gwyliau arbennig gyda chynulleidfa eang. Drwy gydol y pandemig, mae’r sector digwyddiadau a chreadigol wedi bod yn llwyddiannus iawn yn dod â phobl at ei gilydd i rannu a dathlu, a hynny mewn ffordd arloesol. Maent wedi rhoi gobaith ac adloniant yn ystod y cyfnod anodd hwn.”

FOUR MAJOR WELSH ARTS FESTIVALS JOIN FORCES TO STAGE GŴYL 2021; A FREE, ONLINE FESTIVAL

www.bbc.co.uk/gwyl2021 | 6-7 MARCH 2021

Adwaith | Ani Glass | Arlo Parks | BERWYN | Carys Eleri | Cate Le Bon | Gruff Rhys | Catrin Finch | Brett Anderson, Charles Hazlewood and Paraorchestra, featuring special guest Nadine Shah | Charlotte Adigéry | Dani Rain | The Gentle Good | I Wish I Was an Only Child | Jordan Brookes | Juice Menace | Kiri Pritchard-McLean | N’Famady Kouyate | Sinead O’Brien | Sprints | Tarot | Tim Burgess’ Listening Party | Welcome to Spooktown | Plus many more…

Four of Wales’ best-loved festivals – Festival of Voice, FOCUS Wales, Other Voices Cardigan and Aberystwyth Comedy Festival – have joined forces in lockdown to create Gŵyl 2021; a free, online festival packed with unforgettable music and comedy, embracing diversity and dialogue. Captured over recent months in Wales and internationally within Coronavirus guidelines, Gŵyl 2021 will be available across the UK at www.bbc.co.uk/gwyl2021 on the weekend of 6-7 March 2021.

An extraordinary digital gathering for these exceptional times, Gŵyl 2021 shines a light of determination and resilience from the creative scene in Wales. Following almost a year of physical distancing, Gŵyl 2021 marks an emotional moment of unity – of artists and audiences, from Wales and the world. It recognises that our collective voice is a powerful sum of its parts.

In true festival style, Gŵyl 2021 will be a celebration of the established, and a discovery of the eclectic and the emerging, from Wales and further afield. The line-up includes contributions from Cate Le Bon in collaboration with Gruff Rhys, the award-winning Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Tim Burgess’ Listening Party, and Catrin Finch; plus BERWYN (BBC Music Sound of 2021), Carys Eleri (Adelaide Fringe Festival winner), Arlo Parks and Dani Rain, the drumming force behind Neck Deep.

Other highlights include Charlotte Adigéry, post-punk Welsh Music Prize winners Adwaith, Irish poet and art rock pioneer Sinead O’Brien and Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Jordan Brookes; Welsh Language Album of the Year winner Ani Glass, Dublin four-piece Sprints, Cardiff-based Guinean griot musician N’Famady Kouyate and sketch group Tarot. Dance company Jukebox Collective have also curated performances from reggae artist Aleighcia Scott, RnB/soul artist Faith, rapper King Khan, singer and rapper Reuel Elijah, spoken word artist Jaffrin Khan and more.

There’s an exclusive, one-off performance by Brett Anderson, Charles Hazlewood and Paraorchestra, featuring special guests Nadine Shah, Adrian Utley & Seb Rochford, plusspecial episodes of the comedy podcasts Welcome to Spooktown and I Wish I Was an Only Child, featuring guest appearances from some famous faces.

The festival will include content on other platforms, too; FOCUS Wales have programmed a special screening of Eternal Beauty, a new feature film made in Wales and starring David Thewlis and Sally Hawkins, plus a bespoke selection of the best new music from across Canada and Québec, all to be streamed on the Welsh cultural app AM Cymru, 5-10 March 2021. S4C will broadcast exclusive highlights from Other Voices Cardigan at a later date (tbc).

All rehearsals, filming and recording have taken or will take place within local Coronavirus guidelines. All content made in Wales has been created in consultation with Welsh Government.

Content from the festival will be available to view again for seven days on www.bbc.co.uk/gwyl2021 and will be shared across BBC Cymru Wales.

Graeme Farrow, Artistic Director of Wales Millennium Centre said:
“Festival of Voice has been the highlight of our calendar since 2016, and last year’s festival was shaping up to be no exception. The exciting and ambitious plans we’d made were dashed by the pandemic, but we’re all delighted to be able to work with such outstanding partners to deliver Gŵyl 2021 in March. It brings together the very best of all four festivals, and our shared spirit of curiosity and passion for great performance. We hope it brings a bit of much-needed joy to audiences to blow away the cobwebs.”

Henry Widdicombe of Aberystwyth Comedy Festival said:

“We couldn’t be more delighted to be working with three other amazing Welsh festivals to deliver this online event in March. Whilst the past year has been an unprecedented challenge for the events industry, an event like this shows that the arts community has also come together as a result of that challenge. The programme of events being curated is astonishing and we can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Neal Thompson of FOCUS Wales said:

“We are delighted that FOCUS Wales has been able to work in partnership with three of Wales’ best known festivals to create Gŵyl 2021. After what has been a dark and difficult year for us all, we look forward to a brighter future and to coming together and celebrating Wales’ rich and diverse cultural offering, with a programme of outstanding music and comedy.”

Dilwyn Davies of Other Voices Cardigan said:

“Other Voices and Mwldan are super excited at the prospect of an extraordinary weekend of music and comedy from Wales, created and shared by our wonderful festival partners. During a time of separation, distance and lockdown, it’s all the more important that we – artists, audiences and crew – join together to share and celebrate the riches of our diverse culture.” 

Rhodri Talfan Davies, director of BBC Cymru Wales said:

“BBC Wales is delighted to be working with Gŵyl 2021. We all need a blast of creativity, comedy and music right now and this unprecedented partnership with four brilliant Welsh festivals promises to be a real gem.”

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said:

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support this pan-Wales partnership, which will bring the best of these wonderful festivals to a wide audience. Throughout this pandemic, the innovative response in sharing, celebrating and bringing people together from the events and creative industries has been extremely successful – and has provided hope and entertainment during these difficult times.”

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME TO RELEASE A SERIES OF FILMS TO CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR

 Birmingham Hippodrome will be sharing a series of films from Friday 12 February to welcome in Chinese New Year and celebrate The Year of The Ox.

The Hippodrome has commissioned filmmaker Craig Bush and Artist Frances Yeung to create a series of short films reflecting the cultural celebrations and traditions that take place during Chinese New Year.

Made in collaboration with the Chinese Community Centre Birmingham, the films will be shared over a seven-day period and explore how the local community in Southside have adapted their celebrations in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Chinese New Year, commonly referred to as the Spring Festival, celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar and in many Chinese communities, a full week’s holiday is taken to enjoy the festivities, visit friends and family to exchange gifts and red envelopes. 

Graham Callister, Director of Festivals at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “Ordinarily we would be preparing for our annual celebrations across the city with tens of thousands of people in attendance. We are delighted to be working with the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and Chinese Community Centre Birmingham again to offer a special digital programme to celebrate Chinese New Year and share a deeper insight into the traditions behind this wonderful festival.”

Graham added: “We would like to thank our partners and supporters for ensuring we can still work in partnership with the groups, artists and communities who live, work and enjoy Birmingham to celebrate Chinese New Year. We hope people will enjoy finding out more about the celebrations including the much loved lion dances, tree wrapping and traditional food.”

The Chinese Festival Committee will also be streaming an online celebration on Friday 12 February from their Facebook page, including sharing the series of specially commissioned films.

James Wong, Chair of the Chinese Festival Committee said: “Although we cannot bring the festival to the streets of Birmingham, we look forward to celebrating Chinese New Year with you in the comfort of your own home. Please invite your friends and family as we welcome the year of the Ox! Happy Chinese New Year and Kung Hei Fat Choy.”

Frances Yeung, an emerging artist working with Chinese Community Centre Birmingham on the films added: “Although this year the Chinese community is not able to have any physical Chinese New Year celebrations, we’re hoping to use this opportunity to delve deeper by sharing the many significant aspects of the Spring Festival celebration digitally. We’re hoping people will feel uplifted – we might be socially distancing, but we’re still very much connected at heart.”

The films will be shared on Birmingham Hippodrome’s social media channels and website from Friday 12 February.

Find out more about the Chinese New Year films at www.birminghamhippodrome.com/ChineseNewYear.

The Chinese New Year Committee celebrations on Friday 12 February can be streamed on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cnybirmingham

The films have been produced in partnership with Chinese Community Centre Birmingham, Chinese New Year Committee Birmingham, Southside BID, The Arcadian and funded by Arts Council England.