Author: FairyPoweredProductions

Global theatre and live entertainment company Crossroads Live (CXL) acquires The Gordon Frost Organisation (GFO), Australia’s leading commercial producer of live theatrical entertainment

Today Crossroads Live (CXL) announces the acquisition of The Gordon Frost Organisation, Australia’s leading commercial producer of live theatrical entertainment. This transaction represents a transformative step as CXL builds the first truly global company for touring musical theatre production.  In acquiring GFO, CXL is immediately positioned as a leading company in Australia, one of the most important theatre markets in the world.  Further, in securing a base of operations in Sydney, CXL is strategically positioned to extend its market leadership as the foremost provider of touring theatrical productions in the key growth markets of Southeast Asia, the Middle East, India, and China.

John Frost, CEO, The Gordon Frost Organisation, is Australia’s most prolific and successful theatre producer, having produced almost 200 productions around the world.  Major GFO productions include Wicked, Chicago, Grease, Dirty Dancing, and the Broadway smash hit The Book of Mormon.   GFO enjoys a long and fruitful partnership as a producer of musicals with Opera Australia (OA), which has included South Pacific, The King and I, Anything Goes, and Julie Andrews’ acclaimed production of My Fair Lady as well as the recent blockbuster tour of Evita, produced by GFO and OA in partnership with CXL subsidiary David Ian Productions. 

CXL is led by its Chairman and CEO Tom McGrath, its President Dan Miller, and David Ian, a director of CXL and CEO of David Ian Productions.

Tom McGrath said: “The acquisition of The Gordon Frost Organisation further establishes Crossroads Live as the leading producer of international touring theatrical productions. Having the benefit of John’s knowledge and influence, alongside the current team, is a hugely important milestone in our company’s growth.  CXL and our partners at Raven Capital Management will continue to seek out compelling opportunities to grow our business globally and especially in Asia, where the next great boom in the theatre industry is already underway.”

John Frost said “This transaction honours GFO’s legacy as we look to our future.  Joining forces with CXL positions GFO for significant growth opportunities, as we align our outstanding management team and deep relationships across the landscape of the Australia theatre industry with CXL’s financial strength, complementary creative relationships, and impressive slate of iconic and original touring productions.  We share a common vision of opportunities across our industry and commitment to creative excellence. Presently, we are delighted to mark the return of live theatre in Australia with GFO’s production of Pippin just opened at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney and playing through January 31, 2021.”

The acquisition of GFO follows the cornerstone acquisition of London-based David Ian Productions (DIP) in 2019.  Principal DIP productions include international tours of iconic theatrical properties such as Cats, Chicago, and Evita (with GFO and OA) and the forthcoming Jesus Christ Superstar, Waitress and School of Rock.  Along with Michael Harrison, DIP is the originating producer of The Bodyguard, and the upcoming My Best Friend’s Wedding and Drifters Girl.   

David Ian said: “The acquisition of GFO fulfills a long-held goal of formally aligning DIP with GFO and acquiring a permanent presence in Australia, a critical market for DIP’s international touring productions.  Frosty has been a close friend and collaborator for many years and I am absolutely thrilled he is now part of our organization.  Together, we offer a truly unique value proposition to the creators of new and iconic musical theatre production originating in the West End and Broadway, and to our presenting partners across the globe.  No company is better positioned to execute international theatrical touring – creatively, logistically, commercially than the CXL group.” 

On Broadway, CXL is a co-producer of Mrs. Doubtfire, Company and Almost Famous. 

Beyond musical theatre, the CXL group companies are producers of immersive and themed entertainment, including the Magic Mike Live global arena tour.  CXL is a co-founder, with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), of Constellation Immersive, an immersive producing company, which launched this year with The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey in Los Angeles which operates under COVID-19 safety protocols with visitors enjoying the show from the safety of their own vehicle.

Dan Miller led the transaction for Crossroads Live.  CXL were advised by Gilbert + Tobin and Latham & Watkins and Grant Thornton.

Staff of King’s Theatre Edinburgh return to celebrate the anniversary of its opening on 8 December 1906.

The King’s Theatre Edinburgh opened for the first time on 8 December 1906 with a performance of Cinderella, and today members of the staff gathered (safely!/at a distance) to celebrate its 114th Anniversary in the empty auditorium and to carry wonderful memories and hope into the theatre’s 115th year.

2020 has been a hard year for all theatres around the country and the King’s has been no different having shut its doors in March. But as 2021 comes into view the staff continue to work on plans for reopening both the King’s and Festival theatres next spring and there is a renewed sense of optimism as they nurture its continuing light.

On this day annually the auditorium would be packed with families enjoying the pantomime, and the staff would be having just as much fun welcoming them and preparing to lift the curtain once the final technical and wardrobe adjustments had been made. Today each member of staff, some who have worked every Christmas pantomime season for the last 25 years, shared their panto memories.

A Crowdfunder this summer saw a huge outpouring of support for Capital Theatres’ Festival Theatre and King’s Theatre. There is still a long way to go to ensure that the King’s is saved for the long-term but the team will put everything into ensuring the lights remain on for years to come.

Linda Hogg, Head of Front of House and Customer Services for Capital Theatres.

Worked at Capital Theatres for 26 years including 25 panto seasons.

Favourite Memory: My favourite moment every year is the pantette. We do 82 panto shows each year, and every year one of the staff writes a pantette, which is a spoof panto. After the show one night we’ll have a drink in the bar and head down to the auditorium for the pantette, and it feels like a community. And that for me and most of the staff is their favourite night. Everyone is celebrating together. That is my favourite memory.

Jimmy Beacham, Head of Ticketing and Revenue

Worked at Capital Theatres for 25 years including 25 panto seasons.

Favourite Memory: This time of the year, there is such a buzz at box office and putting the shows in and I just love seeing the families coming in. And a lot of the children and adults are so exciting. I’ve been doing it such a long time, I really desperately miss it.

Sulie Wood, Technician

I have worked 6 panto seasons.

Favourite Memory: It’s great fun. Excellent camaraderie on stage. We all miss it because of the family feel you get when you are working panto

Jim Cursiter, Technician

This year was meant to be my 40th panto. I’m the flyman. It’s a very busy season.

I love the festival too. Working with companies from all over the world. I’ve worked at the King’s since 1981.

Graham Simpson, Front Of House Usher

The Festival is my favourite time of year with people coming from all around the world. It is the people for me that make the theatre, and hearing their stories and their excitement about what is coming.

Theatres Trust grants to help theatres
reopen top £150k

A further 15 theatres in the UK have received vital support from the national public advisory body for theatres, bringing the total helped through its Theatre Reopening Fund to 35. Offering grants of up to £5,000, the fund supports not-for-profit theatres of all sizes and heritages across the country to meet the costs of reopening safely in light of Covid-19.

Five theatres – Blackfriars Arts Centre, Greenwich Theatre, Lawrence Batley Theatre, New Vic Theatre and Theatre Royal Winchester – will use the funding to improve their ventilation systems, which is emerging as an important consideration for providing Covid-safe environments.

Sneeze screens, hand sanitisers, digital thermometers and e-ticket scanners continue to be popular investments for theatres, as these simple safety measures are likely to be long-term requirements. Alnwick Playhouse, Barn Theatre, Swindon Dance, Gorleston Pavilion and Tower Theatre all receive funding for these costs. Chapter Arts Centre, Hyde Festival Theatre, Theatre Peckham, Phoenix Theatre, Blyth and Swansea Grand will carry out specific projects to make their buildings safe and viable.

Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan comments, While not all theatres are able to open right now, Theatres Trust is pleased to be able to help more theatres to prepare for a time when they can welcome audiences back into their buildings, safe in the knowledge they are providing Covid-safe spaces for people to enjoy the live entertainment that has been so missed in 2020.

The Theatre Reopening Fund has been made possible thanks to the generous support of funders: Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Charles Michael Holloway Charitable Trust, Judy Craymer CBE, Soho Estates, The Basil Samuel Charitable Trust, The Foyle Foundation, The Mackintosh Foundation, The Pilgrim Trust, The Swire Charitable Trust, Theatre Royal, Haymarket and Theatre Super Auction.

Theatres Trust is currently raising additional money for this grant scheme through the

#SaveOurTheatres campaign in partnership with Crowdfunder

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-theatres.

Theatre Reopening Fund will continue to accept applications for grants of up to £5,000 until at least the end of 2020, with the possibility that the scheme will be extended into 2021 subject to demand.

THEATRE STAFF EXCEED FUND RAISING EXPECTATIONS FOR HOSPICE

Members of Darlington Hippodrome staff entered the St Teresa’s Hospice Santa Fun Run and exceeded their fundraising target by over 500%

Several staff members from Darlington Hippodrome along with their families and some pets donned full Santa costumes to run in this year’s St Teresa’s Hospice virtual 5k Santa Fun Run. With an original fundraising target of £250 the team has been overwhelmed with the current amount raised now standing at £1,275 and still rising.

At this time of the year the staff at the theatre would be making preparations to welcome thousands of local families to the annual Darlington Hippodrome festive pantomime during which audiences would be encouraged to drop some loose change into collection buckets to help raise much needed funds to ensure the Hospice can reach their required £1m annual running costs.

Sadly the Hippodrome pantomime had to be postponed due to the Covid 19 outbreak so staff at the theatre set up a Just Giving page for people to sponsor the Hippodrome team on their run to make sure the Hospice did not lose out this winter.

Jane Bradshaw, Chief Executive of St Teresa’s Hospice said “The Hippodrome team are super expert at running shows and amazing productions and now they have shown their expertise at running in a completely different way… dressed up as Santa in aid of St Teresa’s Hospice! We are so grateful for their support through all the collections they have made in the theatre in the past and this latest effort is truly wonderful. I can’t wait for the time when we’re all back in the theatre showing our support for them too!”

Councillor Andy Keir said “It was so disappointing to hear that this year’s Hippodrome pantomime had to be postponed but I am so thankful to the staff at the theatre who have raised this fabulous total for St Teresa’s Hospice who offer such a valuable service to the people of Darlington.”

To donate to the Darlington Hippodrome running team in support of St Teresa’s Hospice please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/darlington-hippodrome-santarun

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#LesEnfantsSherlock

LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES PRESENT NEW SHERLOCK HOLMES IMMERSIVE ONLINE ADVENTURE, ‘THE CASE OF THE HUNG PARLIAMENT’ FROM 27th JANUARY – 17th FEBRUARY 2021.

For three weeks only, the Olivier nominated creators of Alice’s Adventures Underground, Les Enfant Terribles have teamed up with virtual reality company LIVR to present an innovative and immersive online adventure that blurs the lines between theatre, gaming, escape room and board game.

Sherlock Holmes:  An Online Adventure.

“The Case of the Hung Parliament”

The Home Secretary, The Foreign Secretary and the Lord Chamberlain, have all been found hanging, in their own chambers. Each victim died on their birthday, and on that day had received a card with a mysterious quote written in it. But what does this mean? Where’s Sherlock? And what will you do next with 75 minutes left to solve the case before the murderer strikes again?

Suitable for 12+, Les Enfants Terribles are utilising the last 15 years’ experience of creating live immersive shows and expanding their repertoire with this online ‘whodunnit’ which will invite audiences alongside live actors to follow in the footsteps of the great detective himself as they encounter live performances, immersive 360 technology and more than 100 clues to discover and solve.

Don the deerstalker and become Baker Street’s finest detective. Travel back to Victorian London and delve into the world of Sherlock Holmes where powers of deduction will be required to solve the case before time runs out. As the newest recruits of Scotland Yard, audiences will have to make their own conclusions and decisions by interviewing suspects, reading reports, searching for hidden clues and research old facts.  

Written by Oliver Lansley and Anthony Spargo with inspiration taken from the 2016 live show The Games’ Afoot, this online, multi-sensory and intricate world will premiere on 27th January with tickets on sale from today.

James Seager and Oliver Lansley said: “Our hope and desire with this experience is to offer a fun and engaging alternative to the traditional board game! We wanted to provide an alternative and enjoyable way for families and friends to be able to come together to crack the case and enjoy a new form of theatrical entertainment during this time and also bring back some connectivity to live entertainment which has sorely been missing over the last year.”

NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN

IT’S CURTAINS FOR THEATRE WITHOUT YOU LAUNCHES TODAY –

INCLUDING A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR ALL LIVE AND DIGITAL THEATRE IN THE UK

Conceived by Feast Creative and spearheaded by WhatsOnStage, the It’s Curtains For Theatre Without You campaign launches nationwide today, with ambassadors including Ben Adams, Birmingham Hippodrome’s Fiona Allan (President of UK Theatre), Michelle Collins, Sean Foley (Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep), Amy Hart, Lucie Jones, Oti Mabuse, Tom Morris (Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic), Arlene Phillips and Faye Tozer as well as venues including Curve Leicester and Kiln Theatre. The campaign aims to unite the industry’s venues, performers and audiences to celebrate and support both live and digital theatre.

Artwork created and designed by Feast Creative will be placed across digital media platforms and WhatsOnStage will host interviews with a variety of people from across the industry including Sonia Friedman, Tamara Harvey, Katy Lipson, Cedric Neal, Emma Rice and the company of A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre), sharing what theatre means to them, the future of the industry and why protecting it is so vital with other artists and audiences encouraged to get involved, using the hashtag #CurtainsWithoutYou.

In tandem with the digital campaign, WhatsOnStage today launch a unique online guide offering the first comprehensive outline for all live and digital theatre events running across the UK providing an easily accessible resource for audiences looking to engage with theatre. Please find the guide here:  https://wos.show/curtainswithoutyou

Sita McIntosh, Chief Operating Officer of WhatsOnStage, said today, “As the green shoots of theatre start to emerge, at WhatsOnStage we couldn’t be more excited! We know that our readers share that joy and we wanted to do our bit to encourage audiences back into auditoriums, inspire them to enjoy shows again and most importantly reassure them that they are safe doing so.  There have been some impressive initiatives to ensure that buildings are COVID-safe including #SeeItSafely, so patrons can be comfortable in the knowledge that the industry has done everything it has been asked to do to comply with the latest government guidelines.

“We have compiled a comprehensive guide to theatre now open or opening soon and we want to convey the message that unless audiences come out and support those shows it really is Curtains for Theatre. If we ever needed a morale boost it’s now!”

Interviewed as part of the campaign, multi-award-winning producer Sonia Friedman, who is about to première new play The Comeback in the West End, said, “We’ve learned what an incredibly powerful yet fragile ecosystem we’re a part of. Theatre is the number two reason for international tourism after national heritage – we are a vibrant, successful industry. Whenever we call for support, we are not asking for help, it’s an investment – to reboot this global enterprise. Writers, designers, actors, musicians and directors we see now on screens of all sizes across the world – they all started in our extraordinary system.”

Simon Williams, Executive Creative and MD of Feast Creative, also commented, “Theatre is on its knees financially due to audiences being forced to stay away from this great art form.

“Feast Creative is a design agency that survives by creating and supplying the graphic campaigns to promote theatre and we wanted to do our bit to get people back into the empty auditorium. We wanted a simple message that expressed both the financial plight of theatre at the moment and one that also expressed how critical an audience is to the experience of theatre. Without live audiences there will be no theatre…it will literally be curtains for theatre.”

ROSIE ALLIMONOS APPOINTED

CHAIR OF BOUNDLESS THEATRE BOARD

Boundless Theatre today announces the appointment of Rosie Allimonos as Chair of the Board. Allimonos, who is currently Global Director of Digital Content at BBC Studios, succeeds outgoing Chair Charles Glanville. Rosie joins the Board of Trustees; David Beardmore, Claire Dikecoglu, Simon Gomes, Rafia Hussain, Michelle Matherson, Danielle Rodriguez, Spencer Simmons, Alistair Wilkinson, and Sam Zdzieblo.

Rosie Allimonos, today said,”I am delighted to be offered the opportunity to Chair such an innovative, relevant and purpose-led theatre company. I have been deeply impressed by the dedication of the Boundless staff, their Board of Trustees and the Advisory Group of 15-25 year olds, who are united in their mission to empower emerging artists and audiences. This appointment brings with it the opportunity to build rapidly on the excellent work that Boundless have already produced and shared. I look forward to working closely with Rob and the team, my fellow Board members, the Arts Council and diverse groups of young people in order to amplify the Boundless mission“.

Rob Drummer, Artistic Director and CEO of Boundless, also commented,“Throughout this pandemic despite the very real challenges, searching for our new chair has been a deeply rewarding and galvanising experience. We were guided by our Advisory Group of 15-25 year olds who joined the recruitment process and met candidates at interview and have in Rosie, found a truly radical, compassionate and inspiring Chair.  For more than eight years Charles has been a huge support to our work and I want to celebrate his commitment, compassion and care. Now Charles with the immense grace I have come to know him for passes the baton to Rosie who, as an ally to all young people, will empower us to do more, go further and deliver with even greater impact.  What lies ahead for theatre and 15-25 year olds is uncertain, but with Rosie’s support and innovative leadership, we shall continue to connect, inspire and make theatre more relevant for a boundless generation.”

Allimonos joins Boundless Theatre following a year where it worked to continue to deliver its creative work and support for 15-25 year olds in a digital capacity. The organisation launched the new five-episode fiction podcast Radio Elusia in April, creating a new way to build a community of young adult audiences. Following the closures of theatres across the UK, Boundless created the telephone theatre production We Will Probably Never Meet, and,as part of Signal Fires, staged October2020 which commissioned seven stories from new writers mentored by Nassim Soleimanpour – this production has been experienced by over 300 audience members across the UK thus far. Recently launched Boundless Happenings a digital experiment in interactive storytelling has already reached over 500 people with three more scheduled over the coming weeks. The organisation has also supported 52 students on digital work experience, and has employed 33 freelancers over the past 6 months.  

Rosie Allimonos has been Global Director of Digital Content at BBC Studios since 2019. Prior to this role, Allimonos was Head of Creative Partnerships at Facebook and Instagram, Head of Original Channels and Content Partnerships at YouTube across Europe, Middle East and Africa, Commissioner for BBC Drama, Films & Acquisitions and Creative Producer at All3Media. Allimonos’ has led teams on the launch of YouTube Originals SVOD Service, Facebook Watch and the IGTV vertical video player.

AWARD-WINNING COMEDIAN EXTENDS TOUR FOR 2021

Opening Performance in Rhyl on 27 March 2021

Rob’s first solo performances in the West End for 10 years to come at The London Palladium, 17 & 18 November 2021

For all information, see www.robbrydon.live

Award winning comedian Rob Brydon and his eight-piece band will take to the road next year with his new show, Rob Brydon – A Night Of Songs & Laughter, marking the first time Brydon has created a show that includes songs and music as well as his acclaimed wit and comedy.

New dates have been announced which will take the tour through Autumn 2021, including two nights at the iconic London Palladium. Tickets across the tour are on sale from www.robbrydon.live

This extensive new tour begins in March 2021 and will travel to over 50 venues across the country, opening in Rhyl on Saturday 27 March 2021, and playing through until the final date at Milton Keynes Theatre on Sunday 28 November 2021.

With songs from Tom Waits to Tom Jones, and Guys and Dolls to Elvis (and almost everything in between), A Night of Songs & Laughter tells Rob’s personal musical journey from South Wales to the West End and beyond. Audiences can expect Rob’s usual warmth and humour as he regales them with hilarious tales from his distant and recent past.

Rob commented: “I’m so excited to get back on stage with this show. Touring with this incredible band of musicians is such a delight. I’m looking forward to getting around the country next year and bring some much needed music and laughter.”

Rob Brydon’s varied career began with the TV comedy shows Marion and Geoff and Human Remains in 2000, for which he won British Comedy Awards.  Since then his comedy credits have included A Small Summer Party, The Keith Barret Show, Directors Commentary, Supernova, Cruise Of The Gods, Black Books, I’m Alan Partridge, Little Britain, Live At The Apollo, Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentive, QI, The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year, Have I Got News For You, Gavin and Stacey, Rob Brydon’s Identity Crisis, Would I Lie To You and The Trip with Steve Coogan.

He has also appeared in the dramas Oliver Twist, Heroes and Villains: Napoleon, The Way We Live Now, Murder In Mind, Kenneth Tynan: In Praise of Hardcore, Marple and the films 24 Hour Party People, MirrorMask, A Cock and Bull Story and the film Swimming with Men.

In 2009 alongside Ruth Jones, Robin Gibb and Sir Tom Jones, Rob reached number one in the UK charts with the single Islands in The Stream, in aid of Comic Relief. He also embarked on an 87 date tour of the UK with his stand up show, Rob Brydon Live which included a three week run in London’s West End.  He also recently enjoyed a sold-out tour with Lee Mack and David Mitchell, before his own sell-out tour in 2020.

Rob Brydon – A Night Of Songs & Laughter is produced by Fiery Angel Entertainment.

Tickets for all venues available from:

www.robbrydon.live

Twitter, Instagram and Facebook:

@robbrydonlive

Rob Brydon – A Night of Songs & Laughter

TOUR DATES 2021

Saturday 27 March                          Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl

Sunday 28 March                             Huddersfield Town Hall

Tuesday 30 March                           G Live, Guildford

Wednesday 31 March                    Portsmouth Guildhall

Thursday 1 April                                Assembly Hall, Worthing

Monday 12 April                               St George’s Hall, Bradford

Tuesday 13 April                               Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Wednesday 14 April                        Barbican, York

Saturday 17 April                              Bath Forum

Sunday 18 April                                 New Wimbledon Theatre

Monday 19 April                               Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Thursday 22 April                             Sunderland Empire

Friday 23 April                                   City Hall, Sheffield

Monday 26 April                               New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Tuesday 27 April                               New Theatre, Oxford

Wednesday 28 April                        Cambridge Corn Exchange

Friday 30 April                                   King George’s Hall, Blackburn

Saturday 1 May                                 Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Sunday 2 May                                    Northampton Derngate

Friday 10 September                       Congress Theatre, Eastbourne

Saturday 11 September                 Watford Colosseum

Sunday 12 September                    Cliffs Pavilion, Southend

Tuesday 14 September                  Caird Hall, Dundee

Wednesday 15 September           Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Thursday 16 September                 Aberdeen Music Hall

Monday 20 September                  Eden Court Theatre, Inverness

Tuesday 21 September                  Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow

Wednesday 22 September           Perth Concert Hall

Friday 24 September                       The Lighthouse, Poole

Saturday 25 September                 Dome Concert Hall, Brighton

Tuesday 28 September                  De Montfort Hall, Leicester

Wednesday 29 September           Hull City Hall

Thursday 30 September                 Leeds Town Hall

Saturday 2 October                         Exeter Great Hall

Sunday 3 October                            Plymouth Pavilions

Wednesday 6 October                    Spa Grand Hall, Scarborough

Thursday 7 October                         O2 City Hall, Newcastle

Friday 8 October                               Stockton Globe

Sunday 10 October                          Winter Gardens, Margate

Tuesday 12 October                        Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

Wednesday 13 October                 Buxton Opera House

Thursday 14 October                      Victoria Theatre, Halifax

Saturday 16 October                       Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury

Sunday 17 October                          Regent Theatre, Ipswich

Monday 8 November                      Parr Concert Hall, Warrington

Tuesday 9 November                      Venue Cymru, Llandudno

Thursday 11 November                 Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Wednesday 17 & Thursday 18 November              London Palladium

Monday 22 November                   Cheltenham Town Hall

Tuesday 23 November                   O2 Guildhall, Southampton

Sunday 28 November                     Milton Keynes Theatre

VITAL XPOSURE ANNOUNCE SIMON STARTIN AS NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Ground-breaking Disabled-led theatre company Vital Xposure has today announced the appointment of Simon Startin as new Artistic Director.  Startin takes over from Disability Rights activist, playwright and director Julie McNamara who founded the company in 2011 and leaves to join the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne.

Startin will join Vital Xposure in March 2021 as the company celebrates its 10-year anniversary.  He is an acclaimed actor, published playwright, director and activist, who last appeared on stage in The Visit at the National Theatre.  He has also performed recently at Shakespeare’s Globe, Arcola Theatre and Birmingham Rep as well as TV roles on BBC, Channel 4 and Paramount.   He has been an Associate Artist of Theatre Royal Stratford East, London Bubble and Graeae; an alumni of the BAC 21st Century Leadership scheme, China Plate Enhanced Optimists course and a Graduate of the Young Vic Directors Program.  He has directed at the Young Vic, RSC and Nottingham Playhouse.  As an activist he has worked with many organisations to increase disabled representation on stage and screen.

Based in London, Vital Xposure gives life to extraordinary stories, allowing artists whose voices have been neglected and marginalised from the mainstream to communicate with audiences from all backgrounds, in work that is striking, provocative, inventive and inclusive.  The company develops new writing, creates unique, vital work and forges relationships with, and new paths for, excluded communities.  Previous productions include Let Me Stay (UK Tour, New Zealand, Brazil), Pullen’s Party (Liberty Festival), The Disappearance of Dorothy Lawrence (UK Tour), The Knitting Circle (UK Tour) and award-winning documentary Voices From The Knitting Circle.

Julie McNamara will return to Vital Xposure for White Pariahs: Quiet Rebels, a co-production with Dervish Productions that is co-written and co-directed by McNamara and Hassan Mahamdallie. This new play will bring the stories of white working-class women who married the men of the Windrush generation after WWII vividly to life.  Featuring true life testimonies from the women who protected and nurtured proud mixed heritage families in a country driven by prejudice, this play will be a moving tribute to a quiet revolution that changed the face of society. White Pariahs: Quiet Rebels will tour in 2022.

Simon Startin said of his new appointment at Vital Xposure, ‘I am profoundly excited about taking the helm at Vital Xposure and building on the outstanding work of Julie McNamara. There has never been a more important time for society to hear the voice of disabled artists, who have been living at the sharp end of human fragility and resilience long before the rest of the world woke up to it. There is an urgent need for disabled theatre makers to proudly communicate not just the disabled experience but to take that perspective to universally question the times we live in. Under my leadership, the Vital Xposure commitment to hidden voices and social justice will continue to drive our work, but we will also begin to interrogate what participatory political theatre, led by disabled people, for the benefit of all, can achieve in the 21st century.

There is also still much work to be done in creating community and opportunities for disabled people within the wider theatre sector, and Vital Xposure will be looking to broaden our work with partner organisations to reframe the old narratives and forms that favour one community over another. We will further our commitment to working with artists of colour and other excluded communities, beginning with our production of ‘White Pariahs: Quiet Rebels.’ I look forward, with the Vital Xposure team, to making our theatre spaces a fairer place to gather when we come out of tiers and lockdowns, and to sharing the stories and voices that connect us all.’

Outgoing Artistic Director Julie McNamara said ‘I am thrilled that Simon has chosen Vital Xposure as his next life adventure.  Simon comes with a wealth of experience in the creative industries and a highly respected body of work both in the mainstream and in Disability-led theatre. His is a uniquely imaginative voice that will bring fresh energy and ideas to the future direction of this extraordinary company. I am hugely excited and very curious to see what imaginative Disability-led leaps and bounds he will lead the company onto next. Indeed, I look forward with a sense of glee! ‘

Jonathan Meth, Chair of Vital Xposure Board of Trustees ‘We are delighted that Simon Startin will be the new Artistic Director of Vital Xposure. Simon brings extensive experience to the role and the board could not have wished for a better appointment to build on the pioneering work of Julie McNamara. We look forward with great excitement to Simon joining us in the New Year.  Where to start with Julie McNamara is almost as hard as where to finish. Julie’s work straddles the length and breadth of the UK and beyond. But her impact is far wider. She uses her voice to speak for all those whose voices are unheard and whose stories are too often untold. That she can talk to anyone, as well as enable others to find their voices, belies the complexity and richness of her creative working processes – as theatre maker, as a disabled artist and as advocate, activist and leader. In forming and leading Vital Xposure over the past decade Julie has created a company dedicated to the embodiment of these qualities. On behalf of all those involved with Vital Xposure we wish Julie great success with her Australian adventure.’

ONE-MAN COMEDY BY JONATHAN HARVEY TO TOUR ENGLAND IN FEBRUARY

ANDREW LANCEL STARS IN SWAN SONG DIRECTED BY NOREEN KERSHAW

PLAY TO RE-OPEN LIVERPOOL’S UNITY THEATRE BEFORE TOURING FOR LGBT HISTORY MONTH

Following its critically acclaimed sell-out premiere at Liverpool Theatre Festival in September, Swan Song, a revised comedy by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey, is heading out on tour in February to coincide with LGBT History Month.

Swan Song, a one-man play starring TV and stage actor Andrew Lancel, is directed by BAFTA award-winning director Noreen Kershaw and produced by Bill Elms.

The play will open at Liverpool’s Unity Theatre for six performances over three nights, this will be the first live performances at the theatre since closing in March. The show then moves on to The Atkinson Southport, Lighthouse Poole, Swan Theatre Worcester, Belgrade Coventry, Dukes Lancaster, City Varieties Leeds, and Capitol Horsham. All venue will present to socially distanced audiences and more dates are to be confirmed soon.

Swan Song was first staged at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1997, before transferring to Hampstead Theatre with award-winning comedy actress Rebecca Front in the lead role. Jonathan Harvey adapted the 70-minute play specially for Liverpool Theatre Festival for Andrew Lancel to play the solo role of Dave Titswell.  Due to critical acclaim, the play will now perform at venues across the UK next year, these new dates replaced the November 2020 dates which were cancelled due to lockdown, now a longer tour is planned for Spring 2021.

The news also comes as Andrew Lancel is set to have an appearance in the Royal Variety Performance, which is televised on Tuesday 8 December. Andrew appears as Brian Epstein in Cilla The Musical, he also played Brian in Epstein The Man Who Made The Beatles in 2012, where Andrew Lancel first met Bill Elms who produced the play in Liverpool and London’s West End.

Producer and the artistic director of Liverpool Theatre Festival, Bill Elms said: “Swan Song is a funny, clever and inspiring production which opened the inaugural Liverpool Theatre Festival.  Andrew Lancel, Jonathan Harvey, and Noreen Kershaw are an incredible blend of creative talent, and the play went down a storm in Liverpool. It is such a lovely piece that I approached Andrew and the team with the idea to tour. People are excited for the return of live theatre – and we’re excited to give them that experience back after such a long time with a really special production.”

Swan Song is a bittersweet comedy written by Jonathan Harvey. Set in Liverpool, it is Christmas 1997, the world is changing and in the staff room, Gay, forty-something, English teacher Dave Titswell finds that not all change is welcome. He has a crush, but life, love, and work are never straight forward for Dave. Will a school trip to The Lakes change things for the better, or make things decidedly worse? Swan Song will make audiences laugh, but equally pull at the heartstrings. Everyone knows someone like Dave – or could even be a Dave themselves.

Andrew Lancel is no stranger to audiences. Well established on the national theatre scene, Andrew is also widely known for his television roles as DI Neil Manson in The Bill and super-villain Frank Foster in Coronation Street. He has twice played Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein on stage to great critical acclaim, first in Epstein – The Man Who Made The Beatles (also produced by Bill Elms) which premiered in Liverpool and went on to play London’s West End, as well as playing Epstein in the national tour of Cilla The Musical, Bill Kenwright’s stage adaptation of the TV series written by Jeff Pope.

Andrew Lancel commented: “The last play I saw before lockdown was Jonathan Harvey’s Our Lady of Blundellsands at The Everyman Liverpool, which I loved – so it’s very cool, and a little ironic, that my first play back is with Jonathan. We have known each other for years and worked together a lot but never on stage, so it’s humbling that he has adapted this play for me. It’s very funny, moving, and I think people will really relate to it today. His characters are literally gifts to play and to watch.

“This play is about reuniting too. Reuniting theatre and audiences with live performance is extra special. To be back with Epstein producer Bill Elms is a buzz, and I’ve worked on some very serious storylines on Corrie with Noreen Kershaw. It feels like coming home for us all in so many ways.”

Award-winning Jonathan Harvey’s credits include Gimme Gimme Gimme; Murder Most Horrid; Coronation Street; Call The Midwife; and Tracey Ullman’s Show. Hisplays include Beautiful Thing, Corrie, Canary, Hushabye Mountain, Babies, Boom Bang A Bang’ and Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club. He also wrote the 2001 stage musical Closer to Heaven with the Pet Shop Boys and its sequel Muzik. He has won the John Whiting Award, the George Devine Award, two Manchester Evening News Awards, an Evening Standard Award, two British Soap Awards and a Writers Guild of Great Britain Award.

Jonathan added: “Swan Song is a comedy about a teacher who’s trying to hold onto his dignity while the education system crumbles around him – and I’m thrilled Andrew is playing Dave. I’m delighted to also be working with Noreen again, she directed many of my Corrie scripts and my last episode of Call The Midwife. As the original Shirley Valentine, Noreen definitely knows a thing or two about one person shows.”

Noreen Kershaw’s directing credits include Our Girl, Moving On, Scott & Bailey, Emmerdale, Shameless, Heartbeat and Coronation Street. She is also known for acting in Life On Mars, Brookside, and Watching. Noreen also originated the title role of Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre.

Facebook:       /SwanSongOnStage

Twitter:           @SwanSongPlay

Hashtags:        #DaveTitswell #SwanSong

LISTING INFORMATION

Andrew Lancel in

SWAN SONG

by Jonathan Harvey

UNITY THEATRE

Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG

Thursday 4 – Saturday 6 February 2021

Performance times: 5pm / 7.45pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk ON SALE NOW

ATKINSON THEATRE

Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB

Friday 12 – Saturday 13 February 2021

Performance times: 7.30pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.theatkinson.co.uk ON SALE SOON

THE LIGHTHOUSE

Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1UG

Saturday 20 February 2021

Performance times: 3pm / 7pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk ON SALE 11 DEC

THE SWAN THEATRE

The Moors, Worcester, WR1 3ED

Sunday 21 February 2021

Performance times: 3pm / 7pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.worcesterlive.co.uk ON SALE NOW

BELGRADE THEATRE

Belgrade Square, Coventry, CV1 1GS

Wednesday 24 February 2021

Performance times: 2.30pm / 7pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.belgrade.co.uk ON SALE NOW

DUKES LANCASTER

Moor Lane, Lancaster, LA1 1QE

Thursday 25 February 2021

Performance times: 2.30pm / 7.30pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.dukeslancaster.org ON SALE NOW

CITY VARIETIES MUSIC HALL

Swan Street, Leeds, LS1 6LW

Saturday 27 February 2021

Performance times: 2pm / 7.30pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.cityvarieties.co.uk ON SALE NOW

THE CAPITOL THEATRE

North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RG

Sunday 28 February 2021

Performance times: 3pm / 6pm

Show duration: 70 minutes (no interval)

How to book: www.thecapitolhorsham.co.uk ON SALE NOW