Author: FairyPoweredProductions

National Theatre launches NATIONAL THEATRE AT HOME,  a new streaming service giving worldwide digital access to their much-loved filmed productions 

– Titles available to watch from today include Coriolanus, Dara, I Want My Hat Back, Medea, Mosquitoes, The Cherry Orchard, Three Sisters, Phèdre and Yerma.  

– With casts including Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Adrian Lester, Helen McCrory, Michaela Coel, Helen Mirren, Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga, Zubin Varla, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Alfred Enoch and Lucian Msamati. 

– The platform is now available to watch online and on smart TV, tablet and mobile apps.  

– Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, National Theatre at Home will bring world-leading performances to a global audience. 

National Theatre at Home is available now at ntathome.com

The National Theatre, in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, has today launched National Theatre at Home, a brand-new streaming platform making their much-loved productions available online to watch anytime, anywhere worldwide. Launching today with productions including the first ever National Theatre Live, Phèdre with Helen Mirren, Othello with Adrian Lester and the Young Vic’s Yerma with Billie Piper, new titles from the NT’s unrivalled catalogue of filmed theatre will be added to the platform every month. In addition to productions previously broadcast to cinemas by National Theatre Live, a selection of plays filmed for the NT’s Archive will be released online for the first time through National Theatre at Home, including Lucy Kirkwood’s Mosquitoes with Olivia Colman and Inua Ellams’ new version of Chekhov’s Three Sisters (a co-production with Fuel).  

Viewers can choose a monthly or annual subscription to access the full catalogue and exclusive backstage content, or can opt to rent single plays for a 72-hour window. National Theatre at Home is available for streaming online through any web browser and in Apple (iOS / tvOS), Google (Android / Android TV), Roku TV and Amazon Fire TV.  

National Theatre at Home’s digital streaming offer was first made available during the UK’s first COVID lockdown when theatres and cinemas were closed. For 16 weeks from the beginning of April until the end of July, productions were made available for free on the National Theatre’s YouTube channel every Thursday at 7pm UK time, which were then available on demand for the following seven days. This resulted in over 15 million views for 16 productions over four months and reached 173 countries around the world.   

Following this overwhelming response, the NT today launches a new, lasting and extensive iteration of National Theatre at Home, with the ambition of bringing world-class performances to a global audience. The platform will also provide welcome support for artists and theatres during this unpredictable time.   

Lisa Burger, Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive of the National Theatre, said: “We were overjoyed to have had 15 million views for National Theatre at Home earlier this year and to discover we had reached so many audiences new to theatre both in the UK and worldwide. At a time when many people were isolated at home, it was uplifting to see audiences recreate the shared experience of visiting the theatre.  From homemade tickets to interval drinks, NT at Home was a way of making people feel more connected. And so, since the last stream finished in July, we have been determined to find a way to give our audiences access to these stunning filmed productions online once again. With the agreement from artists, we are now able to showcase an extraordinary range of fantastic NT Live productions and, for the first time, some treasured plays from our NT Archive. This is a really exciting day for the National Theatre as we launch a major, online streaming destination for our filmed theatre productions which we hope will continue to provide audiences with the power and joy of theatre for as long as it is needed. We want National Theatre at Home to once again bring people together from all over the world after what has been a very tough 2020 for so many.”  

Jemma Read, Global Head of Corporate Philanthropy at Bloomberg LP said: “At Bloomberg Philanthropies, we believe in the transformative power of art and performance to inspire societal change and economic growth. The pandemic continues to impact creative communities and those with fewer resources disproportionately; as we adjust to a new normal, National Theatre at Home will generate artistic opportunity and will offer a safe way for an audience of unprecedented size and diversity to enjoy world-leading performances.”  

For unlimited access to the catalogue on National Theatre at Home, a subscription will be £9.98 per month or £99.98 per year. For access to a single play in a 72 hour window, it will be £5.99 for an NT Archive title and National Theatre Live titles are available from £7.99. 

The National Theatre will collaborate with Bloomberg Philanthropies to deliver a programme of free subscriptions and discounts to viewers in the UK and globally, reflecting our shared commitment of ensuring National Theatre at Home is available to all.  

National Theatre at Home is available now at ntathome.com.   

#NationalTheatreatHome   

National Theatre Live titles launching today:   

Amadeus  

The 2016 National Theatre production of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus which first appeared on the National Theatre stage in 1979 and was later turned into an Oscar-winning film. This iconic drama follows rowdy young musical prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played by Adam Gillen (Fresh Meat, Benidorm). Awestruck by Mozart’s genius, Court Composer Antonio Salieri, played by Lucian Msamati (His Dark Materials, Master Harold and The Boys), has the power to promote his talent or destroy it. Seized by obsessive jealousy he begins a war with Mozart, with music and, ultimately, with God. Michael Longhurst’s acclaimed production features live orchestral accompaniment by Southbank Sinfonia.   

Coriolanus   

The Donmar Warehouse production of Coriolanus staged by former Artistic Director Josie Rourke (Mary Queen of Scots). When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. In one of the Donmar’s most popular ever productions, Tom Hiddleston (Avengers, The Night Manager) plays the title role in Shakespeare’s searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge. Cast also includes Alfred Enoch (Trust Me, Harry Potter), Deborah Findlay (Romeo & Juliet, The Split) and Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Dracula).  

Medea  

This exhilarating, modern adaptation ofMedea was originally staged in the National Theatre’s Olivier in 2014. Helen McCrory (Peaky Blinders, The Deep Blue Sea) plays the title role in Euripides’ powerful tragedy of heartbreak and revenge, as a woman stricken with grief plans appalling revenge on her ex-husband and to destroy everything she holds dear. The cast also includes Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You, Chewing Gum), Danny Sapani (Star Wars, Black Panther) and Dominic Rowan (Press, The Crown) in a version by Ben Power, directed by Carrie Cracknell with music written by Will Gregory and Alison Goldfrapp.    

Othello  

Nicholas Hytner’s (The History Boys, One Man, Two Guvnors) critically acclaimed 2013 Olivier theatre production of Othello, Shakespeare’s timeless tale of envy and brutal revenge. Adrian Lester plays Othello and Rory Kinnear is the duplicitous Iago, in the roles that jointly won them Best Actor at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. Furious about being overlooked for promotion, Iago plots to take revenge against his General, Othello.    

Phèdre  

The very first National Theatre Live broadcast from the National Theatre’s Lyttelton theatre in 2009. Helen Mirren plays the title role in award-winning director Nicholas Hytner’s production of the classic Greek tragedy by Jean Racine, in a new version by Ted Hughes. Consumed by an uncontrollable passion for her young stepson, played by Dominic Cooper (The History Boys, Mamma Mia), and believing her absent husband is dead, Phèdre confesses her darkest desires and enters the world of nightmare. The cast includes Ruth Negga (Ad Astra, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D). 

The Cherry Orchard 

Zoë Wanamaker (My Family, Harry Potter) plays Ranyevskaya in Andrew Upton’s version of Chekhov’s classic play, set in Russia in 1904, which captures a poignant moment in Russia’s history. Ranyevskaya and her brother snub the lucrative scheme of a local entrepreneur to save their family estate and in doing so, they jeopardise the fate of their beloved cherry orchard. Directed by Howard Davies, the cast also includes Conleth Hill (The Antipodes, Game of Thrones), Charity Wakefield (The Great, Wolf Hall) and Mark Bonnar (Catastrophe, Line of Duty).   

Yerma  

The Young Vic’s Olivier Award winning 2017 production Yerma with Billie Piper (I Hate Suzie, Collateral) in the title role that made her the only female actor to have won all six of the currently available UK Theatre Best Actress awards for a single performance. After two sold-out runs at the Young Vic, it transferred to New York in 2018. A young woman is driven to the unthinkable by her desperate desire to have a child in director Simon Stone’s radical production of Lorca’s achingly powerful masterpiece. Set in contemporary London, this portrayal of a woman in her thirties desperate to conceive builds with elemental force to a staggering, shocking, climax. A production from the Young Vic, filmed by National Theatre Live. Yerma is currently not available in the USA.   

National Theatre Archive titles launching today:  

Dara  

This 2015 celebrated production of Shahid Nadeem’s epic tale of the dispute that shaped modern-day India and Pakistan is directed by Nadia Fall (Three Sisters). Set in 1659 Mughal, India, the play follows a ferocious war of succession raging between the heirs to the Muslim empire and two brothers with very different visions of its future. Adapted by Tanya Ronder (Table, Vernon God Little), the play was originally performed by Ajoka Theatre, Pakistan. The cast includes Zubin Varla (Our Girl, Little Dorrit) in the title role and Prasanna Puwanarajah (Doctor Foster).   

I Want My Hat Back 

The Olivier Award nominated 2015 musical adaptation of Jon Klassen’s best-selling children’s picture book classic, I Want My Hat Back, features music by Arthur Darvill (The Antipodes, Doctor Who) with book and lyrics by Joel Horwood (The Ocean at the End of the Lane). Bear’s hat is gone. He loves his hat. He wants it back. He asks all the animals in the forest, but no one has seen it. WAIT! He has seen it somewhere… This production is suitable for children aged three years and older.  

Mosquitoes  

Olivia Colman (The Crown, The Favourite) and Olivia Williams (An Education, Tartuffe) play sisters in this critically acclaimed 2017 play by Lucy Kirkwood (The Welkin, Chimerica), directed by National Theatre Director Rufus Norris. In 2008, as the Large Hadron Collider searches for the Higgs boson, tragedy throws two sisters together. The collision threatens them all with chaos.   

Three Sisters  

Chekhov’s iconic characters are relocated to Nigeria on the brink of the Biafran Civil War in this adaptation by Inua Ellams (Barber Shop Chronicles). Set in Nigeria in 1967, three sisters are grieving the loss of their father and long to return to their former home in Lagos as conflict encroaches on their provincial village. Directed by Nadia Fall, the three sisters are played by Sarah Niles (I May Destroy You), Racheal Ofori (In The Long Run) and Natalie Simpson (Outlander). The production opened at the Lyttelton theatre in December 2019 and ran until 19 February 2020. Originally commissioned by Metta Theatre. A production from the National Theatre and Fuel.   

Rosenblatt Recitals at Home

in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer

Twenty years after the launch of Rosenblatt Recitals and three years after the final concert, the series has returned in digital form to present a season of eight themed programmes – Rosenblatt Recitals at Home, in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer.

Life for singers and musicians has been extremely challenging as most of the world’s opera houses have been silenced and stages left empty.  To help raise the spirits, Rosenblatt Recitals has brought together 30 of the greatest voices in opera performing arias and duets under eight themed programmes.  The singers, all former Rosenblatt Recitalists, perform the music that they love, from the intimate setting of their homes, many during the harshest of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Rosenblatt Recitals at Home is presented by Suzy Klein and Petroc Trelawny.  The concept is simple – a series of eight themed programmes, each around 30 to 45 minutes long.  Individual programmes or the whole season are available as video (On Theatre) or audio only (Exit Live).  Proceeds will be donated directly to Target Ovarian Cancer.  The eight programmes are (full details are set out in the Notes to Editors):

Programme 1:  Verdi

Programme 2:  Belcanto

Programme 3:  From Purcell to Lerner and Loewe – Singing in English

Programme 4:  Salon Music

Programme 5:  Verismo

Programme 6:  From Handel to Wagner – A Journey Through the Ages of Opera

Programme 7:  The World in Music

Programme 8:  Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know – The Men of Opera

The singers are:  Celso Albelo, Richard Berkeley Steele, Angel Blue, Susan Bullock, Eleonora Buratto, Joseph Calleja, Charles Castronovo, Stephen Costello, Tara Erraught, Rosa Feola, Serena Gamberoni, Bryan Hymel, Ben Johnson, Irini Kyriakidou, Ivan Magri, Matthew Rose, Serena Malfi, Ailyn Perez, Michele Pertusi, Simone Piazzola, Saimir Pirgu, Antonio Poli, Jessica Pratt, Artur Rucinski, Luca Salsi, Ekaterina Siurina, Antonino Siragusa, Vladimr Stoyanov, Gianluca Terranova, and Ailish Tynan.  Full details are set out in the Notes to Editors.

Commenting, Ian Rosenblatt OBE, founder of Rosenblatt Recitals, said:

“Rosenblatt Recitals at Home aims to bring some much-needed sunshine from artists’ homes to those of music lovers around the world. The majority of singers had to film and record themselves and all were socially distanced; at the outset, we didn’t really know what to expect. The result is beyond anything I could have wished for

and a wonderful celebration of the voice on the 20th anniversary of Rosenblatt Recitals. I do hope that the eight programmes will raise everyone’s spirits as well as provide much needed funds for this amazing charity, Target Ovarian Cancer.”

Annwen Jones OBE, Chief Executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, commented:

“Singers shouldn’t be silent and nor must we about this devastating disease. This special edition of Rosenblatt Recitals is a world-class initiative, and we are thrilled that the proceeds will benefit women with ovarian cancer, now and in the future. One in 50 women will receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis – we desperately need funds to ensure that everyone knows the symptoms, receives an early diagnosis and the very best support and treatment, and that we fund research to help save lives. The pandemic has hit hard, and the work of Target Ovarian Cancer has never been more needed.”

Full details and links to buy/donate are available at:  www.rrsah.com
Video streaming at £5 per programme or £30 for the 8 programme season

Audio only streaming at £3.99 per programme or £24.99 for the 8 programme season

Proceeds to Target Ovarian Cancer:  www.targetovariancancer.org.uk

Clare Grogan and Colin McCredie to star in the premiere of Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s The Magic of Christmas   

Pitlochry Festival Theatre in partnership with the Macrobert Arts Centre have today announced the casting for their forthcoming filmed Christmas production of The Magic of Christmas.

 The production’s exciting cast will feature singer and actress Clare Grogan (Gregory’s Girl, Barefoot in the Park, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Royal Lyceum Edinburgh and lead singer of iconic Scottish band, Altered Images) as Mrs Claus, Colin McCredie (DC Stuart Fraser in Taggart and Nick Morrison in River City) as Santa, Barbara Hockaday (North and South and Summer Holiday, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Lari and Ali Watt (A Christmas Carol and The Monarch of the Glen, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Hari.

As the journey begins, our favourite Christmas elves Lari and Hari have a big problem! The cheeky duo were playing football with Prancer, Dancer and Vixen and have lost the North Star! With no North Star, how will Santa find his way to all the houses to deliver the presents this Christmas?

The Magic of Christmas will take audiences on a quest for the vital guiding North Star, which has been kicked out of its place in the heavens by Santa’s over-enthusiastic reindeer team.

Suitable for everyone, from babes-in-arms to the forever young-at-heart, the collaborative event will be brimming with story, music, and plenty of surprises.

To comply with the latest restrictions, The Magic of Christmas is being filmed as a live performance for all the family to enjoy in the warmth and safety of their homes during the Christmas season.

The Magic of Christmas is written and filmed by award-winning filmmaker Russell Beard and Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman. The film will feature music composed and arranged by Barbara Hockaday, lighting designed by Jeanine Byrne andsound designed by Ben Occhipinti.
 

The filmed production of The Magic of Christmas will be available from 9– 23 December and will be screened in the Cinema at the Macrobert Arts Centre from 11-21 December.

Due to the high demand for tickets for The Magic of Christmas, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is currently working on increasing availability. Further details will be announced on the theatre’s website on Thursday 3^rd December.

For information on The Magic of Christmas visit www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com

Produced by TheatreMAD for the Make a Difference Trust

Featuring Tom Allen, Samantha Bond, Kerry Ellis, Clive Rowe, Oliver Tompsett

Marisha Wallace and Robin Winsor & Anya Garnis with a host of West End Stars:

“A West End Christmas”

Will Premiere Online at 7.30pm on Thursday 10 December

Put on your sparkles, your reindeer Christmas jumper, switch on the Christmas tree lights and settle down for an evening of festive fun and music.  The Make a Difference Trust today announces “A West End Christmas”, the most Christmassy Christmas show ever and the perfect antidote to these extraordinary and difficult times.

With a cast of 80 and a 17-piece orchestra, including stars from “The Phantom of the Opera”, “Only Fools and Horses”, “Wicked”, “Come From Away” as well as the West End Kids, “A West End Christmas” will also feature special guest performances from Tom Allen, Samantha Bond, Kerry Ellis, Clive Rowe, Oliver Tompsett, Marisha Wallace and Robin Winsor & Anya Garnis.

“A West End Christmas” will premiere online at 7.30pm on Thursday 10 December on www.stream.theatre  The show will also be streamed on Friday 11th December at 7.30pm, Saturday 12 December at 2.30 and 7.30pm and Sunday 13th December 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

With the prospect of a very different family Christmas this year, the Make A Difference Trust have decided that their festive show must go on! For the last 17 years, A West End Christmas has been the highlight of the Christmas calendar for the theatre community and its loyal audiences. The one-night-only sold out show has heralded the start of Christmas in a way only the West End can.

And this year the show will indeed go on, with stars and companies of the West End joining together once more for a very special recorded show.  St Paul’s Church in London’s Covent Garden will again be transformed into a world of magic and joy, the Christmas of all our dreams.

With all of their fundraising shows cancelled this year, this is an important chance for the Make a Difference Trust to be able to share something truly unique and spectacular with as many people as possible whilst raising funds and awareness.  Everyone, whether on stage or backstage, has given their time for free.

The majority of the performers have been out of work since theatres closed in March and they have no idea when they will work again.  But still they come together, supporting the Make A Difference Trust’s philosophy of community making a difference.  Working together, the theatre community use their skills and talents to help both their own colleagues and others.

Normally, a West End Christmas would raise funds for those living with or affected by HIV and AIDS.  This year, the charity has revived and repurposed their hardship fund into the Covid-19 Emergency Fund, to help the theatre community directly, by providing Emergency Hardship Grants for those on stage and off who are  struggling financially due to theatre closures and the monies raised will go to the Emergency fund as well as to fund HIV work.  

www.madtrust.org.uk

Sage Gateshead launches The Magic Of Music

Part of A Future for Live Music in the North East

Sage Gateshead celebrates The Magic of Music showcasing Musicians from the North East this winter and sharing in what makes music life-changing.

2020 has been a hard year for musicians all around the world, unable to perform and for the majority who are freelance unable to earn or access financial support. Musicians have always been at the heart of Sage Gateshead, the North East’s world-class music centre, and so this winter they are showcasing the many musicians from all genres of music, young and old, beginners and professionals that live or frequently perform in the North East and making them visible to many again.

Working with Newcastle company Sail Creative, Sage Gateshead is creating a wintery North East landscape which will glow with musicians sharing their passion for music, their favourite musical memories, their hopes for 2021 and their favourite Christmas song or carol. You can explore the scene at www.sagegateshead.com from 1 December with musicians being added throughout December. Sage Gateshead will also celebrate these musicians on its popular social channels.

So far musicians signed up to take part range from participants from In Harmony Newcastle Gateshead, our intensive long-term music programme with 600 primary pupils, in West Newcastle through orchestral music making, professional musicians from Royal Northern Sinfonia, local bands including The Futureheads and Lanterns by the Lake to the DJ Man Power, Jayne Dent, Joe McElderry and Kathryn Tickell.

Abigail Pogson, Managing Director of Sage Gateshead said: “Throughout 2020 so many people have told us how important music is to them and how much it has helped them deal with the year’s challenges. At the same time, so many musicians have been unable to work. We want to celebrate what music and musicians have done for us this year and through The Magic of Music we want to bring them to the front of people’s minds. And in proper Sage Gateshead spirit, we want to mark all kinds of music and all kinds of music making – from the international names we all know through to young people just starting out. The Magic of Music is part of our longer-term conversation with our audiences, A Future for Live Music in the North East, about what kind of future we should make together after the pandemic. We have been really struck by the hundreds of messages from our audiences in response to questions we have asked about music in their lives and how they would like to see music performed, listened to and created in the North East in the future.”

A Future for Live Music in The North East is a campaign created by Sage Gateshead in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign instigates a conversation with its audiences about how to shape the long-term future of music and the future of Sage Gateshead.

Audience responses to campaign questions include:

Future for Live Music in the North East is…

“…. Essential as it provides solace in times of grief, joy in times of celebration. It brings people together to relive memories and produce new ones – it feeds the soul.”

How has the absence of music affected you, and how you have filled the gap it left behind?

“It’s been one of the most upsetting aspects of the pandemic for me – it’s music that lifts my mood whenever I feel down – nothing can replace being in a hall for a live performance whether to hear familiar pieces or something new. I had so many events booked and each time I find them listed in my diary it’s a real blow.

There has to be live music again at Sage Gateshead as well as in all the other halls around the country.”
 

Read more here –

https://sagegateshead.com/looking-to-the-future/

House Of Burlesque Presents

House of Burlesque Salon – at Century Soho

AND

House of Burlesque – Christmas shows at The Bridge

House of Burlesque Salon – at Century Soho – Fridays and Saturdays

4^th- 5^th , 11^{th –} 12^th  & 18^th – 19^th December

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House of Burlesque – Christmas shows at The Bridge 11^{th –} 12^th December

PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS HOUSE OF BURLESQUE SHOWS

‘Guaranteed to blow your mind, it’s like Moulin Rouge on acid’ Time Out

“Effortless stage presence, charm and mind-bending dance–slash–circus skills…a ridiculously entertaining show” Stylist Magazine

“A highly skilled piece of theatrical cabaret and – as the raucous reaction of this crowd attests – rip-roaring fun… a show that reclaims burlesque for the act of female empowerment it should be.” ★ ★★★ The Stage

“There are not enough stars to describe just how brilliant it is, so go see it for yourself” A Younger Theatre

“This is burlesque as it should be; bold, bawdy and absolutely beautiful” ★★★★★ ThreeWeeks

“House of Burlesque is in my opinion by far the best show of its kind in London” ★★★★★ Everything Theatre

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Initially dreamed up by international showgirl Tempest Rose, House of Burlesque first shot to critical acclaim in 2010 with ‘Circus Burlesque’, which sold out its Edinburgh fringe run at the Assembly Rooms and went on to tour throughout England. Since then the company has produced a succession of sell out hit shows, an eight year residency at The Underbelly on Southbank, 2 seasons at Christmas in Leicester Square,  and are now in their 10^th year of wowing crowds with their unique brand of dazzling, intelligent, comical, compelling and visually stunning burlesque.

House of Burlesque has had a significant impact on burlesque and cabaret as a live artform, consistently showcasing genre-defining new work, the company has an unwavering commitment to burlesque’s roots of cultural commentary, satire and political parody. On stage Tempest and the H.O.B performers have showcased acts that tackle propaganda, sexual and gender identity, body image, fashion, consent, mental health, and consumerism.

House of Burlesque is also thrilled to have been awarded a grant from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. To benefit the company had to prove that its work is of vital, and cultural significance. This fund will allow H.O.B to keep offering paid work and running shows, helping to safeguard the future of burlesque as a vibrant, important art-form.

House of Burlesque: Salon and House of Burlesque At The Bridge are the latest productions from the UK’s trail-blazing, critical acclaimed House of Burlesque led by Tempest Rose, featured on MTV, Channel 4, BBC1, ITV2, Stylist Magazine, The Metro; The Times; Time Out, The Stage and many more.

HOUSE OF BURLESQUE SALON – FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS AT CENTURY SOHO

House of Burlesque is delighted to present a socially distanced, scintillating, showgirl, supper club. Real talk – 2020 was not the year we had planned, expected and, let’s be honest, wanted. But Tempest Rose and her team refuse to let that stop them bringing glitz and glamour to the stage.

Join Tempest Rose and the stars of the House of Burlesque for ‘Salon’ – an intimate night of high-end glamour and the best of burlesque, as they take over the Green Room at exclusive Soho members club Century Club. Audiences are invited to forget their troubles with London’s top divas as we recover from the strangeness of life over the last few months in a (socially distanced) explosion of crystals, feathers and #fuckthatshit. It’s like therapy but with tassels.

HOUSE OF BURLESQUE – CHRISTMAS SHOWS AT THE BRIDGE

A two-night special at the prestigious Bridge Theatre in London Bridge – the UK’s top scintillating, satirical, showgirls are back to blow away the lockdown blues. Join House of Burlesque, led by Queen of provocateurs Tempest Rose for a night of high-end glamour, joyful satire and the best of burlesque. Ruffling feathers for over 10 years with their trademark twist on traditional burlesque… The revolution will be crystallised

Is The New Wolsey Theatre’s Rock ‘n’ Roll panto The Snow Queen the most accessible Panto ever? The New Wolsey Theatre is raising the bar for accessibility of Live-Streamed and Live shows.

All performances of The Snow Queen* will have captioning and audio description available as an option – live and Live Streamed. Our British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted show takes place on Weds 23 Dec at 7pm, accessible both from home and in the auditorium. We’re also developing a ground-breaking Relaxed Performance Experience of the show, which will be available to watch from home. We think this is the only Panto available this year in the UK with these accessibility credentials.

The Snow Queen will be much more than a show on stage with a camera pointed at it: this is an extremely ambitious blend of live action, animation, audience interaction, pre-recorded film and even a live ‘doorstep’ moment with a member of the audience watching from home. Captions and Audio Description will be available for those watching in the auditorium and as options for the Live Stream show.

The New Wolsey Theatre strives to make its work accessible to all. A positive outcome of the pandemic is that we’ve been able to build in these exceptional accessibility standards to The Snow Queen and demonstrate how we’re determined not to leave sections of our audience behind as we innovate in response to Covid-19.

Sarah Holmes, CEO of The New Wolsey Theatre says:

‘We’re not aware of any theatre, anywhere, with better access provision for a Panto this year. It’s so important that people with disabilities and differing access needs are not left behind as we strive to recover from the pandemic. If there is a more accessible panto out there, we’d love to know about it! The Live Streamed nature of The Snow Queen means our accessibility features are literally available to anyone who needs them – whether they live in Glasgow or Penzance, or indeed Budapest. Ultimately, we’d like every show in every theatre to be this accessible. Wouldn’t that be amazing?’

Peter Rowe, Artistic Director of the New Wolsey Theatre says:

‘Over the years we’ve built a reputation for taking access seriously and this year we’ve taken it a step further. In a normal year our ‘relaxed’ shows are really popular. We couldn’t offer these in our auditorium for The Snow Queen because of Covid-19 safety, so we decided to approach it differently. The ‘Relaxed Experience’ recording will make the show more accessible to people who have, for example, autism or dementia, or who simply need to watch at a different pace or intensity than others. We’re not aware of any other Panto producers going this far to cater for as many people as possible. Covid-19 has actually pushed us to think more deeply about access and that’s not a bad thing at all.’

The New Wolsey Theatre is also giving away 400 free tickets for The Snow Queen for the Carers’ Big Night In. The Tuesday 22nd December 7pm performance is dedicated to all the wonderful Carers in our community. We have now allocated all the available auditorium seats for that show by way of a ballot. We still have some Live Stream tickets available for that show. To nominate a Carer or a Care Home to receive a free ticket please email: [email protected]

Show Details

The Snow Queen has been re-imagined and written by New Wolsey Theatre

Artistic Director Peter Rowe

CAST

ICICLE/SIMON; GUITAR/BASS – JAMES HAGGIE

GERDA: SAX/KEYS – LUCY WELLS

DAME SIGRID SMORGASBORD – BASS/GUITAR – ROMFORD SIMMONDS SVEN

LUMPHAMMER/KAY: DRUMS – ADAM LANGSTAFF

PRIMROSE/ SNOW QUEEN – NATASHA LEWIS

* for technical reasons, one live stream show on 23rd Dec will have the British Sign Language Interpreted version of the show instead of captions ( Audio Description will still be available).

THE TURBINE THEATRE WILL RE-OPEN ITS DOORS

TO PRESENT ITS FIRST CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME

CINDERELLA: THE SOCIALLY DISTANCED BALL

RUNNING FROM 3 – 23 DECEMBER

WRITTEN BY JODIE PRENGER & NEIL HURST

AND DIRECTED BY LIZZY CONNOLLY

The Turbine Theatres reopens its doors with its first ever adult pantomime, Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Ball. This hilarious panto has been written by Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst, and is being directed by Lizzy Connolly.

The cast are Oscar Conlon-Morrey, Rufus Hound, Debbie Kurup, Scott Paige, Sean Parkins and Daisy Wood Davis.

Prepare to have your Christmas socks blown off with this all-star cast, celebrating theatre at its naughtiest.  Glittery anti-bac will be at hand, and we promise to get home before midnight. 

Please note: This is not for the faint hearted or those easily offended by smut.

LISTINGS

Paul Taylor-Mills presents

Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Pantomime

Dates: 03 – 23 December

Address: The Turbine Theatre, Arches Lane, Circus West Village, London, SW11 8AB

Box Office/Tickets: TheTurbineTheatre.com

The Theatre Cafe:  The Turbine Theatre ticketing will be powered by The Theatre Cafe, West End’s stagiest destination and social platform. 

Website: www.theturbinetheatre.com/whatson

Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @TurbineTheatre

#PoweringTheImagination

THE FLYING LOVERS OF VITEBSK EXTENDS –

WITH A FURTHER WEEK ON DEMAND

Bristol Old Vic, Kneehigh and Wise Children present

Kneehigh’s The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk
Written by Daniel Jamieson

Directed by Emma Rice; music by Ian Ross; Set and Costume design: Sophia Clist

Lighting design: Malcolm Rippeth; Sound design: Simon Baker;Choreography: Etta Murfitt

Bristol will be going into Tier 3 when lockdown ends on Wednesday, which means there will be no live audience watching Wise Children broadcast Kneehigh’s The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk from Bristol Old Vic at the end of this week. But, as a gift to audiences still locked down round the country, and due to incredible demand for tickets for the live streams, the three companies today announce an extension to the show’s run. From today, Monday 30 December, the production can purchased in advance and watched at any time from 11 – 18 December 2020.

The production reunites the original cast Marc Antolin (Marc Chagall) and Audrey Brisson (Bella Chagall) with musicians Ian Ross and James Gow, with performances broadcast live to audience’s homes nationally and globally. To buy tickets for the livestreamed digital tour, 3 – 5 December, or to access the show on demand, 11 – 18 December, please visit www.wisechildrendigital.com.

Emma Rice said today, “Tickets for the live broadcasts of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk have been selling like hot piroshki, so, with the news that Bristol will be placed in tier 3 after lockdown, we’ve decided to make the show available on-demand for one extra week. It won’t be live (like the broadcasts on 3rd, 4th and 5th Dec) but it does mean you can watch it at whatever time suits you. So, what you might lose in the jeopardy of the live event, you will gain in glorious flexibility and independence! The on-demand shows also deliciously coincide with Hanukkah, so why not take the opportunity to light the candles, snuggle up and immerse yourself in the wonderful world of one of the most famous (and romantic) Jewish artists? I carry this show in my heart and I want as many people as possible to enjoy the moving, healing and hopeful magic of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk.”

Tom Morris, Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic, also commented, “These are mad times for theatre.  But whatever tier they put us in, we are determined to entertain Bristol this Christmas. So we’re delighted to announce this new release of the on-demand edition of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk.   And don’t worry, live audiences will be back at Bristol Old Vic as soon as we can legally welcome you.  We are fighting like cats for that, I can assure you!   And in the meantime, what could be more delicious than running yourself a piping hot bath, pouring a Russian cocktail (alcohol free or heady), lighting a candle, and watching The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk.”

Mike Shepherd and Carl Grose, Artistic Directors of Kneehigh, added “We’re delighted to be working with Wise Children and Bristol Old Vic to bring this glorious show back to life. We want as many of you as possible to share in this with us, especially at the moment where we’ve had too few opportunities to come together. What a thrill it is to work with Emma again, to help her tell this incredible story, and to offer the live-streamed production for a week (after the shows themselves). Come one, come all, no matter your time-zone, no matter what tier level you’re in! It’s waiting for you. The beautiful Flying Lovers of Vitebsk – a soaring, delicate love letter for our times.”

Perhaps you’ve seen them floating over a Russian village? Or perhaps you’ve seen her toppling forward, arms full of wild flowers, as he arches above her head and steals a kiss.

Meet Marc and Bella Chagall—the flying lovers of Vitebsk! Partners in life and on canvas, Marc and Bella are immortalised as the picture of romance. But whilst on canvas they flew, in life they walked through some of the most devastating times in history.

Implementing a COVID-secure procedure, the company will each have a Coronavirus test before forming a bubble in Bristol. These rigorous measures mean that they will be able to perform the show without social distancing.

Theatres across the UK and USA are selling tickets to their audiences, with partners including Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, York Theatre Royal, Oxford Playhouse, The Lowry, Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, Shoreditch Town Hall, Wilton’s Music Hall, Warwick Arts Centre, Spoleto Festival USA, Wallis Annenberg Centre for the Performing Arts and NYU Skirball.

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk was originally produced by Kneehigh and Bristol Old Vic.

Daniel Jamieson has worked for Exeter-based Theatre Alibi as an actor, joint artistic director (1995-2000) and writer. His writing credits for the company include Falling, Hammer and Tongs, Goucher’s War, Cobbo, Caught, One in a Million, The Freeze, Shelf Life, Little White Lies, The Swell, Sea of Faces and Birthday, as well as adapting novels by Charles Dickens, Graham Greene, Michael Morpurgo and Dick King-Smith for the stage. Other theatre credits include A Box of Photographs,  We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (Polka Theatre), Where’s the Bear, Wish Wash, Knitwits and Flathampton (Royal & Derngate).

Marc Antolin plays Marc Chagall. His previous credits for Wise Children include Romantics Anonymous (Shakespeare’s Globe/Bristol Old Vic/digital tour). Other theatre credits include Camelot (Watermill Theatre), Hedda Gabler (Sherman Theatre), Cry Havoc (Park Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors – for which he received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical, Into the Woods, Hello Dolly! (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe), , Peter Pan (National Theatre), The Trial (Young Vic), Taken at Midnight (Theatre Royal Haymarket/ Chichester Festival Theatre), Amadeus, Singin’ in the Rain, The Music Man (Chichester Festival Theatre), From Here to Eternity (Shaftsbury Theatre), Matilda (RSC/Cambridge Theatre), Billy Liar (UK tour) and Imagine This (New London Theatre). His television credits include Keeping Faith; and for film his credits include London Road and Love Actually.

Audrey Brisson plays Bella Chagall. Her previous theatre credits include Amelie (The Other Palace, Watermill Theatre – for which she was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical), Pericles, Pinocchio, Elephantom (National Theatre), Dead Dog in a Suitcase & Other Love Songs, The Wild Bride, Midnight’s Pumpkin (Kneehigh), La Strada (The Other Palace, UK tour), The Grinning Man (Bristol Old Vic), and Romeo and Juliet (Rose Theatre Kingston). Her television credits include Money, and Outlander II; and for films her credits include Hereafter. 

Emma Rice is the proud and excited Artistic Director of her new company, Wise Children. She adapted and directed Angela Carter’s Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour), Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers (Bristol Passenger Shed/UK tour) and Romantics Anonymous (Bristol Old Vic/Digital tour). For the ENO she directed Orpheus in the Underworld. As Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe (2016/18), she directed Romantics Anonymous, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Matchgirl (and Other Happier Tales). For the previous 20 years, she worked for Kneehigh as an actor, director and Artistic Director. Her productions for Kneehigh include The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, Tristan & Yseult, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, The Wild Bride, The Red Shoes, The Wooden Frock, The Bacchae, Cymbeline (in association with RSC), A Matter of Life and Death (in association with National Theatre), Rapunzel (in association with Battersea Arts Centre), Brief Encounter (in association with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers Productions), Don John (in association with the RSC and Bristol Old Vic), Wah! Wah! Girls (in association with Sadler’s Wells and Theatre Royal Stratford East for World Stages), and Steptoe and Son. Other work includes the West End production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Oedipussy (Spymonkey), The Empress (RSC), and An Audience with Meow Meow (Berkeley Repertory Theatre). She was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre at the 2019 UK Theatre Awards.

THE FLYING LOVERS OF VITEBSK 

LISTINGS

Livestreamed digital tour

3 – 5 December 2020

Performance times: 7.30pm (Saturday matinee at 2pm)

Available on demand

11 – 18 December 2020

Captioned and audio-described versions of the production available on demand from 11 – 18 December.

The Space re-opens with new work, Dickens and a Christmas revival 

The Space is thrilled to announce its December season with three exciting shows, as we re-open the venue and continue to deliver digitally. 
 
Our first show post-lockdown will be Myles and Me, a one woman play about the realities of living with multiple sclerosis. Written, by one of our sponsored playwrights, Lekha Desai Morrison, especially for disabled actress Ruth Curtis, the play explores how a person deals with being diagnosed with a lifelong, currently incurable medical condition, and the importance of living with rather than suffering from such a condition. 
 
Would it really be a Christmas season without some Dickens?  The Signalman is a brilliant, rarely-performed gem from Paragon Theatre. Following a successful run at the Old Red Lion in 2019, this ghost story adapted from Dickens’ classic novella is a masterpiece of darkness and suspense.  
 
To celebrate our 25^th year as a theatre, we are reviving some of our past in-house productions starting with our original Christmas production, The Saving of Santa by Lobelia Golightly. First performed by Space Productions in 2009, this heart-warming family tale is being re-worked as an online interactive adventure. Tickets are available from just £5 and opening night will have BSL interpretation.  

Artistic Director, Adam Hemming, says, “We’ve strived to keep our audiences and theatre-makers positive and engaged during the toughest of times this year. These three pieces will all inspire in different ways, we’re thrilled to be hosting Ruth, Lekha and Paragon and we hope that The Saving of Santa will bring joy and warmth to people this Christmas. We’re in the process of programming our Spring Season and are looking forward to bringing more inventive and courageous work to audiences in 2021” 
 
The performance details are:- 

Myles and Me 

9^th and 10^th December (livestreamed on 10^th) 

A touching and funny account of living with a monster. Vicky didn’t invite MyleS into her life. Can she surmount the monster? Without free choice? Can Vicky make it work?  
 

The Signalman 

16th-19th December (livestreamed on 17^th) 

A signalman is haunted by a mysterious figure standing by a train tunnel. But what is it warning against? An atmospheric adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens ghost story. 

The Saving of Santa 

20^th-23^rd December (all online) 

Oh no! There’s something wrong with Santa. It’s up to chief elf ‘n’ safety officer Nordstrom, Aurora, the cleverest fairy and YOU, to save Christmas.