ENSEMBLE FOR THE ROMANTIC CENTURY/ERC Presents Akhmatova, The Heart in not made of Stone By Eve Wolf And Real Writing By Maureen Lawrence Two audio dramas starring Vanessa Redgrave
Directed by Donald T. Sanders Music Director Eve Wolf
LONDON/NEW YORK – ERC/ Ensemble for the Romantic Century is delighted to announce that British actress Vanessa Redgrave will play the role of Russian poet Anna Akhmatova in two audio dramas.
Akhmatova, The Heart is not made of Stone, from the play by Eve Wolf, ERC Artistic Director and Real Writing from the play by British playwright, Maureen Lawrence. These audio dramas are the first in a series aimed at keeping the ERC special brand combining classical music and theater before the public during the Covid shut down.
Akhmatova The Heart is not made of Stone spans the years 1945 to 1965 and centres around Anna’s meeting with British philosopher Isaiah Berlin in Leningrad in 1945. Berlin was part of the British delegation to the Soviet Union in the aftermath of the Allies WW II defeat of Hitler. The play features Akhmatova’s incomparable poetry and the romantic drama between her and Berlin amidst the repressive Stalinist regime. Paul Hilton will play Isaiah Berlin. In 2020 Hilton won a Drama Desk Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his appearance in the Broadway run of The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez. Four other British actors will join Redgrave and Hilton with roles in Akhmatova, The Heart.., Charles Daish, Lucy Doyle and William Oxborrow as KGBVD operatives and Sebastian Knapp as Anna’s son, Lev. Historic recordings of the music of Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich chosen by Wolf as Music Director accompany the audio as well as documentary sound footage compiled by Renee Silverman.
Real Writing is a work about Akhmatova by British playwright Maureen Lawrence. Real Writing takes place from 1938-1992. It is about the relationship between the poet and Lydia Chukovskaya, a young Russian journalist and translator. In the play Lydia remembers her meetings with Anna as they tried to free their respective loved ones from imprisonment in Stalin’s gulag, Anna her son, Lev and Lydia her husband, Dmitri. Through the harrowing ordeal the two became lifelong friends. Lydia is played by Daisy Bevan. Eve Wolf is the Music Director and the production features music by Prokofiev and contemporary Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina.
Both Akhmatova, The Heart is not made of Stone and Real Writing are directed by Donald T. Sanders, ERC Director of Theatrical Production.
“It’s unbelievably exciting right now that Vanessa plays Anna Akhmatova, a woman and artist whom Vanessa admires so much.” says Sanders. “I always dreamed of Vanessa playing Anna on stage but the cards were never right. We did Akhmatova, The Heart is not made of Stone at NYC’s Thalia in 2012, at Brooklyn’s BAM in 2016, and were scheduled for reviving it at the Duke on 42nd Street last spring when Off Broadway shut down.”
Throughout the lockdown summer of 2020 ERC developed its concept of an audio drama series. When Redgrave accepted the role and her schedule cleared, Eve Wolf, Sanders and Renee Silverman (ERC Audio Drama Consultant) refined the script for audio, made further casting and production plans and went forward with award winning Allegra Productions UK. Recording took place during the first weeks of October 2020 at London’s Covid proofed Sonica Studios.
Post- production is under way at London’s Sound Room Studios with Wilfredo Acosta as sound engineer. The completed work is expected early in December 2020.
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY ANNOUNCES WINTER 2020 PROGRAMME
Tales for Winter: (Your Place or Ours) – a season of epic tales for extraordinary times performed live from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) in Stratford-upon-Avon
Planned in-person events up until 12 December now to be live-streamed only, with audiences welcomed back to the RST from 19 December
RSC welcomes David Walliams & Guy Chambers for the official launch of The Boy in the Dress cast album, live streamed from the RST to homes
Troy Story directed by Artistic Director Gregory Doran: an epic re-telling of the story of the Trojan War in five parts
Deputy Artistic Director Erica Whyman presents Festive Tales: an evening of carols, songs and festive readings from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre celebrating the spirit of Christmas and the Royal Shakespeare Community
Unlocking Shakespeare in the classroom: on demand Schools’ Broadcast of Hamlet, Shakespeare Discovery Sessions & Teaching Shakespeare in an age of social-distancing; Live from Stratford-upon-Avon
Public booking opens Friday 20 November – online at 10am and telephone from 12noon.
The Royal Shakespeare Company has today announced details of its Winter 2020 programme which includes a newly commissioned series of Tales for Winter running from Saturday 5 December 2020 to Saturday 23 January 2021.
The full programme of events was due to be performed to a reduced-capacity, socially-distanced audience in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with many performances being streamed to enable people further afield to take part.
Following the latest government announcement, the RSC will now offer live-stream only versions of all shows taking place between Saturday 5 and Saturday 12 December which will be available for one week after broadcast, with a view to welcoming audiences back to the theatre from Saturday 19 December. Full Covid-19 safety measures will be in place to make sure that up to 200 audience members can see events socially-distanced in a safe atmosphere, with the RSC welcome remaining as strong as ever.
The programme features contributions from David Walliams with live music by Guy Chambers and performances by the 2020 RSC Acting Company.
RSC Artistic Director, Gregory Doran, said: “Despite the latest lockdown announcements,we remain fully committed to producing our Winter programme of events and to sharing the joy of live performance with our audiences, whether that’s back in-person or online. We are keeping the situation under close review in line with government and public health guidance and look forward to welcoming visitors as soon as it is safe to do so.
“As the global pandemic continues to prevent us being with one another in ways we could never have imagined, we need stories now, more than ever before. They help us to make sense of the world around us and to bring us together as a community, to celebrate, commiserate, reflect and rebuild.
“Tales for Winter is about storytelling, the most essential act of theatre. It is a reminder of where we were when we closed our doors back in March and an opportunity to look forward with hope and optimism to the future. It explores both the epic and the intimate; the majestic poetry of ancient Greece passed down through the generations, the festive fireside tunes and tales that sustain us through the long midwinter months, the timeless plots of William Shakespeare’s plays and the quick-witted, beautifully crafted storytelling of David Walliams.
“And whilst we continue to look forward to the time when we can welcome back full-scale RSC productions to the RST, we are delighted to be opening our doors to reduced-capacity audiences once again this Winter to share in the unique magic that is live theatre”.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre – Online (and In-person from 19 December)
Running over six weekends from Saturday 5 December – Saturday 23 January (excluding Christmas and New Year), Tales for Winter (Your Place or Ours) will welcome audiences back to the RSC with a series of stripped back warm-up events, celebrating the essence of live theatre: an actor, a stage and a story.
Performed by a company of RSC Actors against the iconic backdrop of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Tales for Winter is, at its heart, a celebration: of the essential joy of storytelling and of the transformative power of live theatre.
Streamed Events:
Launching on Saturday 5 December, the opening weekend will look back on the most recent story to be brought magically to life on the RST stage, David Walliams’The Boy in the Dress.
One year on from the opening of the RSC’s hit musical The Boy in the Dress in Stratford-upon-Avon, no. 1 best-selling children’s author David Walliams will visit the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on Saturday 5 December to read from his original book. He will be joined by songwriter and musician Guy Chambers alongside members of the original cast and creative team for the launch of the official cast album.
The Boy in the Dress official cast album will be available to pre-order on CD and iTunes from 16 November and available to purchase on CD, iTunes, Spotify and YouTube Music from 4 December.
On Saturday 12 December, online audiences are invited to join members of the RSC Acting Company on an epic journey through the twists and turns of ancient Troy with a dramatic re-telling of the history of the Trojan war in five parts, based on the Greek classics – The Iliad, The Odyssey and The Aeneid – from translations by John Dryden and Alexander Pope.
Weaving together a patchwork of sources, RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran retells the thrilling story of the Trojan War. Across one epic day, RSC Actors recount our Troy Story in five live-streamed parts, including the famous wooden horse and the mythical voyage of Odysseus. Each event will last around an hour, and there is the option to watch again online.
In-person events in December:
Looking ahead to Christmas, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre will host a weekend of music and reflection on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December. Festive Tales will feature carols, songs and festive readings celebrating the spirit of Christmas and the Royal Shakespeare Community.
Subject to the latest government guidance, this weekend will see reduced-capacity, socially-distanced audiences return to the RST for the first time since the theatre closed its doors in March, and will also be live streamed for audiences to enjoy from home.
Alongside poetry from Maya Angelou, the programme will remember RSC productions past, with extracts from and The Christmas Truce by Phil Porter (2014), inspired by the diaries of Bruce Bairnsfather and the men of the Warwickshire Regiment, and A Christmas Carol adapted by David Edgar (2018).
Looking ahead – January 2021
In January, Tales for Winter continues with a weekly programme of online performances inspired by the work of former Children’s Laureate and best-selling author Michael Morpurgo who has joined the Royal Shakespeare Company to present a special series of preview events inspired by his new book, Tales from Shakespeare.
Readings include a one-off recording of Twelfth Night by Michael Morpurgo and a weekly programme of in-person and online events for schools and families. The programme will feature well-known Shakespeare titles including Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed by members of the RSC Acting Company.
Other highlights in January include a specially curated programme of Shakespeare performances by the RSC’s Next Generation ACT company and Youth Advisory Board and a new musical concert inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Full programme details to be announced in December.
See It Safely – visiting the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The safety and enjoyment of audiences remains the Company’s number one priority. In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with the latest government guidance, the RSC has introduced a range of COVID-19 secure measures. These include enhanced cleaning between performances, statutory face coverings, socially distanced seating, pre-ordering of refreshments and one-way systems operating throughout key areas of the building. Only 200 audience members will be welcomed to each event in the RST, which normally seats just over 1000 people.
Visitors can choose an area of the theatre and their exact seats will be allocated by Front of House teams at the performance, depending on party sizes and current government guidance. All available seats have a clear and uninterrupted view of the stage.
The theatre building will open 1 hour before performances Festive Tales begins, with the auditorium opening 45 minutes before the start time
For full safety information, visit rsc.org.uk/your-visit/your-safety
Learning and National Partnerships:
As young people continue to adapt to new ways of learning, the RSC has been working in collaboration with teachers and RSC freelance artists to develop new courses and resources that support teachers and young people learning about Shakespeare’s plays in their classrooms or at home.
Theatre on demand
Following the success of previous years, the RSC schools’ Broadcast of Hamlet (2016) directed by Simon Godwin with Paapa Essiedu will be available on demand for schools across the UK from Monday 16 – Monday 23 November. A range of supporting resources and film content for teachers and students has been created to accompany the broadcast.
Socially distanced Shakespeare: Live from Stratford-upon-Avon
On Wednesday 25 November, the RSC will be streaming live from the Swan Theatre f to share socially distanced drama practice with teachers and youth theatre leaders across the UK. As the RSC starts to rehearse plays adhering to social distancing guidelines, actors and directors will share how they are marking up rehearsal rooms, approaching warm-ups, tackling work on scenes and resolving staging dilemmas with drama practitioners.
This will form part of a week-long ‘Connected’ programme of learning and participation running from Monday 23 – Friday 27 November for the RSC’s Regional Partner Theatres and Associate Schools network. This specially devised week offers teachers and students the opportunity to share, connect and support each other through a time of change with daily sessions exploring playmaking, local leadership and access to the RSC’s Next Generation Talent development programmes focusing on careers in theatre, backstage and onstage.
The week features sessions with children’s author Malorie Blackman (Noughts and Crosses), Professor Ayanna Thompson from Arizona university, Darren Raymond from Intermission Youth, Musician Tarek Merchant, Movement Director Ingrid Mckinnon with contributions from regional theatre partners and young people, exploring big ideas about identity, creativity and the world today.
Learning Resources
Accompanying this will be a specially devised package of resources and courses exploring some of the big questions facing society today. Resources will be available on demand as well as through participatory sessions online. Example courses include Shakespeare’s Stories for early years children, Shakespeare and Race – an introduction to issues of identity and representation through Shakespeare’s plays, Shakespeare and Literacy – approaches to inspire and motivate children to write creatively in response to Shakespeare and Shakespeare Discovery Sessions for teachers, children and young people of all ages.
Accessibility
Assisted performances will also take place on selected dates in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. These include BSL interpreted performances of Festive Tales on Saturday 19 December at 7pm. This will be followed by a chilled and captioned performance of Festive Tales on Sunday 20 December at 4.30pm with further dates to be announced in January.
Flexible Bookings, Exchanges and Refunds:
For bookings made throughout 2020 for future performances, audiences can book their tickets with confidence knowing that if they are unable to attend a performance for any reason, they can exchange their tickets up to 2 hours before the performance or event start time, at no extra cost.
Tickets can be exchanged for another performance with seats at the same price or for an RSC Gift Voucher which can be used as part or full payment against future ticket purchases or memberships, ether online, in person or over the telephone. RSC Gift Vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Bookings can be made up until the point at which the performance begins. If a performance is cancelled, tickets can be refunded.
Tickets selected for online streamed events cannot be exchanged or refunded.
Paul-Ryan Carberry, Artistic Director of Iris Theatre today announces Leda Douglas as Holly in The Snow Queen: An Online, Storytelling Adventure, adapted and directed by Natasha Rickman. The production, part of the company’s previously announced inaugural winter season, opens on 20 December, with previews from 19 December, and runs until 26 December.
“When we get to the end of the story, you will know more than you do now”
Stories get delivered to Holly’s door and then…she tells them. Easy! Right? Except today a new story has been delivered but it’s freezing cold, so cold in fact that Holly can’t even open the pages. She’s going to need a bit of help with this one…and that’s where you come in!
From the comfort of your home, join Holly this Christmas for a magical, snow-filled adventure, inspired by the classic fairy tale ‘The Snow Queen’. Clap your hands, make some magic and join in with the whole family, wherever they are in the world.
Iris Theatre presents this interactive, online, storytelling adventure for audiences aged 4+ and their big people. Using innovative new technology by loom.ai to bring the characters to life on screen, this exciting, interactive production sees families participating in the story, helping Holly in her adventure. Alongside the show, families can download a free activity pack filled with fun games and craft ideas based on the show.
The technology for the production is coordinated by early career Tech Operator Orion Slater,and Sound Design is by Matt Eaton.
Leda Douglas plays Holly. Her previous live digital credits include Alice in Wonderland: A Virtual Reality and The Time Machine (Creation Theatre). Her theatre credits include Nuclear Future (UK tour), and Shudder (Soho Theatre).
Matt Eaton is a sound designer and composer. His credits as a sound designer include All’s Well That Ends Well (Guildford Bard/ Jermyn Street Theatre– for which he won the Off West End Award for Best Sound Design), Everything I See I Swallow (for which he also composed, Edinburgh Festival Fringe) Brave New World (Creation Theatre Company), Furious Folly (14-18 NOW), Pool Panic (Nintendo Video Game), Everything Must Go (Friction Arts, Birmingham), The Crucible, Orlando (The University of South Florida), and Pyar Actually (Rifco Arts). As composer, his credits include A Page of Madness, Faust (Flatpack Film Festival), Nosferatu (Warwick Arts Centre), The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (Midlands Arts Centre), and The Picture of Dorian Gray (Trafalgar Studios).
Orion Slater is a theatre technician and designer. As an intern for Creation Theatre, he rigged and operated sound and video for Time Machine: A Virtual Reality, and was Tech Operator for the Zoom production of Merry Wives of WhatsApp. Slater is part of the National Youth Theatre for 2021.
Natasha Rickman directs. Her previous live digital work includes Time Machine: A Virtual Reality and Merry Wives of Whatsapp (Creation Theatre). Her theatre credits include Rhino (King’s Head Theatre), Twelfth Night (Rose Playhouse/RSC) and Time Machine (London Library). As associate/ assistant credits include Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Comedy of Errors (RSC), A Little Night Music (Storyhouse) and Shirley Valentine (Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds).
THE SMASH HIT PRODUCTION ANNOUNCES RESCHEDULED TOUR DATES FROM AUTUMN 2021
SPECTACULAR 5 STAR STAGE ADAPTATION
OF C.S. LEWIS’ MUCH LOVED STORY
SIX WEEK CHRISTMAS SEASON AT THE LOWRY IN SALFORD
The smash hit Leeds Playhouse production of C.S. Lewis’ classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, voted the nation’s favourite book in 2019, will begin a major tour of the UK and Ireland at Curve, Leicester on Tuesday 2 November 2021.
The show, which broke box office records at Leeds Playhouse in 2017 and played to packed houses and critical acclaim at the Bridge Theatre in London in 2019, will travel across the UK & Ireland, including a 6-week Christmas season at The Lowry in Salford.
Step through the wardrobe into the enchanted kingdom of Narnia. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and embark on the most magical of adventures in a frozen, faraway land where they meet a Faun, talking Beavers, Aslan, the noble king of Narnia, and the coldest, most evil White Witch.
This critically acclaimed production is “A theatrical miracle” (The Times).
The tour will be directed by Michael Fentiman, based on the original production by Sally Cookson with original Set and Costume design by Rae Smith. Michael’s previous productions include the Olivier Award-nominated Amélie (Watermill Theatre/The Other Palace/UK Tour), The Importance of Being Earnest (Vaudeville Theatre), the 50th anniversary production of Joe Orton’s Loot (Park Theatre/Watermill Theatre), Titus Andronicus and Ahasverus (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Taming of the Shrew (Sherman Theatre/Tron Theatre) and, as director and writer, CinderELLA (Nuffield Southampton) and The Last Days of Anne Boleyn (Tower of London).
Joining Michael Fentiman on the creative team are Set and Costume Designer Tom Paris, Composer Benji Bower, Music Supervisor/Composer Barnaby Race, Choreographer Shelley Maxwell, Lighting Designer Bruno Poet, Sound Designer Ian Dickinson and Gareth Tucker for Autograph, Puppetry Director Toby Olié, Puppetry Designer Max Humphries, Aerial Director Gwen Hales, Illusionist Chris Fisher, Dramaturg Adam Peck and Movement Consultant Dan Canham.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is produced on tour by Elliott & Harper Productions in association with Catherine Schreiber and based on the original Leeds Playhouse production.
Producer Chris Harper said:
“C.S. Lewis wrote “they open a door and enter a world” and this is what every child imagines and dreams about. This is exactly why I’m thrilled to be able to bring this incredible new version of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe on a tour of the UK in time for Christmas 2021. Following a record breaking success at the Leeds Playhouse and The Bridge Theatre in London, the Pevensie children will travel from Narnia to venues across the UK and Ireland.
2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, but we can’t wait for children and adults alike to join us on this truly magical journey through the wardrobe next year.”
Reviews for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe include:
★★★★★ Sunday Times “This vision of Narnia will restore your faith in theatre”
★★★★★ DAILY MAIL “Spectacular new life for Narnia”
★★★★ THE TELEGRAPH ‘An absolutely spellbinding return to Narnia’
We all face new challenges as the coronavirus continues to keep us in lockdown and sadly, the arts and hospitality industries have suffered more than most. What astounds me is how wonderfully creative and innovative some individuals and companies are being in response to the pandemic, by coming up with fresh and exciting ways to work in order to capture and engage an audience. One such work that does exactly this is the final play of the Paines Plough ‘The Place I Call Home’ festival – Posta Aerea – written by: Giuditta Mingucci and Rosie MacPherson, directed by: Charlotte Bennett and Kate Posner, with the talented cast of Nikki Patel and Genny Bianchi and produced by Paines Plough, Elsinor Centro di Produzione Teatrale in Milan, and Stand & Be Counted Theatre in the UK.
It was beyond exciting to receive a brown envelope containing what felt like a cryptic package of documents in the post telling me when I was allowed to open it. A letter, when did you last receive one of those – an actual letter and not a bill! Thrilling! Once that day came to open the mysterious sealed A5 curiosity, I was fascinated to find a mixed media of correspondence between two teenagers, Aisha and Tania. What unfolded were letters, post-it notes, postcards, media links to videos and even a live phone call!
The plot is based on two friends who met on a beach a year ago and who now cross the borders between Sheffield and Riccione, through different methods of communication to keep their friendship alive and nurtured in this current pandemic. There is an exploration of adjustment – how they adjust to a new way of living along with the issues that teenagers face in everyday life too. It’s a touching and warm story that gives an insight into how what is now being called the ‘Covid Generation’ shape their lives.
Live theatre may not be available to us at the moment in the way that we know it but this team really are bringing theatre ‘home’! That magical essence of inventiveness and artistry that makes a live performance so special is present in Posta Aerea because of the uniqueness in the multifaceted ways that the audience gets to participate and it’s highly original.
Birmingham Royal Ballet celebrates 30th Anniversary with free streamed performance at Birmingham’s iconic Town Hall
Following critically acclaimed live performances of Lazuli Sky in Birmingham and London last month, Birmingham Royal Ballet is today pleased to announce Birmingham Royal Ballet at 30 – Supported by Birmingham City Council; a celebratory free online show, broadcast to audiences worldwide. The show, presented in partnership with Birmingham City Council, marks 30 years since the Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet moved from London to the city in October 1990 and became Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Filmed at Birmingham’s iconic Town Hall, the special programme will be hosted by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Director Carlos Acosta who will be joined virtually by Leader of the Birmingham City Council, Councillor Ian Ward and Councillor Jayne Francis, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture; and will be available to view worldwide on the Company’s Facebook from 19 November for seven days.
The show will mark 30 years since the Leaders of the Birmingham City Council had the visionary foresight to invite Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet to move to the City, building the Company a new home and studios attached to Birmingham Hippodrome in Thorp Street. Over the past three decades Birmingham Royal Ballet has cemented its place as one of the jewels in the crown of the City of Birmingham – displaying the city’s name as the Company has toured nationally and internationally entertaining millions and premiering 58 brand-new ballets. Birmingham Royal Ballet has been proud to take the spirit and name of Birmingham across the globe on tours including China, Hong Kong, Italy, Thailand, the USA, South Africa, Spain, Germany and Japan.
Leader of the Birmingham City Council, Councillor Ian Ward said: “I am delighted that this performance was captured at Birmingham Town Hall – another of the jewels in the cultural crown of our wonderful city. Birmingham is truly a global city for the arts and Birmingham Royal Ballet helps spread the city’s name and reputation for supporting the arts around the world. Sadly, this performance was filmed without an audience, as a result of the current Covid regulations, but all of our arts organisations in Birmingham are fighting to keep active and entertaining audiences in safe and innovative ways. We all need to keep supporting these organisations as they are not only the cultural heart of our city, but important generators of jobs, education and our entertainment economy.”
Birmingham Royal Ballet is also at the heart of the local community, for over 21 years the company has delivered free workshops for 2,500 local primary school children every year, to identify young talented dancers with raw talent who Birmingham Royal Ballet then provides free ballet training and dance clothing to for up to two years, helping them achieve their dreams. For the last fifteen years Birmingham Royal Ballet has run the ground-breaking Freefall Dance Company for local Birmingham young adults with learning disabilities who train at the Company every week and regularly perform.
As England enters another period of lockdown, this online show is being broadcast as a gift to the city of Birmingham from Birmingham Royal Ballet who want to thank the city and audiences for all their support and to welcome new audiences, who may not have yet seen the company perform. The show will be available across the globe and offers a message of hope to audiences in a time when people aren’t currently able to enjoy live performances in person.
Staying true to the city of Birmingham’s motto the Company remains committed to pushing ‘forward’ during this time, and recently announced a specially adapted production of the classic Christmas fairy tale The Nutcracker, which will run at The REP from 14 – 22 December 2020 followed by the fully staged production at the Royal Albert Hall.
Birmingham Royal Ballet at 30 – Supported by Birmingham City Council will feature 11 Company dancers, accompanied by live music performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s own orchestra, the world-class Royal Ballet Sinfonia, performing three pieces on the historic Town Hall stage: Ben Stevenson’s contemporary pas de deux End of Time, Jorge Garcia’s Majisimo set to music from Massenet’s opera Le Cid and Valery Panov’s emotive solo piece, Liebestod.
Artistic Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta, said: “Circumstances this year have meant that we are not able to celebrate our 30th Anniversary in person but we are so pleased that we are able to give this gift to the City of Birmingham to say thank you for 30 years ofsupport and memories. I’m so happy we can perform on the stage of the wonderful Birmingham Town Hall which has been a feature of the city for nearly 200 years. Thank you to Town Hall Symphony Hall and Birmingham City Council for their support of this special event.”
Town Hall has been a hub of civic and cultural life in Birmingham since 1834. From classical to comedy to rock to pop, it’s now one of the city’s most versatile venues having featured artists such as David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Caitlin Moran and more. Famous classical premieres include Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, The Apostles, The Kingdom and The Music Makers.
Nick Reed, Chief Executive Officer at Town Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham said, “I’m delighted that Town Hall will welcome Birmingham Royal Ballet for this broadcast. History has been made many times over at this iconic venue, from Charles Dickens’ reading of A Christmas Carol through to the world premiere of season five of BBC’s Peaky Blinders – this virtual performance will be another significant moment for the city.”
Birmingham Royal Ballet at 30 – Supported by Birmingham City Council will be available to watch worldwide for free on Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Facebook page for seven days from 19 November. Birmingham Royal Ballet is grateful to Birmingham City Council for their support of this event.
MARRY ME A LITTLE STARRING ROB HOUCHEN & CELINDE SCHOENMAKER TO BE STREAMED BY THE BARN THEATRE
THE REVIVAL PRODUCTION OF THE SONDHEIM MUSICAL MARRY ME A LITTLE, WHICH CLOSED EARLY DUE TO THE LOCKDOWN, WILL BE STREAMED LATER THIS MONTH
DIRECTED BY KIRK JAMESON, THE FILMED RECORDING OF THE PRODUCTION WILL BE STREAMED FROM 19-22 NOVEMBER
The Barn Theatre have today announced that their recent revival production of Stephen Sondheim musical Marry Me A Little starring Rob Houchen (Les Misérables, The Light in the Piazza) and Celinde Schoenmaker (Rocketman, The Phantom of the Opera) will be streamed digitally from 19-22 November.
The production, which closed its run early on 4th November due to the second national lockdown, was recorded during its final performances and will be made available for four dates.
Conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman René, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the charming and bittersweet one-act musical follows two ex-lovers as they explore their secret, unshared fantasies whilst they are left alone in their studio apartments on a Saturday night.
The production breathes new theatrical life and meaning to a collection of trunk songs that were culled from the original productions of some of Sondheim’s iconic musicals including Follies, Company and A Little Night Music.
Tickets for the streamed production will be £13.50, with options available to add a donation to the theatre (which is a registered charity). Tickets are now on sale at barntheatre.org.uk/all-venues
Iwan Lewis, CEO & Artistic Director of the Barn Theatre, said of the announcement, “Marry Me A Little was a truly special production that sadly had to close early due to the latest lockdown. We were determined to find a way to ensure the production still got a proper end to its run and are thrilled that we are able to now stream this for anyone who wants to see this wonderful show, wherever they may be. We remain committed to opening our doors and welcoming back our audiences for live theatre, however after the continued success of our digital co-production What a Carve Up! we cannot ignore the global demand for innovative digital theatrical content and so I look forward to announcing further digital plans in the coming weeks.”
Marry Me A Little marks the second production the Barn Theatre have released online this Autumn following the digital world premiere of the critically-acclaimed What a Carve Up!, which the theatre co-produced with the Lawrence Batley Theatre and the New Wolsey Theatre.
The production is directed by Kirk Jameson (Just So, Madagascar) with musical direction by Arlene McNaught (SIX, Little Miss Sunshine), set and costume design by Gregor Donnelly (Daddy Long Legs, Aspects of Love), musical staging by Sam Spencer-Lane (The Last Five Years, Aspects of Love), lighting design by Sam Rowcliffe-Tanner (Henry V, Private Peaceful), sound design by Harry Smith (Henry V, Private Peaceful) and projection design by Benjamin Collins (Henry V).
Marry Me A Little is produced by the Barn Theatre in association with Anthology Theatre.
Acclaimed digital revival of Rose, starring Dame Maureen Lipman, returns for lockdown Streaming worldwide: 13th November – 13th December 2020 Thomas Hopkins & Michael Quinn for Ginger Quiff Media, Hope Mill Theatre & Guy Chapman
Following a hugely successful online run, the award-winning digital revival of Martin Sherman’s Rose will return due to overwhelming demand. Featuring an unmissable star-turn from Dame Maureen Lipman (Coronation Street, ITV; Celebrity Gogglebox, Channel 4; The Pianist), the ‘tour de force’ performance will be made available to stream throughout lockdown, until Sunday 13th December. Reviving their acclaimed portfolio of digital content, Ginger Quiff Media continue to make theatrical entertainment accessible for people at home during these times.
In collaboration with the Hope Mill Theatre, Rose was filmed on-stage to an empty auditorium directed by Scott Le Crass (Country Music, Omnibus Theatre; Elmer, UK and International tour), in close collaboration with Sherman. The powerful one-woman production is a moving reminder of some of the harrowing events that shaped the century and remains sadly relevant today with racial tensions and allegations of antisemitism continuing to dominate the news.
Blending the personal with the political, this sharply drawn portrait of a feisty Jewish woman traces Rose’s story from the devastation of Nazi-ruled Europe to conquering the American dream. Rose reflects on what it means to be a survivor. Her remarkable life began in a tiny Russian village, took her to Warsaw’s ghettos and a ship called The Exodus, and finally to the boardwalks of Atlantic City, the Arizona canyons, and salsa-flavoured nights in Miami beach.
Lipman is Rose – a woman shaped by her history. She offers an intimate and, at times, humorous account of the 20th century, and the ultimate triumph of humanity. This thought-provoking production acts as a caution, highlighting the importance of unity in the face of adversity, and the need to recognise and empathise with the suffering of others.
Maureen Lipman comments, Rose was the most exciting job I’ve ever had, and I am so glad we have an opportunity to share it with a wider audience. I can’t wait for it to be back on screen for the next four weeks so I can share that excitement with you.
ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL’S DOORS OPEN FOR THEIR MAGICAL PANTO THIS CHRISTMAS
The Christmas countdown has officially begun with just four weeks until Regal Entertainments’ enchanting panto Beauty and the Beast opens at St Helens Theatre Royal.
The Covid-secure Christmas pantomime is still going ahead as planned and will entertain families from Friday 11 December 2020 through to Sunday 3 January 2021, promising all the high production values and comedy that audiences have come to enjoy from Regal Entertainments shows.
The highly anticipated show is sure to be a popular choice this festive season, especially given the lack of theatre productions this year and audiences craving live entertainment.
Audiences are reassured that St Helens Theatre Royal and the team behind Beauty And The Beast will be fully adhering to social distancing measures and Government guidelines to ensure the safety of theatregoers, venue staff, cast and crew.
The full cast of Beauty And The Beast includes Jamie Greer as Potty Polly; Abigail Middleton as Madame Botox; Scott Gallagher as French Frank; Olivia Sloyan as Belle; Andrew Geater as The Beast; Tim Lucas as Gaston; and Jenna Sian O’Hara as Fairy Rose.
The show will be directed by Chantelle Nolan, written by Liam Mellor, with choreography by Nazene Langfield, and Callum Clarke as musical supervisor.
Get ready to go on a family adventure this Christmas with the fabulous family friendly pantomime, Beauty And The Beast. This is the timeless story of Belle, a beautiful young woman who falls in love with the most unexpected of princes, who has been cursed to look like a hideous beast. Will the Beast learn to love and be loved? Will the spell be broken in time for all to live happily ever after?
Theatre Manager Chantelle Nolan commented: “We are thrilled to be able to re-open our doors to audiences this festive season after what has been very challenging time for theatres nationwide. Panto is such a strong Christmas tradition for many of our audiences and after what has been a challenging year for everyone we want to ensure we can offer a sense of familiarity and normality this festive season.
“We continue to follow Government advice, and with the tiered system due to return once the current lockdown ends on 2 December, our show can still continue as planned and we look forward to welcoming audiences to a special and safe festive family experience.”
Beauty And The Beast replaces the previously announced festive show Cinderella which should have featured Birds Of A Feather star and Loose Women panellist Linda Robson in the lead role. Government-enforced restrictions on theatres sadly made it unviable financially as the fairytale is one of the biggest and most costly pantomime productions to stage.
However, to continue its tradition of offering one of the region’s best festive family friendly shows, Regal Entertainments has worked tirelessly to ensure the show will go on to provide top entertainment to its community and regular attenders this Christmas.
Covid-secure safety measures being implemented include reduced capacity auditorium, temperature checks, the wearing of face masks, deep cleaning, and pre-order drinks and confectionery. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for Beauty And The Beast are being sold as unreserved seats. Theatregoers will then be contacted to confirm seat allocation.
Tickets can be bought over the phone between 10am and 2pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s. Tickets can also be purchased online, however the theatre will remain closed for in-person bookings.
Beauty And The Beast runs at St Helens Theatre Royal from Friday 11 December 2020 to Sunday 3 January 2021. Tickets are on sale now.
Due to the phenomenal success of its first venture, Original Theatre Company’s specially commissioned online short play Watching Rosie by Louise Coulthard will be re-released from 12 – 26 November 2020, alongside an accompanying new online play Mrs Goldie vs The World, written and performed by Nicky Goldie (Call the Midwife,The Queens Gambit, Doctors, Coronation Street).
Watching Rosie is based on Coulthard’s debut play, Cockamamy, which won the Lustrum Award for Outstanding New Play at The Edinburgh Fringe 2017 and stars BAFTA-winning actress Miriam Margolyes (Yentl, Little Shop of Horrors, Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence,Being Julia Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows (part II) and Ladies in Lavender), Amit Shah (The Other One, The Witcher, His Dark Materials) and Louise Coulthard (The Night Watch, The Importance of Being Earnest).
Watching Rosie is a tender portrayal of experiencing dementia in lockdown and the power of love to overcome it. This heartbreaking and hilarious film highlights the incredible bond between Alice (Miriam Margolyes) and her granddaughter Rosie (Louise Coulthard) as they face change, confusion and an unexpected arrival from Tesco.
Mrs Goldie vs The World is a funny and affectionate celebration of a tempestuous relationship between a mother and a daughter, each as stubborn as the other. Nicky Goldie’s witty and heartfelt anecdotes promise to resonate with anyone who has elderly care responsibilities, especially during a global pandemic. Directed by Charlotte Peters (Birdsong Online, Apollo 13: The Dark Side of the Moon) and performed by Nicky Goldie, in the midst of cooking lockdown lunch.
Watching Rosie and Mrs Goldie vs The World will be released free-of-charge at 10am on Thursday 12 November at OriginalTheatreOnline.com and will be available until 26 November. Donations for Watching Rosie are encouraged in support of Dementia UK and donations for Mrs Goldie vs The World are welcome in support of Carers Trust.
Watching Rosie is directed by Michael Fentiman, edited by Tristan Shepherd, with music by Barnaby Race. Mrs Goldie vs The World is directed by Charlotte Peters.
The online productions of Watching Rosie and Mrs Goldie vs The World are produced by Original Theatre Company.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Online Performances:
Available from 10am on Thursday 12 November until Thursday 26 November via OriginalTheatreOnline.com
