Author: FairyPoweredProductions

from Wednesday 7th October 2020

My Sensory Adventures is a new digital project of sensory activities people can do at home.
Beginning in October, new videos will be released each month to explore the world through the four ancient elements: Water, Earth, Wind and Fire. There will be a messy and taste-safe activity, a non-messy activity as well as a Sensory Sounds video with original songs inspired by the monthly theme.

All the activities have been designed to be as sustainable and low-cost as possible, with a focus on using household items and recycled materials. Parents and carers can access the resources from Carbon Theatre’s website where they can also sign up to become a ‘Sensory Explorer’ to receive more resources and tips and be the first to know when each video is released.

The videos are fully captioned and the sensory activities are created to support people who like to explore the world in a sensory way including babies and early years, children with special educational needs, people with complex needs, people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, autistic people, people with dementia and more.

Next spring, there will be two free, virtual training sessions for parents and carers wishing to create their own experiences inspired by the My Sensory Adventures themes and activities.

Lead Sensory Practitioner, Natalya Martin comments, I’m very excited to be collaboratively
working on ‘My Sensory Adventures’ alongside such a wonderful team. I’m really hoping that by providing people with access to this content, which they can do at their own pace, in their own time and in their preferred environment, will be a small step in reducing the loneliness and disconnect that so many people are feeling. I believe that when we connect with our senses, it can help us to feel present, at ease and reduce levels of stress and anxiety.

Traditionally multi-sensory experiences and activities happen face to face. We are now being pushed to come up with more creative and accessible ways to deliver content; which can only be a good thing. I think this is now the beginning of a journey for many sensory practitioners to figure out what we can offer and how we can continue to co-create with our communities.

Carbon Theatre producer, Courtenay Johnson comments, I’m really thrilled to continue to
explore sensory ways to tell stories and experience the world during this period of uncertainty. The hope is that we can create a digital creative space that is then enhanced and personalised by live events – when safe to do so, of course

A Chiral Communities project produced by Carbon Theatre, supported by National Lottery
Community Fund.

With just two pantomimes due to go ahead in Surrey this winter,  

professional theatre producers Nick Wyschna and Charlotte Bateup  

from Guildford Fringe Theatre Company 

promise to deliver laughter, magic and spectacular song and dance  

at their family panto Beauty and the Beast at The Borough Hall, Godalming  

and adult panto D!CK at The Back Room of The Star Inn, Guildford  

Professional theatre producers Nick Wyschna and Charlotte Bateup from Guildford Fringe Theatre Company are busy preparing to deliver top-notch entertainment to Surrey residents this winter when they produce the county’s ONLY two* live pantomimes which have not been postponed (*from the latest figures published by British Theatre Guide www.britishtheatreguide.info). 

Offering fun and laughter for all the family, the magical “tale as old as time” Beauty and the Beastwill play The Borough Hall, Godalming, from 12 – 26 December. Distinctly for the grown-ups, D!CK The Adult Panto, will play The Back Room of The Star Inn, Guildford, from 25 November – 9 January. This will be the ninth Adult Panto for Guildford Fringe, following sell-out success in recent years. 

Actor Philip Day, who played Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk in Godalming’s family panto last year, is delighted to be returning to play the Dame once more. He said: “Last year was such fun and I can’t wait to be working with the same production team – the best in the land! They ensure all the important ingredients are there – a hilarious, fast-paced script, energetic songs and dance routines, colourful costumes and scenery AND, this year, social distancing in the auditorium. So, rest assured Dads, I’m afraid I won’t be able to come and sit on your laps or dash through the auditorium! We are all kids at heart and I think we all need a good laugh, especially during these uncertain times. I can’t wait to get to grips with my Dame Dominique Derrière. She sounds like a bit of a diva but also a fun and friendly party girl who doesn’t mind getting down and dirty with the household chores as she tends to her master’s needs! To find her character, I think it’s necessary to start with a good bra. Get that right and everything falls into place!  If last year’s audiences are anything to go by, we’ll have them rolling in the aisles again with hilarity, fun and enthusiasm.” 

Each theatre venue will operate at a greatly reduced capacity to allow for social distancing. Face coverings will be mandatory. Groups bookings will allow a maximum of 6 people to sit together. For full details of health and safety measures, visit www.GuildfordFringe.com.  

Producer Nick Wyschna said: “What a year 2020 has been! It makes me even more excited to be bringing Surrey’s only two pantomimes to Godalming and Guildford this year. I am so looking forward to making people smile and laugh… we could certainly all do with that! Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite childhood stories, it is so magical and the setting is just perfect in the historic town of Godalming! D!CK was the second adult panto I produced back in 2014 and I am over the moon to bring this brand new script by James Chalmers to Guildford. We are taking the safety of our audiences very seriously at this time. We are only selling 30% of the capacity of each venue so we can ensure social distancing throughout your visit. We will have a one-way system for entrance and exit and the venue will be cleaned in between every show. Our audiences will be able to arrive and feel relaxed so they can sit back in their bubble and enjoy our pantomimes!”  

To book forBeauty and the Beast, visit www.GodalmingPanto.com or telephone the Box Office on 01483 361101.  For D!CK The Adult Panto, visit www.GuildfordFringe.com or telephone the Box Office on 01483 361101. 

LISTINGS 

Show: Beauty and the Beast 

Dates: Saturday 12 – Saturday 26 December 2020 

Times: Varies – matinee and evening performances; see website or call the Box Office 

Running Time: 1hr 15 mins (no interval) 

Venue address: Godalming Borough Hall, The Burys, Godalming, GU7 1HY 

Tickets: £22 (£20 concessions) including booking fees. Book at www.GodalmingPanto.com or call 01483 361101. 

Category: Theatre, pantomimes, family shows, professional theatre 

Age guidance: suitable for all ages 

Access: There is disabled access throughout the venue. On Sunday 13 December 2020 at 4pm there will be a relaxed performance specifically adapted for those on the autism spectrum, individuals with sensory and communication disorders, those with learning disabilities and anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. Tickets for this performance have been reduced to £15 and can purchased by calling the Box Office only. 

Show: D!CK The Adult Pantomime 

Dates: 25 November 2020 – 9 January 2021 

Times: Varies – see website or call the Box Office 

Running Time: approx. 1 hour with no interval 

Venue address: The Back Room of The Star Inn, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3TY 

Tickets: £19.50 including booking fees. Box Office: www.GuildfordFringe.com / 01483 361101 

Category: Theatre, pantomimes, adults only, professional theatre 

Age Guidance: strictly 18+ only 

Access: There is no step-free access to the venue. 

The reopening of The Mousetrap to be postponed

The production had been due to resume on 23 October

at The St Martin’s Theatre, London

www.uk.the-mousetrap.co.uk

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap – the longest running show in the world, which had been due to resume performances at The St Martin’s Theatre on Friday 23 October – is to have its reopening postponed.

Adam Spiegel, the producer of The Mousetrap, said:

“In view of the current uncertainty and with greater restrictions looming for London, I have had to make the difficult decision to postpone the reopening of The Mousetrap.

When we took the decision in July that the show would reopen, it was in anticipation of a gradual easing of restrictions in general. The government’s announcement last week that the situation is deteriorating, together with increased restrictions being imposed across the country, makes it impossible to proceed with confidence.”

As the custodian of the show, I am deeply saddened to have to make this decision. But The Mousetrap will be back, and a new date to reopen will be announced as soon as there is a more certain environment and subject to government guidelines.”

Ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a credit note or full refund.

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is the world’s longest-running play. The West End production was originally adapted from Christie’s radio play, Three Blind Mice, written for the Royal family in 1947. It has been performed 28,199 times in London and sold over 10 million tickets. In 2022, The Mousetrap will celebrate 70 years in London.

The Mousetrap is produced by Adam Spiegel Productions.

ALFRED ENOCH JOINS THE CAST OF DIGITAL PRODUCTION OF WHAT A CARVE UP!

• THE BARN THEATRE, LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE & NEW WOLSEY THEATRE CO-PRODUCE THE WORLD PREMIERE OF WHAT A CARVE UP! BY HENRY FILLOUX-BENNETT

• THE PRODUCTION, BASED ON JONATHAN COE’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NOVEL, WILL BE DIRECTED BY THEATRE CLWYD ARTISTIC DIRECTOR TAMARA HARVEY.

• THE CAST ALSO INCLUDES STEPHEN FRY, SHARON D. CLARKE AND SIR DEREK JACOBI

How To Get Away With Murder and Harry Potter star Alfred Enoch is the latest cast member to be announced for the digital world premiere of Henry Filloux-Bennett’s online play What A Carve Up!, based on Jonathan Coe’s critically acclaimed satirical novel.

Alfred Enoch will play the role of Raymond Owen, son of acclaimed writer and murder suspect Michael Owen. He said on joining the cast, “I’m delighted to be joining such an illustrious cast for Henry’s online adaptation of What a Carve Up! and happier still to be able to contribute to such a good cause.”

The digital production, directed by Tamara Harvey (Home, I’m Darling) and co-produced by The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, chronicles the events leading up to the ‘Winshaw Murders’. Filled with murder, mayhem and madness, the murder mystery turns a satirical eye on what it is like to be a member of one of the most corrupt, powerful and toxic families in the country.

Alfred Enoch joins a cast that includes Fiona Button as Josephine Winshaw-Eaves, Sharon D. Clarke as Kim Bolton, Rebecca Front as Hilary Winshaw, Stephen Fry as Patrick Mills, Sir Derek Jacobi as Findlay Onyx, Griff Rhys Jones as John Stephens and Tamzin Outhwaite as The Journalist.

Tamara Harvey said of the announced casting, “There are some casts so dazzling that my job, as a director, is to not get in the way. This is one of them. My only sadness, of course, is that we don’t get to be in the rehearsal room together. But the fact that these brilliant actors have all agreed to create this piece to raise money for regional theatres is one of the ways we’re all still fighting to ensure that there will still be rehearsals rooms across the country, somewhere, somehow, in our future.”

The murder mystery is written by Henry Filloux-Bennett (Nigel Slater’s Toast), based on the award-winning novel by Jonathan Coe, and directed by Tamara Harvey (Home, I’m Darling). Produced by the Barn Theatre, Lawrence Batley Theatre and New Wolsey Theatre.

The play, which will be available internationally, will run from 31 October – 29 November 2020. Tickets can be purchased at whatacarveup.com with audience members receiving a screening link which will activate at their booked performance time for a 48-hour period. A premium option, consisting of a physical programme and pre-theatre dining recipe card, will be available for UK residents.

The recipe card included in the premium option will be curated by world-renowned chef Asma Khan. Owner of the prestigious Darjeeling Express in London’s Soho, Asma Khan was the first British chef to be profiled on Netflix’s award-winning documentary series Chef’s Table and in 2019 was named number one on Business Insider’s “100 Coolest People in Food and Drink” list.

Jonathan Coe said of the new adaptation, “I’m thrilled that What a Carve Up! is being brought to the stage by such a talented and experienced team. It’s twenty-five years since I wrote the book but unfortunately its political satire seems as relevant as ever – I’m sure the new adaptation will capture that, as well as the novel’s sense of fun and irreverence. I’m looking forward to getting to know it again!”

A portion of the proceeds raised by What A Carve Up! will be donated to a freelance fund to support the creative workforce that the theatres would not be able to survive without.

The production is kindly supported by Blackmagic Design.

Further casting and creative announcements will be released at a later date.

GREENWICH THEATRE PROUDLY PRESENTS AN EXCITING
TRIPLE BILL FESTIVE LINE-UP THIS CHRISTMAS
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, A Christmas Carol &
Comedy Club 4 Kids
Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London, SE10 8ES

After postponing our annual Christmas pantomime, The Queen of Hearts, we are delighted to announce the return of Christmas spirit to Greenwich Theatre with a triple bill line-up!

First up we have a thrilling festive adventure set in an alternative history of England. Our own, home-grown production of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, directed by our artistic director James Haddrell (The Jungle Book, Here), tells the story of two brave and determined girls as they fight against ferocious wolves and battle their way through snowy wastelands to defeat their very evil guardian, Miss Slighcarp.

This exciting, fun-filled adaptation of Joan Aiken’s classic children’s novel, adapted by Russ Tunney, sees cousins Bonnie and Sylvia and their friend Simon the Goose-boy encountering a host of unforgettable characters as they discover that the wolves roaming the forests and fields outside may not be as dangerous as the wolfish adults plotting inside.

A magical, musical, wintry treat, this socially distanced family production is the perfect way to celebrate the festive season in true theatrical style. Alongside the live performance, we are also offering audience members the opportunity to join members of the cast in an online, interactive experience set in the same wintry world, where children will be able to be part of a unique interactive adventure, all from the comfort of their own homes.

Next, we welcome the triumphant return of European Arts Company’s socially distanced production of A Christmas Carol, a heart-warming production in the presence of the author himself.

A Christmas Carol was the first public reading Dickens gave of his own work, enacting it over 150 times to a phenomenal reception. For a limited time only, join us as European Arts Company magically recreate Charles Dickens’s famous performance of his best-loved Christmas story. Enjoy a seasonal treat in the spirit of Christmas past, present and future.

Finally, in this stellar line-up we are overjoyed to present Comedy Club 4 Kids. Since 2005, the Comedy Club 4 Kids has been getting the best family friendly stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit to do their thing for an audience of children (aged 6+) and their families. Join us this Christmas for some festive laughs for the whole family to enjoy.

With the global pandemic closing theatres across the country, Greenwich Theatre has been overwhelmed by the support provided by its local audiences, alongside funding support from Arts Council England. Now, after mounting the ambitious six-month online programme Greenwich Connects, the team are delighted to be injecting some festive spirit into the heart of the community and welcoming audiences back to the venue. With Government guidelines changing daily, the team at Greenwich are dedicated to providing and implementing safety measures to ensure the safety of audience, staff and performers without taking away from the magic of theatre

James Haddrell, the theatre’s artistic and executive director, said: “We are delighted to have been among the first theatres to reopen our doors for live performance with shows resuming this month, and now to have found an alternative to the pantomime which sadly had to be postponed. Whilst it may not be viable to present our regular festive treat, I know that a trip to the theatre is key to so many families’ celebrations and I’m proud that at Greenwich Theatre we’ll be offering our own festive show alongside the eagerly awaited return of both European Arts Company and Comedy Club 4 Kids. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, presented in a brand new socially distanced production, is a thrilling adventure story that’s sure to delight the whole family this Christmas and fill the gap left by so many cancelled or postponed pantomimes.”

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CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE BARN THEATRE’S 2020 THEATRE RECOVERY SEASON

• ROB HOUCHEN AND CELINDE SCHOENMAKER WILL STAR IN THE NEW REVIVAL PRODUCTION OF THE SONDHEIM MUSICAL MARRY ME A LITTLE

• WAYLON JACOBS WILL STAR IN THE TITLE ROLE OF ALAN POLLOCK’S NEW ADAPTATION OF J.M. BARRIE’S PETER PAN

The Barn Theatre has announced casting for their 2020 Theatre Recovery Season productions of Marry Me A Little and Peter Pan.

The new season consists of a two-hand actor-musician production of Simon Reade’s adaptation of Private Peaceful (running until 4 October), a new revival production of Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me A Little (16 October to 8 November), the digital world premiere of Henry Filloux-Bennett’s new adaptation of Jonathon Coe’s What a Carve Up! (31 October – 29 November) and the world stage debut of Alan Pollock’s adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan (21 November 2020 to 3 January 2021).

What a Carve Up! is a co-production with the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, directed by Tamara Harvey.

MARRY ME A LITTLE

Rob Houchen (Les Misérables, The Light in the Piazza) and Celinde Schoenmaker (Rocketman, The Phantom of the Opera) will star in the new revival production of the Stephen Sondheim musical Marry Me A Little from 16 October to 8 November.

Conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman René, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the charming and bittersweet one-act musical follows two single strangers 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.

Last year Rob Houchen and Celinde Schoenmaker starred alongside one another in the 2019 London premiere of the Adam Guettel musical The Light in the Piazza at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. They later reprised their roles for the production’s American transfer to the Los Angeles Opera in October 2019.

The production will be directed by Kirk Jameson (Just So, Madagascar) with musical staging by Sam Spencer-Lane (The Last Five Years, Aspects of Love), set and costume design by Gregor Donnelly (Daddy Long Legs, Aspects of Love) and musical direction by Arlene McNaught (SIX, Little Miss Sunshine).

Marry Me A Little is produced by the Barn Theatre in association with Anthology Theatre.

PETER PAN

Waylon Jacobs (Hamilton, Memphis, The Last Five Years) will star in the title role of the world premiere of Alan Pollock’s new adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic story Peter Pan. The production, conceived and directed by Kirk Jameson, follows a man determined not to miss bedtime, so he recreates his daughter’s favourite bedtime story in a hotel room three thousand miles from home.

Waylon Jacobs, who most recognised for being part of the original West End cast of the Olivier and Tony award-winning musical Hamilton, was most recently seen in this Summer’s outdoor revival production of Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years at Cornwall’s Minack Theatre.

This will mark the second time Waylon Jacobs has worked with the theatre following his performance in the theatre’s recent virtual concert The Barn Presents: The Music of Dominic Powell which can be watched on the theatre’s YouTube channel.

The production runs from 21 November 2020 to 3 January 2021, and features original music and arrangements by Nick Barstow (Rags, Just So), movement direction by Tosh Wanogho-Maud and set and costume design by Gregor Donnelly.

For their re-opening, the Barn Theatre have implemented numerous procedures to ensure audience safety throughout their experience. The theatre runs at a reduced capacity with Perspex screens being placed between groups in a new seating layout which ensure social distancing measures are adhered to. The theatre has also announced that they have a new and upgraded air filtration system which exceeds governing guidelines to ensure the experience is the safest the theatre can provide. The cast and creative team will also adhere to Government guidance on social distancing and temperature checks.

The safety measures that were successfully utilised during the theatre’s outdoor theatre festival, BarnFest, including temperature checks on arrival, mandatory masks for all patrons over 11 years old, staggered arrival times, sanitisation of public areas and hand sanitiser at entrance and exit points continue for indoor theatrical performances.

a link to a video of the Front-of-House shutter being painted: https://vimeo.com/user8724157/review/461731728/678764dc16

As previously announced earlier this month, BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical will transfer to the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End following an out-of-town opening at Manchester Opera House in March 2020, where it was enthusiastically received by critics and the public alike. Previews will begin on 14 May.

Roger Bart and Olly Dobson will reprise the roles of ‘Dr Emmett Brown’ and ‘Marty McFly’ respectively. Also returning are Hugh Coles as ‘George McFly’, Rosanna Hyland as ‘Lorraine Baines’, Cedric Neal as ‘Goldie Wilson’, Aidan Cutler as ‘Biff Tannen’ and Courtney-Mae Briggs as ‘Jennifer Parker’. Further casting to be announced.

Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando (Urinetown, On The Town), alongside the multi Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team of Tim Hatley (set and costume design), lighting design by Tim Lutkin, lighting consultant Hugh Vanstone, Gareth Owen (sound) and Finn Ross (video), with choreography by Chris Bailey, musical supervision and arrangements by Nick Finlow and Illusions by Chris Fisher. Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, with dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by David Grindrod Associates.

Back to the Future the movie was released in 1985, starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr Emmett Brown. The film grossed $360.6 million (£279 million) at the box office worldwide and the total box office for all three films in the Back to the Future franchise was $936.6 million (over $1.8 billion in today’s money).

Marty McFly is a rock ‘n’ roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr Emmett Brown.  But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is produced by Colin Ingram, Donovan Mannato, Frankel/Viertel/Baruch/Routh Group, Gavin Kalin Productions, Hunter Arnold, Crush Music, CJ ENM, Playing Field, Teresa Tsai, Ivy Herman/Hallee Adelman, Ricardo Marques, Augury, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, in association with, Kimberly Magarro, Robert L. Hutt, Stage Entertainment, Glass Half Full Productions/ Neil Gooding Productions.

Website: BackToTheFutureMusical.com  
Twitter: @BTTFmusical
Instagram: @BTTFmusical      

Darren Day ‘walks over water’ to join the cast of
Godspell at West End Musical Drive In and launches
‘Drive Out To Help Out’
Troubadour Meridian Water, Harbet Road, London, N18 3QQ
Sunday 4th October, 2.30pm
Chris Steward & Shanay Holmes for West End Musical Drive In and Thomas Hopkins &
Michael Quinn for Ginger Quiff Media

Darren Day (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) joins the West End Musical Drive in Godspell cast and brings a heavenly offer with him; with ‘Drive Out To Help Out’ cars are now being sold on a special buy one get one free basis (for this event only) to help raise money for selected charities. Every car purchased will admit 2 cars meaning your friends can gain entry too, joining your musical afternoon out whilst remaining socially distanced.

Thomas Hopkins of Ginger Quiff Media says, In these challenging times, we want to ensure
everyone can experience some music and theatre to free them from the every-day. We hope our ‘Drive Out To Help Out’ scheme for the Godspell West End Musical Drive In will offer the opportunity for more people to hear the amazing music of Godspell.

Godspell is the acclaimed work of renowned composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked; Pippin; The Prince of Egypt) which tells a series of parables leading up to the Passion of Christ. Directed by award-winning Michael Strassen (Billy; Assassins) the drive in will also feature live performances from Jodie Steele (SIX; Heathers), Danyl Johnson (The X Factor finalist), Jenny Fitzpatrick (Tina, The Musical; Our House), John Barr (The Story of Bart; Tommy), Sally Ann Triplett (Mamma Mia!; Viva Forever), Matthew Croke (Aladdin), and Alison Jiear (Jerry Springer: The Opera).

Audiences will also enjoy visuals filmed from the cast’s homes, edited together with striking visual animations, starring Ruthie Henshall (Chicago; Billy Elliot), Jenna Russell (The Bridges of Madison County; Fun Home), Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen), Natalie Green (The Prince of Egypt; Hair), Shekinah McFarlane (Six; Hair), Ria Jones (Sunset Boulevard; High Society), Lucy Williamson (The Fix; Judy & Liza), Ronald Brian (Beautiful, The Carol King Musical; Newsies), Jerome Bell (The Voice USA; Hairspray) and an ensemble from Italia Conti.

The 4th October event follows the success of the recent 50th anniversary online production which raised money from Acting For Others, National AIDS Trust and Hope Mill Theatre (A Factory of Creativity CIO). The producers will be donating a percentage of the profits from this event to these charities.

West End Musical Drive In is an entirely contact-free concert experience adhering to
government social-distancing guidelines. Live performances are projected from the stage onto a massive screen so everybody gets a great view and sound is provided via a bespoke FM frequency straight to your car radio.

The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2020
opens for submissions
on 28th September

• Awarded to a working class drama student to support their last year of study
  and first year entering the industry as a performer
• Winner will receive artistic and financial support worth over £3000 including one
  year’s Spotlight membership, subscription to The Stage, a showreel, a voice
  reel, headshots, a full tax return, lunches with casting directors and agents and
  £500 towards rent.
• This scholarship has been renamed in honour of actor Luke Westlake, who
  sadly took his life during lockdown
• The second annual scholarship from Just Add Milk Theatre Company

The Luke Westlake Scholarship, formerly known as the JAM Scholarship, is an award designed to provide an actor with artistic and financial support worth over £3,000 in their final year and as they graduate from university or drama school, and begin to navigate their way into the industry. The scholarship was established when the team behind JAM realised many actors were being priced out of their career once they left training. After spending
upwards of £30k to learn their craft, actors need to purchase union membership, database subscriptions, materials for marketing themselves, and more; they often work zero hours jobs so they can duck out at short notice to attend auditions and can lack the contacts to get their foot in the door. The acting industry frequently notes the lack of working class talent, but without support it is near impossible to get started. By reaching out to contacts and industry organisations JAM is delighted to build on last year’s inaugural scholarship with yet more partners and prizes, to alleviate the financial and artistic burden and set another graduate up on a stronger footing for their first year in the industry.

Luke Westlake was a friend of JAM, he trained with co-artistic directors Kristian Wall and Kyle Rowe at ArtsEd and had begun a good career with string of television credits including Luther and Dark Heart. Sadly in June 2020 Luke passed away. A diligent, fierce, working-class actor, he represents everything the scholarship stands for and JAM are very grateful to his parents, Bridgette and Lee, for giving their blessing to change the name of the scholarship in his honour.

Kristian said, “In an industry that we have all, at some point, felt inaccessible, this is JAM’s chance to give something back and help develop a new/the next generation of working class actors.”

Just Add Milk Theatre Company’s (JAM) mission is to make the industry more accessible for actors. They provide affordable workshops with Agents and Casting Directors, produce new writing for unheard voices and actively develop the next generation of actors through their scholarship. An ArtsEd Graduate company, JAM was originally founded by three working class actors during second year. Their first show, Year Ten, opened at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2016, transferring for a sold out run at The Tabard Theatre that autumn. In 2018 Liam McLaughlin joined as producer and developed Digging Deep, a play about male suicide and men’s mental health, which premiered at VAULT Festival 2019 in partnership with CALM, Lambeth Council and The Waterloo Barbershop, followed in February 2020, by a sellout run of Who Cares, also at VAULT Festival, in association with Muscular Dystrophy UK. In March 2020, JAM announced their first Co-Production with Klein Blue for Alice at Battersea Arts Centre. JAM are dedicated to hosting accessible, affordable workshops with renowned industry professionals for actors. As of August 2020, they have hosted over 200 workshops, seen over 2000 actors and have given away over £1,500 worth of free places to those who need it. Previous workshops have been hosted by Karishma Balani (Head of Casting at The Globe), Lucy Amos and Sacha Garrett (Nina Gold Casting) and Faye
Timby (The Witcher, Netflix), writers Simon Stephens and Philip Ridley, and agencies Curtis Brown and CAM. In March 2019, JAM spoke at Lambeth Council’s Lord Mayor’s Suicide Prevention Event, talking about how to use theatre as a platform to discuss men’s mental health and male suicide. In May 2019, JAM became one of the New Diorama Theatre’s Emerging Companies for 2019/20

Actors graduating in 2021/2022 are invited to apply to the scholarship via the JAM website (https://www.justaddmilkjam.com/lukewestlakescholarship/2020) and fill out the application, including a statement on what winning the award would mean to them and a 2min self-tape monologue. The shortlist is selected from all the applicants based on their answers and performance and shortlisted applicants then work with casting director Faye Timby on a second self-tape, which is then presented to a panel of industry figures who vote on a winner

The panel includes Actor Remmie Milner, Casting Director Faye Timby, Industry Minds, Voiceover Coach Guy Michaels and JAM.

The full list of prizes are: 1 year’s membership with Spotlight, a Spotlight 1-to-1 workshop, a year’s subscription to industry newspaper The Stage, a full headshot session with Samuel Black Photography, a full showreel package with Self-Tape.co.uk, lunches with Olivia Bell Management, Casting Director Faye Timby, National Theatre Casting Assistant Naomi Downham, RSC Casting Assistant Martin Poile, a full voice reel with Guy Michaels, a £100 voucher to spend at Nick Hern Books, 6 JAM Casting Workshops and a ticket to Industry Minds’ Awards Ceremony 2021.

BAPAM, supporting the scholarship, is a specialist healthcare charity supporting individuals & organisations in the performing arts. They are offering a free online workshop about staying physically and mentally healthy in the industry to all scholarship applicants.

Applications open 28th September and close 26 October 2020. The winner will be announced in December

@justaddmilkjam | #TheLukeWestlakeScholarship | www.justaddmilkjam.com

Birmingham Repertory Theatre announce

THE PARK BENCH PLAYS

Twelve brand-new commissions from
GURPREET KAUR BHATTI • JANICE CONNOLLY • RACHEL DE-LAHAY •
DAVID EDGAR • ROBIN FRENCH • TANIKA GUPTA • BRYONY LAVERY •
SABIHA MANK • AMERAH SALEH • FRANK SKINNER • LIAM STEEL •
JACK THORNE & LETTIE PRECIOUS  

Today, Birmingham Repertory Theatre has announced 12 new commissions titled The Park Bench Plays – a series of micro-plays that illuminate, interrogate and even celebrate today’s socially distanced world.  

Brainchild of The REP’s Artistic Director Sean Foley, this series of brand-new commissions will bring together the work of some of UK theatre’s biggest writing talents and comedians alongside emerging playwrights to create a suite of new plays. 

Made possible thanks to the generous support of The Sir Barry Jackson Trust, these new plays by The REP feature some of the UK’s biggest writing talents amongst emerging playwrights including; Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti (A Kind of People/Khandan), Janice Connolly (Mrs Barbara Nice/Stuff), Rachel De-Lahay (The Westbridge/Circles), David Edgar (Nicholas Nickleby/Pentecost), Robin French (Cuckoo/Rebel Music), Tanika Gupta (Lions and Tigers/The Empress), Bryony Lavery (Frozen/The Lovely Bones), Sabiha Mank (The REP Discovery Artist), Amerah Saleh (Author ‘I Am Not From Here’/Commonwealth Games Handover Poet), Frank Skinner (The Frank Skinner Radio Show/Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast), Liam Steel (Director/Adaptor – Peter Pan/The Wizard of Oz) and Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials/Harry Potter And The Cursed Child) & Lettie Precious (This Is Us/The Break – BBC 3). 

The ten-minute-long plays have been written to be performed in pop-up locations throughout Birmingham – at bus stations, community centers, parks, public squares, foyers and train stations – surprising and delighting commuters, shoppers, residents and others going about their daily business in the city and its environs. 

The series of plays will be directed by The REP’s Artistic Director, Sean Foley, Deputy Artistic Director, Amit Sharma and Associate Director, Madeleine Kludje. 

The REP’s Artistic Director, double Olivier Award-winning Sean Foley said; “The Park Bench Plays will bring together the work of some of the UK’s biggest writing talents for an exciting and diverse collection of micro-plays. 

“Considering the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our industry, we at The REP feel it is important to continue to employ artists and create work for audiences.

“From comic to serious, tragic to hysterical, this collection of two-hander plays take ordinary and everyday conversations and make them extraordinary and timeless – they all have a sense of fun and provide a living snapshot of our socially distanced, somewhat disturbed world.

“We look forward to sharing this extraordinary collection of works with audiences when the time is right to do so in the future and to continuing working with this wonderfully eclectic set of writers.” 

Comedian Frank Skinner commented; “I’m really properly excited to be part of this project with The REP. I’ve had some life-changing experiences on park benches in the West Midlands but I’m hoping this one will be a bit easier on the elbows.” 

Playwright Tanika Gupta added; “I am thrilled to have been asked by the The REP to write a piece for this collection of eclectic new plays. In this time of uncertainty, it is greatly welcome to see venues such as The REP actively engaging with artists to continue in efforts to make new work. I am excited to be writing for live theatre again, alongside my fellow eleven fantastic playwrights.” 

The REP Discovery Artist, Sabiha Mank said; “As soon as I was approached about taking part in The Park Bench Plays, I couldn’t wait to get started. Coming out of lockdown, this project has been a dream to be a part of and a brilliant way of trying to make sense of the world.” 

The Park Bench Plays were to have had their first outing during October, but local restrictions coupled with the new national restrictions have made that impossible. As soon as it is safe to resume outdoor performances, The Park Bench Plays will be put into production to then begin their pop-up tour around the city.   

To find out more about The REP and their work with creatives and emerging artists visit birmingham-rep.co.uk.