Author: FairyPoweredProductions

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR COMPLETES 116 MILE
“STEP FOR THE REP”
Steve Ball walks from Birmingham to London’s Theatre Land to raise funds for The REP’s industry-leading work with young people 

Completed over the course of seven days, Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s Associate Director, Steve Ball finished his 116 mile walk from The REP to London’s Leicester Square in the heart of the West End’s “Theatre Land” on Friday 28 August. Step For The REP has raised a total of over £3,700 to date, with donations still coming in. 

The walk was taken in order to raise funds for The REP’s industry-leading work with young people and continue to highlight the ongoing vulnerable situation for theatres across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

As a registered charity, The REP has always relied on the support of its donors, sponsors and funders, never more so since being unable to trade from March 19 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The REP’s internationally renowned creative learning programme is one of the largest in the UK, each year engaging over 70,000 children, young people and adults in the community.  

Starting outside The REP on Saturday 22 August, Steve walked to London’s Leicester Square, arriving on Friday 28 August where he was joined for the final leg by The REP’s Artistic Director, Sean Foley. 

Associate Director, Steve Ball said; “I am delighted to have completed my 116 mile Step For The REP challenge; raising funds for the theatre’s renowned work with children and young people whilst also continuing the highlight of the plight and importance of our region’s theatres. 

“A huge thanks goes to all of those who have donated so far and shown their support. It has also been fantastic to be joined by friends, past and present staff and volunteers from The REP along my journey, including our Artistic Director, Sean Foley who joined me for the final leg from Watford to Leicester Square.” 

Artistic Director, Sean Foley commented; “All of us at The REP are extremely grateful for Steve’s achievement and fundraising for our theatre – the UK’s oldest building-based company and the only producing theatre in the UK’s second city. It has been an honour to join Steve for his final day of the Step For The REP challenge. A huge thank you goes out to all of those who have donated and shown their support to theatres everywhere and to the friends and supporters of The REP.”  

Rachel Cranny, Head of Fundraising added; “Fundraising has never been more vital for The REP and we’re very grateful that one of our own team has taken on a personal challenge to support where he works, it’s fantastic! Thank you to everyone who donated and put a spring in Steve’s step.” 

Leicester Square lies in the heart of the West End, where countless productions have transferred from the second city’s only producing theatre during its 107-year history. Back in the 1920’s, founder of The REP, Sir Barry Jackson transferred his pioneering Shakespearean productions to London’s theatre scene, the first to be seen in modern dress. More contemporary examples include The Snowman which marked its 22nd consecutive season at London’s Peacock Theatre in 2019 and Nativity! The Musical which started life at The REP in 2017. Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s Khandan transferred to the Royal Court and Rachel De-lahey’s Circles to the Tricycle Theatre (now Kiln Theatre) in 2014 as well as touring local community spaces. Bryony Lavery’s award-winning play, Frozen, opened at The REP in 1998. The show went on to play at the National Theatre in 2002 and in 2018 it was revived at Theatre Royal Haymarket starring Jason Watkins, Suranne Jones and Nina Sosanya.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, The REP has sought to continue as many of its projects with young people as possible, finding innovative ways to take activities online and provide vital support for participants. As a producing theatre, The REP generates 80% of its income through tickets, events and associated revenue such as refreshment sales. The closure due to the current crisis has therefore presented a real and imminent threat to its survival and fundraising has never been more crucial. 

For more information on Step For The REP and to make a donation click here or visit justgiving.com/fundraising/steveballuk. To find out about more ways you can support The REP visit birmingham-rep.co.uk/support-us.  

The REP would also like to thank loyal sponsors Colour Cubed for their design and print support for Step For The REP.  

LOCKDOWN THEATRE ANNOUNCES LIVE VIRTUAL TABLE READ OF NOËL COWARD’S PRIVATE LIVES IN AID OF

THE ROYAL THEATRICAL FUND

STARRING SANJEEV BHASKAR, EMILIA CLARKE, ROBERT LINDSAY AND EMMA THOMPSON

Following the sell-out success of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot in June, Lockdown Theatre,in association with The Royal Theatrical Fund,today announcesa live virtual table read of Private Lives by Noël Coward. The table read will take place onSunday 13 September at 7pm with the generous permission from the Noël Coward Foundation.

Jonathan Church directs Sanjeev Bhaskar (Victor), Emilia Clarke (Sybil), Robert Lindsay (Elyot) and Emma Thompson (Amanda). Tickets are £35 and all the funds raised from Lockdown Theatres’ Private Lives will be used as a crisis grant to support those who are struggling financially in the theatre industry during these unprecedented times.

The live table read will take place via Zoom, followed by a live Q&A with the cast and director chaired by Paul Jackson.

Amanda and Elyot Chase, after a tempestuous marriage have just married again to completely different partners; Elyot to the delightful, young Sybil and Amanda to the upright Victor Prynne. Elyot and Sybil arrive for the first night of their honeymoon at an hotel on the south coast of France, the Cote D’Azur. Sibyl loves being married. She is as much in love with the idea of being a bride as she is with her husband, Elyot, perhaps more so and tells him that she knows how to handle a husband, how to make him happy. Elyot fears that she means she knows how to “manage” a husband. Unknown to the Chases, Amanda is honeymooning at the same hotel with her 

new husband, Victor Prynne. Victor has much the same ideas about marriage as does Sibyl. He intends to take care of Amanda. The fact that Amanda never asked to be taken care of 

is unimportant. Victor will teach her to be a suitable wife…

Limited tickets available at www.rtflockdown.com

Sanjeev Bhaskar plays Victor. His theatre credits include Dinner with Saddam (Menier Chocolate Factory), Dumb Show (Rose Theatre Kingston), Spamalot (Palace Theatre), Art (Whitehall Theatre), and Peter Sellers is Dead (Whitehall Theatre). His television credits include Unforgotten, Sandylands, Porters, Election Spy, Horrible Histories, The Kumars at No. 42 (Winner of two Emmy Awards, a Bronze Rose of Montreaux Award and a Brit Comedy Award), The Indian Doctor, Outnumbered, Chopra Town and Goodness Gracious Me; and for film, Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans, Yesterday, Paddington 2, The Zero Theorem, Arthur Christmas, London Boulevard, It’s a Wonderful Life, Not the Messiah: He’s a Very Naughty Boy, Scoop, The Guru, Anita & Me and Notting Hill.

Emilia Clarke plays Sybil. Her theatre credits include The Seagull (Playhouse Theatre), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Cort Theatre, New York). Her television credits include as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones; and for film, Spike Island, Dom Hemingway, Terminator: Genisys, Me Before You, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Last Christmas.

Robert Lindsay plays Elyot. He is a BAFTA award-winning actor, whose credits range from the smash hit Citizen Smith in the Seventies to My Family in the noughties, with a generous sprinkling of award-winning stage roles in between, including Me and My Girl, which won him the Olivier Award in the West End, and a Tony Award when it transferred to Broadway. His TV work has ranged from sitcoms (his first was Get Some In!) to BBC Shakespeare productions, and Stephen Poliakoff dramas Friends and Crocodiles and Gideon’s Daughter. He co-starred in Alan Bleasdale’s GBH along with … Michael Palin. He appeared in Ricky Gervais’s Extras as an arrogant, mean-spirited version of himself. Or, as his friends prefer to say: as himself.

Emma Thompson plays Amanda. Her theatre credits include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Lincoln Centre, New York/English National Opera), King Lear (Renaissance Theatre Company UK tour) and Me and My Girl (Adelphi theatre). Her television credits include Years and Years, Upstart Crow, Angels in America and Win; and for film Last Christmas, How to Build a Girl, Men in Black, The Children Act, Bridget Jones’s Baby, Beauty and the Beast, Saving Mr. Banks, Nanny McPhee, An Education, Harry Potter, Love Actually, Sense and Sensibility (Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay), Much Ado About Nothing and Howards End (Academy Award for Best Actress).

Jonathan Church CBE directs. He is currently Artistic Director of Bath Theatre Royal’s Summer Season, Chair of Marlowe Theatre Canterbury and on the Board of the Almeida Theatre. He was Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre (2006-2016); Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre (2001-2006); Associate Director of Hampstead Theatre (1999-2001); Artistic Director of Salisbury Playhouse (1995-1999); Associate Director of Derby Playhouse (1994-1995) and Assistant Director of Nottingham Playhouse (1992- 1994).

Jonathan’s West End Productions as a Director include Hobson’s Choice, Taken At Midnight (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Singin’ In The Rain (Palace Theatre), The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui (Duchess Theatre), Of Mice and Men (Savoy Theatre and The Old Vic), The Witches (Wyndham’s Theatre), A Busy Day (Lyric Theatre), The Life and Times of Nicholas Nickleby (Gielgud Theatre).

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SANDRA MARVIN, JAY PERRY, CHARLOTTE WAKEFIELD & MORE ANNOUNCED FOR GUS GOWLAND VIRTUAL CONCERT

• SANDRA MARVIN, JAY PERRY AND CHARLOTTE WAKEFIELD FORM PART OF THE LINE UP FOR A VIRTUAL CONCERT CELEBRATING AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL THEATRE COMPOSER GUS GOWLAND

• THE CONCERT IS THE SEVENTH OF THE BARN PRESENTS: SERIES, WHICH CELEBRATES THE MUSIC OF BRITISH MUSICAL THEATRE WRITERS.

• THE BARN THEATRE ALSO OPEN AN OUTDOOR PRODUCTION OF THE KANDER & EBB MUSICAL REVUE THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND THIS EVENING

he Barn Theatre has announced an all-star West End line up for their sixth virtual concert, The Barn Theatre Presents: The Music of Gus Gowland, which will celebrate the work of musical theatre composer Gus Gowland (Pieces of String).

The concert, which will be hosted by Barn Theatre producer Jamie Chapman Dixon, is the sixth edition of the Barn Theatre in Cirencester’s virtual concert series, The Barn Presents:, which celebrates the work of British musical theatre writers.

The musical will showcase his work including songs from his first full-length musical Pieces of String, whichpremiered in 2018 at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester. For his work on Pieces of String, Gus won The Stage Debut Award for Best Composer/Lyricist, and was nominated for a Writer’s Guild of Great Britain award for Best Musical Theatre Bookwriting. The show was nominated for the UK Theatre Best Musical Production award.

The upcoming virtual concert will feature performances from: Stephenson Arden-Sodje (Hamilton), Ryan Carter (Motown, The Boy Friend), Gabriela García (West Side Story, In The Heights), Rebecca Gilliland (Wicked), Imogen Halsey (Just So), Sandra Marvin (Waitress, Emmerdale, Romantics Anonymous), Craig Mather (Les Misérables), Michael Mather (Mythic, Soho Cinders), Abigail Matthews (The Butterfly Lion), Newtion Matthews (The X Factor, The Voice UK), Kiran Patel (The Lion King, Just So), Jay Perry (Hamilton), Jack Reitman (Amour, Thrill Me) and Charlotte Wakefield (The Sound of Music, The Boy in the Dress).

The Barn Presents: The Music of Gus Gowland will debut on the Barn Theatre’s Facebook and YouTube channels on 29 August 2020 at 7:30pm BST. The concert will be released on the Barn Theatre’s Facebook and YouTube channels and will see Gus Gowland chat with Barn Theatre producer Jamie Chapman Dixon about his career so far, the creation process behind his songs and special appearances from some of the performers, to discuss their experience rehearsing and recording from home.

Previous concerts from The Barn Presents: series can be watched on the Barn Theatre’s YouTube channel.

The Barn Theatre have also recently launched their first outdoor theatre festival BarnFestwhich runs until 5 September. The festival, which marks the theatre’s first live theatre performances since the start of the year.

The festival will feature a two-week run of the Kander & Ebb musical revue The World Goes ‘Round. The new production, which features songs from the duos iconic musicals including Chicago and Cabaret, will run at the outdoor festival from24 August to 5 September. The production will be directed by Kirk Jameson with musical direction by Nick Barstow and casting will be announced at a later date.

The festival also includes Illyria’s family production of Adventures of Doctor Dolittle (24-27 August) and Scoot Theatre’s reimagined production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (29-30 August) starring Aaron Sidwell (EastEnders, Wicked), Tricia Adele-Turner (Dear Evan Hansen) and Claire-Marie Hall (Les Misérables, The Grinning Man).

The Barn Theatre (registered charity no. 1174253) have launched their SAVE OUR BARN campaign, via their website and social media platforms, to ensure the Barn Theatre’s survival.

West End Musical Drive-In announce new dates
and star-studded line up for September
The Drive In, Troubadour Meridian Water, Harbet Road, London, N18 3QQ
5th, 12th, 19th and 26th September 2020

Buckle up for an exciting September at The Drive In! Due to overwhelming public demand, West End Musical Drive-In have added another concert date featuring past and present cast members of Six The Musical on Saturday 5
th September (please note, this is not a production of Six The Musical). For the first time, Natalie Paris, Vicki Manser, Danielle Steers, Sophie Isaacs,
Courtney Stapleton, Courtney Bowman, Maddie Bulleyment, Lauren Byrne, Jen Caldwell, Lauren Drew, Collette Guitart, Cherelle Jay, Cassandra Lee, Zara MacIntosh, Shekinah McFarlane, Jarneia Richard-Noel, and Hana Stewart, will all perform songs from a host of different musicals in this epic celebration. The previously announced concert (12th September) sold out within 24 hours.

The high-flying magic continues into the month with Trevor Dion-Nicholas (Aladdin, Hamilton), Hiba Elchikhe (Aladdin, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) and Mathew Croke (Aladdin, Wicked) taking guests on a wild carpet ride on 19th September, while a trio of much-loved Elphabas, Alice Fearn, Emma Hatton and Laura Pick unite with recent-Glinda, Sophie Evans, to defy gravity on 26th September.

Partnering with critically acclaimed show Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, West End Musical Drive-In are also thrilled to announce some incredibly special performances for Layton Williams’ headline concert (29th August). For the first time ever, there will be more than one ‘Jamie’ on stage together!

Much like their West End Musical Brunch, which sell out months in advance, West End Musical Drive-In is an immersive event where the audience ‘become the cast,’ singing and dancing along with the West End stars who perform a mix of songs from a wide range of musicals. Widening the scope of the audience, guests can also attend the event without a car, in groups of maximum five people – just bring your camping chairs and portable radio and enjoy!

Producer Chris Steward comments, We are delighted to announce more dates and for our drive in’s to continue be a success story in the doom and gloom of 2020. As always, we are celebrating musical theatre in new ways whilst providing much needed work for an incredible line up of talent, who deserve a stage and a live audience to perform to.

THE BARN THEATRE, LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE AND NEW WOLSEY THEATRE ANNOUNCE CO-PRODUCTION OF WHAT A CARVE UP!

• THE BARN THEATRE, LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE & NEW WOLSEY THEATRE WILL 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 Barn Theatre in Cirencester, the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich have announced the world premiere of Henry Filloux-Bennett’s online play What A Carve Up!, based on Jonathan Coe’s critically acclaimed satirical novel.

The digital production, which will be directed by Tamara Harvey (Home, I’m Darling), 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.

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!”

Tamara Harvey said of directing the online production, “It’s a joy, in this moment, to work on such a bitingly brilliant story with such a talented team – albeit a joy tempered by how shockingly relevant Jonathan Coe’s satire of the ruling classes remains, a quarter of a century after it was first published. And for such an exciting project to be in aid of regional theatre, which so desperately needs investment in this moment – it doesn’t get much better than that.”

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.

All three theatres involved in this production have received critical acclaim for pioneering digital innovation for theatrical content over lockdown.

The Barn Theatre, based in Cirencester, has seen over 330,000 audience members engage with their online theatrical content during lockdown. Their children’s entertainment series Tweedy’s Lost & Found with renowned Giffords Circus clown Tweedy received both critical and public acclaim and featured special celebrity guest appearances which included Helena Bonham Carter, Hugh Bonneville and Reece Shearsmith. Their Shakespeare in lockdown series Bard From The Barn, co-produced with Aaron Sidwell,has featured the work of over 150 creatives including thirty six 2020 drama school graduates in their second series. The Barn Theatre is currently hosting their first outdoor theatre season BarnFest which has included productions of Michael Morpugo’s Private Peacefuland the Kander & Ebb musical revue The World Goes ‘Round.

What A Carve Up! will mark the Lawrence Batley Theatre’s third online play written by Henry Filloux-Bennett following Nigel Slater’s Toast and The Understudy, starring Stephen Fry and Russell Tovey, which welcomed digital audiences from over 40 countries. At the start of lockdown the theatre, based in Huddersfield, launched their free online channel, LBTV, which provided workshops and masterclasses, storytelling sessions and backstage videos – reaching over 19,000 engagements. They have also recently launched the Charlotte Holmes Adventure Box, a new interactive theatrical experience for children aged 7 – 12 years old to enjoy from home.

Throughout lockdown the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich have been running their bi-weekly online blog Bounce to connect audiences with digital content which has included their mini-project Storyline, where audiences can send the theatre a story for the theatre to adapt for future creative projects. This project resulted in creative projects including an animated film based on Heidi McEvoy-Swift’s submitted story Scrubs.

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 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.

Casting and further creative announcements will be released at a later date.

HIPP HIPP HOORAY! DARLINGTON HIPPODROME TO RE-OPEN IN SEPTEMBER

After nearly six months of closure due to the Covid-19 outbreak, Darlington Hippodrome will be re-opening its doors to visitors from Monday 7 September.

On Monday 7 September Darlington Hippodrome will re-open marking the start of a season of socially-distanced activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

Activities will include regular dance and fitness sessions, a book group session, drawing workshops, quizzes and theatre tours including some ghost tours for those who feel brave enough. Future activities will include classic film screenings in the theatre auditorium. The theatre’s gallery spaces will be accessible to the public from 10am to 2pm Monday to Saturday and the venue’s box office and Hippo Lounge will be open from 10am to 2pm Monday to Saturday and thirty minutes before each ticketed event.

Councillor Andy Keir said “It is great news for the town that Darlington Hippodrome will be opening its doors and welcoming visitors from September. The Hippodrome is the beating heart of the town’s cultural programme and I am delighted that the venue will soon be buzzing with activity and creativity once more.”

Visitors to the Hippodrome can be assured that all possible measures have been put in place to make a trip to the Hippodrome safe and enjoyable. Capacity at all events will be restricted so it is advised to book as soon as possible.

For full details of all the events taking place in September please visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call the box office on 01325 405405

THEATR CLWYD TO BE PART OF WELSH GOVERNMENT’S

TRIAL OF A RETURN TO OUTDOOR EVENTS

First Minister Mark Drakeford today announced that Theatr Clwyd will be part of a trial of outdoor events in Wales. Initially three small events, with limits of up to 100 people, and subject to strict risk assessments, will be held across Wales. Outdoor events are being prioritised in this review period, while the weather is mild, due to evidence of lower transmission of coronavirus outdoors. In addition to outdoor performances at Theatr Clwyd, Welsh Triathlon’s planned ‘Return to Racing’ competition at Pembrey Country Park will go ahead with a closed venue and without spectators; and a car rally will take place at Anglesey Circuit/Trac Mon Race track.

Mark Drakeford said today, “We will trial three small scale events, in partnership with the events’ organisers, local authorities and other stakeholders, to  see if they can be carried out in a safe way, with a view to supporting the sector and making the most of the remaining summer months where we can spend time outdoors.

“We will also learn from pilots being conducted across the UK, in reopening professional sport and indoor theatre to supporters and audiences, so we base our decisions on the best possible evidence available. We will continue to talk with event organisers about the possible resumption of some other activities later in the autumn.

“But, for the time being, we need to learn from how we can safely hold outdoor events while maintaining social distancing.

We will use the next three weeks to continue to engage with those remaining sectors of our economy that remain affected by coronavirus restrictions. I would like to thank the sector representatives for the way they continue to engage, coming out of lockdown will always be harder than going into it – but, together, we will do it in the safest possible way.”

Artistic Director Tamara Harvey added, “It’s great to be working directly with Welsh Government to do all that we can to bring live performance back to our communities, not least so that everything we learn can be shared with as many of our colleagues as possible across the nation. Direct conversations and collaboration with government are vital to ensure the survival of the arts. These are baby steps but each step brings us closer to a future where we are all working together to create a truly vibrant and diverse cultural landscape in Wales and beyond.”

For tickets at just £5, and further information, please visit www.theatrclwyd.com 

FULL SUMMER PROGRAMME:

• Musical theatre star Mared Williams performs her original music, a fusion of folk, soul, and pop – 27 August, 7pm
• Tayo Alukoshowcases his baritone voice in An Evening with Tayo Aluko – 28 August, 7pm.
• Vikki Stone and Natasha Barnes move through a history of women being hilarious in musicals; from Sondheim to Streisand, in Funny Gals – 29 August, 7pm
• Orpheus tells a tale of ancient gods and late-night karaoke through spoken word and soaring soul music – 4-5 September
• A preview of Welsh playwright Tim Price’s brand new comedy English – 6 September, 6pm.
• Welsh trio The Goat Roper Rodeo Band perform their cosmic ‘Country Blues’ – 18 September, 7pm
• Steffan Hughes presents an evening of performances by Welsh musical theatre stars in Welsh of the West End: Live – 19 September, 7pm
• Three weaves together fairy tales in a spellbinding musical play for children aged 3+ and their families – 20 September, 11am and 2pm
• Singer-songwriter Aleighcia Scott blends soul, R&B and gospel into her reggae music – 25 September, 7pm
• Kidsmoke perform their brad of dreamy indie-pop – 26 September, 7pm
• The Tip Topsingers present a celebratory night of musical theatre with Tip Top’s Musical Magic – 27 September, 7pm

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ABOUT THEATR CLWYD

The award-winning Theatr Clwyd is Wales’ biggest producing theatre. Since 1976 Theatr Clwyd has created exceptional theatre from its home in Flintshire, North Wales. Driven by the vision and dynamism of award-winning Artistic Director Tamara Harvey and Executive Director Liam Evans-Ford, Theatr Clwyd pushes theatrical boundaries creating world-class productions.

Theatr Clwyd’s recent partnership with the National Theatre led to the creation of Home, I’m Darling which won Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards and was nominated in five categories including Best Set Design and Best Costume Design. Other projects of note include the UK Theatre Award-winning musical The Assassination of Katie Hopkins, the site specific, immersive Great Gatsby and the Menier Chocolate Factory co-production of Orpheus Descending.

Theatr Clwyd is one of only four theatres in the UK to build sets and props, make costumes and paint scenery in-house. Their impressive team of workshop, wardrobe and scenic artists, props makers and technicians ensure the skills vital to a vibrant theatre industry are nurtured right in the heart of Wales, developing the theatre makers of the future. In addition to this, Theatr Clwyd hosts an artist development programme, trainee technicians’ scheme and an eighteen month traineeship for directors, to develop the Artistic Directors of the future.

Theatr Clwyd works in the community across all art forms and is recognised as a cultural leader for its cross generational theatre groups, work in youth justice and diverse programme of arts, health and wellbeing. Award-winning Community Engagement projects include Arts from the Armchair, in partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which uses theatrical making skills to help people with early onset memory loss and their carers, and Justice In A Day, working in schools and the law courts to help at risk children to realise the consequences of crime.

Theatr Clwyd has completed the public consultation period for a major Capital Redevelopment Project which will reimagine the theatre’s public spaces and create a greener, more efficient and sustainable building where world-class art can thrive and social action is rooted for generations to come.

During the Covid-19 pandemic the theatre has been active in helping its community, from hosting blood donation sessions and distributing food to vulnerable families to creating digital dance workshops for those with Parkinson’s and sharing creative packages and activities with those most isolated.

www.theatrclwyd.comTwitter: @ClwydTweets
Facebook.com/TheatrClwyd  

TOM CHAMBERS, CHRISTOPHER HARPER & MICHAEL SALAMI TO STAR IN

APOLLO 13: THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

A NEW ONLINE PLAY BY TORBEN BETTS 

NEW COMMISSION BY ORIGINAL THEATRE COMPANY

ONLINE STREAMING FROM 7.30PM ON THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 2020

Original Theatre Company, the production company behind the critically acclaimed lockdown productions of Sebastian Faulks’s Birdsong Online and Louise Coulthard’s Watching Rosie, are delighted to present a new commission by Torben Betts, Apollo 13: The Dark Side of The Moon.  The production will be available to watch via originaltheatreonline.com from 7.30pm on Thursday 8 October until Thursday 31 December 2020. 

Marking 50 years since the launch of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission and based, in part, on actual transcripts, this new online play is a captivating re-telling of one of the greatest space stories of all time.  Stranded 205,000 miles from earth in a crippled spacecraft, astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert fight a desperate battle to survive.  77 hours into their mission they lose all communications with earth as they pass around the dark side of the moon. Apollo 13: The Dark Side of The Moon explores the outer limits of faith, hope and the power of the human spirit.

The play interweaves the dramatic events of 1970 with a present-day account by the two surviving astronauts, Lovell and Haise.

Torben Betts said, “I was delighted when Alastair asked me to write a new play about the ill-fated voyage of Apollo 13 which took place fifty years ago. I have long been a bit of a space nerd and like many last summer I was transfixed by all the various TV specials about the 1969 moon landings. Letting my imagination spend so much time floating around in space to write this has been a welcome relief from the situation on the ground at the moment and has also helped me put things in a little bit of perspective. “

Co-director Charlotte Peters said, “Having explored a new genre with our recent production of Birdsong, it’s really exciting to be pushing the online-film boundaries further with this original adaptation of Apollo 13, both in terms of new filming techniques and inventive movement. I can’t think of a better project to bring to this medium, as it interweaves an out-of-this-world true story with familiar themes of isolation, helplessness and an irrational sense of hope.”

Apollo 13: The Dark Side of The Moon stars Christopher Harper (Holby City, Coronation Street) as Jim Lovell, Michael Salami (Hollyoaks, Just a Couple) as Fred Haise, Tom Chambers (Father Brown, Casualty) as Jack Swigert, Philip Franks (Heartbeat, Darling Buds of May) as Present Day Lovell, Willie Jonah (The Two Popes, The Iron Lady) as Present Day Haise, Jenna Augen (Episodes, The Night Watch) as Capcom and Poppy Roe (A Serial Killer’s Guide to Life, Royal Matchmaker) as Patricia Cooper.

Apollo 13: The Dark Side of The Moon will be directed by Alastair Whatley and Charlotte Peters, designed by David Woodhead, edited by Tristan Shepherd, with sound design by Dominc Bilkey, original music composed by Sophie Cotton, movement direction by Simon Pittman and casting by Ellie Collyer-Brisow CDG.

The online production of Apollo 13: The Dark Side of The Moon is produced by Original Theatre Company.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

APOLLO 13: THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

by Torben Betts

Dates: Thursday 8 October – Thursday 31 December 2020

Running time: approximately 75 minutes

Book: originaltheatreonline.com

Ticket pricing: Airline pricing. The earlier you book, the cheaper the ticket price.

·        £10 “Lift Off” early bird before 31 August

·        £15 “First Stage” discounted tickets before 30 September

·        £20 “Second Stage” standard price tickets from 1 October

·        £50 “Lunar Module” tickets available before 25 September and include your name in the credits and a programme 

·        £500 “Mission Control” VIP tickets – get a signed copy of the script, an executive producer credit in the credits and a special thank you message from one of the cast

Squad Goals to have world premiere at
Dagenham and Redbridge FC
Dagenham and Redbridge FC, Victoria Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 7XL
Monday 14th September – Saturday 10th October 2020

Squad Goals is a brand-new immersive show from Caspa Productions, opening for its world premiere at Dagenham & Redbridge Football Ground. Where better than to launch a show about football than in a football stadium as a socially distanced outdoor experience!

This lively and inspiring play tells of the lives, ambitions and relationships among a diverse group of young female school leavers who are inspired by the success of England’s lionesses and form a 5-a-side squad in their home town, Dagenham. Squad Goals follows the challenges they face as they struggle to be taken seriously in a world seemingly designed to stop them reaching their
potential.

Writer and co-director Michelle Payne comments Growing up in Essex, football was really important to me, I wanted to create show that fully embraced that sense of community. We need something positive for our young people and our local community that’s supports both the sports and arts industry. Act one is a full immersive experience where you pick a side and meet your squad. Act two consists of a 5-a-side football match in the style of a dance routine. We’re massively inspired by Essex dance troupes such as Diversity and wanted to create a spectacle where people can be rooting for their chosen teams.

This highly physical show, filled with dance and drama, will be brought to life by a cast of incredible local Essex-based actors, recent graduates and West End performers including Jade Marvin (Six, NCL), Annie Southall (The Boyfriend, Menier Chocolate Factory) and Lucy Aiston (Six, Bliss Cruise production). The ten roles have been double cast, with 4 swing performers, meaning the production is secure from cancellations even if any of the cast need to self-isolate.

Squad Goals originated as a highly-acclaimed one-act play at The Other Palace Studio after scratch nights at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Mercury Theatre Colchester. Now Caspa Productions have reimagined the production with a new and exciting approach to socially distanced theatre, providing employment opportunities for a large cast and numerous creatives. The team seek to engage with a young and diverse audience through workshops, Q&As and special performances for schools, colleges and community groups.

In a time when the world seems pretty dark, it’s lovely to see such an uplifting piece of theatre that highlights the importance of passion, hard work and friendship (★★★★ RewriteThisStory).

HUGE DEMAND FOR TICKETS TO SEE

STEPHEN TOMPKINSON & JESSICA JOHNSON IN

WILLY RUSSELL’S EDUCATING RITA

AT THE MINACK OPEN AIR THEATRE, CORNWALL

EXTRA PERFORMANCE ADDED SUNDAY 30 AUGUST 2020

With performances almost sold out within two weeks of going on sale, Olivier and Tony Award-winning producer David Pugh and Zoe Curnow, Executive Director of the Minack Theatre, added an extra performance to the two-week run of the acclaimed 40th anniversary production of Willy Russell’s EDUCATING RITA at the Minack Theatre, Cornwall. Performances began on Tuesday 18 August and the season now runs until Sunday 30 August. The production, which has the audience socially distanced, stars Stephen Tompkinson as Frank and Jessica Johnson as Rita and is directed by Max Roberts.

David Pugh said of the ticket sales, “Live theatre is back and audiences have proved they want it back… There has been a wholeheartedly enthusiastic response from everyone and this has proved that, with Churchillian spirit, as a producer, it’s my job to entertain audiences wherever and whenever and I can’t think of a better way than with a great British comedy by Willy Russell.”

EDUCATING RITA tells the story of married hairdresser Rita, who enrols on an Open University course to expand her horizons, and her encounters with university tutor Frank. Frank is a frustrated poet, brilliant academic and dedicated drinker, who is less than enthusiastic about teaching Rita. However, Frank soon finds that his passion for literature is reignited by Rita, whose technical ability for the subject is limited by her lack of education, but whose enthusiasm Frank finds refreshing. The two soon realise how much they have to learn from each other.

EDUCATING RITA was originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and played at the Warehouse Theatre, London in 1980, starring Julie Walters and Mark Kingston. Julie Walters reprised her role in the BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning film opposite Michael Caine.

Born in Liverpool in 1947, Willy Russell left school at 15 and became a women’s hairdresser and part-time singer/songwriter before returning to education to retrain as a teacher. Russell’s other writing credits include the Olivier Award-winning musical Blood Brothers, and the hugely successful play Shirley Valentine, which won the Olivier Awards for Best New Comedy and Best New Actress, and a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play. The play was adapted for film and nominated for a host of BAFTA and Academy Awards. Willy Russell continues to be one of the most celebrated writers of his generation with works constantly in production throughout the world as well as in the UK.

Stephen Tompkinson’s television credits include ITV’s Torvill & Dean, BBC’s The Split, five series of DCI Banks, four series of Trollied, seven series of Wild at Heart, six series of Drop the Dead Donkey (British Comedy Award Winner for Best TV Comedy Actor) and three series of Ballykissangel, and his films include Phil in Brassed Off. His theatre work includes Spamalot, Rattle of a Simple Man and Arsenic and Old Lace in the West End, Cloaca and A Christmas Carol (Old Vic), Art and Tartuffe (National Tours).

Jessica Johnson’s theatre credits include Call Me Mary Poppins, Goth Weekend, Kings and Queens, Each Piece and Anti-Gravity at the Live Theatre, Newcastle. She previously played Rita in Rebecca Frecknall’s 2017 production of Educating Rita at the Gala Theatre, Durham. Her television credits include Wire In The Blood (ITV), Coronation Street (ITV) and Cuckoo (Channel 4).

Max Roberts is Emeritus Artistic Director of Newcastle’s Live Theatre. Under his direction, the Live Theatre has become one of the country’s most successful theatre companies with an outstanding reputation for developing new work. His Olivier Award-nominated production of Lee Hall’s Cooking With Elvis transferred to the West End’s Whitehall Theatre (now Trafalgar Studios) before touring nationally. He also directed The Pitman Painters, which transferred to the National Theatre and won Best Play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards before opening on Broadway.

EDUCATING RITA has set and costume designs by Patrick Connellan, lighting design by Drummond Orr and sound design by David Flynn.

EDUCATING RITA is produced by David Pugh and is a Theatre by the Lake production..

Website: educatingrita.co.uk

Twitter.com/EducatingRitaUK

Facebook.com/EducatingRitaPlay

LISTINGS INFORMATION

18 – 30 August 2020

Minack Theatre

Porthcurno

Penzance

Cornwall TR19 6JU

Box Office: Minack.com / 01736 810181

Performances: Tuesday to Sunday at 7pm, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday at 3pm