Author: FairyPoweredProductions

THE NATIONAL THEATRE ANNOUNCES
the Nottingham Playhouse production of 
THE MADNESS OF GEORGE III 
TO BE STREAMED ON YOUTUBE 
 AS PART OF NATIONAL THEATRE AT HOME

Alan Bennett’s epic multi award winning drama The Madness of George III, will be streamed on 11 June via the National Theatre’s YouTube channel as part of National Theatre at Home. The 2018 broadcast from Nottingham Playhouse marked the first collaboration between the two organisations, and is the first production from outside of London to be streamed as part of the National Theatre at Home series. The production will be available to watch on demand for seven days. More productions for National Theatre at Home will be announced at a later date. 

Directed by Nottingham Playhouse’s Artistic Director Adam Penford, the cast includes Olivier award-winners Mark Gatiss (Dracula, The League of Gentlemen, Doctor Who) and Adrian Scarborough (Gavin and Stacey, Upstairs Downstairs, After the Dance), alongside Debra Gillett (Call the Midwife, Doctor Who). It’s 1788 and George III is one of the most powerful men in the world, but his behaviour is becoming increasingly erratic as his mind unravels at a dramatic pace. As the Queen and Prime Minister attempt to hide the king’s illness, ambitious politicians and a scheming prince begin a power struggle, endangering the stability of the crown.

The Madness of George III was first performed at the National Theatre in 1991 before being turned into an Oscar and BAFTA winning film in 1994. 

National Theatre at Home is available for free but should viewers wish to make a donation to support the National Theatre, we have launched a public appeal on our home page: nationaltheatre.org.uk. 

Money donated via YouTube for The Madness of George III will be shared with Nottingham Playhouse’s Curtain Up Appeal: nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

LEEDS THEATRE COMPANY SEEKS MEMBERS AGED OVER 60

Leeds theatre company The Performance Ensemble is on a quest to grow its company and gather 1000 stories from the city’s older population that will ultimately create a piece of theatre for the Leeds Cultural Festival in 2023.

The Performance Ensemble is a company of performers over the age of 60; they create high quality contemporary performances from their own life experiences.

They are now looking to recruit new members and collect more stories that will help them create unique performance events with the experience of age.

“We are actively looking for new members to join The Performance Ensemble,” explains Artistic Director Alan Lyddiard.  “There is no prerequisite – you don’t have to have experience in theatre or the arts, but you must be over 60 years old.”

Some of the company members work as actors, writers, and dancers but others joined the company as a first-time experience; all are from a range of different backgrounds and diverse cultures.

“We celebrate the fullness of life and explore vulnerability, resilience, and ageing,” Alan continues.

“I want to work with people in what I call ‘the space between professional, amateur and community arts practice’, concentrating on shared knowledge and experience; when you are older you have many things to contribute and each of us will learn from the other.”

Alan was a theatre and film director for 40 years and formed The Performance Ensemble in 2014 when he was 65. It now has a core company of 35 people and a wider membership of over 100.

“I don’t think the desire to create work and discover new things ever goes away,” he concludes.  “And that is why I started The Ensemble – I want to explore new ways to create theatre and engage with others.”

For more information and to get involved

email [email protected] or call 07846 575 377

Adapted by Henry Filloux-Bennett, the Lawrence Batley Theatre Huddersfield present:

A NEW ONLINE ADAPTATION OF

NIGEL SLATER’S TOAST

BROADCASTING FROM 1^st – 31^st JULY 2020

Following its hugely successful 2019 West End run and national tour, Nigel Slater’s Toast returns to the Lawrence Batley Theatre as a brand-new online play for audiences to enjoy from the comfort of their own home.Available to listen to, or watch as an animated film, all ticketholders will receive a recipe card from Nigel Slater enabling them to immerse themselves in this sensory and heart-warming play where Nigel’s flavour and stories come to life.

Featuring the original West End cast of Toast, Giles Cooper, a close friend of Nigel himself who will be recording his lines in his London home where Nigel lived in when he began writing his book, will be reprising his role at Nigel Slater. The cast also includes Lizzie Muncey (Twelfth Night, National Theatre) as Mum and Stephen Ventura (The 39 Steps, West End) playing Dad. Joan will be played by Marie Lawrence (Murder in Successville, BBC3) with Jake Ferretti (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Apollo Theatre/National) as Josh.

Toast is based on Nigel Slater’s award-winning biography,which vividly recreates his childhood through the tastes and smells he shares with his mother, culminating in the young Nigel’s escape to London. From making the perfect sherry trifle, through the playground politics of sweets, the rigid rules of restaurant dining, and a domestic war over cakes, this is a moving and evocative tale of love, loss and…toast.

As a regional theatre, Lawrence Batley Theatre are at the forefront of making a difference during this cultural shift and are rising above many other organisations while continuing to adapt and bring innovative online theatre to the world at a time when the theatre industry faces ongoing struggles. For a play relying on its interactive nature through the smell of food on stage, Lawrence Batley Theatre have created new ways for audiences to feel, hear, smell, and taste(!) the memories of Nigel Slater.

Toast follows the success of Lawrence Batley Theatre’s recently-broadcast production of The Understudy which, in a bid to raise money for the theatre industry, reached audiences in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, USA, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

The cast and creative team involved in Toast will take part completely in isolation and actors will record their lines at home that will be brought to life by an exceptional sound design team including Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, Annie May Fletcher and Sophie Galpin. Toast will be directed by once again by Jonnie Riordan (Man Up, Frantic Assembly Ignition, Stratford Circus, Lattitude; Boy Magnet and White Noise, ThickSkin; and Found, The Albany).

Commenting on this timely project, Nigel Slater said: “Toast has already had a life as a book, a film and a stage production and I am thrilled to see it in its latest format as an animated radio play. To bring the play to such a wide audience is a brilliant idea from The Lawrence Batley Theatre and The Lowry and working with so many of the original production team and cast again has been an absolute joy.”

Henry Filloux-Bennett, writer of Toast, comments: “I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to bring ‘Toast’ back to this new virtual stage. We were completely blown away by the response the play had from audiences across the country, and we’re so excited that people who weren’t able to catch the play before now can, and that for those who enjoyed it on stage we can bring the story (and the walnut whips) back again.”

Nigel Slater’s Toast is an online play – part radio play, part animated film. You could choose to just listen to the broadcast, but you will also be able to watch it. It will be available from Wednesday 1^st – Friday 31^st July For more information, see www.thelbt.org

CITY VARIETIES MUSIC HALL CELEBRATES 155^TH BIRTHDAY DURING LOCKDOWN

The world-famous City Varieties Music Hall – and Guinness World Record holder for the longest running music hall in the UK – turns 155-years-old on Sunday 7 June 2020.

On a day that should be marked with great occasion, the doors to Leeds oldest theatre remain firmly closed as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19); it is the first time in its long and colourful history that the venue has ceased operation (other than in 2009-2011 when it underwent a £9million restoration). Now Its future is uncertain.

Regarded by many as one of the finest comedy and music venues in Britain, due to its intimate atmosphere and ‘brutally honest’ audience, The Varieties began life in 1865 as the ‘New Music Hall and Fashionable Lounge’ – a room above a pub established by business entrepreneur, Charles Thornton, for the working people of Leeds to be entertained; its affluent sister venue, Leeds Grand Theatre, was meant only for the higher classes. A popular saying at the time was: ‘wear your flat cap to The Varieties and your top hat to The Grand.’

In its early years the Varieties welcomed many weird and wonderful acts, including the world-renowned escapologist Harry Houdini, singer, comedian and actress Marie Lloyd, and Victorian music hall beauty Lily Langtree – for whom it is rumoured Prince Edward would sneak into a private box to watch and court.

Over the years, The Varieties became known for quality entertainment, attracting stars of the highest calibre. It is probably best known for hosting the BBC’s The Good Old Days from 1953 to 1983.

First broadcast on 20 July 1953, The Good Old Days recreated old-time music hall entertainment – with audiences encouraged to dress in Victorian garb. Produced by Barney Colehan, it featured Leonard Sachs as the alliterative Chairman and many well- and lesser-known performers, including Les Dawson, Barbara Windsor, Bruce Forsyth, Danny La Rue, Ken Dodd and Barry Cryer. Albeit untelevised, The Good Old Days still runs today, and the original series has recently enjoyed a re-run on BBC4.

In 2009, The Varieties benefitted from a £9million regeneration project, largely funded by Leeds City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Reopening in 2011 – Ken Dodd being the last act to perform before closure, and the first act to perform on reopening – the restoration project undertook a considerable amount of work, including demolition and reconstruction of the backstage areas, ceiling and plasterwork repairs (inspired by a 1900 design discovered during the restoration), new carpeting and seating throughout the auditorium, and the fitting of an external glass lift to greatly improve access to the building.

Today City Varieties Music Hall is renowned for hosting the very best in live music, variety, comedy and National Theatre Live and delayed screenings, as well as the hugely popular Rock ’n’ Roll Pantos that showcase the very best of live actor/musicians in a break from the traditional pantomime. Since relaunch in 2011 the Varieties has played host to John Bishop, Russell Crowe, Kerry Ellis, Boy George, Michael McIntyre, Sara Pascoe, Romesh Ranganathan, Phil Wang, Jack Whitehall, and the Queen and Prince Phillip who officially opened the refurbished venue in 2012 as part of their Jubilee tour.

The Company’s Learning Programme also provides young people with opportunities to develop new skills and gain hands on training experience using the rich resource of its heritage theatres. Be it through the school’s partnership programme (primary, secondary and colleges), Youth Theatre or holiday workshops, it offers young people a chance to voice their experience about life in Leeds and invite a fresh creative response to the city’s artistic life.

Chris Blythe, CEO, said: “The Varieties is a Leeds, if not a national institution. A hidden gem with a warm Yorkshire welcome. Contributing to the vital cultural life of the city, City Varieties Music Hall is a significant employer in the area, supporting many neighbouring bars and restaurants with a regular influx of theatregoers.

“Whilst we’re all working towards and looking forward to the day that we can reopen our doors and welcome our audiences back, we must face facts, venues like ours will be the last to open. Our income generation will be limited potentially months after other parts of the economy start to grow. The whole industry will need to take stock as investors and producers of our wonderful shows have also taken a massive hit.

“And when we do reopen (notice the emission of the word ‘if’), the future is going to be much changed. Reserves will be exhausted, and patrons will have difficult choices to make with a financial recession and their own well-being and safety to consider. We will have to continue to operate with appropriate safety measure in place – careful consideration will need to be given to both staff and patron welfare, our cleaning regime, appropriate distancing measures and potentially a period of cashless transactions. The list goes on.

“But however daunting, I am certain we have a future. We must.”

Throughout closure, The Varieties is asking patrons (if financially viable) for donations that will help support the Company throughout this financially difficult period – www.cityvarieties.co.uk.

PRODUCERS TO TRIAL RE-OPENING OF IMMERSIVE SHOWS THIS AUTUMN WITH

THE GREAT GATSBY

GATSBY’S PARTY RE-IMAGINED AS A 1920s MASQUERADE BALL

ENABLING AUDIENCES TO WEAR MASKS AND GLOVES

WITH TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND REDUCED CAPACITY

TO ENABLE SOCIAL DISTANCING

The Guild of Misrule and Immersive Everywhere’s critically acclaimed THE GREAT GATSBY, created and directed by Alexander Wright– which had previously set a record as the UK’s longest running immersive production – is planning to re-open at West End venue IMMERSIVE | LDN on THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER 2020. As with all UK theatres and productions, the show was forced to close down in March, due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent UK shutdown.

Olivier Award winning producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook have re-imagined and re-set the production as an Art Deco Masquerade Ball, with audience members wearing compulsory face coverings to complement their fabulous attire.

The capacity of the venue will be significantly reduced to help patrons – coming as individuals or in household groups – to keep a safe distance from others; and the nature of the show means that audience members can choose where they stand and move throughout the performance, naturally enabling social distancing. The show content is being altered and updated to avoid any activity that would be considered high risk, and the actors will be further trained to keep groups of audience following the story, whilst remaining at a safe distance.

Amongst other measures to ensure full compliance with government Covid-Secure guidelines, temperature checks will be undertaken for audience and staff on arrival. The venue will be deep cleaned before and after every performance, bar equipment sterilised, and hand sanitisers will be available throughout the venue.

The Producers are confident that smaller-scale immersive productions are inherently suited to social distancing measures and will be able to open safely in that time frame, complying with the expected government guidelines on mass gatherings, social distancing and good hygiene practices. The hope is that the immersive nature of THE GREAT GATSBY might enable it to be the first long running show to responsibly re-open in 2020.

The Producers are also planning for the eventuality that the show can’t proceed, or individual patrons can’t attend, and are offering a no-questions-asked exchange policy.

These Covid-Secure policies will be under continuous review and are by no means exhaustive – any additional measures recommended will be adopted as appropriate.

Tickets can be booked via www.immersivegatsby.com.

Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook said “We want to offer something for people to look forward to following this extended lockdown. Our show has several inherent features that make it safer than a trip to the supermarket, so we’re embracing that and innovating. Hopefully we can provide a blueprint for other productions to open safely and be part of the process of restoring employment and the economy of the creative industries. 

Naturally, public health is the highest priority of all, and this will be the driving force behind all of our decisions. We’re implementing a no-questions-asked exchange policy so that if circumstances change, whether in general or for any individual, our patrons will be fully protected. We would like to thank our landlord, Grosvenor Estates, and our producing partners and investors for their creativity, camaraderie and continued support”.

Jay Gatsby invites you to one of his infamous large parties. Re-imagined and re-set to meet covid-19 secure guidelines, the champagne flows and as the drama unfolds the man himself will be the perfect host. As invites go, this is the hottest in town.

A hedonistic world of red hot rhythms, bootleg liquor and pure jazz age self-indulgence awaits. Don your masquerade, dress to the nines and immerse yourself in this heart racing adaption of F Scott Fitzgerald’s seminal tale of the Roaring Twenties.

Olivier Award winning producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook, who are currently co-producing the immersive production of DOCTOR WHO TIME FRACTURE – launched a new company in 2019, IMMERSIVE EVERYWHERE, entirely dedicated to developing and staging theatre-led immersive experiences, and IMMERSIVE | LDN is the newest of their network of venues, which will house cafes, bars and rehearsal and workshop spaces to help the development of new work.

IMMERSIVE | LDN is a 32,000sq ft historic building in the heart of Mayfair, which was home to the Queen Victoria’s Rifles Association until 2017. It includes three floors of immersive theatre and event spaces designated for performance, live gaming, events, escape rooms and private parties. For information about programming and venue hire visit www.immersiveldn.com

First conceived in 2015 when director Alexander Wright and producer Brian Hook were running The Fleeting Arms – a pop arts and community pub in an abandoned building in York, the show then ran in York in 2016 with a parallel production in Sheffield, and was produced by the Guild of Misrule . The Great Gatsby first came to London as part of VAULT Festival in 2017 and sold out before the show opened. Since then the show has run in Wales in co-production with Theatr Clwyd, at Halifax’s Square Chapel, and at Castle Howard in North Yorkshire. All the while the show has played night after night at Gatsby’s Drugstore in London SE1, inviting audiences into the hedonistic world of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s extraordinary tale, and in 2018 it became the UK’s longest running immersive production.

Amie Burns Walker and Oliver Tilney are Associate Directors. Choreography is by Holly Beasley-Garrigan, design by Casey Jay Andrews, costume design by Heledd Rees, sound design by Phil Grainger and lighting design by Rachel Sampley. The original score was composed and produced by Glen Brown and Tendai Humphrey Sitima, with arrangement and additional composition by David Sims. The original production was created by Holly Beasley-Garrigan, Amie Burns Walker, Hannah Davies, Phil Grainger, Michael Lambourne, Thomas Maller and Oliver Tilney.

This new production of The Guild of Misrule’s THE GREAT GATSBY is produced by Immersive Everywhere with co-producer Gavin Kalin Productions, and with Glynis Henderson Productions, Theatr Clwyd, We Culture Connects and Damier NV as Associate Producers.

VENUE SOCIAL @ldn_immersive

SHOW SOCIAL @immersivegatsby

www.immersivegatsby.com

THEATRE COMPANY TO RAISE MONEY FOR NHS HEROES

A successful north east theatre group is producing a compilation CD of lockdown musical theatre classics to help support the National Health Service.

Darlington Operatic Society has announced plans to release a CD called “Strictly Lockdown” – comprising up to 18 musical theatre songs – with 50 per cent of the profits being donated to NHS charities.

All of the songs have been created by members singing from their spare bedrooms, under-stair cupboards, bathrooms and conservatories. The result will be more than 70 minutes of “virtual musical theatre magic”, with the CD going on sale in early July.

DOS spokesman Julian Cound said: “This is probably one of the most challenging projects the Society has faced – and that includes having to make Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fly.

“The idea of creating a compilation CD came fairly soon after the lockdown happened. It has taken many weeks of planning and organisation to get it to the stage we are at now.”

The process has involved choosing the right mix of songs, arranging backing tracks, and making sure the project meets all legal requirements.

“Getting 30 or so cast members to sing accurately when they are standing shoulder to shoulder is one thing, getting voices to match when they have been recorded completely independently from all corners of the North-East has been a huge technical challenge,” said Julian. “However, from hearing the first two tracks completed, I know we have absolutely nailed it.”

DOS had been due to stage Strictly Musicals 3 at Darlington Hippodrome Theatre from April 22 but, after months of rehearsals, the show had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the Society bounced back from the disappointment by creating a virtual choir to perform One Day More, from Les Miserables, on its Facebook page. That was followed by a virtual dance video to From Now On, taken from The Greatest Showman. Those two performances have been watched by more than 33,000 people.

As well as supporting the NHS, sales of Strictly Lockdown will also help DOS through a difficult period until it can resume staging its high quality shows at the Hippodrome.

The CD will be priced at £10 plus P&P and will be available to purchase through the DarlingtonOS website in early July.

ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY ISSUES FURTHER RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

• ALL FUTURE 2020 PLANNED PERFORMANCES POSTPONED
• AMBITION TO REOPEN ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE THIS AUTUMN  FOR RESCHEDULED 2020 SPRING PERFORMANCES

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) today (Tuesday 2 June 2020) issued a further response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Due to the continuing lockdown, alongside Government advice that social distancing will need to remain in place for some time, the Company has made the difficult decision to postpone all remaining planned performances of The Winter’s Tale and The Comedy of Errors and all other ticketed events scheduled to take place during the summer season, which was due to end on 3 October 2020. 

Planned performances in the autumn and winter have also been postponed or cancelled including:

• The Wars of The Roses Part 1 and Part 2 – postponed from autumn 2020 until autumn 2021
• The new family musical The Magician’s Elephant – postponed from winter 2020 until winter 2021
• The First Encounters with Shakespeare tour of Twelfth Night – postponed until 2021
• The RSC Barbican annual residency for 2020 – cancelled
• Matilda The Musical will remain closed in line with other West End theatres
• All other events cancelled, including RSC Summer School

The Company is currently actively exploring the possibility of re-opening the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) in the autumn with new events and re-scheduled performances of The Winter’s Tale and The Comedy of Errors.  Both productions were due to open in the RST this spring and further details will be announced over the coming months.  The ability to stage the productions in the autumn is dependent on government advice on social distancing and whether it is financially viable for the Company to open its theatres and perform to audiences.

Whilst physically closed to audiences and visitors, the Company’s extensive online performance, event and education activity continues including:

• Partnering with BBC Culture in Quarantine to bring six of the nation’s best-loved Shakespeare titles to audiences for free between now and September.
• Free educational activities and resources for any young person in the country including #RSCHomeworkHelp and a partnership with BBC Bitesize Online.
• Productions to view on Marquee TV, the on-demand streaming service for arts and culture and through BritBox.

More information can be found at https://www.rsc.org.uk/at-home-with-shakespeare

Gregory Doran, RSC Artistic Director and Catherine Mallyon, RSC Executive Director, said:

“These are the most difficult times for all theatres and arts venues, whether big or small.  It is incredibly sad to see our theatres and those of our partner theatres around the country closed at this time.  We continue to do everything we can to bring them back to life as soon as possible, so we can welcome back our audiences to share the experience of live theatre with them.  We can only do this when it is safe and when social distancing restrictions are lifted, making it financially viable for us to do so. Alongside our colleagues across the industry, we can and want to play a crucial role in the recovery of the country.

“We have had to terminate contracts and furlough 90% of employees, and we continue to explore every possibility to secure income from government schemes.  We are grateful for the government support to date and for the continuing generosity of our donors and audiences, and we are asking people to consider donating to give us the best possible chance of reopening. To secure the future of the RSC for everyone we need financial support until we can start earning our own income again as our reserves will not last indefinitely.

“We’re in the process of rescheduling our 2020 Winter Season, moving it from this year to 2021, whilst hoping there may be a possibility of reopening this autumn in Stratford-upon-Avon in some form.  This would ideally be with our delayed summer schedule.  Sadly, moving our Summer Season means we have had to take the difficult decision to cancel our Barbican residency this autumn. We are sorry to be unable to share our work with London audiences in 2020 and look forward to returning to the Barbican with some exciting plans for our season there in 2021.

“Since we closed our doors, we have received support through messages and donations from the public, our audiences and supporters. We thank everybody for those messages of support. We are also grateful for the commitment and understanding of our staff, most of whom cannot be at work now.  The hunger for the arts during the crisis is there for all to see.  Theatre and the arts give strength to people in difficult times, they lift the spirits and bring a sense of community, which is desperately needed right now.  We are determined to be back with live performances, and we are looking forward to when that time comes.”

Ticket buyers will be contacted directly by RSC Box Office staff in performance date order rotation to discuss their donation, (to Keep Your RSC), refund and exchange options.  Customers will be contacted no later than during the week they were due to visit and are asked to not contact the Box Office at this time.

BUCKLE UP AS THE UK’S LEADING OPEN-AIR CINEMA LAUNCHES A NEW DRIVE-IN SEASON FOR SUMMER 2020 – TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The Luna Cinema announces a brand-new season today, offering film fans the opportunity to watch new and classic movies in a nostalgic, socially distanced, drive-in setting.  With remote order and delivery of food and drink, and state-of-the-art sound and visuals, using the UK’s highest definition outdoor screens and a brand-new in car digital sound solution, it promises to be the ultimate drive-in cinema experience. 

Over the past 12 years, The Luna Cinema has established itself as the market leader in the UK’s open air and pop up cinema industry.  Now, in the era of social distancing, the company announces an exciting new venture, The Luna Drive-In Cinema launching this summer at sites across the country, including Warwick Castle, Blenheim Palace, the Allianz Park stadium in London and Knebworth House, with more venues to be added soon. Fusing the nostalgia of classic American drive-in with up to date films and state-of-the-art sound and visuals, for those itching to return to the cinema this summer after months of home movie nights in, it’s the perfect way to return to the big screen in a safe and socially distanced way. 

Kicking off this July, venues will hold between 150 and 500 cars per screening and will utilise both the highest definition outdoor LED screens and Luna’s traditional digital projection cinema solution across the various sites.  Allianz Park and Warwick Castle will present two screenings each night from Monday to Thursdays. On Fridays and at the weekends, there will be three screenings starting in the afternoon with a film for all ages, followed by evening showings against the backdrop of the setting summer sun. Knebworth House and Blenheim Palace will host a single screening each evening, 7 nights a week. It’s the perfect night out for those dreaming of a bit of lockdown escapism! 

Bringing drive-in into the 21^st century, the Luna team has spent the last few months working to develop a bespoke sound system, the only one of its kind in the UK, that means each car has its own personal wireless speaker so viewers can hear the film in amazing cinematic quality digital sound, without any distractions. The introduction of this technology will mean there will be no need to have the car radio running and risk draining the battery. There will also be a fantastic selection of food and drink items available either as a pre-order with tickets, or ordered from the car on the night using a smart phone, with staff speedily delivering orders on roller skates and scooters!

Film fans are in for a treat with the amazing line-up of big screen hits. From award-wining new releases like Rocketman, Joker, Knives Out and the new live-action remake of Aladdin, musical favourites such as Grease and La La Land to cult classics like Pretty Woman and Dirty Dancing. There’s something for everyone to enjoy! 

George Wood, founder of The Luna Cinema, said: “Since 2008, when we first started putting on outdoor cinema events, I’ve been asked countless times ‘why not expand into drive-in screenings?’. My answer was always that they lacked the sociable, communal quality of open-air screenings, as the audience were cocooned in their cars.  We were also unsure of the quality of the sound experience when running through an FM frequency into the car radio.  Fast forward to the era we are currently living in, when social distancing is the “new normal”, and drive in with its immediate separation from other audience goers, is the perfect solution to get people back to the big screen! Not only that but we are confident we have cracked the sound with an incredible in car wireless solution.  We’ve managed to make every aspect of the event fully compliant with social distancing regulations, from the way they tickets are scanned through to the provision of food and drink, audiences can attend our drive in screenings with confidence, and return to one of the things we’ve all been missing most in lockdown – enjoying a great film on a giant screen under the stars. We plan to commence open air cinema screenings as soon as it is safe to do so, when the official advice allows, but in the meantime, we can’t wait to welcome audiences for a fantastic drive in cinema experience.”        

To see the full programme, book tickets and for more information visit www.lunadriveincinema.com

leo&hyde release debut EP, GUY

• 
  A pop musical inspired by Years and Years, CHVRCHES and Lewis Capaldi
• Released after 2 UK tours, GUY is equally at home on stage and on Spotify
• A beautiful gay love story, about online dating, catfishing and self-confidence

GUY is a musical about the dating lives of gay men in their 20s in modern-day Manchester. Combining electronic, pop and musical theatre, GUY is Queer As Folk meets Bridget Jones with a catfishing musical twist. GUY includes 12 heart-pounding electronic pop anthems and witty, heartfelt story about modern dating through a diverse cross-section of gay men. 

To date, GUY has toured the UK, to 22 venues, over 30 dates and audiences of thousands, including to Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, Birmingham’s Old Rep and London’s Turbine Theatre. In a review, British Theatre wrote: “leo&hyde have the ear of today and speak directly to the heart… they could be writing for the pop industry.”

leo&hyde is a multi-award-winning pop musical duo based in Manchester. Started in 2016 by Cumbrian composer Stephen Hyde and Mancunian writer Leo Mercer, they write pop songs and build electronic soundworlds to tell stories about technology and modern life. The Hollywood Reporter praised their first show, The Marriage of Kim K, as “fizzling with inspired ideas… a dazzling technical achievement”.

Barn Theatre | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Website

WEST END STARS ANNOUNCED FOR ELLIOT DAVIS VIRTUAL CONCERT

• AARON LEE LAMBERT, AIMIE ATKINSON, LUCIE JONES & JAMES BOURNE FORM PART OF THE LINE UP FOR A VIRTUAL CELEBRATION OF THE LOSERVILLE COMPOSER ELLIOT DAVIS

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

• PREVIOUS CONCERTS CELEBRATING DANIEL & LAURA CURTIS AND FINN ANDERSON ARE AVAILABLE ON THE BARN THEATRE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL

The Barn Theatre has announced that Busted and Son of Dork co-founder James Bourne will join an all-star West End line up for their third virtual concert, The Barn Theatre Presents: The Music of Elliot Davis, which will celebrate the work of Loserville composer Elliot Davis.

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

The virtual celebration will feature performances of songs from many of Elliot Davis’ musicals including the Olivier Award nominated musical Loserville, Out There and Best Friends and Butterflies.

The concert line up consists of: Olivier Award-nominee Aimie Atkinson (Six, Pretty Woman), Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Soho Cinders), Tsemaye Bob-Egbe (Tina, Beautiful), Busted and Son of Dork singer James Bourne (co-writer of Loserville and Out There), The X Factor and Eurovision star Lucie Jones (Waitress, Les Misérables), Aaron Lee Lambert (Hamilton, Sunset Boulevard), Sam Lupton (Avenue Q, Wicked), 2020 musical theatre graduate Jordan McMahon (Bard From The Barn), Jamie Muscato (Heathers, Spring Awakening), Aaron Sidwell (EastEnders, Wicked) and Jos Slovick (1917, Spring Awakening).

Busted star James Bourne is a long-time collaborator of Elliot Davis having worked together in creating the musicals Loserville, What I Go To School For – The Busted Musical and Out There.

Aaron Sidwell, who is currently co-producing and starring in the Barn Theatre’s online series Bard From The Barn, starred in the West End production and concert reunion of Davis’ musical Loserville and Luke Bayer and Jos Slovick have performed in London productions of the Stiles & Drewe musical Soho Cinders, for which Elliot Davis co-wrote the book for.

The concert, which is released on the Barn Theatre’s Facebook and YouTube channels on 6^th June 2020 at 7:30pm BST, will see Elliot Davis 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.

Elliot Davis is the fourth British musical theatre composer to be celebrated as part of the series, with previous virtual concerts celebrating the music of Welsh married award-winning composers Daniel and Laura Curtis and Scottish award-winning composer Finn Anderson, who was recently announced as The Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer from April 2020.

The Barn Presents: The Music of Daniel and Laura Curtis, featuring performances by Jon Jon Briones, Alice Fearn, Nadim Naaman, Oliver Savile and many more can be watched here: https://youtu.be/kJZVqGeazEg

The Barn Presents: The Music of Finn Anderson, featuring performances by Christina Bianco, Joanne Clifton, Matt Henry, Danielle Hope and many more can be watched here: https://youtu.be/1sVYFEyJ7Vs

The series forms part of the Barn Theatre’s Behind The Barn Door live streaming service. Set up in March, when the theatre had to temporarily close following government guidance, the service includes a full recording of the Barn Theatre’s critically-acclaimed 2019 Built by Barn production of William Shakespeare’s Henry V, directed by Hal Chambers and starring Aaron Sidwell (EastEnders, Wicked) and Lauren Samuels (Bend It Like Beckham, We Will Rock You).

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.