Author: FairyPoweredProductions

SELLADOOR WORLDWIDE ANNOUNCE ALL UK PRODUCTIONS TO POSTPONE INTO 2021 WITH AN EXTENSION OF THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THEIR 3 VENUES UNTIL NOVEMBER

Selladoor Worldwide has announced that it will suspend its 2020 touring productions – shifting the majority of shows to start in 2021. Major productions including Footloose, We Will Rock You, Madagascar the Musical, 9 to 5 the Musical and Bring It On will be postponed as a result of Covid-19.

The company who are behind productions such as Fame, Avenue Q and American Idiot – and operators of regional theatres in North Devon and Cambridgeshire, have confirmed they will temporarily close their offices during July and August to maximise government support during a period of extended inactivity.

Selladoor venues will extend the temporary closure of their venues until November with The Queen’s Theatre Barnstaple, The Landmark Ilfracombe and New Theatre Peterborough planning to reopen pre-pantomime season.

David Hutchinson CEO says “It’s with a heavy heart that we’ve taken the decision to postpone the majority of our productions into 2021 both in the UK and internationally. It’s taken our production team, creatives and partners years to put these productions together and we were so excited to share them with audiences this year. However the uncertainty on when theatres will reopen, how and when we can develop audiences for our work and clarity on best practises for touring in a Covid world – we feel the odds are against us delivering shows in 2020.”

“With over 100 members of Selladoor staff to consider across our productions and venues operation, the priority at this uncertain time is to maximise our runway for relaunch and maintain as much resilience as we can to keep people within the business. At this juncture, pausing during the summer and maximising the support available is vital in sustaining a long period of inactivity. We are currently burning through our cash reserve at a very fast rate and it’s not sustainable for our organisation who are mainly reliant on box office.

Stuart Shanks Director of Venues says ““It’s heart-breaking to have to extend the temporary closure of our theatres until the autumn, however, the safety of our audiences, colleagues and visiting companies is paramount.  Having worked with the industry sector and considered all government advice and social distancing requirements, we don’t feel we will be able to reopen until November and therefore have been forced to make this regrettable decision.”

“Theatres across the country are the lifeblood of communities, we need each other, now more than ever; and we hope that our loyal audiences will continue to support us,  We cannot wait to welcome our audiences back into our foyers, bars and auditoria just in time to enjoy a wonderful pantomime season”

Naomi James Head of Productions at Selladoor says “‘It has been a devastating decision to postpone productions further and lose almost all production activity for 2020, but given the lack of a clear roadmap to reopening theatres, it seems the most responsible way forward for our artists, creatives and patrons alike. Our worst case scenario quickly became our best case scenario and we hope that by moving everything into 2021, we give ourselves the best chance at being able to play our part in the rebuilding of our wonderful industry, when that time comes”

Selladoor has confirmed the following production postponements.

Footloose the Musical, due to open in April 2020 at Wimbledon New Theatre will now open at the earliest in Zurich Maag Music Hall November 2020 – with UK dates commencing from January 2021.

We Will Rock You, due to open in August 2020 in Cape Town Artscape Theatre, South Africa will now open in February 2021 at the Solaire Resort Manila, Philippines.

Madagascar the Musical, due to open in August 2020 at the Civic Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand will now open Autumn 2021.

Bring It On the Musical, due to open June 2020 at the Birmingham Hippodrome is planning to open Autumn 2021.

9 to 5 UK Tour, due to open May 2020 at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is planning to open Spring 2021.

CONVERSATIONS WITH…MARK CURRY LAUNCHES

IN AID OF ACTING FOR OTHERS

Conversations with…Mark Curry, a series of in-depth interviews with a variety of guests from the performing arts and entertainment industry, launches. The first two episodes featuring conversations with Bonnie Langford and Debbie McGee are available now via Acting for Others YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIUJKnx3rmPpV-gh94JonA/featured or on their website: www.actingforothers.co.uk/.

Mark speaks to a mix of guests including performers, presenters, and directors. Each conversation, taking place via zoom, is an in-depth look into the guests lives and careers, as well as finding out their thoughts and tips on getting through lockdown. Upcoming conversations include Cheryl Baker, Beverley Callard, Peter Duncan and Janet Ellis, Yvette Fielding, Rula Lenska, Susan Penhaligon, Jenny Seagrove, Petra Siniawski and Finty Williams, with further guests to be announced.

Interviews will be released via Acting for Others’ YouTube. They are free and available to all, with the opportunity for viewers to donate in support of the charity: https://www.justgiving.com.ctcafo.

Mark Curry, said today, “We are all in a very uncertain and worrying time, many colleagues in the performing arts are struggling with no idea when they will be able to work again.

“We have some amazing guests lined up, and I really hope our viewers enjoy these conversations, and that those who are able to, consider donating to Acting for Others, a wonderful charity that offers both emotional and financial help to theatre workers in need – and which, with the current crisis, need our support more than ever.”

Please find link to images here: https://we.tl/t-7BW47wAuou

SCHEDULE FOR CONVERSATIONS WITH…MARK CURRY

Available now:   In conversation with Debbie McGee about training as a classical ballet dancer, her life with Paul Daniels and her experience on Strictly Come Dancing.

Available now:   In conversation with Bonnie Langford about being a child star, her time on EastEnders and her Dancing on Ice experience.

28 May:                In conversation with Cheryl Baker about all things Eurovision.

4 June:                  In conversation with both Peter Duncan and Janet Ellis, reminiscing about their days presenting Blue Peter together in the 1980s.

11 June:               In conversation with Finty Williams about her acting career and following in the footsteps of her famous parents, Dame Judi Dench and Michael Williams.  

18 June:               In conversation with Beverley Callard who plays, Liz McDonald in Coronation Street about her life on and off the screen.

25 June:               In conversation with Petra Siniawski, Associate Director on the West End production of Wicked, about being behind the scenes of the smash-hit musical.

2 July:                   In conversation with another Corrie favourite, Rula Lenska about her role on the show.

9 July:                   In conversation with Yvette Fielding about her presenting career and ghost hunting.

16 July:                 In conversation with Susan Penhaligon talks about being a 70’s fresh, young star and how she’s kept her career continuing successfully. 

23 July:                 In conversation with Jenny Seagrove about balancing her career alongside her passion for Mane Chance, a horse sanctuary she founded. 

Mark Curry is a presenter, actor and broadcaster. His presenting credits include Blue Peter, Saturday Picture Show, Make ‘Em Laugh, Record Breakers and Junior Showtime. His theatre credits include Wicked (Apollo Victoria), Talent (Menier Chocolate Factory), Victor/Victoria, Company (Southwark Playhouse), The Woman in Black (Fortune Theatre), Ten Times Table, All Creature Great and Small, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Tons of Money, Far From the Madding Crowd, London Suite, Noises Off, Charley’s Aunt, Move Over Mrs Markham and Billy Liar (UK tours). His television credits, as an actor, include London’s Burning, Bread and Aladdin and the Forty Thieves; and for film, Bugsy Malone.

Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of needthrough the 14 member charities.

The Acting for Others charities are Actor’s Children’s Trust, Dancers’ Career Development, Denville Hall, Drury Lane Theatrical Fund, Equity Charitable Trust, Evelyn Norris Trust, SafetyCurtain formerly the International Performers’ Aid Trust, King George V Fund for Actors and Actresses, Ralph and Meriel Richardson Foundation, Dance Professionals Fund, The Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund, The Royal Theatrical Fund, Theatre Chaplaincy UK and The Theatrical Guild.

ADAM BLANSHAY PRODUCTIONS PRESENT
NEWFOUND HOPE SONGS
IN SUPPORT OF NHS CHARITIES TOGETHER

West End stars will be writing and collaborating on brand new songs during theatreland shutdown.

These Newfound Hope Songs are to be premiered at a special live gala concert in support of the NHS

Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.

Participating performers include Shan Ako, John Dagleish, Kerry Ellis, David Hunter, Cassidy Janson,

Rachel John, Lucie Jones, Josh Piterman, Joshua St. Clair, and Jodie Steele.

Theatregoers are encouraged to sign up at www.adamblanshay.com/nhsongs for more information and priority booking.  

As the world continues with social-distancing measures, and with theatreland on hiatus, many stars of the West End stage are getting creative at home and taking to social media with free clips, songs, and messages of support for fans, theatregoers, for their local communities, and in appreciation of key workers in the NHS and front-line services.

Adam Blanshay Productions are honouring this creativity by launching the initiative Newfound Hope Songs, uniting some of theatreland’s musical theatre performers and commissioning them to write and collaborate on new songs that move us, uplift us, inspire us, and entertain.

Stars already committed include Shan Ako (Les Miserables, The X Factor) John Dagleish (Olivier Award-winner for Sunny Afternoon), Kerry Ellis (We Will Rock You, Wicked, Oliver!), David Hunter (Kinky Boots, Once, Waitress), Cassidy Janson (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Leading Ladies, & Juliet), Rachel John (Hamilton, Memphis, The Bodyguard)  Lucie Jones (Waitress, Eurovision Song Contest, Les Miserables), Josh Piterman (The Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray, The Ten Tenors), Joshua St. Clair (City of Angels, Kinky Boots, Wicked), and Jodie Steele (SIX, Heathers, Rock of Ages).

These performers will premiere their Newfound Hope Songs alongside other musical-theatre classics from hit productions past and present at a very special gala concert, with West End theatre and date to be confirmed in due course.

Accompanied by a live orchestra, these brand new songs will be orchestrated and conducted by the project’s co-conceiver and musical supervisor, international composer Matthew Brind.

All proceeds from this gala concert will be split evenly between the participating artists and the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal. NHS Charities Together unites more than 230 NHS charities across the UK, providing vital funds to hospitals, mental health trusts, community health trusts and ambulance trusts in support of major capital projects, pioneering research, medical equipment and much more.

Producer, Adam Blanshay says:

“The live-entertainment world has been forced into standstill unlike any one has ever witnessed before. Despite this uncertainty and fear, we have been moved by many in the theatre community pulling together and taking to social media, offering their talent to help support the minds and souls of others and expressing their gratitude for those on the front line.

With Newfound Hope Songs we hope honour this good will, unite musical theatre talent, and inspire song-writing creativity during this time of reflection. In support of NHS Charities Together and participating performers, we are committed to staging this new work at a charity gala when theatres are able to reopen their doors, in what promises to be an uplifting and inspirational evening of fun, music, laughter and love.

My hope is that after the concert, these songs will live on to be sung far and wide by theatre fans alike, continuing to instil hope in people, and enabling people to look back at something positive that came out of the lockdown period.”

Ellie Orton, the CEO of NHS Charities Together says:

“The message of hope in this initiative is so important at the moment, we need that hope and to have events like this to look forward to. It’s fantastic that at the same time it will raise funds to support NHS staff, volunteers and patients and deliver its own bit of hope to them.”

Theatregoers are encouraged to sign up at  www.adamblanshay.com/nhsongs for more information and priority booking.

An open letter to theatre and performance makers

This is a letter to self-employed and freelance theatre and performance makers in the UK. To the actors, playwrights, directors, choreographers, stage managers, designers, stage crews and set-builders to name just a few.

We really miss being with you during this period of lockdown. Making theatre and performance is a collaborative endeavour, so we are particularly affected by having to be apart from one another right now. We’re not able to come together, in the same space, to share the experience of a live performance. We’re not able to practise and enjoy our artform in its most basic form.

It’s now looking increasingly likely that won’t be possible for months to come, and we recognise that many freelancers face real uncertainty about if and how they will be able to continue to work in theatre. 70% of people who work in theatre and performance in the UK are freelance or self-employed, and it’s for this workforce, in all its diversity and complexity, that the impact of the current situation is most acute. 

During these past weeks we have had conversations with many of you to understand your needs and the ways you have been affected. We are writing to express our support for you, and to lay out some practical steps we are taking to improve the situation based on these conversations.

As well as exploring ways of producing work with freelancers during lockdown, and using this time to develop new projects with freelancers for the future, we are also are working together to coordinate our response to the government, to articulate clearly what we can offer and what we need.

Most urgently, we are calling for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme to be extended in line with furloughing, for all self-employed workers, and in the specific case of theatre and performance workers, until theatres are able to safely reopen. We also want to see criteria removed from the scheme which are stopping legitimate and much-needed claims.

Some of you are already involved in these conversations. We welcome your voices and need to hear from more of you in the conversations to come. Your unique networks, skillsets, perspectives, and ideas are vital to the entire sector, and we need to work with you in our response to this crisis.

Each of the organisations who’ve signed this letter are committed to reaching out to their family of self-employed and freelance theatre makers; listening to how this is affecting your work and lives, and to your needs and ideas for the future.

More than that, we want to facilitate the establishment of a national task force of self-employed theatre and performance makers. The purpose of the task force is to strengthen the influence of the self-employed theatre and performance community. It would create ongoing points of connection between freelancers and organisations, and amplify the voice of the self-employed in the conversations to come. To help establish the task force, each of the organisations signing this letter will support a freelancer to join the group, ensuring they are paid for their time.

We want to offer a message of hope and solidarity. Our well-practised ability to work together, to form connections, and build relationships will help us through this. One day, hopefully soon, we will all be able to meet together, as people have done for centuries, in a shared space, for a shared experience. In the meantime, we remain committed to working for you and with you towards a sustainable future for theatre and performance.

Signed,

Access All Areas

Action for Children’s Arts

The Almeida Theatre

ArtsAdmin

The Actors Touring Company

Battersea Arts Centre

Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Boundless Theatre

Brighton Festival

Bristol Old Vic

Brixton House

The Bush Theatre

Chichester Festival Theatre

China Plate

Contact

Dance Umbrella

Derby Theatre

Eden Court Highlands

English Touring Theatre

Fio

Fuel

Gate Theatre

Graeae

HOME

Improbable

Kiln Theatre

Leeds Playhouse

Leicester Curve

The National Theatre

National Theatre of Scotland

National Theatre Wales

National Youth Theatre of Great Britain

The New Wolsey Theatre

Northern Stage

Nottingham Playhouse

One Dance UK

Paines Plough

Rose Theatre Kingston

Royal & Derngate

The Royal Court Theatre

The Royal Shakespeare Company

Sadler’s Wells

Sheffield Theatres

Spare Tyre

Talawa

Tangled Feet

The Yard

Theatre Peckham

Theatre Royal Plymouth

Tiata Fahodzi

Yellow Earth

1927

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2021 AT DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

Darlington Hippodrome presents a stellar line-up for 2021

Following the festive family pantomime, Cinderella, which runs up to Sunday 3 January, the year kicks off with a bang as Steve Steinman brings his fuel-injected stage show Anything For Love to Darlington celebrating the music of Meatloaf (Mon 18 January). The show will feature Lorraine Crosby, the original vocalist on the hit duet ‘I ‘d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)’.

The Birmingham Stage Company, the company behind Billionaire Boy and Awful Auntie, returns to Darlington between Thu 25 and Sun 28 February with a four day run of their stage adaptation of the David Walliams children’s classic Gangsta Granny.

Strictly Come Dancing favourite Giovanni Pernice will set the Hippodrome stage alight with his brand new show This Is Me (Mon 15 March). Giovanni will be joined by his cast of professional dancers and there is an opportunity to book a VIP pre-show meet and greet on the night! If you prefer your entertainment to be a little more sedate but no less entertaining then enjoy The Good Old Days of Variety (Tue 16 March) as headline guests The Dreamers are joined by comedy legend Duggie Brown and Victoria Jones with her amazing tribute to Cilla Black.

Featuring a star-studded cast from stage and screen, By The Waters of Liverpool is a new stage adaptation of Helen Forrester’s million-selling book. Sian Reeves and Mark Moraghan head the cast in this passionate and emotional story of life and love during World War Two.

April and May bring a selection of shows for one night only including tribute to Tina Turner What’s Love Got To Do With It (Tue 6 April), One Night at the VE Day Proms (Tue 4 May) and an evening with Sir Ranulph Fiennes (Wednesday 5 May) talking about his life from schoolboy to the world’s greatest living explorer. Kate Rusby brings her exquisite folk vocals to Darlington (Thu 6 May) alongside her four piece band and the Vortice Dance Company from Portugal present their contemporary take on the classic horror novel Dracula (Mon 17 May). Music lovers have a treat in store with Walk Right Back – the story of the Everly Brothers (Tue 18 May), The Magic of Motown (Thu 20 May), Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra (Fri 21 May) and Seven Drunken Nights celebrating the music of The Dubliners (Sat 22 May).

Families will love The Tiger Who Came To Tea (Thu 3 to Sat 5 June). This stage adaptation of Judith Kerr’s enchanting story comes direct form the West End and celebrates ten years on stage. For a night of comedy there’s none finer than Jason Manford who brings his one man show, Like Me, to Darlington (Sat 31 July) as part of his UK tour. Lovers of musical theatre will be spoilt for choice as Jonathan Andell and Jai McDowall bring their show Les Musicals to the Hippodrome with songs from the likes of Wicked, Miss Saigon, Chess and of course Les Misérables.

Looking further ahead, we welcome 2022 with the fab-u-luss musical Strictly Ballroom (Mon 3 to Sat 8 January 2022) based on the award-winning film, directed by Craig Revel Horwood and starring Kevin Clifton.

Councillor Andy Keir, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for local services said “We’ve got an exciting programme planned for 2021 at Darlington Hippodrome with high quality shows throughout the year. Live theatre in the town will be stronger than ever.”

Tickets are already on-sale for the 2021 season; book early to secure the best seats by calling the box office on 01325 405405 or visiting www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk – and make sure to sign up to our mailing list or follow us on social media to be the first to hear about what else is in store for 2021.

SCHOOL OF ROCK – THE MUSICAL

UK TOUR 2021

CALLING ALL TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

*THE BAND NEEDS YOU!*

ONLINE AUDITIONS FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE CAST OF THE FORTHCOMING UK TOUR

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit, award-winning West End show, School of Rock – The Musical, opens the first UK Tour at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre on Saturday 13 February 2021 and is launching an online search for talented young musicians.

With mini-rockers across the country currently being taught at the school of ‘mom and dad,’ we’d love to ensure that music practice remains on the time-table and today make a call out for awesome online audition submissions.

Based on the hilarious hit movie, this new musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band – sensationally performed live by the production’s young actors every night with roof-raising energy!

While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within.

‘THE MOST ENJOYABLE FEW HOURS MONEY CAN BUY’ THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

Featuring 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and all the original songs from the movie, this high-octane smash delivers face-melting guitar riffs and touching romance in equally awesome doses.

‘A BIG HEARTED SHOW. LOUD AND CHEEKY, A FEEL-GOOD EXPERIENCE

WITH A HINT OF ANARCHIC WILDNESS’ EVENING STANDARD

The production opened at the New London Theatre (now the Gillian Lynne Theatre) in November 2016 to 5-star reviews and widespread critical acclaim. It went on to win the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music. The Broadway production recently concluded its run at the Winter Garden Theatre with a US national touring production continuing. An Australian production opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne last October.

‘A TRIUMPH FOR ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER AS THE KING OF HIT MUSICALS’ DAILY MIRROR

School of Rock – The Musical features new music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Sister Act) and a book by Julian Fellowes. It is directed by Laurence Connor (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium 2019) with choreography by JoAnn M.Hunter, set and costume designs by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick-Potter, music supervision by John Rigby with Matt Smith as musical director.

Casting for the UK Touring production is to be announced.

The UK & Ireland Tour of School of Rock – The Musical is produced by David Ian Productions.

HEADLONG AND CENTURY FILMS, present

UNPRECEDENTED

Tuesday 26th – Thursday 28th May, 10PM

BBC Four / BBC iPlayer

• FOURTEEN PLAYWRIGHTS, ELEVEN DIRECTORS AND A CAST OF OVER 50 ACTORS – UNPRECEDENTED IS A MAJOR NEW PROJECT FROM HEADLONG AND CENTURY FILMS RESPONDING TO THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

• FEATURING WORLD PREMIERES FROM APRIL DE ANGELIS, JOSH AZOUZ, DEBORAH BRUCE, JOHN DONNELLY, JAMES GRAHAM, MATILDA IBINI, CHARLENE JAMES, JASMINE LEE-JONES, DUNCAN MACMILLAN, ANNA MALONEY, NATHANIEL MARTELLO-WHITE, CHLOE MOSS, TIM PRICE, PRASANNA PUWANARAJAH

• GEMMA ARTERTON, ARTHUR DARVILL, SAOIRSE-MONICA JACKSON, LENNIE JAMES, PATERSON JOSEPH, RORY KINNEAR, ALEX LAWTHER, KATHERINE PARKINSON, ALISON STEADMAN AND MEERA SYAL ARE AMONG THE CAST

• UNPRECEDENTED WILL BROADCAST ON BBC FOUR FROM 26 May – 28 MAY AND WILL BE AVAILABLE ON BBC IPLAYER AS PART OF BBC ARTS’ CULTURE IN QUARANTINE INITIATIVE

Olivier Award winning Headlong and BAFTA award winning Century Films present Unprecedented, an intimate response to the radical way our world changed when lockdown was announced on 23 March 2020. With theatres going dark, and much of the world entering a state of isolation, Headlong and Century Films set out to explore how theatre can be made during, and about, the Covid-19 pandemic.

Written by a diverse range of celebrated playwrights and performed by over 50 of the UK’s finest actors, Unprecedented gives insight into this novel, communal experience and the changes our society has undergone.

One week before the lockdown was announced, some of the UK’s most celebrated playwrights were commissioned to write 14 stories. They meditate on community and connection, focusing on the lives of couples, NHS workers, families and teenagers. Stories of love, triumph, uncertainty and humour. They ask the question of how education, work, relationships, culture, and capitalism have been changed, are changing on an hourly basis, and explore how people still manage to find the humour and humanity in their situation – despite or because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Produced by Headlong and Century Films, Unprecedented was conceived, written, filmed and produced in lockdown. Rehearsals took place over Zoom; props, costumes, lighting and set were sourced or made by the cast themselves, and the series was shot in homes across the country using digital conferencing technology.

Eleven of the digital plays will be broadcast on BBC Four across three nights with all fourteen available to stream on BBC iPlayer as part of BBC Arts’ Culture in Quarantine initiative.

The series includes:

Viral by James Graham

Directed by Ola Ince

Starring: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Laurie Kynaston,  Archie Madekwe, and Stuart Thompson

“I’d never even heard of ‘Zoom’ until two days ago”

After schools shut, and A Levels are postponed, three teenagers use lockdown to come up with the next big viral craze.

Penny by Charlene James

Directed by Holly Race Roughan

Starring: Lennie James

“If one more person talks to me about social distancing – don’t you know that’s my life?”

Ray has been moved into a hotel for the foreseeable future, yet he knows that survival is a lot more complicated than having a roof over your head.

Going Forward by John Donnelly

Directed by Blanche McIntyre

Starring; Paul Chahidi, Frances Grey, Lisa Kerr, Enyi Okoronkwo, Boadicea Ricketts, Sid Sagar, Gyuri Sarossy, Kiruna Stamell, Amy Trigg, Dickon Tyrrell, Gabby Wong and Sargon Yelda.

“Sorry, Alastair, if we all just start shouting things out, it’ll be absolute chaos”

When team meetings move online, an under-pressure team leader takes drastic measures to make sure targets are met.

Romantic Distancing by Tim Price

Directed by Jeremy Herrin

Starring: Inès De Clercq and Arthur Darvill.

“It’s just a shit time to be starting something new with someone. What do you think?”

Love in the time of coronavirus: can technology bridge the emotional gap as well as the geographical?

Safer at Home by Anna Maloney

Directed by Brian Hill

Starring: Gemma Arterton, Geraldine James and Rory Keenan.

“He’s making a fuss of you, I hope?”

As families and couples are forced into isolation, we see Mike taking pride in looking after his pregnant partner, Ellie. Mike’s mother, Betsy, is delighted, she’s extremely fond of Ellie; but she starts to see things about their relationship that unsettle her.

House Party by April De Angelis

Directed by Holly Race Roughan

Starring; Patricia Allison, Risteárd Cooper, Gabriel Harland, Cecilia Noble, James Norton, Rhashan Stone, Meera Syal, Olivia Williams and Fenella Woolgar.

“Bloody virus. Now we have to interact with the neighbours”

A street in South London get together on ‘Houseparty’ for a virtual drinking session in the first week of isolation, but not everyone is in the mood for a party…

Grounded by Duncan Macmillan

Directed by Jeremy Herrin

Starring: Michael Elwyn, Arlo Dollimore, Katherine Parkinson and Alison Steadman.

“We’re not teenagers. We’re not grounded.”

Liz is stressed by her parents’ cavalier attitude to the virus. Their age and health conditions put them heavily at risk. However, when overcome by the stress of her work, Liz is the one who needs looking after.

Fear Fatigue by Prasanna Puwanarajah

Directed by Brian Hill

Starring: Esh Alladi, Natalie Dew, Paterson Joseph, Rory Kinnear, Jodie McNee and Anna Madeley.

“A lot has happened in the past week that… I never thought I’d see.”

Based on conversations with NHS workers in March 2020, Fear Fatigue documents the feelings and fears of frontline staff in the days and weeks before the Coronavirus lockdown.

Kat and Zaccy by Deborah Bruce

Directed by Deborah Bruce

Starring: Monica Dolan and Alex Lawther.

“Everyone’s child has come home except mine!”

Zac is reluctant to come home from university during lockdown; how long can he ignore his mother’s emotional pleas for his return?

The Unexpected Expert by Matilda Ibini

Directed by Debbie Hannan

Starring: Saida Ahmed, Lucianne McEvoy and Golda Rosheuvel.

“I am still the exception – still the exception to humanity”

This crisis will have a huge impact on Roxy’s social care package. The Local Authority thanks her for her understanding, yet she feels significantly misunderstood.

The Night After by Josh Azouz

Directed by Ned Bennett

Starring: Kathryn Hunter and Marcello Magni

“The sex has improved.”

A couple in their sixties try to make contact with the outside world. Is it a distress signal? Or a message to a specific loved one? Greek Gods, a noose, and the past all threaten to overwhelm them. A touching tale of toast, taboos and toddlers. 

Central Hill by Nathaniel Martello-White

Directed by Nathaniel Martello-White

Starring: Julian Barratt, Erin Doherty and Abraham Popoola.

“Remember, this is a comedy”

Coronavirus flings a couple into a long-distance relationship. A freelance actor cannot afford to eat. Ginger and toilet paper have become the most sought-after items on the planet. A likely farce, or a horror movie waiting to happen?

Everybody’s Talkin’ by Chloe Moss

Directed by Caitlin McLeod

Starring: Denise Gough Sue Johnston, Rochenda Sandall and Rebekah Staton.

“I thought you said this would be just like being together”

Liz, Rebecca and Katherine are full of ideas for their mother: Facebook Pilates, Zoom Art Classes, FaceTime therapy… anything to help her feel connected.

Batshit by Jasmine Lee-Jones

Directed by Tinuke Craig

Starring: Kae Alexander

“and when you are gone there will be nothing

no morgue memorial memory song…

not even the vague embittered memory of what’s been”

It’s 2021. The global pandemic continues to sweep the earth. In the midst of massive loss, grief and mourning, many have searched for a party to blame – with some civilians taking justice into their own hands. As ceaseless chaos sweeps the earth, shit is well and truly about to hit the fan…”

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BARN THEATRE TO RELEASE BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE EPISODES OF CHILDREN’S SHOW

• THE BARN THEATRE WILL BE RELEASING BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF THEIR WEEKLY CHILDREN’S SHOW TWEEDY’S LOST & FOUND

• GUESTS SO FAR HAVE INCLUDED HELENA BONHAM CARTER, HUGH BONNEVILLE, REECE SHEARSMITH, DAISY MAY COOPER AND JACQUELINE JOSSA

The Barn Theatre have announced today that they will be releasing British Sign Language versions of their weekly live streamed children’s show, Tweedy’s Lost & Found.

In keeping with the theatre’s ethos of producing “Theatre For All”, the theatre has worked in collaboration the Gloucestershire Deaf Association (GDA) to produce BSL versions of past and future episodes of the children’s series for the D/deaf community with interpreter Paul Mancini appearing on the episodes.

The first episode can be watched on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/f9CWd9fK6HQ

The children’s entertainment series, which airs on the Barn Theatre’s social media channels on Wednesdays at 12pm, follows Tweedy as he adapts to his new job at the local Lost & Found. In each episode Tweedy tries to help his special guest find an item they have lost, as well as touching on important messages surrounding the coronavirus and lockdown in a child-friendly way.  

Tweedy, real name Alan Digweed (47), started his career in his homeland of Scotland, where he grew up in Dyce, Aberdeen and attended youth theatre at Haddo House Hall, which is also where he made his professional debut in their pantomime, before rising to notoriety through his work with Giffords Circus.

The series has also included appearances from the likes of Helena Bonham Carter, Daisy May Cooper, Reece Shearsmith, Hugh Bonneville and Jacqueline Jossa withthis week’s guest star being DIY SOS star Nick Knowles.

Tweedy’s Lost & Found launched on 25^th March 2020 as part of their free live-streaming service Behind The Barn Door. New episodes air live on the Barn Theatre’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter channels every Wednesday at 12pm.

The children’s show marks the first collaboration between Tweedy the Clown and the Barn Theatre.

Since launching in 2018, the Barn Theatre has gained national recognition by producing 12 Built By Barn shows to upwards of 80,000 audience members and being awarded The Stage Awards’ Best Fringe Theatre of the Year Award 2019. Their contribution to the local community stretches further than just the theatre with large scale outreach programmes, school workshops and collaborative projects around the centenary of the First World War, the ‘record-breaking’ Cirencester Human Poppy, and The Cirencester Advent Festival that have enhanced the well-being of the community and draw thousands of visitors to the town.

The theatre has also worked extensively with disadvantaged communities working with charities including Cirencester Housing for Young People (CHYP) and Age UK Gloucestershire.

The Barn Theatre are continually expanding their slate of programmes and the full line up and updates can be found on their website and social media platforms.

The Barn Theatre (registered charity no. 1174253), which is facing a loss of £250,000 and possible permanent closure, have launched their SAVE OUR BARN via their website and social media platforms. The theatre have also released a Not Just A Theatre video campaign to highlight the initiatives that the theatre works on, alongside their theatrical productions, for the local communities.

RSC ACTORS GIVE HOMEWORK HELP TO COINCIDE WITH NATIONAL THANK A TEACHER DAY

With no set date for schools to fully reopen in the UK, thousands of young people and families are continuing to home school. The #RSCHomeworkHelp initiative has received hundreds of questions from young people studying Shakespeare in the UK and around the world.  Questions range from ‘do you have any advice for performing on Zoom?’, ‘how would you update the servants in Romeo and Juliet?’ to ‘if Julius Caesar was a radio play, how would you stage the assassination scene?’ and ‘Which sister is worse, Goneril or Regan?’

RSC Actors and alumni have been helping to answer the questions including RSC Associate Artist, David Tennant, who responded to a question about his favourite Hamlet soliloquy. Actors including David Bradley, Paapa Essiedu, Niamh Cusack, Charlotte Arrowsmith and Noma Dumezweni have offered homework help to students. The actors, who are currently unable to rehearse or perform, have volunteered to share their tips and answer questions about Shakespeare and drama studies whilst under lockdown.

See RSC Associate Artist, David Tennant’s, response HERE

See RSC Associate Artist, David Bradley’s response HERE

Due to the success of the initiative #RSCHomeworkHelp will continue into the summer term and new questions can be sent from June 1^st either by email to [email protected] or via twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #RSCHomeworkHelp. The actors will then respond to the students’ questions through a mixture of written and video responses which will all shared on the RSC website.

See further #RSChomeworkhelp Q&As HERE

FREE ACTIVITY TOOLKITS

The Company has launched a package of activity to help support young people with their learning at home including a series of Activity Toolkits help learners unlock Shakespeare.  Each one has fun, 15-minute activities that parents and young people can try themselves.

See example activity toolkits HERE

See example of actor Joseph Kloska working with the text HERE  

The Toolkits help those new to Shakespeare or young people looking for ways to extend their GCSE learning.  They are suitable for all ages to unlock the plays’ language, themes, characters and plots.

Each toolkit contains 20 fifteen-minute activities which range from watching actors in rehearsal, recreating Duncan’s murder scene or making puppets, to recording voxpops, creating storyboards, arranging fight scenes or choreographing a dance for the Capulet’s Ball in Romeo and Juliet. The first RSC Activity Toolkits are now available for free on the RSC’s website and focus on some of Shakespeare’s best-known plays, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth, plus Othello, Much Ado About Nothing and The Merchant of Venice, which are all available to see on BBC iPlayer. The RSC is working with education partner Adobe to include digital activities in the toolkits to be launched over the coming weeks.

Young people are invited to post activities completed from the toolkits online as part of the RSC’s #ShareyourShakespeare – an invitation for people everywhere to come together and celebrate Shakespeare and his plays online.

OTHER NEW INITIATIVES FROM RSC EDUCATION

The RSC is also continuing to support home-schoolers and learners in the following ways:  

• BBC Bitesize: The RSC will deliver a further week of GCSE lesson plans themed around Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet as part of the BBC’s ongoing Bitesize programme. The week starts on Monday 15 – Friday 19 June. There will be daily Shakespeare lessons for Year 10 students and special insights from RSC actors and directors about how to decode Shakespeare’s language and bring the plays to life for today’s audiences.

• Culture in Quarantine. The RSC has also teamed up with the BBC as part of its ‘Culture in Quarantine’ programme. Six RSC productions (chosen to link to the school curriculum and supported by the Activity Toolkits) are now available to view for free on iPlayer: The plays include Hamlet, Macbeth; Much Ado About Nothing; Othello; Romeo and Juliet; and The Merchant of Venice.

EXISTING RESOURCES TO SUPPORT HOME LEARNING

The RSC also has a number of existing resources that can be used to support home learning including:

• Shakespeare Learning Zone – games, videos, timelines, character, plot summaries and more help to unlock the plays rsc.org.uk/shakespeare-learning-zone
• Live Lessons: The RSC’s Live Lessons on Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet are available for you to watch and take part in at any time. There are also a number of Primary and Secondary lessons co-produced by the RSC and the BBC that can be watched at any time. Click here for more information.  
• RSC’s YouTube channel: contains a selection of educational videos including introductions to language terms such as iambic pentameter, actor-lead tutorials exploring the techniques they use to get to grips with a text and full online performances including Tim Crouch’s I, Cinna. 
• Teacher resources are free to download from the RSC website including teacher packs by play and Key Stage.
• Students and schools/colleges can also take advantage of an extended trial of Drama Online before the end of May 2020, featuring twenty-two titles from The RSC Live Collection. Home-educators can also access up to seventeen RSC productions in partnership with Digital Theatre + alongside supporting resources including backstage insights, practitioner interviews, written analysis and over 450+ productions of the world’s finest theatre.

WISE CHILDREN ANNOUNCE

THE SCHOOL FOR WISE CHILDREN’S SUMMER SPREAD

Wise Children today announce The School for Wise Children’s Summer Spread – offering a delicious array of theatrical courses delivered online by Emma Rice and her trusted team of collaborators. Guest tutors include Simon Baker, Nandi Bhebhe, Lez Brotherston, Tanika Gupta, Joel Horwood, Laura Keefe, Poppy Keeling, Nadine Lee, Vicki Mortimer, Etta Murfitt, Pravanya Pillay, Charlie Simpson and Ian Ross. Running from 15 June – 17 July, with 3 paid places and 3 free places per course.

Emma Rice, Artistic Director, said today, “After a period of mourning for our old working habits, we realised that we could just as easily create new ones! We have pooled our technical and artistic knowhow and curated a fantastic offering of bespoke courses. Not in spite of Lockdown, but because of it, we are excited and ready to take the School to a new level and explore a new platform. Like all wise children, we remain resolutely silly but also determined to be seriously smart and to keep finding new ways to share our knowledge, skill and passion. Come out and play!”

Each course will focus on a different area of theatre-making and, using a mix of group and individual sessions, will see students work closely with course leaders to develop their own ideas and practice. Each course will have at least 9 hours of contact time plus time for students to develop their own independent projects. Suitable for beginners and intermediate levels.

Adapting and Directing for Emerging Directors

15 – 26 June

Gain a unique insight into Emma Rice’s directing and writing process. Co-led by Wise Children’s Associate Director Laura Keefe.

Writing for Theatre

18 – 29 June

Join celebrated writers Tanika Gupta and Joel Horwood to explore methods for creating words for the stage.

Introduction to Designing for Theatre

22 June – 3 July

Join acclaimed designers Lez Brotherston and Vicki Mortimer to unpick the creative process of designing for the stage. 

Composing with Found Lyrics

25 June – 6 July

Join Wise Children’s Director of Music, Ian Ross, and Musical Director Nadine Lee, to explore lyrics, music and storytelling for theatre.

Sound Effects for Storytelling

29 June – 10 July

Delve into the fascinating process of creating sound effects for theatre with Olivier Award-winning Sound Designer Simon Baker and his long-time associate and operator Charlie Simpson.

Starting a Theatre Company

2 – 13 July

Discover how to get a company up and running with Wise Children’s Executive Producer Poppy Keeling, and Stomping Ground’s Pravanya Pillay.

Introduction to Movement Direction

6 – 17 July

Join Wise Children’s Movement Director Etta Murfitt and performer Nandi Bhebhe to explore movement making for the theatre.

A place per digital course costs £135 and includes membership of the Wise Children Club, with 50% of places per course available free to UK residents receiving means-tested benefits or otherwise in need of financial support.

For more information or to apply please visit: https://www.wisechildrendigital.com/summer-school-home