Author: FairyPoweredProductions

WISE CHILDREN ANNOUNCE FIRST VIDEO LIVE STREAM EDITION OF ITS PODCAST SERIES – WISE CHILDREN’S DETENTION

Wise Children today announce they will be presenting the first video live stream edition of their long-running podcast series, Wise Children’s Detention. Emma Rice will host direct from her home office sharing exclusive rehearsal footage and clips of Malory Towers, Romantics Anonymous and Wise Children. The live stream will take place via Twitch on Thursday 9 April at 4pm: https://www.twitch.tv/wisechildren

Emma Rice said today, “I’ve never postponed a show before – and it all feels mighty strange! Suddenly, I don’t get to see the companies I love, or fizz with the audiences we’ve all worked so hard for. It feels there is a build up of humanity; an overflow looking for new ways to communicate. Well, we’ve re directed our overflow and found a reason to get together online! This live streamed version of our podcast series is a much needed opportunity to celebrate the brilliant people who’ve worked with Wise Children over the past two years, and come together in our new virtual ponds!”

The stream will be available to catch up with on Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/wisechildren.

Previous episodes of the Wise Children podcast are available here: www.wisechild.podbean.com.

Wise Children

Created and led by Emma Rice, Wise Children launched in April 2018 and is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. Based in Bristol, they make ground-breaking work with exceptional artists, and tour it across the world. Alongside shows, Wise Children run a unique professional development programme, The School for Wise Children, training a new and more diverse generation of theatre practitioners.

Website:              www.wisechildren.co.uk

Twitter:                @Wise_Children

Instagram:           @Wise_Children

Facebook:           @WiseChildrenCompany 

Creation Theatre and Big Telly Theatre Company presents

The Tempest,

Live, Interactive and In Your Living Room

Adapted and directed by Zoe Seaton

11– 13 Apr 2020

“BE NOT AFEARD; THE ISLE IS FULL OF NOISES”

Join Creation Theatre, Big Telly Theatre and a cast of nine actors over the Easter Bank Holiday and be the first to experience a new innovative, interactive, anarchic response to making theatre under lock down.

Your computer screen is now your very own portal to Prospero’s Island. You’ll be transported via Zoom from your living rooms to help Ariel’s spirit be freed, plot with Trinculo and Caliban, experience Miranda and Ferdinand falling in love and see Prospero enact his revenge. This will certainly not be your traditional Shakespeare. In association with Big Telly Theatre Company (A Midsummer Nights Dream), The Tempest will push the boundaries of this brave new world we find ourselves in and embrace our new digital stage with gusto

In true Creation Theatre style this performance takes the spirit of adventure to the next level, with the essence of all that makes this site-responsive theatre company’s work unique

at its heart. Adapted by Big Telly’s Artisitc Director Zoe Seaton (THE LYRIC THEATRE, HULL TRUCK THEATRE COMPANY, TINDERBOX THEATRE COMPANY). The set and costumes have been designed by Ryan Dawson Laight (CHICHESTER THEATRE FESTIVAL, GARY CLARKE COMPANY, DENADA DANCE THEATRE, V&A).

Lucy Askew, Creation Theatre’s Chief Executive comments: “We’re really excited to be trialing this brand-new idea. This piece of work has been made in isolation for people in isolation, and we hope that it truly opens up a whole other theatrical world that we can all experience and participate in from our living rooms. The production is quite ambitious and features a wonderful nine-strong cast and incorporates pre-filmed scenes, virtual backgrounds and projections. By purchasing a ticket, audiences will be helping to keep professional actors and creatives in paid work and also playing an integral part in the development of new ways we can continue to entertain and be entertained. I do hope everyone enjoys the ride.”

Prior to The Tempest Live, Creation Theatre staged The Time Machine At The London Library which sadly closed before the end of its 5 week run due to government guidelines following the outbreak of Covid 19. Other previous notable Creation productions have included Pictures of Dorian Gray, co-produced with Jermyn Street Theatre and performed in Blackwell’s Bookshop in Oxford 2019). Don Quixote (Adapted and Directed by Jonathan Holloway) staged in Oxford’s 250 year-old Covered Market. Dracula 2019 at The London Library and Midsummer Night’s Dream – OFFIE Finalist 2017 at Omnibus Theatre.

Artistic Team

Director: Zoe Seaton

Designer: Ryan Dawson Laight

Stage Manager: Sinead Owens

Production Manager: Giles Stoakley

Cast

Al Barclay – Alonso

Ryan Duncan – Ferdinand

Madeleine MacMahon – Sebastian

Itxaso Moreno – Ariel

Giles Stoakley – Antonio

Rhodri Lewis – Trinculo

Simon Spencer-Hyde – Prospero

Annabelle Terry – Miranda

Paul (P.K.) Taylor – Caliban

LISTINGS

Ticket price: Upt to 2 people £20, Household ticket £30.

Sat 11 Apr – Mon 13 Apr, 3pm and 7.30pm. Six performances in total.

Running Time: 1 hr Box Office 01865 766266 or online at www.creationtheatre.co.uk

PRESS RELEASE STATEMENT FROM GUILDFORD FRINGE FESTIVAL (As of 6 April, 2020)Guildford Fringe Festival was set up in 2013 and is now Guildford’s largest, independent arts festival. We are a multi-arts festival which runs every July. Due to Covid-19 Guildford Fringe Festival 2020 has, sadly, been cancelled.

The two main months of artistic output and financial income at Guildford Fringe are July (Guildford Fringe Festival) and December (Guildford’s Adult Panto). Losing one of these months is incredibly terrifying for us and puts us in a position of uncertainty.

Guildford Fringe is a very small business, run by two full-time employees, Nick Wyschna and Charlotte Bateup. It is far more than a full time job. In all honestly it’s a pleasure to be part of the community and to add to Guildford’s cultural scene but we cannot do this without money. Ticket sales are the bulk of our income and without events there will be zero income. 

We have set up a Crowdfunder campaign: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/guildford-fringe-festival. Any money raised will go directly back into Guildford Fringe Festival and ensure that we have a festival in 2021. 

YouTube announcement (Nick Wyschna): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbqc8b-qA5Y&feature=emb_logo

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE SHOW MUST GO ONLINE LIVESTREAM OF HENRY VI PART II

The Show Must Go Online today announce the full cast for their upcoming livestreamed reading of William Shakespeare’s Henry VI Part II. Rob Myles directs Jack Baldwin (Duke of Suffolk), Lynsey Beauchamp (Duke of Gloucester), Will Block (King Henry VI), Alix Dunmore (Earl of Warwick), David Ellis (Cardinal Beauford), Lynn Favin (Queen Margaret), Seeta Indrani (Duchess Eleanor of Gloucester), Christopher Marino (Earl of Salisbury), Lachlan McCall (Duke of Buckingham), Wendy Morgan (Richard Plantagenet), Ahd Tamimi (Duke of Somerset), and Doireann May White (Jack Cade). The ensemble consists of Candice Handy, Sulin Hasso, Robert Lightfoot, Benjamin McFadden, Patrick McHugh, Ally Poole, and Lesley Wilcox, with Louise Amos and John Defilippo as Swings.

The livestreamed reading of Henry VI Part II can be watched live on Wednesday 8 April at 7pm here. Previous readings of The Two Gentleman of Verona, The Taming of the Shrew, and Henry VI Part I are also available here.

The series of livestreamed readings aims to bring actors and audiences together to collectively enjoy and experience Shakespeare at a time when connecting in a traditional theatre space isn’t possible.

For updates on the shows, to take part, or to donate to an opt-in hardship fund for the actors who take part, visit: https://robmyles.co.uk/theshowmustgoonline

Members of the cast have previously performed for the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Shitfaced Shakespeare, Reduced Shakespeare Company, Les Enfants Terribles, Shotgun Carousel, and Mischief Theatre. For more information about the actors involved in this week’s reading, please see here.

#ShowMustGoOnline

#ConnectedAndCreative

FULL SCHEDULE

All performances will be streamed live from 7pm BST on Wednesdays.

08 April 2020	Henry VI, Part 2 (1591)
15 April 2020	Henry VI, Part 3 (1591)
22 April 2020	Titus Andronicus (1591–1592)
29 April 2020	Richard III (1592–1593)
06 May 2020	The Comedy of Errors (1594)
13 May 2020	Love’s Labour’s Lost (1594–1595)
20 May 2020	“Love’s Labour’s Won”
27 May 2020	Richard II (1595)
03 June 2020	Romeo and Juliet (1595)
10 June 2020	A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595)
17 June 2020	King John (1596)
24 June 2020	The Merchant of Venice (1596–1597)
01 July 2020	Henry IV, Part 1 (1596–1597)
08 July 2020	The Merry Wives of Windsor (1597)
15 July 2020	Henry IV, Part 2 (1597–1598)
22 July 2020	Much Ado About Nothing (1598–1599)
29 July 2020	Henry V (1599)
05 August 2020	Julius Caesar (1599)
12 August 2020	As You Like It (1599–1600)
19 August 2020	Hamlet (1599–1601)
26 August 2020	Twelfth Night (1601)
02 September 2020	Troilus and Cressida (1600–1602)
09 September 2020	Measure for Measure (1603–1604)
16 September 2020	Othello (1603–1604)
23 September 2020	All’s Well That Ends Well (1604–1605)
30 September 2020	King Lear (1605–1606)
07 October 2020	Timon of Athens (1605–1606)
14 October 2020	Macbeth (1606)
21 October 2020	Antony and Cleopatra (1606)
28 October 2020	Coriolanus (1608)
04 November 2020	The Winter’s Tale (1609–1611)
11 November 2020	Cymbeline (1610)
18 November 2020	The Tempest (1610–1611)
25 November 2020	Henry VIII (1612–1613)

FLEABAG FOR CHARITY

PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE AND THE NATIONAL THEATRE BRING BACK FLEABAG LIVE TO BENEFIT COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS

AVAILABLE TO STREAM ON SOHO THEATRE ON DEMAND AND AMAZON PRIME VIDEO IN APRIL

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, DryWrite, Soho Theatre and Annapurna Theatre, in partnership with National Theatre Live in London and Amazon Prime Video, have joined together to make the critically acclaimed filmed theater production of FLEABAG available to stream to raise funds for several UK based charities that are on the front lines of combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting those affected by it. Recorded at Wyndham’s Theatre and first broadcast to cinemas by NT Live in September 2019, FLEABAG will be available to stream in the UK and Ireland first for an initial run as of today, Monday, April 6th on Soho Theatre’s On Demand streaming site: https://www.ondemand.sohotheatre.com/. Shortly thereafter, for two weeks beginning on Friday, April 10th, the performance of FLEABAG will expand to include access on Soho Theatre On Demand in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, as well as on Amazon Prime Video (US, UK), the studio partner of the award-winning television series of the same name. The production will be available for a 48-hour download for £4.00 (approximately $5.00 US). All proceeds (less taxes and processing costs) will be distributed to charities including The National Emergencies Trust (NET), NHS Charities Together and Acting For Others, as well as the newly launched FLEABAG SUPPORT FUND, which will distribute grants of £2500 to freelancers working in the UK theatre industry affected by the crisis. The organization in the US that will benefit from proceeds raised by downloading the production will be shared later this week.

Fundraising support was kickstarted at £356,000 with a substantial donation from Phoebe Waller-Bridge and further donations from TodayTix and an anonymous donor. These funds have already been distributed to NET, NHS Charities Together and the FLEABAG SUPPORT FUND. The FLEABAG SUPPORT FUND will continue to raise funds via a dedicated GoFundMe page, which can receive donations via this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fleabag-support-fund or via Instagram @FleabagforCharity.

Written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and directed by Vicky Jones, produced under their DryWrite banner by Francesca Moody, the one-woman show played to a sold-out house at Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End last summer and a sold-out house Off Broadway in New York last Spring.

Waller-Bridge said:

“I hope this filmed performance of FLEABAG can help raise money while providing a little theatrical entertainment in these isolated times. Thank you to all our partners and to the creative team who have waived their royalties from this production to raise money for such vital causes in this unbelievably challenging situation. All money raised will support the people throughout our society who are fighting for us on the frontlines and those financially

devastated by the crisis, including those in the theatre community. Thank you in advance to those who donate. Now go get into bed with Fleabag! It’s for charity! Px”

The National Emergencies Trust (NET) Coronavirus Appeal (https://nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk/) will receive 35% of each donation, supporting the most vulnerable in society. The NET will be funding local charities across the UK, including social isolation charities, food banks and others supporting individuals impacted by coronavirus.

John Herriman, Chief Executive Officer of National Emergencies Trust, said:

“We are facing an unprecedented national emergency that is causing suffering to people in so many different ways. We urgently need more money to tackle this crisis – many people are suffering, not just physically, but also economically, emotionally and socially. We are delighted to be receiving donations from this initiative. These funds will help the NET provide vital support to those who need it most as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Additionally, 35% of each donation will be sent to NHS Charities Together, which supports NHS staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients.

Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together said:

“We are so proud of our incredible NHS staff and volunteers, who are working tirelessly day and night to care for COVID-19 patients and our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones during this emergency, which also sadly includes the loss of heroic nurses and healthcare workers. For many staff, this also means difficult personal sacrifices – including staying away from their own homes and families. Our member charities are supporting NHS staff, volunteers and patients across the UK by providing food deliveries, overnight stay kits, high energy refreshments for those working long hours on wards, covering the cost of travel, parking and accommodation and volunteer expenses. NHS charities also supporting patients’ mental health through isolation with electronic communication devices so they can talk more easily to family and friends. By supporting our hard-working NHS teams we can help to ensure patients get the best possible care when they need it most.”

Acting For Others, an organization that provides financial and emotional support to theatre workers in times of need, will receive 15% of each donation. As theatres across the UK have gone dark, cinemas, galleries, museums and concert venues have closed their doors, TV shows and films have paused production, workers in the arts sector are particularly at risk of losing their earnings.

Actress/Actor Samantha Bond, Ambassador for Acting For Others said:

“Coronavirus is having a disastrous economic impact on the arts industry, and on the often precarious incomes of those working within it. Tens of thousands of theatre workers across the UK are facing the sudden loss of their job, and the very real prospect of having no work for several months. Around 290,000 people in the UK work in theatre, and 60-70% of them are freelancers. They have mortgages to pay and families to feed. This will offer a much-needed lifeline to those who are struggling to make ends meet.”

The remaining 15% of each donation will go to the FLEABAG SUPPORT FUND, distributing grants of £2500 to freelancers working in the theatre industry who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic and are in urgent financial need. Details of how to apply for a grant will be available at www.sohotheatre.com/fleabagsupportfund.

FLEABAG is produced by DryWrite, Soho Theatre and Annapurna Theatre.

FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS LAUNCHES ONLINE PRODUCTIONS STREAMED FROM CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE ON THURSDAY 9 APRIL

For the first time, Chichester Festival Theatre is to stream a selection of its archive productions online, beginning with the musical Flowers for Mrs Harris from Thursday 9 April for the Easter weekend.

Flowers for Mrs Harris will be available on CFT’s website at https://www.cft.org.uk/flowers-for-mrs-harris-broadcast for 30 days and will be free to watch.

Daniel Evans and Kathy Bourne, Artistic and Executive Directors respectively of CFT, said: ‘We are delighted that, thanks to the generous agreement of all the artists involved, we are able to make Flowers for Mrs Harris available for people to watch for free at home. Initially, this was intended to be no more than an archive recording, but we felt that the themes of kindness and compassion might bring a bit of joy to people’s lives during these very difficult conditions. While the T­­­­­­­­­heatre itself is closed, we are determined to keep working behind the scenes to bring theatre to people at home. Happy Easter from us all at CFT!’

Flowers for Mrs Harris is the story of Ada Harris, a char-lady in post-war London whose drab life of dusting and scrubbing is transformed when she glimpses a Christian Dior dress in one of her client’s wardrobes and sets her heart on going to Paris to buy one for herself.

The 2018 Chichester Festival production is directed by Daniel Evans, with a cast led by Clare Burt (who won a UK Theatre Award for her performance), Joanna Riding and Gary Wilmot.

With a book by Rachel Wagstaff and music and lyrics by Richard Taylor, Flowers for Mrs Harris captures the glowing humanity of the novella by Paul Gallico on which it is based. The production began at the Crucible Theatre Sheffield, where it won three UK Theatre Awards including Best Musical.

Clare Burt’s extensive musical theatre work includes This Is My Family at Chichester, London Road (National Theatre) and Miss Littlewood (RSC). Joanna Riding is a double Olivier Award-winner for Best Actress in a Musical, whose recent work includes the National Theatre’s Follies. Gary Wilmot made his Chichester Festival debut in this show; his many West End credits include Dick Whittington, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Pajama Game.

Also in the cast are Claire Machin, Louis Maskell, Mark Meadows, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Nicola Sloane, Luke Latchman and Rhona McGregor, and a company of ‘Dior models’ largely drawn from Chichester Festival Youth Theatre.

The production is designed by Lez Brotherston, with musical supervision and musical direction by Tom Brady, orchestrations by Richard Taylor, lighting by Mark Henderson, sound by Mike Walker, movement by Naomi Said and casting by Charlotte Sutton. The production was sponsored by Conquest Bespoke Furniture and Oldham Seals Group. It is presented in association with Vicky Graham, Joseph Smith and Bob Bartner.

Flowers for Mrs Harris will be streamed from 1pm on Thursday 9 April and available to watch online until Friday 8 May at https://www.cft.org.uk/flowers-for-mrs-harris-broadcast

Donations to CFT’s Keep Connected appeal would be welcome. A digital programme is available to buy an­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­d read online.

Details of future broadcasts will be announced shortly.

The following statement has been issued today (Monday April 6th) by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) on behalf of the major commercial West End theatre operators and the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR), to provide clear information for customers with regards to their theatre bookings and help ease the unprecedented strain on box offices and ticket agents in light of the Covid 19 pandemic.

We are now cancelling all performances up until and including 31 May 2020 to help us process existing bookings whilst we wait for further clarity from the government in terms of when we will be able to reopen.

We are so sorry that in these testing and difficult times you are not able to enjoy the show you have booked for and hope the following helps clarify next steps in respect of your tickets .

There is nothing that you need to do if your performance has been cancelled, but we do ask for your patience.

If you have booked directly with the theatre or show website for an affected performance, please be assured that they will contact you directly to arrange an exchange for a later date, a credit note/voucher or a refund. If you have booked via a ticket agent they will also be in contact with you directly.

Theatre box office and ticket agents teams are continuing to work through the very high number of ticket orders affected by the cancellations. An average of 300,000 people a week attend West End theatres, so this a huge task. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that all our teams are now working remotely in response to government restrictions, many with reduced numbers of staff due to the virus, and this will be adding to the time it will take us to process your order.

We are processing in strict date order of performance, so you are likely to be contacted after the date you were due to go to the theatre. However, we want to reassure you that you will be contacted, and your order will be processed, but please do bear with us.

We’d like to thank everyone who has been patient and kind in dealing with their ticket providers so far and we are sorry that we cannot process your order as quickly as we would like.

Please do not contact your credit card company as that will slow the process down and put an additional burden on our box office and ticket agent teams.

In order for us to serve our audiences the best we can, please do not get in touch with your point of sale if you have booked for performances after 31 May. Please be reassured that if we have to cancel future performances you will be directly contacted by your theatre or ticket provider. Our producers continue to plan for all eventualities dependent on the individual needs of their shows and we will provide further updates on specific shows as and when they become available.

We look forward to welcoming you back into our theatres as soon as we are allowed to resume performances. In the meantime stay safe and healthy.

King’s Head Theatre Online

Apr 6th – Apr 10th

For free, every weekday at 1pm for 30 minutes, the King’s Head Theatre will be streaming a different window into the theatre accessible to everybody: our entire community, from artists to audiences to just Facebook followers, we can stay connected and we can develop together.

Monday a Companies Take Over: we will bring you some of our favourite artists online: this week, Emma and Aneesha from Global Origins.

Tuesday a Q&A with our staff members: this week, board member Tahmid Chowdhury on improving access in theatre.

Wednesday will be aimed at small companies where you can ‘Ask Us Anything’ – this week, featuring producer Darren Murphy, focusing on transferring shows from the Fringe to the West End.

Thursday will be a Skills Session with a leading industry professional: this week, classical music and opera photographer Nick Rutter.

Friday we’re taking off for the Bank Holiday – although we encourage everyone to stay indoors! 

You can find these on our Facebook and Instagram.

DR DAWN HARPER LAUNCHES LIVE CLINIC SHOW WITH THE BARN THEATRE

• DR DAWN HARPER IS LAUNCHING A WEEKLY LIVE DIGITAL CLINIC SHOW STREAMED FROM THE BARN THEATRE’S SOCIAL ACCOUNTS

• FOLLOWING TEMPORARY CLOSURE, THE BARN THEATRE’S WARDROBE DEPARTMENT ARE HAND-MAKING SCRUBS FOR LOCAL NHS SURGERIES

TV medic and Embarrassing Bodies star Dr Dawn Harper and the Barn Theatre in Cirencester have announced a weekly live streamed digital series, Live From The Clinic with Dr Dawn Harper.

Each week Dr Dawn Harper will answer any medical questions the public may have, and specifically questions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The series will air live on the Barn Theatre’s social media accounts every Monday at 3pm, with the first episode going live on 6 April 2020.

Dr Dawn, who was recently announced as a Barn Theatre ambassador, said of the series, “I’m really excited to be joining up with the Barn Theatre to offer a live clinic as part of Behind The Barn Door on Mondays at 3pm. I’m looking forward to taking questions from the public and hopefully allaying fears and taking some pressure off NHS services.”

Live From The Clinic with Dr Dawn Harper forms part of the Barn Theatre’s free live-streaming service Behind The Barn Door. The series joins British record holder Kenton Cool’s mountaineering show, Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool, Giffords Circus’ Tweedy the Clown’s children’s entertainment show, Tweedy’s Lost & Found, as well as weekly live Q&As with Cotswold District Council leader Joe Harris and local MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.

The streaming service airs live on the Barn Theatre’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter channels. Questions for future episodes of Live From The Clinic with Dr Dawn Harper can be sent to [email protected]

The Barn Theatre’s wardrobe department are also doing their part in supporting those on the front line as they have started creating scrubs for local NHS surgeries.

The initiative started when wardrobe supervisor Denise Cleal noticed a plea in the Facebook group Cheltenham and Cirencester Scrubbers – For The Love Of Scrubs NHS, an appeal highlighting the lack of scrubs in local surgeries and hospitals all over the country. Upon seeing this, Denise and wardrobe assistant Bridget Griffiths, decided that whilst the theatre was temporarily closed they would set to work hand-making scrubs for local surgeries and help support the front line.

Denise said “I’m the wardrobe supervisor at the Barn Theatre, and as my work there has ceased for the time being, I have time on my hands. When I saw the appeal to make scrubs for the NHS I jumped at the chance to help. This is extremely important to me as my daughter works for NHS Scotland and several other close family members are also working on the front line for NHS England. In a small way I feel I can support them by doing what I love most – sewing, and am grateful to be able to help.”

Bridget said “in these strange times it’s easy to feel powerless but so grateful to those working on the front line. So I am happy to be able to use my own skills to help in some small way.”

Dr Dawn Harper has shown her support for the department saying “We are running short of scrubs on the frontline. I’m so proud of the wardrobe department at the Barn Theatre for stepping up and offering their services to make scrubs for local surgeries. Giving back is what the Barn do best. Thank you”

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 (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

A BRAND NEW ONLINE RADIO PLAY RAISING FUNDS FOR THE THEATRE INDUSTRY

BROADCASTING ON WEDNESDAYS 20^TH MAY AND 27^TH MAY

Produced by the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield:

THE UNDERSTUDY

By Henry Filloux-Bennett, based on the best-selling novel by David Nicholls

   

STARRING

Stephen Fry, Mina Anwar, Layton Williams, Emily Atack, Russell Tovey, Sheila Atim MBE, Sarah Hadland & more

The Understudy is a brand new radio play that will be broadcast in two parts on Wednesday 20^th May and Wednesday 27^th May to raise funds for the theatre industry which is facing a devastating impact from the Covid-19 health crisis. The Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield will split proceeds of this project with charities including the Theatre Development Trust (SOLT and UK Theatre), Acting for Others and Equity Charitable Trust.

Coming together at a time that matters the most, the stellar line-up of actors currently confirmed to perform in The Understudy includes Stephen Fry, Emily Atack, Sheila Atim, Layton Williams, Russell Tovey, Sarah Hadland, Mina Anwar and many more. The cast and creative team involved in The Understudy 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.

The public will be able to tune in to listen to The Understudy by buying a ticket, all of which will go to help individuals and organisations struggling because of Coronavirus.

Based on the novel by the best-selling author David Nicholls, The Understudy tells the story of an underdog – a failed husband, a failing father, a failing actor, and the impossible choice he’s going to have to make between stealing the show and stealing another man’s wife. Directed by Giles Croft, this is a stage adaptation written by Henry Filloux-Bennett that was originally commissioned by The Lowry. The sound, music and effects will be brought to life by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, Annie May Fletcher and Sophie Galpin.

Commenting on this timely project, Stephen Fry said: “I am just so delighted to be working on Henry Filloux-Bennett’s superb adaptation of David Nicholls’s The Understudy. I do hope lots of you will listen in and combine a good time with support for our wonderful theatre industry.”

David Nicholls comments: “I’ve always had soft spot for The Understudy and was hugely excited to see it come to life on a new online stage, and with such a great team. So much is changing, at such speed and I’m full of admiration for the way it’s now being reimagined. I can’t wait.”

A spokesperson for SOLT and UK Theatre said: “We welcome this initiative and are delighted that money raised will be donated to support theatres across the country – particularly outside London where the industry needs it most. It has never been more vital that our industry pulls together, and it is fantastic to see artists and performers using creativity and ingenuity to help support the theatre workforce through this difficult time.”

Synopsis

Actor Stephen McQueen has just landed a dream West End role. Well, that’s not quite true – he’s going to be is understudying film star (and 12^th Sexiest Man in the World) Josh Harper in the brand-new show ‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’, but still…Whilst he’s waiting for his time to shine, he reflects on his career – one that has spanned everything from (non-speaking) Rent Boy 3 in ‘The Bill’ to his recent starring role as Sammy in the (low-budget) regional tour of ‘Sammy The Squirrel’s Seriously Silly Safari’.

With this new job Stephen’s stage career may be destined for the dizzying heights, but not everything is going quite as well. Stephen’s wife left him two years ago, wondering if he’d ever grow up; his daughter wonders when he’ll get an actual job; worst of all, he’s starting to fall for the leading man’s wife.

Part 1 of The Understudy will be released on Wednesday 20^th May and Part 2 of The Understudy will be released on Wednesday 27^th May. For more information, see www.understudyplay.com