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

The Show Must Go Online today announce the full cast for their upcoming livestreamed reading of William Shakespeare’s Henry VI Part III. Rob Myles directs Lois Abdelmalek (George, Duke of Clarence), Hector Bateman-Harden (Edward, Prince of Wales), Emily Beach (Lady Grey, Queen Elizabeth), Lukas Brasherfons (Marquess Montague), Ashley Byam (Richard, Duke of Gloucester), Allie Croker (Earl of Warwick), Alexis Danan (King Lewis/ Somerset), Carol Harvey (Northumberland/ Lord Hastings), Lisa Hill-Corley Edward, Earl of March, King Edward), David Johnson (King Henry the Sixth), Ruth Page (Lord Clifford), Lee Ravitz (Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York), Ramona Von Pusch (Queen Margaret), and Yoky Yu (Earl of Oxford). The ensemble consists of Lyndsey Huebner, Mehmet Ozbek, Russell Proctor, Christopher Smart, and Bernard Soubry, with Julia Giolzetti and Clay Sanderson as swings.

The reading will be introduced by director Owen Horsley, whose directing credits include David Edgar, Salome, The Famous Victories of Henry V (RSC), and Associate Director of War of the Roses (RSC).

The livestreamed reading of Henry VI Part III can be watched live on Wednesday 15 April at 7pm BST here. Previous readings from the series are also available here.

The series of livestreamed readings, which have now reached over 70,000 viewers, bring actors and audiences together to collectively enjoy and experience Shakespeare, offering a truly live experience 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 at the National Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith, Soho Theatre and have appeared in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Coronation Street, Casualty, and Neighbours.

#ShowMustGoOnline

#ConnectedAndCreative

FULL SCHEDULE

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

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)

Agreement reached between Equity and SOLT to support West End

Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and Equity are pleased to announce that they have come to an agreement to support actors during the current suspension of West End shows due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The new agreement provides the best possible framework for the long-term job security of performers and recovery of the West End during these unprecedented circumstances, and is strongly supported by all involved as the best way forward for the industry. It covers every eventuality and perspective, from long-running musicals to plays with limited runs, productions yet to open and shows still in rehearsal when the shutdown began.

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre, said:

‘Equity and ourselves have worked tirelessly since the shutdown to protect jobs and address the needs of our West End workforce during this crisis. We all need to work together to ensure that we can get through this as an industry, and are ready to welcome audiences back into our theatres as soon as possible.’

Hilary Hadley, Head of Equity’s Live Performance Department, said:

‘It is only by our closely working together that we have managed to develop this Agreement, which provides a route map for our West End producers, performers and stage management. It is our joint hope that this new Agreement will see the West End Theatre industry through this bleakest period and enable the smooth resumption of the rehearsals and performances which were so abruptly stopped by COVID-19.’

Under the new agreement, casts currently under contract are able to continue on that contract, and have the opportunity to re-commence rehearsals or performances with revised dates once the shutdown ends. This demonstrates the industry’s commitment to ensuring actors and performers still have a job once theatres reopen.

In addition, SOLT and Equity have been lobbying DCMS and the Treasury since the shutdown began, ensuring the voice of the theatre industry is heard, and joining other organisations lobbying for support for the freelancers and self-employed who make up a significant proportion of the theatre workforce. The government’s resulting Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will provide financial protection for many actors and creatives. SOLT and Equity will continue to lobby for those who the scheme does not support.

There is currently no clear indication from government when theatres will be allowed to reopen, but it is clear that some productions will need longer than others to regain their foothold. Producers are therefore contingency planning for their individual shows.

Any reopening dates suggested by individual shows and producers at this stage are speculative, and not representative of the industry as a whole. West End performances are currently cancelled until 31 May, and will continue to be cancelled on a rolling basis while we await further guidance from government.

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THE BARN THEATRE LAUNCHES NEW LOCKDOWN SHAKESPEARE SERIES WITH AARON SIDWELL AND HAL CHAMBERS

• THE BARN THEATRE HAVE ANNOUNCED A SERIES THAT REIMAGINES SHAKESPEARE’S CLASSIC MONOLOGUES TO MODERN DAY LOCKDOWN

• THE SERIES IS PRODUCED BY AARON SIDWELL, HAL CHAMBERS AND JAMIE CHAPMAN DIXON FOR THE BARN THEATRE

• THE CAST INCLUDES WEST END STARS AARON SIDWELL, TRICIA ADELE-TURNER, MAX HUTCHINSON AND DAVID HAYDN

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester have announced a new Shakespeare series which sees the Bard’s beloved monologues reimagined to fit into modern day lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic. The series will release a new monologue every weekday to the Barn Theatre’sFacebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts, beginning 20th April 2020.

The series, which is co-produced by actor Aaron Sidwell, director Hal Chambers and the Barn Theatre, forms part of the Barn Theatre’s free Behind The Barn Door streaming service, which airs on their Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts. The series is production co-ordinated by company stage manager Emma Smith.

Aaron Sidwell says of the upcoming series, “Just as Shakespeare was locked out from his theatres during various plague outbreaks, the Barn’s actors are in a similar predicament. Now, literally barred from our places of work, The Actors of the Barn Theatre present some of Shakespeare’s most memorable speeches and moments via the wonders of modern technology. This is Shakespeare’s work inspired and influenced by our strange new lockdown world”.

The series takes inspiration from the Barn Theatre’s 2019 re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Henry V, which was directed by Hal Chambers and starred Aaron Sidwell in the titular role. The production was described by the Telegraph’s Dominic Cavendish as a “populist Hal for a post-Brexit world” and can now be streamed on the Barn Theatre’s Facebook and YouTube channel for free as part of Behind The Barn Door and to fundraise for the theatre’s SAVE OUR BARN campaign.

The cast for Bard From The Barn have all previously performed at the Barn Theatre in their Built by Barn productions, including cast members from their debut production, The Secret Garden, and the final production before their temporary closure, Patrick Barlow’s Ben Hur.

The series will release a new monologue every weekday at 5pm to the Barn Theatre’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts, beginning Monday 20th April 2020. The series will also comprise of a weekly roundup show, hosted by Aaron Sidwell every Friday at 9pm, that will take a closer look at the week’s new work, featuring the actors and creatives. The roundup show launches at 9pm on 24 April 2020.

The monologues will be reimagined and directed by Phil Bartlett, Hal Chambers, Jess Daniels, Kirstie Davis, Robert Forknall, David Mercatali, Joseph O’Malley, Joe Pitcher, Dominic Shaw, Jake Smith, Michael Strassen and Sean Turner.

The full cast of Bard From The Barn are: Tricia Adele-Turner (Dear Evan Hansen, The 39 Steps), Ryan Bennett (The Importance of Being Earnest, Daddy Long Legs), Ben Boskovic (Zorro the Musical, The Secret Garden), Jonathan Bourne (Nativity! The Musical, The 39 Steps), Dominic Brewer (Sweeney Todd, Hound of the Baskervilles), Hadley Brown (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice), Jasper Cartwright (War Horse, The Butterfly Lion), Alicia Charles (Faustus That Damned Woman, Henry V), Tom Chudley-Evans (A Christmas Carol), Rebecca Crankshaw (One Minute), Duncan Drury (Just So), Colin Elmer (The 39 Steps), Rosalind Ford (Once, Just So), Imogen Halsey (Just So), Aidan Harkins (The Pirate Queen, The Importance of Being Earnest), Hilary Harwood (The Butterfly Lion), David Haydn (Girl from the North Country, The Secret Garden), Liam Horrigan (The Play That Goes Wrong, Ben Hur), Sarah-Louise Hughes (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice), Max Hutchinson (The Woman in Black, The 39 Steps), Rebecca Jayne-Davies (Singin’ in the Rain, Daddy Long Legs), Grace Liston (A Christmas Carol), Abigail Mathews (The Butterfly Lion), Sophie May Wake (Mr Selfridge, One Minute), Gillian McCafferty (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice), Stephen Omer (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice), Elin Phillips (Henry V), Matt Ray Brown (Henry V), Aaron Sidwell (EastEnders, Henry V), Adam Sopp (Grange Hill, Henry V), Bronte Tadman (Ben Hur, A Christmas Carol), Sarah Waddell (Henry V) and Jonathan Woolf (Henry V).

Over 400 third year drama school students have applied for thirty places in the next cast of Bard From The Barn after a call out on Aaron Sidwell’s Twitter account.

Bard From The Barn forms part of the Barn Theatre’s free live-streaming service Behind The Barn Door. The series joins medical show Live From The Clinic with Dr Dawn Harper, British record holder Kenton Cool’s mountaineering show, Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool, a children’s entertainment show with Gifford Circus’ Tweedy the Clown, Tweedy’s Lost & Found, and high-energy workout series Disco Fitness with CrossFit Cirencester. The servicealso livestreams weekly programmes with Cotswold District Council leader Joe Harris and local MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.

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.

SPITALFIELDS MUSIC ANNOUNCES POSTPONEMENT OF FESTIVAL DUE TO TAKE PLACE 24 – 28 JUNE 2020

Spitalfields Music has today announced the postponement of the 2020 festival which was due to take place over the weekend of 24-28 June at Christ Church Spitalfields, East London. Following Government advice and to protect the safety of audiences, artists and workforce during these unprecedented times, the festival is set to be rescheduled to Autumn 2020 with further dates and details to be announced in due course.

Spitalfields Music Festival has brought artists, audiences and communities together, staging extraordinary performances in the heart of East London for 43 years. The 2020 festival, titled Metamorphosis and Transformation with a programme from Artistic Curators Edmund Finnis, Kate Molleson, Errollyn Wallen CBE and CEO Sarah Gee, will feature world premieres and new music alongside classic repertoire, celebrating the extensive range of classical music and the power of music to speak across cultures, communities and language.

Spitalfields Music CEO Sarah Gee said: “Based on the available HM Government information on coronavirus, and to keep artists, audiences and staff safe, we have taken the very difficult and sad decision not to proceed as planned with this June’s Music Festival.

“However, we will do our very best to reschedule Festival events across the autumn, to honour our promises to curators, artists, ensembles and composers.  We will contact all ticket holders as soon as possible, and announce new performance dates in the coming weeks.

“Thank you for your understanding, and for now, stay home and stay safe.  We’ll be back with more music after this extended interval.”

King’s Head Theatre Online

Apr 14th – Apr 17th

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.

This Tuesday a Q&A with our staff members: this week, Something for the Weekend marketing manager Rhiannon Morris on Edinburgh Fringe marketing.

Wednesday will be aimed at small companies where you can ‘Ask Us Anything’ – this week, featuring theatre director Andrew Keates.

Thursday will be a Skills Session with a leading industry professional: this week, theatre artwork design with graphic designer Rebecca Pitt.

Friday is our Book Club, with a leading theatre practitioner taking us through one of their favourite plays: this week, playwright Jon Brittain with Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman.

You can find these on our Facebook and Instagram.

Shaking up self-isolation with new podcast
Shakespeare in Quarantine
Weekly podcast from Proud Haddock in association with Arsalan Sattari Productions

Director Jimmy Walters (The Trackers of Oxyrhynchus, Finborough Theatre; Mrs Orwell, Southwark Playhouse) and actress Alexandra Evans (Silent Witness, BBC; Crown for Christmas, Hallmark) invite you to their virtual book club, Shakespeare in Quarantine, a new weekly podcast exploring the extensive back catalogue of the infamous William Shakespeare.

For book and earworms alike, the stimulating podcast provides a fresh and interesting take on some of the Bard’s greatest plays from Othello to Taming of the Shrew. Featuring exciting guest appearances each week, they aim to unpick the story, unravel the language and make Shakespeare accessible. Offering a light-hearted insight into the texts, the podcast is the perfect antidote for those who would run in fear from Shakespeare – you don’t need to be theatrical or historically inclined, you can just simply enjoy reading.

With the lockdown in full swing, it’s the perfect time to settle down with Shakespeare and become better acquainted. From betrayals, to murder and cross-dressing, it’ll keep you on your toes. For the first episode the team will be joined by actors Paul Tinto (1917, Entertainment One; King Lear, BBC) and Phoebe Sparrow (Downton Abbey, ITV; Inside No.9, BBC) to discuss the great Scottish tragedy, Macbeth. Episode one is available to stream and download now.

Jimmy Walters comments, Shakespeare to many people is the greatest storyteller to ever draw breath. In these unprecedented times where the world is standing still, we want to give people the chance to discover each of his fascinating plays through our online podcast. These stories are at their most powerful when used as a form of escapism. There seems no better time than now

Co-host Alexandra Evans added, We hope that our new podcast encourages people who may have been intimidated or bored by Shakespeare in the past to join us and see the magic in it now. Did you know taming of the shrew is ‘10 things I hate about you’ or that ‘Breaking Bad’ runs parallel to Macbeth? It’s as relevant today as it was then.

FRANTIC ASSEMBLY TAKE AUDIENCES BEHIND THE SCENES OF SOME OF THEIR  BEST LOVED SHOWS WITH NEW DIGITAL RESOURCE

World leaders in devising and collaborative theatre, Frantic Assembly has launched a new virtual resource, Frantic Digital, which will give audiences exclusive insight into the creation of some of the company’s most iconic productions, including Beautiful Burnout, Lovesong, Othello and Things I Know to be True.

The influential theatre company has inspired thousands of young theatre makers over the last 25 years and helped transform the language of British theatre with the Frantic Method. In response to the current lockdown, Frantic Assembly will release a series of videos each week based on a different production,  that  will enable people, of any age all over the UK and abroad, to engage with Frantic Assembly’s work, through creative challenges, practical warm-ups and deep dives into how shows were made.

Each week, Scott Graham, co-founder and Artistic Director of Frantic Assembly will reconnect with performers, actors, writers and creative practitioners for Frantic Flashbacks, videos which will share insights into the creative and rehearsal process. Frantic Flashbacks will combine specially recorded conversations with former cast members and the creative team, with never-before seen rehearsal footage and archive production material.

Audiences will be invited to take part in different creative challenges in Frantic Create. Led by Scott Graham and Frantic Associates, these weekly challenges will involve everything from creating your own boxing-inspired choreography to rewriting Shakespeare. 

Frantic Associates Simon Pittman and Sophie Shaw, will lead warm-ups inspired by the rehearsal process of that week’s production in Warm Up With Us.

Last month, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Frantic Assembly’s touring production I Think We Are Alone, which formed the centrepiece of their 25th anniversary programme along with their Learn and Train activity, were paused. Frantic Digital will enable the company and its audiences to stay connected during the current lockdown and continue to share skills and collaborate.

Scott Graham, co-founder and Artistic Director of Frantic Assembly says:  

“The need for connection is even greater in these strange times but Frantic Digital looks beyond our current situation. We are creating meaningful ways for people to connect with the work and the processes behind it, for us to help unlock creativity in artists, teachers and students, empowering each to find their voice. The ambition is beyond a retrospective and ultimately aims to find new creative outlets for Frantic Assembly.”

Frantic Digital: Weeks 1 -4 

Week 1: Beautiful Burnout

W/c 6 April

Frantic Flashback

Scott Graham will take you through how the boxing choreography for Beautiful Burnout was created and the stages of development and training the actors underwent. The film features unseen rehearsal footage as well as archive production material.

Warm Up With Us

Simon Pittman leads a vigorous warm up inspired by the rehearsal process of Beautiful Burnout.

Frantic Creative

Frantic Associate Simon Pittman leads a practical task, challenging you to create choreography based on the physicality of boxing.

Frantic Flashback interview

Scott Graham chats to performer and Frantic Assembly practitioner Maggie Ann Bain about her experience in Beautiful Burnout.

Week 2: Lovesong

W/c 13 April

Frantic Flashback

Scott Graham talks through the genesis and development of this collaboration with writer Abi Morgan. Lovesong is about a relationship in its final moments, as a couple look back over their life together. Scott focusses on the significance of a particular physical section of the play where their memories and the present come crashing together. The film features unseen rehearsal footage as well as archive production material.

Warm Up With Us

Frantic Associate Sophie Shaw leads a gentle, stretchy warm-up, which was used in the Lovesong rehearsal process.

Frantic Creative

Simon Pittman sets a creative task inspired by a scene from Lovesong.

Frantic Flashback interview

Scott Graham chats to actor Ed Bennett about his role and experience performing in Lovesong.

Week 3: Othello

W/c 20 April

Further details to be released on Monday 20 April

Week 4: Things I Know To Be True

W/c 27 April

Further details to be released on Monday 27 April

Frantic Digital’s programme for May and June will be announced shortly.

For further information visit: https://www.franticassembly.co.uk/frantic-digital

Award winning Yorkshire Theatre company Slung Low to premiere exciting new short film online

The award-winning Leeds theatre company Slung Low are delighted to announce that on Friday 1 May they will be streaming online for free the premiere of their new short film The Good Book.

The Good Book will be the first production for the newly formed Leeds People’s Theatre and is produced by Slung Low with the support of Leeds 2023.  

Set in a future Leeds, The Good Book,  tells the story of a society that is divided between loyalists of the powerful Queen Bear and radical followers of Galahad. Avalon is a young woman desperate not to take sides, but as civil war begins, she must undertake a dangerous mission to rescue a precious relic from destruction.

The short film features a cast of invited actors including Bradford actress Riana Duce (The D-Road, Claybody Theatre), Angus Imrie (Fleabag, The Boy Who Would Be King, The Hollow Crown, Emma, and The Archers), Katie Eldred (Hunger, Arcola Theatre), along with over 100 members of the local Leeds community. Filming took place in late January at Slung Low’s base, The Holbeck Social Club and at Holbeck Cemetery, Leeds Central Library and Leeds Town Hall. 

Directed by Sheffield film makerBrett Chapman, The Good Book continues James Phillips’ future dystopia, which begun in The White Whale at Leeds Dock in 2013, continued in 2014 with Camelot, a Slung Low and Sheffield Theatres outdoor co-production and was last seen as a centre piece of Hull, UK City of Culture 2017’s performance programme and on the BBC with the epic Flood.

Leeds People’s Theatre has been created by Slung Low and will be a dedicated division for large-scale professional arts projects with communities in Leeds at the heart of them. This involves the community participating in and with professional artists and creative teams, offering an opportunity to learn, gain more experience or simply be part of a community. The Good Book will be the first of several projects that Slung Low are currently planning for Leeds People’s Theatre.

The Good Book, which is supported by Leeds City Council, Leeds 2023, Arts Council and Leeds People’s Theatre will be available to stream online for free from 12pm on Friday 1^st May at www.slunglow.org/TGB

Meet Baby Fairypowered – Alex

Favourite show? That would be a tie between WWRY, Bat Out of Hell and & Juliet.

Favourite theatre? New Victoria Theatre, Woking because it is in a shopping centre and I can buy slush puppies! It’s also the theatre I did my first review at. It’s also very disabled friendly

Role I want to play? Either Scaramouche, Zahara or Juliet. Unfortunately I can’t sing, act or dance so I will just have to dream.

How I began reviewing? Last minute cover was needed for a show so I got asked to go and do it and I’ve not looked back since

About me? Currently at uni in London doing Early Childhood studies but originally from Yorkshire. I’m also a Scout and Guide leader so spend a lot of time outside camping and hiking. When I’m not doing any of that I’m either curled up with a good book or at the theatre watching a show.

DAME VERA LYNN UNITES WITH WEST END STARS

 FOR “WE’LL MEET AGAIN”: 

MORALE-BOOSTING VIDEO TO CHAMPION THE THEATRE INDUSTRY

Dame Vera Lynn will convey her personal message of love and best wishes to the theatre industry in an exclusive new online video. This unique production of “We’ll Meet Again” features socially-distanced West End stars united in song, assuring the nation that West End and UK theatres shall once more rise and thrive – some sunny day.

Sharon D Clarke, Louise Dearman, Kerry Ellis, Maria Friedman, Cassidy Janson, Hannah Waddingham, Michael Xavier and choreographer Bill Deamer are amongst those appearing in the cinematically designed music video, with further musical theatre stars to be announced. 

Classical Brit Award winning vocal group Blake, which has previously performed “We’ll Meet Again” with Dame Vera, also join the line-up, alongside writer and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth and comedian and actor Joe Pasquale. The stars are joined by a fifteen-strong choir provided by Capital Voices.

The audio montage and music video for “We’ll Meet Again” is produced by Dominic Ferris, with visual sequences directed by Martin Milnes. They both participate in the film as their West End musical theatre duo Ferris & Milnes. The collaborative effort amongst West End artistes has been championed by producer Anthony Cherry, who rallied his Friday Night Is Music Night team to the morale-boosting cause.

Anthony, Dominic and Martin said: “Our special thanks is given to visual editor Tom Large for his cinematic contribution. Mostly, we extend our sincere gratitude to Dame Vera Lynn and her team for their blessing and kind support throughout this very special project.”

“We’ll Meet Again” is now in production with a release date to be announced shortly.