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Chinese Arts Now and Yellow Earth Theatre launch Digital Theatre Commissioning Programme

In response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, Chinese Arts Now (CAN) and Yellow Earth Theatre today announce that they are accepting applications from artists who identify as having Chinese cultural heritage and/or who make work that incorporates contemporary Chinese perspectives for support to develop a new digital commission as part of the third CAN Festival.

The £4000 commission is offered during the time of the COVID-19 outbreak as an opportunity for artists to make work within the confines of our current lived context. It encourages work that can be shared digitally via online platforms, and allows audiences and participants to watch, listen or participate with their device remotely. The chosen commission also has the opportunity to be shared during CAN Festival’s Digital Programme in February 2021, with support from both companies during its development.

An-Ting Chang, CEO & Artistic Director of CAN, today said:

“’It is a very difficult time for all the performing arts sectors. CAN would like to use the commissions to support British East Asian artists, as well as to create opportunities for them to experiment with different digital artforms. It is great to partner with Yellow Earth Theatre and to create solidarity with the communities we both work with. We look forward to presenting a different CAN Festival in February 2021.”

Yellow Earth Artistic Director Kumiko Mendl added:

“I’m delighted that Yellow Earth Theatre is partnering with Chinese Arts Now to offer a new digital theatre commission for the next CAN festival. Being able to offer this creative opportunity and support to a BEA artist(s) during these difficult times feels so crucial right now as we steel ourselves for the coming weeks and months ahead.”

CAN will also release other digital commission opportunities in addition to the joint programme with Yellow Earth Theatre. More information can be found on the CAN Website (www.chineseartsnow.org.uk). The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 30 April, with the successful awardee notified Tuesday 5th May. CAN will also release other digital commission opportunities in addition to the joint programme with Yellow Earth Theatre. 

THEATRE TOGETHER ANNOUNCE CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS SUPPORTED BY FOR ALL THE WEB’S A STAGE –

ALSO FURTHER LINE-UP ANNOUNCED INCLUDING

JOANNE CLIFTON, DAVID HUNTER AND MARISHA WALLACE

Theatre Together, a new collective of over 60 artists and professionals, today announce the charitable organisations being supported by All the Web’s a Stagean online event featuring a variety of live performances. The funds raised will go towards Acting for Others and Help Musicians to support those in the arts facing hardship now as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as to The Golsoncott Foundation, supporting individuals or organisations who have been impacted by the crisis to return with a piece of work once the industry begins to recover. Performances will be streamed live on Shakespeare Day, 23 April, a date marked to celebrate the Bard and the performing arts.

In addition, Theatre Together today announce Gemma Barnett, Tom Brace, Joanne Clifton, Oscar Conlon-Morrey, Evangeline Dickson, Rebecca Gilliland, David Hunter, Caroline Kay, Evie Rose Lane, Luke McCall, James McDermott, Tamaryn Payne, Robert Rhodes, Oliver Savile, Cleve September, Noah Thomas, Dylan Turner, Marisha Wallace, Daisy Wood-Davis, Luke Wright, Al and Roddy and Vocal Xtr3me, joining the previously announced Danny Mac, Tom Milner, Jodie Prenger and La Voix. Further line-up and full programme to be announced.

Audiences will be able to watch for free on www.theatretogether.co.uk

To donate please visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/theatre-together

Sofi Berenger, co-producer of All the Web’s a Stage, said today, “While we’ve welcomed the government’s support for the self-employed and the arts in this emergency, it’s clear that many of our industry colleagues will not be eligible for this support. And as many have highlighted, the performing arts are going to take sometime to recover from this extended period of closure. The response to All the Web’s a Stage has been completely overwhelming and we couldn’t be more thankful to those in our industry coming together to raise funds to support each other in this time of need.”

Joel Marvin, Fundraising Coordinator at Acting for Others, said, “We are very much looking forward to All the Web’s a Stage on 23 April. Thank you to all the amazing performers that are streaming live online in aid of Acting for Others. We are excited to see some familiar faces along with all the talented emerging artists!”

Emma Jones, Community and Appeals Manager at Help Musicians, also said, “Help Musicians is very pleased to be the recipient of the funds that Theatre Together will be raising for our Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund. The impact of the Coronavirus on musicians’ lives and careers is unprecedented, and the newly launched £5m Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund has been set up to help alleviate some of the immediate financial pressures that many professional musicians may be facing. Since the fund launched on Wednesday 25 March, we have received thousands of applications and there is a vital need to offer even more musicians emergency financial support.

“There has never been a more important time to support our work, and on behalf of the team at Help Musicians, we are very grateful in advance for all donations raised on the day of the live stream fundraiser.” 

www.theatretogether.co.uk

Twitter:                @TheatreTogether

Facebook:           /TheatreTogether

Instagram:          @Theatre.Together

#TheatreTogether

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS

PRESENTS

“THE PRINCE OF EGYPT”

ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING

INCLUDING THE ACADEMY AWARD®-WINNING ‘WHEN YOU BELIEVE’

OUT ON DIGITAL AND STREAMING FORMATS FRIDAY 3 APRIL 2020

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, the new musical based on the acclaimed DreamWorks Animation film, is pleased to announce that Ghostlight Records will release its original cast recording on digital and streaming formats on Friday 3 April 2020.A physical CD will be available later this year. Featuring the “miraculous music” (Time Out London) of Stephen Schwartz, the album is produced by Dominick Amendum and Stephen Schwartz, with Kurt Deutsch serving as Executive Producer.

With a cast and orchestra of almost 60 artists, “this truly phenomenal production” (BBC London) has music and lyrics by GRAMMY® and Academy Award®-winner Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell), a book by Philip LaZebnik (Mulan, Pocahontas) and features 10 brand new songs written by Stephen Schwartz, together with 5 of his acclaimed songs from the DreamWorks Animation film (Deliver Us, All I Ever Wanted, Through Heaven’s Eyes, The Plagues and the Academy Award®-winning When You Believe, which was a global hit for Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey as well as a UK and Ireland chart-topping winner’s single for The X-Factor). “Brought to life in truly epic fashion” (Mirror Online),THE PRINCE OF EGYPT premiered at London’s Dominion Theatre on 25 February 2020.

“An utterly stand-out cast” (WhatsOnStage) of 43 features Luke Brady (Moses), Liam Tamne (Ramses), Christine Allado (Tzipporah), Alexia Khadime (Miriam), Joe Dixon (Seti), Debbie Kurup (Queen Tuya), Gary Wilmot (Jethro), Mercedesz Csampai (Yocheved), Adam Pearce (Hotep), Tanisha Spring (Nefertari), Silas Wyatt-Barke (Aaron), Simbi Akande, Casey Al-Shaqsy, Joe Atkinson, Danny Becker, Felipe Bejarano, Pàje Campbell, Adam Filipe, Soophia Foroughi, Natalie Green, Jack Harrison-Cooper, Rachael Ireson, Kalene Jeans, Christian Alexander Knight, Jessica Lee, Oliver Lidert, Jay Marsh, Scott Maurice, Carly Miles, Sam Oladeinde, Alice Readie, Christopher Short, Molly Smith, Ricardo Walker, Danny Williams, Niko Wirachman and Sasha Woodward together with young performers Leo Babet, Jonah Collier, Taylor Jenkins, Mia Lakha, Iman Pabani and Hannah Selk.

Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as two young men, raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. One must rule as Pharaoh, the other must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever.

“This lavish stage production” (The Guardian) is directed by Scott Schwartz with choreography by Sean Cheesman; set designs by Kevin Depinet; costume designs by Ann Hould-Ward; lighting design by Mike Billings; sound design by Gareth Owen; projection designs by Jon Driscoll; illusions by Chris Fisher; wigs, hair and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates; orchestrations by August Eriksmoen; musical supervision and arrangements by Dominick Amendum; musical direction by Dave Rose, casting by Jim Arnold CDG and children’s casting by Verity Naughton CDG.

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT is produced by DreamWorks Theatricals (a division of Universal Theatrical Group), Michael McCabe and Neil Laidlaw together with John Gore, Tom Smedes and Peter Stern, Ramin Sabi, The Araca Group, James L. Nederlander and Michael Park.

A milestone in cinematic achievement and first released in 1998, DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt captivated audiences across the world and has been hailed as “one of the greatest animated films of all time” (Evening Standard) and “a stunning film” (The Guardian).

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT – TRACK LIST

1. Deliver Us

2. Faster

3. One Weak Link

4. Footprints on the Sand

5. Seti’s Return

6. Dance to the Day

7. All I Ever Wanted

8. Make it Right

9. Moses in the Desert

10. Through Heaven’s Eyes

11. Faster (Reprise)

12. Never in a Million Years

13. Act I Finale

14. Return to Egypt

15. Always on Your Side

16. Simcha

17. Deliver Us (Reprise)

18. The Plagues

19. For the Rest of My Life

20. Heartless

21. When You Believe

22. Never in a Million Years (Reprise)

23. Act II Finale

A Statement from Love, Genius and a Walk

LGW Productions are sorry to announce that their upcoming production of Love, Genius and a Walk, the fascinating story of composer and conductor Gustav Mahler, written by the New York Writer Gay Walley and directed by Leah Townley, has been postponed until Autumn 2020.

The story explores the theories of Sigmund Freud, who Mahler met, together with Mahler’s approach to composing and how this might have physically manifested itself. This includes a focus on his relationship with his wife Alma, an amazing woman and composer in her own right. The play also contrasts the role of women in the 19th century with the character of a female writer in contemporary scenes.

The production will return in Autumn 2020 at Theatro Technis, with further announcements to follow

Adam Pownall’s Getting Better Slowly about recovery after paralysis to be streamed for charity

• Getting Better Slowly is the inspiring true story of one man’s two-and-half-year journey to recovery after Guillain-Barré syndrome paralysed him
• The show is free to view and welcoming donations for GAIN Charity, the official charity of the illness in the UK
• Streaming on YouTube at 7pm BST Friday 3^rd April, (sign up via www.facebook.com/GBSproject/)

@GBSproject | #gettingbetterslowly | www.facebook.com/GBSproject/

At the age of 26, in the space of three weeks, Adam Pownall went from being a fit and healthy dancer and performer to a paralysed man unable to blink unaided. Getting Better Slowly is his story of being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome and his two-and-half-year journey to recovery from being isolated in his own body. From learning to walk and talk again to the painful months stuck at home to the first time he managed to play football again, the show asked audiences how they might deal with an unexpected illness or accident, and now sheds light on a journey to the other side of isolation. Getting Better Slowly toured extensively through Autumn 2016 and 2017, and was recorded at Lincoln Drill Hall. The show, which has already reached many recovered GBS suffers, was previously streamed in Spring 2017 to reach those who were currently undergoing treatment for the illness.

Through speech, movement, sound and verbatim text taken from interviews with Adam and his family, the show follows him from diagnosis to rehabilitation, capturing his highs and lows to create an inspirational piece about illness and recovery.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare autoimmune condition affecting the peripheral nervous system, usually leading to temporary or long-term paralysis. Around 80% of those with GBS will make a good recovery, but between 5-10% of people will not survive and the other 10-15% may be left with severe mobility or dexterity issues. Chronic variants such as CIDP are similar but longer-lasting, requiring ongoing treatment.

Following his rehabilitation, Adam returned to work in the arts. In 2014 he won the Olwen Wymark Award for supporting New Writing within Theatre for the Writer’s Guild for his work in opening and running Create Theatre in Mansfield, before becoming Programme Co-ordinator at Derby Theatre, Artistic Director of Lincoln Drill Hall, and Programming Director at Hull Truck Theatre, where he is currently.

Adam said, “We are proud to be able to share this production again, we think it’s important to share theatre during these times, especially with such positivity at its heart. Our goal has always been to help raise awareness of such a rare condition and make people aware of GAIN charity and the important work that they do. When we toured the production we found that this story, whilst being engaging theatre, is also an important learning tool for medical practitioners, and for anyone who has suffered or whose loved ones have suffered a debilitating illness.

“We are unable to tour the production again and having the streaming footage means we are able to still reach more audiences and raise further awareness, all at no cost which removes any price barriers. The footage will also be captioned making it accessible to more audiences as well.”

GAIN helps people understand and manage acute and chronic variants of the syndrome, raises awareness, and promotes clinical and non-clinical research into these conditions. For further information visit www.gaincharity.org.uk

Running Time: 60 mins | Suitable for ages 11+

Company Information

Cast Kitty Randle and Adam Pownall

Creative Producer Adam Pownall                     Writer Nick Wood        

Director Tilly Branson                                       Movement Director Marc Brew            

Associate Choreographer Kimberley Harvey    Designer Kate Unwin

Sound Designer Adam P. McCready                 Lighting Designer Howell Thomas       

Associate Dramaturg Luca Rutherford              Production Manager Laura Stone

Streaming recorded by Pilot Theatre

King’s Head Theatre Online

Mar 31st – Apr 3rd

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, associate company and Carol Tambor award-winning Atticist.

Tuesday a Q&A with our staff members: this week, our fundraiser Molly Waiting will lead you through a fundraising Q&A.

Wednesday will be aimed at small companies where you can ‘Ask Us Anything’ – this week, featuring actor Lee Knight.

Thursday will be a Skills Session with a leading industry professional: this week, opera director Paul Higgins.

Friday a Book Club looking at a play text together that you can read online: this week, Duncan Macmillan’s Lungs.

You can find these on our Facebook and Instagram.

ROMEO & JULIET UK PREMIERE – NEW DATE ANNOUNCED

ROYAL ALBERT HALL – 8 PM – THURSDAY 6 MAY 2021

After the enforced postponement of the original premiere date, 14 April 2020, due to Covid-19, Sergei Polunin’s company, Polunin Ink, is delighted to announce that this one-night-only performance has now been rescheduled for Thursday 6 May 2021 at the Royal Albert Hall.

Starring Sergei Polunin and Alina Cojocaru and choreographed by Johan Kobborg, this brand-new staging of the ballet classic garnered great critical acclaim after its world premiere in Italy and will mark Sergei’s return to the London stage as well as his debut here in the role of Romeo.

Johan Kobborg’s version of the world’s greatest love story marries classical dance with a contemporary twist to create a dynamic, vibrant and modern re-telling of this ageless drama of all-consuming love, passion, ecstasy and heartbreak. Set to Prokofiev’s powerful, exquisite score, and with a striking stage set design by Canadian-based sculptor David Umemoto, the story follows the narrative of Shakespeare’s play with the classical ballet vocabulary as its core language.

Original tickets will be valid for the rescheduled date.

HAMPSTEAD THEATRE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GUARDIAN, TO STREAM A SERIES OF HIT PRODUCTIONS FROM ITS DIGITAL ARCHIVE, FOR FREE

 ​Hampstead Theatre and The Guardian will re-release the live stream recordings of Mike Bartlett’s Wild, Beth Steel’s Wonderland and Howard Brenton’s Drawing the Line for free.

Available to watch on theguardian.com and hampsteadtheatre.com, the three productions will be made available, on demand, over three consecutive weeks as part of the theatre’s #HampsteadTheatreAtHome series.

Week 1, from Monday 30 March 10am to Sunday 5 April 10pm (GMT), will feature Mike Bartlett’s Wild (2016).Directed by James Macdonald,this darkly comic play explores the unexpected, bewildering, and life-changing consequences of challenging the status quo at a global level, inspired by the case of Edward Snowden, the American whistleblower who copied and leaked classified information from the US National Security Agency in 2013.

Week 2, from Monday 6 April, 10am – Sunday 12 April, 10pm (GMT) will feature Beth Steel’s Wonderland (2014).  Directed by the theatre’s previous Artistic Director, Edward Hall, this epic and witty drama takes a look at the clashing ideologies during the UK’s Miners’ Strike of 1984–85 and presents the full sweep of the turbulent events that transformed the country.

Week 3, from Monday 13 April, 10am – Sunday 19 April, 10pm (GMT) will feature Howard Brenton’s Drawing the Line (2013).  Directed by the late Howard Davies, the play features a large ensemble, and tells the story of the chaotic partitioning of India in 1947 whilst celebrating the strength of humanity.

All three productions were originally live streamed from Hampstead Theatre and were available to watch on theguardian.com followed by an on-demand service for 72 hours.

Hampstead Theatre closed its building following UK Government advice on Monday 16 March 2020.  The #HampsteadTheatreAtHome is a series of digital initiatives designed to support audiences in isolation by sharing world class entertainment with them in their home for free.  Its first initiative, I and You, Lauren Gunderson’switty and uplifting portrayal of friendship, youth and living life to the full, was available on Instagram’s mobile video platform IGTV from Monday 23 10am until Sunday 29 March, 10pm (GMT).  Starring Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones) and Zach Wyatt, it was a box office and critical success at the theatre in 2018 and previously broadcast on Instagram from 30 November to 3 December 2018.

Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre said:

“I am delighted and grateful to be in a position to offer this new #HampsteadTheatreAtHome series from Hampstead’s digital archive.I hope these productions offer audiences entertainment, connection and nourishment in a time of uncertainty and isolation. These three plays all shine a light on turbulent points in our international history which, along with acknowledging the worst of human behaviour, celebrates the ingenuity, humour, compassion and resilience of the best.

Thank you to the many artists involved for allowing us to create this series so quickly and to The Guardian for being our wonderful streaming partner again, helping us reach as many people as possible.”

Meet Dawn – the Regional Editor for Yorkshire and Humberside

Favourite show?  I like a wide range of shows especially the independent and darker plays. I do love dance, opera and musicals including the popular ones such as Miss Saigon, Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables.

Favourite Theatre? My favourite theatre must be my local one, Leeds Playhouse. I’m proud that the Playhouse takes pride in making theatre accessible to everyone everywhere.

How I began reviewing?  I began reviewing in 2014. I love reviewing because it gives me an opportunity to appreciate what makes a show tick particularly the creative teams behind the productions.

About me

I’m an ESOL Tutor and I teach English to learners whose first language isn’t English. I love what I do and it’s always rewarding to see the progress my learners make.

I enjoy being out in nature and the open space. I love being by the water especially canals where I can also appreciate its social and industrial history.

Northern Ballet announces
Pay As You Feel Digital Season

Productions featured include: Jonathan Watkins’ 1984; Mariana Rodrigues’ Little Red Riding Hood; extended highlights from Northern Ballet’s 50^th Anniversary Celebration Gala; and David Nixon OBE’s Dracula. Kenneth Tindall and Dan Lowenstein’s dance film EGO will also be released.

northernballet.com/pay-as-you-feel

Due to the impact of COVID-19, many of Northern Ballet’s upcoming performances have been cancelled or are under threat of cancellation. Whilst the Company is not performing live at this time, a selection of ballets from Northern Ballet’s repertoire plus a new original dance film will be available to watch online or on television as part of the Company’s Pay As You Feel Digital Season.

Over the next few weeks people will be able to tune into 1984, Little Red Riding Hood and Dracula from the comfort of their home. The Company will also release a new dance film, Kenneth Tindall and Dan Lowenstein’s EGO plus the extended highlights of their 50^th Anniversary Celebration Gala which took place at Leeds Grand Theatre at the beginning of the year.

Northern Ballet are asking audiences to consider making a donation as they watch content from the Pay As You Feel Digital Season to support the Company, their people and work during these unprecedented times and the significant financial hardship the Company is facing. Lost income from cancelled performances could affect Northern Ballet’s ability to pay their workforce, many of whom are freelancers, as well as their ability to present new ballets, including Merlin which is planned to première this autumn. Those who wish to support the Company can donate at northernballet.com/pay-as-you-feel. 

Kenneth Tindall and Dan Lowenstein’s new dance film EGO kicks off the season and will be available to watch online today, Friday 27 March, from 7pm at northernballet.com/ego.

EGO explores parallel versions of one couple’s relationship. At first appearing the perfect Hollywood romance, the couple’s alter egos tell a different story filled with raw animalistic emotion, asking ‘How much does your ego control your behaviour?’

First premièred in 2015 to critical acclaim, Jonathan Watkins’ award-winning 1984 will be available to watch from Friday 3 April at northernballet.com/1984. Based on George Orwell’s masterpiece, the ballet follows the story of Winston Smith and his life of conformity under the watchful eye of Big Brother.

CBeebies will screen their special version of Mariana Rodrigues’ Little Red Riding Hood on Friday 10 April at 9.30am. Created especially for children, Little Red Riding Hood retells the classic fairytale with a Northern Ballet twist.

From Friday 17 April, extended highlights from Northern Ballet’s 50^th Anniversary Celebration Gala will be available to watch at northernballet.com. This sell-out performance featured excerpts of productions from Northern Ballet’s history and brought together dancers from The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre alongside Northern Ballet’s dancers.

After wowing audiences during its live to cinema performances last Halloween, David Nixon OBE’s Dracula will make its television debut as part of the BBC’s Culture in Quarantine Season. Seducing countless generations, Bram Stoker’s legendary vampire lives on in this extraordinary ballet which will be available to watch in the coming weeks on BBC Four and iPlayer.

To find out more about Northern Ballet’s Pay As You Feel Digital Season, please visit northernballet.com/pay-as-you-feel.