New Adventures are delighted to announce A FESTIVAL OF CLASSICS as part of their REEL Adventures online programme bringing the adventures to you; including a series of Broadcast Premieres on Sky TV and rare screenings of some of Matthew Bourne’s most beloved productions.
On Sunday 19 April at 8.00pm Sky Arts will be screening the Broadcast Premiere of Matthew Bourne’s iconic and legendary production of “Swan Lake”, recently updated for a new generation and filmed live at Sadler’s Wells during the 2018/2019 tour. A week later, on Sunday 26 April at 8.00pm, Sky Arts will host the Broadcast Premiere of Matthew Bourne’s latest hit production, “Romeo and Juliet” which had its World Premiere in 2019 and was filmed live at Sadler’s Wells last August. Finally, on Sunday 3 May at 8.00pm, Sky Arts will re-screen the internationally acclaimed and multi-award-winning dance thriller “The Car Man” which was filmed live at Sadler’s Wells in 2015.
In addition to the broadcasts “REEL ADVENTURES” offers a different activity for every day of the week: “Motivational Monday”, “Tune in Tuesdays”, “Pro Wednesdays”, “Vintage Adventures”, “Feature Fridays”, “Workshop Weekends” and “Sunday Sessions. The programme includes a live company class once a week – led by New Adventures artists and open to everyone, creative tasks for children, live Q&As, as well as access to behind the scenes footage and rarely seen treasures from New Adventures archive, curated and introduced by Matthew Bourne. For full details please visit www.new-adventures.net
Matthew Bourne said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from our dedicated community of friends and followers. It’s important, now more than ever, that we stay connected with each other whilst we navigate what is an incredibly challenging time for us all. We have always endeavoured to bring our productions to a wider audience through collaborations with Sky Arts and More2Screen. At a time when none of us are able to enjoy a live performance at our local theatre we’re delighted to be able to reach audiences through their TV. Huge thanks go to Sky Arts and all those involved in creating these films for making this possible at such short notice.”
“Swan Lake”, “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Car Man” were filmed live at Sadler’s Wells, in collaboration with Sky Arts and More2Screen, Produced by Lucie Conrad for Illuminations and Directed by Ross MacGibbon.
New Adventures is supported using public funds by Arts Council England.
COREY BAKER DANCE PRESENTS A SHORT FILM COLLOBORATION WITH BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET AND HONG KONG BALLET
SPAGHETTI JUNCTION
Photo credit: Corey Baker Dance
· New film to be made available via BBC.CO.UK/ARTS on Earth Day, Wednesday 22 April 2020 at 07.00 BST
· Set beneath Birmingham’s (in)famous Spaghetti Junction, the new film raises awareness of the impact of climate change
· First ever international collaboration between Birmingham Royal Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet and Corey Baker Dance.
Birmingham based company Corey Baker Dance, run by award-winning choreographer/director Corey Baker, has created a new short film titled Spaghetti Junction. The film will receive its world premiere screening through BBC’s Culture in Quarantine on 22 April from 07.00 BST for Earth Day to raise awareness of the impact of climate change.
Shot beneath Birmingham’s famous Spaghetti Junction, the film features Gus Payne and Haoliang Feng, from Birmingham Royal Ballet and Forrest Rain Oliveros, from Hong Kong Ballet and marks the first ever collaboration between Birmingham Royal Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet and Corey Baker Dance. The film came from Baker’s larger collaboration and work with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Hippodrome and Arts Council England to celebrate Chinese New Year 2020.
Corey Baker Dance has an international reputation for creating a diverse array of work across film, TV, theatre, using unusual locations and reaching non-traditional theatre audiences. His first film Antarctica: The First Dance, was filmed on the icy contient celebrating Antarctica while we still have it. The film was commissioned by The Space and Channel 4 Random Acts and featured Royal New Zealand Ballet principal dancer Madeleine Graham. Antarctica: The First Dance has been seen by over 5 million people around the globe to date.
Lying Together, the companion film for Spaghetti Junction, featuring Hong Kong Ballet was filmed on rooftops and urban green spaces of Hong Kong and also shares a message around climate change. Lying Together will be released later this year.
Set to music by acclaimed band FKJ, Spaghetti Junction was created in partnership with Birmingham Royal Ballet and Hong Kong Ballet, and funded by Arts Council England, Birmingham Hippodrome, West Midlands Growth Company and Southside BID
You can watch the world premiere screening of Spaghetti Junction at 07.00 BST on BBC.CO.UK/ARTS on Wednesday 22 April, Earth Day.
Earth Day started in 1970 and is now the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 75,000 partners in over 190 countries to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide and drive positive action for our planet.
HAMPSTEAD THEATRE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GUARDIAN, EXTENDS ITS FREE, DIGITAL STREAMING SERIES WITH TIGER COUNTRY AND #AIWW: THE ARREST OF AI WEIWEI
Hampstead Theatre is delighted to announce an extension of its free, digital streaming series in partnership with The Guardian. The live stream recordings of Nina Raine’s NHS inspired hit drama Tiger Country and Howard Brenton’s politically charged #AIWW: The Arrest of Ai Weiweiwill be available to watch, on demand, on theguardian.com and hampsteadtheatre.com, as part of the theatre’s current #HampsteadTheatreAtHome series.
Tiger Country (2014) will be available to watch on demand from Monday 20 April 10am to Sunday 26 April 10pm (BST). Tiger Country, also directed by Raine, is an insight into the workings of the NHS and the people who keep it going. An action-packed and astute drama, it looks beyond the hospital corridors and into an extraordinary workplace, full of professionals under pressure, driven by ambition, compassion and humour.
#AIWW: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei (2013) will be available to watch on demand from Monday 27 April, 10am – Sunday 3 May, 10pm (BST). The production tells the story of the controversial arrest and imprisonment of Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei in 2011 and is based on conversations between Ai Weiweiand journalist/writer Barnaby Martin (Hanging Man: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei), in which Ai Weiweispoke about what happened during his disappearance. Directed by James Macdonald, #AIWW: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei is a portrait of the Artist in extreme conditions and an affirmation of the importance of Art and freedom of speech.
Drawing the Line, also by Howard Brenton, is currently available to stream untilSunday 19 April, 10pm (BST). Directed by the late Howard Davies, the play tells the story of the chaotic partitioning of India in 1947 whilst celebrating the strength of humanity.
Hampstead Theatre closed its building following UK Government advice on Monday 16 March 2020. The #HampsteadTheatreAtHome series was launched to support audiences in isolation by sharing world class entertainment online for free. Recent productions streamed in the series include I and You by Lauren Gunderson on Instagram’s mobile video platform IGTV and, in partnership with The Guardian, Wildby Mike Bartlett and Wonderlandby Beth Steel.
Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre said:
“I am delighted that we have been able to extend our #HampsteadTheatreAtHome series with The Guardian. It feels like there has never been a more apt time to share Tiger Country – Nina Raine meticulously studied the NHS and spent much time with its extraordinary employees who put their lives on the line, daily, to keep Britain safe. The whole nation is indebted to this workforce and should viewers want to support those working on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19, a link will be available on our website.AIWW: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei also reminds us of the importance of freedom of speech. Many questions will be asked over the next few months and it’s in everyone’s interest that we continue to strive for a society that’s built on truth and openness.
The reaction to our digital series so far has been tremendous and there is something deeply comforting about knowing that, despite these strange, uncertain times, people from across the world from America and Peru to Japan and Australia, want to tune in to watch theatre. Thank you again to the many artists involved for making this series possible and to The Guardian for helping us reach as many people as possible.”
The webcast will start at 6.45pm with a special introduction from the creative team of author Alex Wheatle, playwright Emteaz Hussain and co-directors Esther Richardson and Corey Campbell. The production will be available to stream online at
To coincide with the webcast Pilot will be putting online a series of talks & Q&A’s with the team behind Crongton Knights. The first Pilot Connects event will be a Q&A with the production’s composer and musical director, Conrad Murray, hosted by Pilot’s Artistic Director, Esther Richardson on Thursday 23 April.
Crongton Knights takes its audience on a night of madcap adventure as McKay and his friends ‘The Magnificent Six’ encounter the dangers and triumphs of a mission gone awry. In this world premiere adaptation of Alex Wheatle’s award-winning novel, the pulse of the city is alive on stage with a soundscape of beatboxing and vocals laid down by the cast and created by acclaimed musician Conrad Murray.
Crongton Knights is a co-production between Pilot Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Derby Theatre and York Theatre Royal who last year formed – with the Mercury Theatre Colchester – a new partnership to develop theatre for younger audiences. During the 4 years 2019-2022 the consortium will commission and co-produce four original mid-scale productions.
Crongton Knights will be available to steam online for free at www.pilot-theatre.com/webcast from 6.45pm on Wed 22 April until Saturday 9 May.
For more information on forthcoming Pilot Connects events visit
Deafinitely Theatre today announce Deafinitely Digital with a selection of their critically acclaimed past productions available online to watch for free between April and June in a mission to bring theatre to people at a time when accessing live performance is not possible. In April, Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost(2012); in May, George Brant’s Grounded (2015); and in June, Mike Bartlett’s Contractions (2017) which marked the company’s 15th anniversary and won the company an Off West End Award for Best Production; will be made available to watch for free at www.youtube.com/user/markdeafinitely. All productions are performed in British Sign Language and Spoken English.
Artistic Director of Deafinitely Theatre, Paula Garfield today said, “We are in precarious times – probably the most difficult and unusual of this century, and many people are struggling. It is therefore important that we find a way to survive and connect beyond physical contact and culture remains a vital way for us to come together, even when we can’t congregate in theatres or galleries. Deafinitely Theatre is thrilled to make digitally available three of our recent plays to give audiences a chance to see, or revisit, these acclaimed bilingual productions. Each will be available for free for one month on Deafinitely’s YouTube channel.”
Deafinitely Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe present
LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST
By William Shakespeare
Cast: Charly Arrowsmith (Rosaline); Adam Bassett (Don Armado); Stephen Collins (Ferdinand);
Brian Duffy (Boyet); Patricia Gorman (Katharine/Jaquenetta); Matthew Gurney (Berowne);
Vitalis Katakinas (Dumaine/Holofernes); Dona Mullings (Maria/Moth);
Nadia Nadarajah (Princess of France); David Sands (Longaville/Costard)
Director: Paula Garfield; Set Designer: Simon Heap; Costume Designer: Fiona Albrow;
Sound Designer: Phillippa Herrick; Creative Interpreter: Kate Furby;
Musician: Jon Whitton; Musician: Flora Curzon; Director for the Screen: Ian Russell
“Definitely, I’d say, theatre for everyone.”
★★★★
The Guardian
Presented at Shakespeare’s Globe for the World Shakespeare Festival in May 2012, Deafinitely Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe’s production of Love’s Labour’s Lost then toured the UK as part of the Globe to Globe Festival, in which each of Shakespeare’s 37 plays were shown in a different language. By translating the rich, pun-riddled text of Love’s Labour’s Lost into the physical language of BSL, Deafinitely Theatre created a new interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedy, accessible to theatregoers of all backgrounds. This is the first time this has been attempted with a full Shakespeare play.
The court of Navarre: the King and his three Lords vow to stay away from wine, women and luxury; but when the princess and her ladies from France arrive, they begin to change their minds. As each gives in to his affections and breaks his oath, they all try – unsuccessfully – to keep their love secret from each other.
Love’s Labour’s Lost was filmed at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Deafinitely Theatre present
GROUNDED
By George Brant
Cast: Nadia Nadarajah (The Pilot); Charmaine Wombwell (Voice of The Pilot)
Director: Paula Garfield; Designer: Paul Burgess; Lighting Designer: Jack Knowles
Sound Designer: Chris Bartholomew; Choreographer: Ramesh Meyyappan
“Stylishly designed and delivered”
★★★★
The Guardian
An unexpected pregnancy ends a fighter pilot’s career in the sky. Reassigned to operate military drones from a windowless trailer outside Las Vegas, she hunts terrorists by day and returns for her family each night. As the pressure to track a high-profile target mounts, the boundaries begin to blur between the desert in which she lives and the one she patrols half a world away.
Originally a one-woman show, Deafinitely Theatre’s production uses two actors to creatively combine British Sign Language, visual storytelling and the spoken word.
Please be aware that there may be scenes that some audiences find distressing.
Deafinitely Theatre and New Diorama Theatre present
CONTRACTIONS
By Mike Bartlett
Cast: Fifi Garfield (The Manager); Abigail Poulton (Emma)
Director: Paula Garfield; Designer: Paul Burgess; Lighting Designer: Joe Hornsby
Sound Designer: Chris Bartholomew; Visual Consultant: Brian Duffy
“A deeply affecting psychological thriller”
★★★★
The Stage
‘It’s very important that you stay healthy.
That the environment you work in is safe.
That you feel comfortable, and secure.
That you feel balanced, safe, and in control.’
Are your employers concerned about your welfare? Do they have a duty of care? Emma thinks so, but when she begins a relationship with colleague Darren her Manager suggests she might be in breach of contract. A series of bizarre meetings follow, during which the consequences of Emma’s actions take on a disturbing quality… A dark comedy about faceless corporations, nameless management and the boundaries between work and play.
Deafinitely Theatre’s Contractions, was the first professional revival of the play in London since its debut at the Royal Court Theatre in 2008.
Contractions was filmed at New Diorama Theatre.
Age guidance: 16+
Please be aware that there may be scenes that some audiences find distressing.
The Playground Theatre Café & Bar providing free meals for vulnerable local people
The Playground Theatre Café Covid-19 Food Relief Campaign makes free meals, working with local charities to deliver them to those who need it most
The Playground Theatre Café owner Rima Sams and son Mars set up the campaign and make up to 500 meals a week
The theatre continues to run its Well Read initiative in partnership with St Charles Hospital to involve mental health and older patients
North Kensington The Playground Theatre Café Covid-19 Food Relief Campaign is making free meals for elderly and vulnerable local people. Rima Sams and son Mars set up the campaign in response to the social distancing measures, working with food banks and charities. The Felix Project provide about 70% of the fresh ingredients at no cost, and Kensington & Chelsea Mutual Aid Group collect the meals and distribute them to those who need it most: elderly, self-isolating, vulnerable people, often those who live in sheltered accommodation. Rima, Mars and volunteers are making up to 500 meals a week; the meals are nutritious and delivered in compostable containers that can be heated on arrival.
Rima Sams said, “There is shocking food poverty in North Kensington which given the close proximity of extreme wealth in the Royal Borough, is unbelievably sad. A conversation with a local friend regarding food bank needs going through the roof in the first week of lockdown, inspired me to want to help get meals to the elderly and most vulnerable.”
The Playground Theatre also continues to run one of its mental health initiatives: Well Read. Well Read is a script reading project created by The Playground Theatre in partnership with St Charles Hospital involving mental health and older adult patients. Since social distancing measures we put in place, the theatre has run the initiative digitally to continue to reach vulnerable people.
Co-artistic Director Anthony Biggs said, “We consider ourselves an integral part of the neighbourhood of North Kensington, and our outreach work gives as much joy to us as to those we work with. In these challenging times, when our doors are closed and our future is uncertain, we believe it is vital to continue to support those in our community who are isolated and lonely, and who rely on The Playground.”
The Playground Theatre is an off-West End theatre dedicated to nurturing new talent and staging an international programme of shows. Led by co-Artistic Directors Peter Tate and Anthony Biggs, the unique space is a former bus depot located on Latimer Road. Its name is intended as an invitation to theatre makers and performers to come and “play”, and to encourage bold experimentation with new works for the stage. Since it opened, The Playground Theatre has cultivated relationships with international companies and practitioners. To date, this has seen the venue work with leading creatives from Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Japan and beyond.
RSC launches largest ever celebration of Shakespeare by audiences in its history
David Tennant joins forces with the Royal Shakespeare Company for launch of #RoyalShakespeareCommunity
#ShareYourShakespeare – A Global Celebration in partnership with Folger Shakespeare Library
Watch David Tennant & friends perform their version of ‘All The World’s A Stage’ here
This Spring, the Royal Shakespeare Company will hand over its channels to the global community, in the largest ever celebration of Shakespeare by audiences in its history.
Launching on 15 April, the Royal Shakespeare Community will invite audiences from across the local, national and global community to play their part in keeping the work of Shakespeare alive. Through a newly launched programme of audience-curated performance, digital screenings and supporting educational resources, communities will celebrate a shared love of Shakespeare, and place the creativity of audiences centre stage.
#ShareYourShakespeare – a Global Celebration
The Royal Shakespeare Community programme launches with #ShareYourShakespeare – a virtual celebration in collaboration with The Folger Shakespeare Library in which audiences from across the globe are invited to share their love of Shakespeare in whatever way they choose.
Among those backing the #ShareYourShakespeare campaign is Doctor Who and Broadchurch star David Tennant, who last appeared at the RSC in Gregory Doran’s 2013 production of Richard II. Joining David are Charlotte Arrowsmith, David Bradley, Stephen Boxer, Edward Bennett, and Paapa Essiedu, who played the title role of Hamlet in Simon Godwin’s 2016 production for the RSC (soon to be broadcast on the BBC). Other RSC alumni taking part are Fleabag star Ray Fearon, writer, actor and political activist John Kani (Kunene and the King, 2019), award-winning British stage and film actresses Jane Lapotaire, Joanne Pearce and Katy Stephens, and David Threlfall, star of the RSC’s 2016 production of Don Quixote and the long-running Channel 4 TV series Shameless.
Whether performing a speech, baking a cake, painting a picture, serenading a neighbour over the garden fence or teaching your dog to bark Macbeth, #ShareYourShakespeare will bring together famous faces from the RSC’s celebrated performance history with current acting company, Associate Schools, partner theatres and community theatre-makers around the world. Together they will create a virtual celebration of shared creativity, community spirit, and the enduring power of storytelling.
The most creative, surprising and inspiring contributions will be unveiled on Thursday 23 April, William Shakespeare’s Birthday, through the online premiere of the biggest, Shakespeare performance delivered by and for the global community.
Audiences everywhere are invited to Share their Shakespeare by film or photograph, in any way they like and upload it to Instagram, Twitter or Youtube, tagging @theRSC and using the hashtag #ShareYourShakespeare from Wed 15 April onwards.
Ideas for sharing YOUR Shakespeare MIGHT include:
Baking a cake with your favourite quote in the icing
Recreating the Romeo and Juliet balcony scene with vegetables
Performing “All the world’s a stage” line by line with your family
Drawing or painting your favourite scene
Re-writing a Shakespeare speech as a song?
Shouting your speech over the fence to your neighbours (two metres apart)
Acting out a moment through the medium of dance
Getting your pets involved
Telling a Shakespeare story in emojis
Gregory Doran, Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, said:
“As a global pandemic cuts us off from one another in ways we could never have imagined, and with everyday life as we know it brought to an indefinite standstill, we need stories now, more than ever before. They help to make sense of the world around us and to bring us together, and who better to articulate our collective hopes, anxieties, fears and joys than William Shakespeare. His words, speeches and stories speak to us all in different ways whilst, at the same time, uniting us across borders, languages and cultures.
“With our stages currently empty, productions cancelled, and our buildings temporarily closed, it feels more important than ever to connect with our audiences, artists and partners across the world through shared experiences. Together we can celebrate those everyday acts of human creativity and resilience that continue to inspire us, raise a smile and propel us forward, together in times of crisis. That’s why we are handing control of the Royal Shakespeare Company to you, our Royal Shakespeare Community. And whilst we can’t be together for Shakespeare’s birthday this year, we will instead be marking the day with a global celebration in which audiences everywhere can play their part.”
Michael Witmore, Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library, added: “What do people do when they find themselves in strange, challenging circumstances? They improvise. The Folger Shakespeare Library is adapting to the current pandemic as so many others are doing: by finding community wherever we can and engaging in new ways. One of the greatest virtues of Shakespeare’s characters is their ability to improvise. Think of Viola emerging from a shipwreck on the coast of Ilyria – someone who has been displaced, stressed, and called to do new things.
“We are challenging ourselves and others to try new things in the spirit of Shakespearean improv – and to share them with a global community. Creativity comes in many forms, and while very few of us could sit down during a pandemic and write King Lear – as Shakespeare is thought to have done – we can make the most of what we have. Join family members and friends, take whatever you have around you, and be part of a Shakespeare takeover in your own place of refuge. It doesn’t matter where you start or finish, how polished your results. We just want to show what ordinary creative people – which means, all people – can do when we put our minds and hearts together in a time of crisis. Just because we are sheltering in place doesn’t mean we can’t create in place too!”
Home Learning with the RSC
This news follows the previously announced partnership with BBC Culture in Quarantine to bring broadcasts of six of the nation’s best-loved Shakespeare titles via BBC Four and BBC iPlayer between now and September. A full broadcast schedule will be announced shortly.
A supporting package of free educational activities and resources produced in partnership with BBC Bitesize online will be made available to schoolchildren studying Shakespeare from home across the UK from 20 April onwards.
#AlmostLiveFromTheRSC
Following the digital ‘premiere’ of Twelfth Night on Sat 11 April featuring Adrian Edmondson as Malvolio and Kara Tointon as Olivia, the Royal Shakespeare Company is partnering with Marquee TV, to bring the magic of live theatre to audiences living rooms this Spring.
Audiences can enjoy streamed versions of up to 17 Royal Shakespeare Company productions via www.marquee.tv, the on demand streaming service for arts and culture.
Six world-class productions added to the National Theatre Collection, currently available for pupils and teachers to watch from home
From today, six new productions will be available for teachers and pupils to access at home via the National Theatre Collection in partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing and ProQuest.
The six productions complete the National Theatre Collection, which consists of high-quality recordings of 30 world-class productions drawing from 10 years of NT Live broadcasts, including productions from a range of renowned British theatres, and never before released recordings from the National Theatre’s Archive.
The new productions include:
– A Streetcar Named Desire (Young Vic) – an adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece directed by Benedict Andrews and starring Gillian Anderson, Ben Foster and Vanessa Kirby
– Cat on A Hot Tin Roof (Young Vic) – Sienna Miller stars alongside Jack O’Connell and Colm Meaney in Tennessee Williams’ searing, poetic story of a family’s fight for survival directed by Benedict Andrews
– Consent – Nina Raine’s powerful, painful, funny play which sifts the evidence from every side and puts justice herself in the dock
– Small Island – Andrea Levy’s Orange Prize-winning novel brought to life in an epic new theatre adaptation directed by Rufus Norris
– Translations – Brian Friel’s modern classic directed by Ian Rickson is a powerful account of nationhood, which sees the turbulent relationship between England and Ireland play out in one quiet community
– wonder.land – Alice for the online generation. A new musical created by Damon Albarn, Moira Buffini and Rufus Norris inspired by Lewis Carroll’s iconic story with stunning sets, costumes, video projection and lighting taking everyone on a journey to wonderland.
The National Theatre Collection celebrates the best of British theatre and includes Shakespeare set texts, 20th century classics, exciting literary adaptations and productions created especially for younger audiences. Most recordings are accompanied by learning resources to explore the craft behind the best of British theatre including rehearsal insights and short videos. ProQuest will continue to complement the recordings with digitised archival content including prompt scripts, costume bibles and costume designs.
Following the announcement from the UK Government for all UK schools to close in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, the National Theatre Collection is available to pupils and teachers at state schools and state-funded further education colleges via remote access in partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing via their Drama Online platform. Schools will be able to share log-in details with pupils to access resources at home during this period. Over 2,670 state-funded schools and colleges have signed up to the National Theatre Collection to access these resources at home.
Bloomsbury Publishing and ProQuest are both extending trials of the National Theatre Collection for academic institutions – including universities, libraries and independent schools – to support the educational community across the globe.
Alice King-Farlow, Director of Learning at the National Theatre said, “We are thrilled to announce the final six productions that complete the National Theatre Collection and are now available for teachers and students to access from home. These titles showcase the rich spectrum of contemporary British theatre and extraordinary talent of inspirational theatre-makers across the UK. Given the difficult circumstances we are all facing across the globe, it is even more important for us to keep connected and continue to provide resources and learning materials for students and teachers to access remotely”.
Jenny Ridout, Global Head of Academic Publishing at Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. said, “The exciting final six films now added to the National Theatre Collection on Drama Online ensure that this collection offers students and scholars a wide range of world-class theatre, available to study and inspire over many years. As the global educational community moves so quickly online in this time of challenge, a resource such as Drama Online is ever more vital, providing students with immediate and consistent access to such a rich catalogue of performances. Bloomsbury is delighted to be at the forefront of efforts to support and enhance digital learning, opening access to our learning and teaching resources around the world.”
Katie Birch, Vice President of Product Management at ProQuest, said, “In a time of crisis, the need for performing arts and culture has emerged greater than ever. Having access to digital resources helps keep us connected and allows research, teaching and learning to continue despite our inability to connect in person. ProQuest is doing everything we can to support libraries, universities and schools in their rapid transition to online-only access. We’re honoured to partner with the National Theatre to make this high-quality full collection available to those who need it – including students who need to watch and review performances as a critical part of their curriculum.”
The National Theatre has additional learning resources for pupils and teachers to access for free online including:
– National Theatre Talks – a collection of conversations recorded live from National Theatre stages
– New Views online playwriting course – forming part of the annual New Views playwriting competition for 14-19 year-olds, this freely accessible programme by playwright Jemma Kennedy covers topics including narrative, dialogue and stagecraft with video, audio and excerpts from plays
– Downloadable resource packs for anyone interested in discovering more about productions staged by the National Theatre
The National Theatre Collection is supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), Fondation Hoffmann, Sidney E. Frank Foundation, The Cranshaw Corporation for Mrs. Robert I. MacDonald and The Attwood Education Foundation.
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.
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.
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.
