Voted one of the last century’s most influential people in music, Dusty Springfield was and still is an icon of individuality, creativity and inclusivity. Her hits spanned the world and remain as popular today as they did on first release, but behind the public façade is a life less well known, that is until now as a brand new show is about to tour which will peel back the layers and allow us to peek into the real life of the US & UK Halls of Fame inductee.

First, let’s be clear – this is not a jukebox musical like so many shows currently touring, some of which are, to coin a phrase, ‘just bobbins’ – this is a fully rounded play with a fiercely funny & emotionally charged script by BAFTA and Olivier nominated writer Jonathan Harvey. Directed by Olivier Award-winner Maria Friedman and supported throughout by Dusty’s close friend, manager and authorised biographer Vicki Wickham this promises to be a super-charged trip through her life. “Audiences will come out surprised at what a life she had, the challenges she faced and how she overcame them” said Wickham, the lady who first met Dusty in 1963 on the TV show Ready Steady Go!.

Dusty has always had a huge following who love her style and music – to many she has become an empowering icon for them to follow but what is probably less known about her is that it was Dusty who introduced many of the black artists of the 60’s into UK mainstream TV – The Temptations, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder were all invited to perform on a special edition and was just one example of how Dusty wasn’t just against racism, she abhorred it (to the extent that she was barred from South Africa for refusing to play to a segregated audience). A lady of principals far ahead of her time, her story still rings true today, in fact it is probably more relevant now than ever before.

With 16 UK Chart hits and 20 in the states, the challenge for writer Harvey was how to ensure the songs were woven into the thread of the story, not just shoe horned in “You don’t want it to feel like you do a scene, stop for a song, do the next scene…it has to feel organic” and it will be this approach that will undoubtedly set this show apart from all the other tribute/jukebox musicals. Agreed by all the cast, Harvey has written a really visceral, raw script that is also very funny. Dusty herself was a very funny lady and so there’s a lot of banter between her and her entourage of best friends, but he hasn’t shied away from showing the darker, less happy times too – times which may shock and surprise the casual fan and leave them more in awe at the challenges she had to overcome to be such the legend she is.

Of course, any show is only as good as it’s cast and for this Producers Eleanor Lloyd Productions in association with Tris Penna and Vicki Wickham have brought together Katherine Kingsley (Piaf, Singing in the Rain) as Dusty, Roberta Taylor (The Bill, Eastenders) as Dusty’s mom Kay and Rufus Hound (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) as her manager Billings. All three were visibly excited to be a part of this new production, with Rufus Hound explaining “in these current times it is brilliant to be a part of a show that celebrates powerful, successful women who achieved it in a time where male dominance was not only accepted, it was expected. Dusty took charge in her own way and fought has hard as anyone to ensure she got what she needed to be the success she was and still is”

The recent press launch was hosted in the Arcane cocktail lounge in Manchester – a very intimate setting, and introduced the stars, writer and director and gave Katherine an opportunity to show a glimpse of why she has been chosen to play Dusty. As she admits, Dusty’s songs are instantly recognisable and so too is not only her voice, but her style of singing – “This is not me trying to do a Dusty impression”, she explains “but trying to capture the essence and presence of an icon in such a way that it tells her story without fans being distracted by trying to compare like for like”. “What was most surprising when researching Dusty, was how incredibly shy she was away from the public persona she created….I have immersed myself in her world…to show people what was really going on in her life” Treating all to a rendition of The Look of Love it was instantly clear why Katherine has been chosen – she exudes a sensuality which is hypnotic, mesmerising and yet strangely familiar and is certain to have audiences holding their breath. Taking the tempo up a notch or ten and backed by Joelle Dyson and Micha Richardson she then gave us possibly Dusty’s most famous “Son of a Preacher Man” in all its raw, gospel-driven power.

It goes without saying that fans of Dusty Springfield will be in raptures over this new production but its reach, its impact and, not to forget, its brilliant script and cast will mean this show will delight anyone who enjoys great music and wonderful acting.

Dusty – The New Dusty Springfield Musical opens on Saturday 23rd June at Theatre Royal Bath before going to Sheffield Lyceum (from July 10th), Newcastle Theatre Royal (from July 17th) and finally at The Lowry, Salford (from July 24th). Website www.dustyspringfieldmusical.com or venue box offices for tickets and full list of showtimes.

Hull New Theatre – until 20th May 2018

Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams

4****

Last night, the foyer at the Hull New Theatre was teeming with excited and very noisy children waiting to see Birmingham Stage Company’s production of David Walliams Awful Auntie and what a fabulous play they enjoyed. A measure of children’s engagement is the level of wriggle and noise, once the play started the children were hooked, not moving and watching intently, it was a total pleasure to witness their enjoyment.

Awful Auntie has been skillfully adapted from David Walliams’ book by Neal Foster and tells the story of young Stella Saxby who wakes to discover she is now an orphan being looked after by her Aunt Alberta. Aunt Alberta’s intentions however are not so good and Stella soon finds herself fighting against her own Aunt. Essentially this is a wonderful tale of goodness against evil, full of humour and wonderfully scary parts with added into the mix a ghost, an owl and a suitably eccentric butler. A lot of the humour is very visual and “toilet” related, which the children of course loved, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it too, often anticipating what would happen and laughing ahead of the joke!

The cast played this with just the right amount of verve and “over the top-ness” to ensure that the children grasped what was happening. Georgina Leonidas was a very convincing Stella with just the right level of fear and bravery. Timothy Speyer was suitably awful as Aunt Alberta and the audience happily laughed, groaned at him and willed him not to win. Richard James played the eccentric butler Gibbon to perfection, with wonderful timing, usually appearing when things had got a little too scary. Wagner the owl puppet (worked by Roberta Bellekom) was a very good addition to the play and I would have quite happily taken him home with me!

The play is set in the grounds and interior of Saxby Hall, a huge mansion, and the lighting and scenery is superb, the way the rooms could be moved around as the cast moved around the rooms was inspired. The background music and lighting build up the tension and atmosphere beautifully and make sure you watch out for the ice.

Awful Auntie would be a wonderful introduction for any child to the theatre and a great night out for the family. One to make you laugh, gasp, groan, boo and cheer – all in all a fun filled night!

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 8 June
Reviewed by Jo Gordon
5*****
Now into it’s tenth anniversary, the National Theatres stage adaption of Michael Morpurgos War Horse is currently trotting its way around the country delighting audiences far and wide.

Set in World war one, in a sleepy Devonshire village, Albert (Tomas Dennis) develops a close relationship with a horse his drunken father Billy (Jasper William Cartwright), won in an auction, paid with the money meant for the mortgage. Promising his mother that he will train the horse to be sold on, Albert names the horse Joey and a beautiful friendship begins, Joey can do all from running at great speeds to pulling a plough. War breaks out and Billy sells Joey to the Calvary.  Joey first serves in the Calvary under the charge of Lt.Nicholls (Ben Ingles) alongside another horse who goes by the name of Topthorn. With the first waves of the Calvary being unprepared for the Germans use of machine guns, Lt.Nicholls sadly dies and his sketchbook and a letter are sent back home to Albert. On hearing the news, heartbroken Albert signs up to the Army aged just 16 in hope of finding his beloved horse and returning him home to the safety of Devon. We then follow how their lives run parallel in war torn France, Joey once fighting alongside the British ends up working for the Germans and Albert suffering the horrors of the trenches. Can they find each other again in the face of such harrowing conditions?

With a simple “torn paper” backdrop that has simple sketches,maps dates and times projected upon it, your full focus is on the many characters and situations drawing you right into the epicentre of the action with scene changes accompanied by the song man (Bob Fox) who musically narrates you through the story in a traditional folk style.

The Handspring Puppet Company are the real ingenuity behind this production. I have never seen puppetry that fully absorbs the audience like this before, to the point you no longer really see the group of puppeteers controlling them. The puppets themselves are truly breathtaking and combine this with the skill of Handspring breathing life into the magnificent beasts, something magical happens. To be able to convey the utter devastation war brings in such a stunning way is no mean feat yet they have achieved it to an incredibly high degree.

A beautifully emotive piece of theatre that is possibly the best stage production I have ever seen.

STOCKPORT’S FAVOURITE HOUSEWIFE BARBARA NICE IS ON HER WAY TO DARLINGTON

Critically acclaimed comedy actress Janice Connoly brings her colourful creation, Barbara Nice, to Darlington on Wednesday 30 May.

Janice Connoly was spotted by Peter Kay playing her character of Barbara at The North West New Act final – a competition he had won the previous year. Other notable winners include Caroline Aherne, John Thompson and Dave Spikey.

Peter asked her to be in his new TV series ‘That Peter Kay Thing’ and Janice then went on to star in both series of ‘Phoenix Nights’ as god fearing Holy Mary. Oher TV credits include playing Peter Kay`s mother in Coronation Street, ‘Max and Paddy’ as Holy Mary again, Dave Spikey`s ‘Dead Man Weds’ as Carole and in the BBC 2 skating rink comedy ‘Thin Ice’.

The character of Mrs. Barbara Nice is a much loved headline act throughout Britain. Mother of five from Stockport she believes in bargains and getting the most out of life. Ergonomically correct she doesn`t drive and travels the country by National Express coach. Her husband knows nothing of her burgeoning comedy career, he thinks she`s either at Bingo or dog sitting.

Entrance price includes a complimentary raffle ticket. A playful life-affirming show including the chance to win a prize off Barbara’s table. Barbara will put a smile on your face and a spring in your step with this new show about chance and luck.

Barbara Nice: Raffle is at The Hullabaloo on Wednesday 30 May at 8pm. Age guidance 14+

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

LEADING UK THEATRE PRODUCER

SELLADOOR WORLDWIDE

ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH

EUROPE’S LEADING LIVE MUSIC PRODUCERS

PIU ENTERTAINMENT

 

TO COLLABORATE & BUILD A WORLDWIDE NETWORK FOR THEATRE, LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

 

 

Selladoor Worldwide and PIU Entertainment announced a joint venture to work closely together on producing live entertainment in the UK and Eastern Europe. The move sees Selladoor, known predominantly as a UK and international touring theatre company, move into co-presenting live entertainment and music and moving away from producing only theatre based entertainment. Whilst PIU will co-produce theatre work with Selladoor and build the international footprint of the theatre work created by both entities into the emerging Eastern Europe markets.

 

The collaboration will see the two organisations pull together their respective international offices in Bangkok, New York, London, Ankara, Dubai and Istanbul to create a major international foundation for launching and touring high quality entertainment further and wider.

 

Selladoor Worldwide have not only established themselves as an integral part of the UK regional theatre landscape, but also ever increasingly further afield as they continue to tour their UK productions internationally, including Flashdance The Musical in Ostend, Belgium, and Spamalot in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 2017 saw Selladoor Worldwide launch two International Tours, Jersey Boys and The Producers, as well as their first show in New York City, the family favourite The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the DR2 Theatre in Union Square. As Selladoor continues to expand its worldwide opportunities, the company has rooted two new offices on opposite ends of the globe, one in New York, USA and the other in Bangkok, Thailand.

 

PIU Entertainment has dominated in the music entertainment industry, organising concerts in some of the world’s most prestigious arenas and concert halls. However, as the company continues to grow, since being founded in 2012, PIU Entertainment is expanding its perspective and are following their intrigue and passion of family entertainment and theatre. Therefore, the partnership with Selladoor Worldwide was magnetic!

 

The amalgamation of the companies enables a fruitful expansion and supportive structure for both PIU Entertainment and Selladoor Worldwide, as they each learn from their varying experience, global locations, contacts and industry expertise.  They have been working closely together to learn about the music and theatre industries respectively, and are keen to ensure diversification in both fields.

 

Executive Creative Producer, David Hutchinson for Selladoor Worldwide says: “As we continue to explore the richly diverse theatre markets around the world, we are extremely fortunate to have PIU Entertainment provide excellent knowledge and experience in new regions that Selladoor Worldwide have not yet ventured. As well as expanding the locational opportunities for our productions, we are particularly keen to diversify our offering into non-theatre entertainment and move into live music and non-traditional theatre spaces. Selladoor Worldwide currently produce exclusively musicals, plays, and family theatre, and are novices in the Music Event industry, so we are enthralled by the opportunity our joint venture with Piu Entertainment unleashes”.

 

Cemil Demirok, CEO of PIU Entertainment says: “In 2017 we opened our London office in order to bring internationally renowned artists to UK audiences – many for the first time – and to create a strategic presence on the global stage of entertainment production.  In developing the next stage of our plan to widen entertainment opportunities for world audiences, we are delighted to announce a new partnership with the award-winning UK production company, Selladoor Worldwide.  Selladoor Worldwide are already leaders in the field of producing family entertainment and musical theatre to very wide audiences; together we plan to create pioneering festival opportunities, unique concert experiences, permanent and high-quality productions in music and theatre and much more.  Selladoor is also a young company having been formed just ten years ago by its founders who were all at LIPA together – we at PIU share their boundless enthusiasm for live performing arts, for a wide slate of entertainment and a love of music, theatre, new writing, and performance.  We look forward to working with them and will be announcing a slate of productions for 2019 onwards very soon”.

 

Two leading companies, in complimenting industries, have undertaken a Joint Venture to provide expansion and diversification in their respective fields across the UK and Internationally.

Park Theatre, Finsbury Park – until 9 June

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

5*****

A powerful play, punching you in the face with the reality of the daily abuse experienced within society, as an intelligent women locked inside a body that doesn’t do quite what it is supposed to. The playwright, Athena Stevens could have focused on how Kathleen overcame her disability, however this would not have been anything new or what she wanted to say. The intensity of the play is created by the relationship between Katherine, played by Athena herself and Harrison (Jonathan McGuiness). It cleverly forces you to listen by pushing Harrison forward as the narrator, a white, middle class, good looking male.

Each flashback offered by Harrison displayed a defining moment in Katherine and Harrison’s relationship. Katherine bought Harrison back from the brink of suicide, giving him a sense of purpose. By enabling Katherine, Harrison became dependant on Katherine for his happiness. Katherine grew in confidence and her academic ability was allowed to shine through. Harrison watched on with longing and jealousy, both for her and the career she was so determined to achieve, becaming more independent of him. Harrison began to lose his rational mind, to the point where Katherine was desperate to escape, purposely inducing an abortion in the process. The power that Harrison wheeled over Katherine took a stark change of direction, when he overtly physically abused her. Katherine’s success as an architect was born out of her love for him. Harrison saw it as rubbing salt into the wound of his own failure. Katherine wanted them to build something together, Harrison was determined to fail, wallow in his own self pity and loathing.

The creative team cleverly used different shades of light and dark to determine real time and flashbacks in the play. It is a small, intimate performance space, perhaps a little too snug. However the stage management and use of radio dialogue to illustrate time periods, allowed smooth expertly executed transitions in a tight space. Movement round the stage and on and off, was fluid and natural.

Harrison points out from the get go, ‘this is not an inspirational story’. Athena Stevens has written a thought provoking and refreshingly honest feminist play that challenges your perceptions, forcing an open dialogue about the experience of being a women and in particular a disabled women, in today’s western society. If you want a new take on an old prejudice that packs a punch, Schism is a must see play!

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford- until 19 May 2018.

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

4****

Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s 1981 musical fizzes along with tremendous energy and sparkle, which is just as well as it’s a pretty sad tale of dashed hopes and broken dreams.

The focus is on three friends – composer/producer Frank (Lee Thomas), critic Mary (Ana Richardson), and writer Charley (Elliott Griffiths). At the beginning we see Frank seemingly at the pinnacle of success, and then successive scenes reel us back through time, showing how their loves, friendships and ideals have got mangled over the decades. All three give compelling performances, and around them is a terrific supporting cast, nimbly adapting to being TV presenters, glamorous partygoers, disapproving parents or whatever the scene requires, with great singing and nifty choreography (by Jordan Lee Davis). Oh, and they also shift the odd bit of scenery in the simple but effective set.

This is a real team effort, so it almost seems unfair to pick out names, but Adam Linstead is completely convincing as the world weary producer Joe, husband of Gussie (Anna Vardy), who draws Frank towards commercial success and relationship failure.

This show was a flop at first, perhaps because its sad storyline and technical demands were too much for its young performers. One review apparently called it a ‘shambles’. No danger of that in this production, which is very crisp and proficient. The director is Charlotte Conquest. Musical director Alex Parker leads the able band at the back of the stage, and keeps the pace bouncing along.

JAMIE WILSON AND GAVIN KALIN

 

with

Colin Ingram and Peter Kane for InTheatre, Marc David Levine and Curve

 

PROUDLY PRESENT

THE UK PREMIERE OF
ON YOUR FEET!

THE STORY OF EMILIO AND GLORIA ESTEFAN

PLAYING A LIMITED SEASON

AT THE LONDON COLISEUM

FROM

FRIDAY 14 JUNE – SATURDAY 31 AUGUST 2019

 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Jamie Wilson and Gavin Kalin are delighted to announce the UK premiere of ON YOUR FEET! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, which will play a limited season at the London Coliseum from Friday 14 June – Saturday 31 August 2019. Tickets are on sale now at onyourfeetmusical.co.uk

 

Prior to the London run there will be seven performances at Curve, Leicester from 3 – 8 June 2019. Visit curveonline.co.uk for on sale dates.

Gloria Estefan said “The UK has not only been an important source of beautiful music for our world, but has also played an integral role in my own personal musical history. To have our life story playing on the stage of the iconic London Coliseum is a dream I could never have imagined coming true. I am thrilled and excited beyond words!”.

Jamie Wilson, Producer said “After watching ON YOUR FEET! on Broadway three years ago, we immediately knew we wanted to bring the show to the UK.  The story of how Emilio and Gloria brought their music from Cuba to Miami and the world is truly inspirational. We can’t wait for UK audiences to watch, enjoy and have fun at ON YOUR FEET!”.

Stuart Murphy, CEO of English National Opera said “The London Coliseum is one of the UK’s great entertainment landmarks. As well as being the home of English National Opera, our iconic Frank Matcham-designed theatre, the largest in the West End, has played host to variety theatre, music hall and a cinema. Its original intention that it be pro bono publico (for the public good) has remained central to our work since ENO made its home here in 1968 and its history as the “people’s palace of entertainment” makes it perfect for hosting a whole range of different types of musical storytelling. We are delighted to welcome the UK premiere of ON YOUR FEET! and know that audience members will have a brilliant night out”.

ON YOUR FEET! is the inspiring true love story of Emilio and Gloria and charts their journey from its origins in Cuba, onto the streets of Miami and finally to international superstardom and features some of the most iconic pops songs of the era, including ‘Rhythm is Gonna Get You’, ‘Conga’, ‘Get On Your Feet’, ‘Don’t Want To Lose You Now’ and ‘1-2-3’.

Gloria Estefan has sold over 100 million records worldwide and is the most successful Latin crossover performer in the history of pop music.  In addition to her 38 number 1 hits across the Billboard charts, Gloria recorded the Oscar-nominated song ‘Music of My Heart’ and has received numerous honours and awards over the course of her illustrious career. Emilio Estefan is a founding member of the pioneering Miami Sound Machine, who created a brand new Latin crossover sound – fusing infectious Cuban rhythms with American pop and disco. Combined, they have won a staggering 26 Grammy awards.

The Tony Award® nominated show ran on Broadway for two years, playing for over 750 performances. It is currently on a two year US tour, whilst the production in Holland continues until August.

 

ON YOUR FEET! is directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman).

JAMES GRAHAM’S SKETCHING

One City. Infinite Stories. 

 

In the Victorian surroundings of Wilton’s Music Hall, Charles Dickens’ London is reimagined for the 21^st century

 

Wilton’s Music Hall

Wednesday 26 September – Sunday 28 October

Oliver Award-winning playwright James Graham and director Thomas Hescott are seeking new and undiscovered writers to collaborate on a uniquely multi-authored play this autumn.

 

James Graham’s SKETCHING will be staged at Wilton’s Music Hall from Wednesday 26 September – Saturday 27 October, with a press night on Tuesday 2 October.

Taking inspiration from Sketches by Boz, Charles Dickens’ first novel which chronicled all walks of Victorian London Life, Graham and Hescott want to hear from emerging talents – particularly those currently underrepresented in the industry – with exciting and innovative story and character ideas. Successful applicants will receive £1,000 for their story, as well as expenses to attend a masterclass week with professional artists and writers.

James Graham said, “We’re all aware of the growing deficit of opportunities for emerging artists from working class, regional backgrounds. We know there are far too few writers finding stages who are women or people of colour, a mix of nationalities and faiths. We’re looking for a team of writers to contribute strands, to help us work together to interweave them, and collaborate on generating more, together.”

Thomas Hescott said, “You don’t have to have read or seen any Charles Dickens. What you may know, though, is that he wrote BIG STORIES. Life and death. Heroes and villains. High stakes, wants and needs. Who are the modern day pickpockets, money-lenders, street-sellers and Christmas Ghosts? You don’t have to know the entire plot yet. We just want an exciting ‘proposition’.”

The deadline for submissions is 1 JUNE 2018 with further information here www.sketchingtheplay.com

Sketches by Boz (1836) was Charles Dickens’ first novel (published under the pen-name ‘Boz’). The book is a richly varied collection of observations and fantasies about London and the people who inhabited it in the 19^th Century, in honest and visionary descriptions of everyday life and people

James Graham has enjoyed huge critical success as a playwright and writer for TV and film. Following a sold out run at Chichester Festival Theatre, his most recent play, QUIZ, a provocative new play about Charles Ingram, the man convicted of cheating on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, is now running at the West End’s Noël Coward Theatre. In 2017, his play Ink opened to critical acclaim at the Almeida and transferred to the West End in September 2017, where it played in the theatre next door to another of his plays Labour of Love – creating theatre history.

 

Director Thomas Hescott has previously collaborated with James Graham on Tory Boyzin the West End. He is the co-author of Outings, which toured nationally. He co-wrote and directed The Act for Ovalhouse, which subsequently transferred to the West End. His production of Wolves at the Window transferred from the Arcola Theatre, to 59E59, Off Broadway, and he was named on the BBC’s Hot List of New Talent. He is Executive Director of Stage Directors UK.

Further details and casting to be announced.

Tickets for James Graham’s SKETCHING go on general sale at10am on Friday 17 May, and can be purchased atwww.wiltons.org.uk

 

• FROM PROPS MASTERS TO PRODUCERS, THEATRE PROFESSIONALS GET BEHIND CAMPAIGN

 

• OVER A THIRD OF THE WAY TO GOAL OF 1000 AMBASSADORS, WITH DRIVE TO SIGN UP MORE FROM ACROSS THE INDUSTRY

 

• FURTHER DETAILS OF 11 JULY CAMPAIGN LAUNCH REVEALED

 

• PARTNERSHIP WITH DIGITAL THEATRE+ TO CREATE EIGHT FILMS FOR SCHOOLS SHOWING THE WORLD ‘BEHIND THE CURTAIN’

Nearly 400 people have already committed to being part of Inspiring the Future of Theatre, which launched on 19 April. The ground-breaking initiative, a partnership between Society of London Theatre (SOLT), UK Theatre and Inspiring the Future (part of the charity Education and Employers), aims to recruit 1000 ambassadors in the first year.

Theatre industry professionals from artistic directors, costume cutters and lighting designers to producers and props masters – many working in the UK’s top theatre and performing arts venues – have signed up to visit UK schools, introducing children to a diverse range of theatrical jobs.

Some notable ambassadors so far include James Graham, playwright; Prema Mehta, freelance lighting designer; Sharon D. Clarke, actor and singer; Laurence Miller, Commercial Director of Nimax Theatres; Kate Pakenham, Executive Producer at Donmar Warehouse; Caroline Dyott, Producer at Sheffield Theatres; Sita McIntosh, Chief Executive of What’s On Stage; Jess Glaisher, Senior Lighting Technician at The Young Vic; Gary Lloyd, director and choreographer; Kenny Wax, producer and SOLT President; Livia Nagy, Sound and Video Technician at the National Theatre; Susie McKenna, Associate Director of Hackney Empire; Tarek Iskander, Interim Director of Theatre at Arts Council England; and Michèle Taylor, Director for Change at Ramps on the Moon.

Prema Mehta, freelance lighting designer and an Inspiring the Future of Theatre Ambassador, said:

‘It is so important that young people from all backgrounds are aware of the rich variety of theatre jobs available, and are able to make informed, ambitious decisions when it comes to choosing a career path. As an Inspiring the Future Ambassador I am excited to visit a school in my area to inspire pupils about lighting design, and introduce them to the technical, creative and collaborative elements that make my design job so rewarding.’

Michèle Taylor, Director for Change at Ramps on the Moon and an Inspiring the Future of Theatre Ambassador, said:

‘When I was at school I had no idea that a career path like mine was possible for a disabled person, but I was fortunate enough to have a few adults who believed in my abilities. The theatre industry needs all sorts of highly-trained professionals from different backgrounds and with different life experiences, so it’s a joy to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in all elements of the theatre.’

The campaign launches officially on 11 July, with an event at Northstead Community Primary School in Scarborough. Over 150 year 6 pupils from Northstead and other surrounding schools will come together in a day of activities, led by ambassadors from the nearby Stephen Joseph Theatre. Similar events will be held across the UK, focusing on areas prioritised for social mobility and cultural development, with more information to be announced in due course.

A social media campaign on 11 July centred on the hashtag #InspiringFutureTheatre will encourage ambassadors, schools and theatres around the country to celebrate their involvement, and promote the careers, education and outreach work already taking place.

Theatre industry professionals are encouraged to sign up to the ambassador scheme via the Inspiring the Future website, no matter their career level and type – and to add their voices to the #InspiringFutureTheatre social media campaign on 11 July.

As SOLT and UK Theatre’s recent Workforce Review indicated, if we are to build a sustainable, resilient and globally competitive workforce for the future it must represent our diverse population. We are actively seeking ambassadors from all backgrounds to help us realise this.

Theatres and arts organisations are also able to register their interest in getting involved and working with their local schools, via the website.

Also announced today, SOLT and UK Theatre are partnering with Digital Theatre+ to create a unique eight-part education resource, My West End. This series of short online films dives into the world behind the curtain, shining a spotlight the on the extremely dedicated and often unseen backstage practitioners working at the heart of each theatre in the UK.

My West End wants young people to know that they could be the next generation of technical, production and venue teams – regardless of economic or geographic constraints. These films will be a key part of the resources provided to the Inspiring the Future of Theatre Ambassadors.

Each of the eight films will be 30 minutes long and available free for a month on Official London Theatre and UK Theatre websites. After that, highlights from the films will remain free to all young people, and the full-length films will sit on the Digital Theatre Plus website.

#InspiringFutureTheatre / @UK_Theatre / @SOLTNews / uktheatre.org / solt.co.uk /

#InspiringTheFuture / @InspiringTF / @Edu_Employers / educationandemployers.org / inspiringthefuture.org