GORGON: A HORROR STORY

Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets Medusa. You’ll scream or be sick. Ideally both.

DEBUT PLAY BY AWARD WINNING COMEDIAN ELF LYONS TO BE RELEASED AS DIGITAL AUDIO PLAY

RELEASE date – 15^th March 202. https://elflyons.bandcamp.com

Reviews of Gorgon: A Horror Story From the production at VAULT Festival in February 2020

Chris Weigand – The Guardian – ‘TOP PICKS OF VAULT FESTIVAL’

“Its twisted tale of sizzling flesh, abusive relationships and mysterious disappearances is punctured by moments of deliberately bathetic humour and the odd satirical swipe at the trend for true-crime podcasts.”

LYN GARDNER – STAGE DOOR – ‘TOP PICKS OF VAULT FESTIVAL’

“Elf Lyons’s quirky shows are undefinable which is always a good thing. They break the boundaries that put theatre, comedy and performance art in distinct boxes.”

★★★★★ BROADWAY WORLD

“An evocative, terrifying play that meddles with the audience’s perception of the genre turning the spook factor up to the max”.

★★★★ BRITISH THEATRE

“Sick, disgusting and as darkly funny as it’s possible to get, guaranteed to delight fans of classic horror”

Award winning comedian Elf Lyons is delighted to announce the release her critically acclaimed play “Gorgon: A Horror Story” as a digital audio play.

GORGON: A HORROR STORY – which entirely sold out its first weeklong run at VAULT Festival in February 2020 – was originally conceived as a live immersive horror, designed to prey on the senses, using live sound with expert foley and horror tricks inspired by the gruesome Le Théâtre du Grand-Guignol’s famed Parisian naturalistic horror shows of the early 20^th Century.

Focusing on the still taboo subject of female anger, the show explores what happens when we are just pushed too far. A mild-mannered taxidermist encounters one too many mean-spirited people, loses her temper and decides to experiment with the human form…

GORGON has been deliberately constructed to combine the everyday with the gruesome and the humdrum with the horrifying. In this the new audio version, the team have stepped up the foley to truly set the grisly scene – resulting in a horror show delighted to delight and scare in equal measure.

PRESS RELEASE – 11 February 2021

SCHOOLS’ EDUCATION PACKS TO ACCOMPANY NEW DIGITAL PRODUCTION OF THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY

SCHOOLS’ EDUCATION PACKS TO ACCOMPANY NEW DIGITAL PRODUCTION OF THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY

The co-producers of the upcoming contemporary digital adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic, The Picture of Dorian Gray, have announced that they will be offering a cross-curriculum educational pack for teachers, lecturers and students that will be available throughout the production’s run from 16-31 March, as well as available by request for dates following the run.

The education pack, which includes a link to the performance, will be available in both English and Welsh and will provide insight into the process of creating this unusual production through interviews and blogs from a variety of the creative team, from the adaptation of the novel to the filming.

It will also look at key themes, characters, style, and structure of the play alongside a range of practical and written tasks and discussion topics to assist in the study of this play. These tasks have been planned to be delivered online or within the classroom or studio.

The Picture of Dorian Gray, which stars Fionn Whitehead (Dunkirk, Black Mirror; Bandersnatch) in the title role, is set to push the theatrical form; utilising elements found in radio plays, films, documentaries as well as traditional theatrical techniques.

Set in a profile pic-obsessed, filter-fixated world where online and reality blur, influencer Dorian Gray makes a deal. For his social star never to fade. For the perfect self he broadcasts to the world to always remain. But as his mental health starts to decline, as corruption and murderous depravity start to creep into his world, the true and horrific cost of his deal will soon need to be met.

The education pack, which will be packaged with performance links at £100 per school/group, has been curated to be used across a range of curriculum areas, particularly to those studying Drama and Theatre, Performing Arts, Media and PSHE.

The Picture of Dorian Gray reunites the creative team behind the critically acclaimed What a Carve Up!with Henry Filloux-Bennett writing the new adaptation with direction by Tamara Harvey.

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield, the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, Oxford Playhouse in Oxfordshire and Theatr Clwyd in Mold are co-producers for the production.

Partner venues for the production are Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Arts At The Old Fire Station, artsdepot – North Finchley, Belgrade Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Guildhall Arts Centre – Grantham, Hertford Theatre, Hull Truck Theatre, Mercury Theatre, Octagon Theatre Bolton, Stamford Arts Centre, The Dukes, The Elgiva, The Lighthouse Theatre, The Lowry, The Torch, The Watermill Theatre, Theatre By The Lake, Theatre Royal Winchester and Watford Palace Theatre.

For the general public, the production will be available internationally from 16-31 March. Tickets can be purchased at pictureofdoriangray.com with audience members receiving a screening link which will activate on their booked performance date for a 48-hour period. Tickets are priced at £12 which will include both a link to the production as well as a digital programme. Closed captioning will be available for all dates during the run, with audio description available from 23-31 March.

Bookings and enquiries for the education pack offering can be made by emailing bookings@pictureofdoriangray.

FIRST LOOK: BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF
THE COLOR PURPLE – AT HOME

FIRST LOOK: BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF
THE COLOR PURPLE – AT HOME

FIRST LOOK: BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF
THE COLOR PURPLE – AT HOME

Birmingham Hippodrome and Curve have released a first look behind-the-scenes of The Color Purple – At Home which is streaming for three weeks only from Tuesday 16 February -Sunday 7 March 2021 as part of Curve at Home. Tickets are on sale now, priced at £20 per household, at curveonline.co.uk.

Building on the success of Curve’s first major stream, (Sunset Boulevard – at Home), Birmingham Hippodrome and Curve’s WhatOnStage Award-winning 2019 production of The Color Purple has now been especially reimagined for audiences to enjoy at home.

Marsha Norman’s poetic and powerful script along with the magnificent songs by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray celebrate life, love and the strength to stand up for who you are and what you believe in. This unforgettable story set in racially divided Southern America is staged by the team behind the 2019 production – Director Tinuke Craig, Musical Director Alex Parker and Choreographer Mark Smith.

The 2019 production of The Color Purple, the first-ever co-production between Birmingham Hippodrome and Curve,played to sold-out audiences in Birmingham and Leicester with standing-ovations and a wealth of critical acclaim.

T’Shan Williams returns to lead the magnificent original company as the courageous heroine Celie, with Danielle Fiamanya (Winner – The Stage Debut Awards 2019) reprising her role as Celie’s Sister, Nettie. Carly Mercedes Dyer joins the cast as the vivacious Shug Avery, following her acclaimed performance as Anita in the 2019 Made at Curve production of West Side Story.

Drawing inspiration from jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, a band of incredible musicians will combine with the company’s soulful vocals in bringing the score to life, including Push Da Button, Too Beautiful for Words and I’m Here.

Recorded in Curve’s transformed auditorium and fully lit using the theatre’s state-of-the-art lighting rig, The Color Purple – at Home will offer audiences the chance to see Alice Walker’s seminal novel as they’ve never seen it before.

The Color Purple – at Home is supported by Leicester-based music licensing company PPL PRS and De Montfort University whose sponsorship will enable Curve to offer free tickets to specific local community groups and young people. Birmingham Hippodrome is able to offer tickets to similar groups in Birmingham through the support they received through the Culture Recovery Fund.

A Made at Curve production created in association with Birmingham Hippodrome, tickets for The Color Purple – at Home are available to book now and are priced at £20 per household. The streamed production will be available to audiences in the UK and Ireland only and Curve will offer a range of accessible performances throughout the run, including captioned and audio described.

As part of the run of streamed performances, Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome will offer 2,000 free tickets for NHS workers to enjoy the production at home, with tickets distributed through local NHS providers.

To find out more or to book tickets to The Color Purple – at Home, visit www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/the-color-purple-at-home/

Nevill Holt Opera moves outdoors this August with its
largest and most inclusive opera festival offering free
tickets for under-18s
Nevill Holt Opera, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 8EG
4th, 5th, 7th, 8th and 10th August 2021 (La traviata)
19th, 21st, 22nd, 24th and 25th August 2021 (Don Giovanni)

While the country remains locked down, Nevill Holt Opera (NHO) is looking ahead and has made the bold decision to move its opera festival outdoors and stage it later than usual this summer. With dates now throughout August, NHO will build an outdoor stage and seating that will enable each performance to play to a socially distanced audience of up to 650 people. At the same time, Nevill Holt Opera has worked to make its pricing more affordable, with tickets starting from just £35 and free for under-18s.

The summer festival will present the operas that had been scheduled for the cancelled 2020 season Verdi’s La traviata and Mozart’s Don Giovanni. A giant, covered stage will feature a socially distanced orchestra for each performance, while a further stage in front ensures all audience members will feel close to the action. The stage set-up is being designed to frame the sensational valley views from Nevill Holt, and to celebrate NHO’s location in Leicestershire and the East Midlands. As part of the festival’s commitment to its home, NHO will be working with more local businesses to deliver its festival than ever before this year.

Three seating zones will enable audiences to choose whether they would prefer to relax and spread out on picnic blankets on the lawn, to watch the opera from a comfortable seat, or to ensure they beat the weather by choosing a premium spot in a tiered and covered grandstand. Nevill Holt Opera is housed within one of England’s most beautiful country house estates and the outdoor stage will highlight the breath-taking views and enable visitors to truly immerse themselves in the landscaped gardens adorned with outstanding British sculpture including works by Anthony Gormley, Marc Quinn and Conrad Shawcross.

Managing Director, Annie Lydford, says, We are all invigorated to be presenting our largest and most inclusive festival yet despite the challenges of the last year. We felt strongly, at this time when people crave brilliant live experiences perhaps more than ever, that reducing our capacity and raising our prices simply wasn’t an option. With fantastic artists and technicians, two creative, beautiful productions – not to mention the wonderful Nevill Holt grounds and gardens – we want to make sure our audiences have an unforgettable time with us this summer. Having received crucial support to aid our survival from government, from independent trusts and foundations, and from individuals, we recognise the responsibility we have to ensure that the communities we serve across the East Midlands can continue to enjoy fantastic performances with us this summer. Particularly, we are proud to offer hundreds of free tickets across the season completely free of charge to under18s – a commitment which reflects the importance of the year-round education programme which has been at NHO’s core since the company began.

Nicholas Chalmers, Artistic Director of Nevill Holt Opera, comments, Nevill Holt Opera 2021 is to be our biggest and most ambitious festival to date. We invite you to come and immerse yourselves in the world of Mozart and Verdi in a beautiful outdoor staging. Our exceptional young artists, creative teams and orchestra partners are working hard to bring you visual and musical delights as you take in the fantastic view of the Welland Valley from our home at Nevill Holt. We are responding to the events of the last year by opening up the festival to a larger audience, sharing our high artistic standards and doing everything we can to make your experience entertaining and uplifting. We are all missing the arts and I personally cannot wait to conduct Verdi’s masterpiece, La traviata. In June, we will be hosting chamber music and solo recitals in our award-winning theatre and inviting you to share in the glories that make Nevill Holt such a special place; intimacy, spectacular gardens and wonderful singing. All this can be enjoyed while knowing you are supporting some of the very best of operatic talent, alongside our year-round programme of education work

NHO is an independent charity and festival run by its board, Artistic Director, Nicholas Chalmers, and Managing Director, Annie Lydford. More than 55% of its income is generated from ticket sales, 25% from fundraising and membership, 10% from other activity such as catering, merchandise and theatre hire, and 10% through an annual grant from the David Ross Foundation. NHO has received vital support this year from the Cultural Recovery Fund and from the Garfield Weston Foundation, both of which have played a crucial role in the organisation’s ability to mount a festival this summer.

In addition to its festival in August, NHO is planning to present further performances and a mini festival in June, to include chamber music and solo recitals in its theatre, as well as additional performances in August. Full details of cast and creatives will be announced in due course.

DEAFINITELY THEATRE ANNOUNCES BURSARY RECIPIENTS FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING THEATRE FREELANCERS

Deafinitely Theatre today announcestherecipients for their bursary supporting deaf or hard of hearing freelance theatre practitioners and performers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Twenty recipients, at various stages in their careers, will receive £1000 to develop their practise in Spring 2021. Deafinitely Theatre will also provide recipients with networking sessions and keeping-in-touch sessions to monitor their personal development.

Artistic Director, Paula Garfield, said today, “Deafinitely Theatre is incredibly excited to be able to support 20 deaf British freelance theatre professionals at this difficult time thanks to the support of the Arts Council England Cultural Recovery Fund. These 20 artists represent just a fraction of the wide-ranging, diverse deaf talent in our industry and we are excited to support their personal development on innovative theatre projects and initiatives. We can’t wait to share the work developed as a result of their bursaries, which will be profiled on our website in the spring. Take a look at our website now to find out more about this brilliant group and the work they are making.” 

Richard France, a freelance creative practitioner and soundscape artist commented, “Receiving this Bursary is a dream come true. I’ve been wanting to develop this project for a long time but I’ve not had the opportunity due to conflicting schedules and other work. It will allow me to work with deaf dancers to see how dance can develop through sensory feeling and sonic sounds, exploring an area that I haven’t worked on before and opening up opportunities for me to work with contemporary dancers. I want to explore the diversity of British culture, particularly in light of Brexit, through expressive dance.”

Chisato Minamimura, a performance artist and choreographer, also said, “I am very excited to be receive this bursary, as it will allow me to deepen my research into an area of contemporary performance which I find truly fascinating. I am using this brilliant opportunity to learn more about Visual Vernacular (VV) and to digitally connect with international Deaf VV experts. From this, I hope to further explore the artistic and choreographic potential VV offers, with the ambition of developing my Deaf-led practice and creating innovative choreographic elements, inspiring future creative projects.”

Recipients in full:

• Stephanie Back –will use the bursary to develop her show Fow and further her skills in translation, presenting work online and reaching Deaf audiences.
• Rinkoo Barpaga – will use the bursary to build on his Visual Vernacular training and develop a clowning piece aiming to reach new audiences, particularly young Asian and black communities.
• Duffy – will use the bursary to hone his writing and storytelling skills, and develop a new play.
• Katie Erich – will use the bursary to develop her BSL performance skills, working toward BSL Level 6, and expand her experience in translating scripts.
• Richard France – will use the bursary to work with deaf dancers to see how dance can develop through sensory feeling and sonic sounds, exploring an area that he hasn’t worked on before.
• Fifi Garfield – will use the bursary for the research and development of a solo play or stand-up comedy routine, as part of which she will get training from experienced stand-up comedy professionals.
• Ben Glover – will use the bursary to develop creative captioning video design for a new production and train in Notch and Cinema 4D technology to expand his skills and creative portfolio. 
• Alim Jayda – will use the bursary to create a new digital platform, Released Voices, which will present a series of stories and experiences from underrepresented deaf voices and minorities.
• Sahera Khan – will use the bursary for the research and development of a new short play about deaf women in prison and develop her skills as a writer.
• Ace Mahbaz – will use the bursary to develop his writing skills, exploring the concept of masculinity in the deaf community and what it means to be a deaf man.
• Zoë McWhinney – will use the bursary to experiment with cutting edge musical equipment and develop her Visual Vernacular performance skills.
• Harri Marshall – will use the bursary to undertake R&D on a new verbatim piece that explores the search for human connection in an increasingly digitised world.
• Colly Metcalfe – will use the bursary to research, write and rehearse new material in BSL and English for performances in the North of England and to develop her digital skills for online work. 
• Chisato Minamimura – will use the bursary to further explore the Visual Vernacular performance style, with the use of sign and mime, with highly respected deaf performers and develop her performance skills. 
• Julian Peedle-Calloo – will use the bursary to work with a deaf playwright to develop a new short play about the impacts of Covid-19 on the deaf community, which could be filmed for digital broadcast.
• Jamie Rea – will use the bursary to develop a new interdisciplinary digital performance developing his skills as a performer, visual artist, filmmaker and painter.
• Mary-Jayne Russell de Clifford – will use the bursary to explore the feasibility of setting up a deaf community theatre group in the Midlands with a research project including a series of online taster workshops.
• Rebecca Saffir – will use the bursary to research and write two new plays developing her experience of two contrasting forms: a large, multi-lingual ensemble piece and a monologue.
• Deepa Shastri – will use the bursary to develop her knowledge of casting and creative producing and gain professional experience in these areas which have little involvement from deaf professionals.
• Otis Waby – will use the bursary to fund the writing of a new play inspired by his tinnitus and mental health, interviewing other creatives that suffer from similar issues and exploring how this affects and inspires their creativity.

The bursary is supported by the Arts Council Recovery Fund.

ARTPARTY: A UNIQUE ONLINE ARTS EXPERIENCE

ARTPARTY: A UNIQUE ONLINE ARTS EXPERIENCE

FROM PRODUCERS SOCIAL CONVENTION

ARTPARTY, the exciting new interactive online micro-festival from producers Social Convention launches this month kicking off with a residency from Opera Director Alexander Gedeon and Grammy-Award winning Singer Songwriter Judith Hill.

On the last Friday of every month, ARTPARTY will present new work – including screenings, live performances, and immersive experiences – from cutting edge creatives from around the world. The eclectic participatory audience experience will include UK and world premieres of work combined with interactive artist interviews, a mix-along cocktail bar, a live DJ set & multimedia dance party and general ridiculousness with host, drag legend and performance artist Virgin X.

Natalie Hall, Co-Founder of Social Convention, says: “ARTPARTY is like taking the Tate Lates programme and sticking it in The Glory. It’s high art and low art, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. What we promise is that you can come to see some completely new creative work but also have a bit of a laugh, hop up on stage with the host, flirt in the chats with other arty types, and have a good sweaty dance sesh”.

She continues, “Our initial idea for ARTPARTY was born out of a rather heavy pub night with Cimoen [Cimeon Ellerton-Kay, Social Convention Co-Founder] where we wondered, why is it that we LOVE new theatre, dance, art, whatever – but so often just end up at the pub? We work in the arts and are the target market for so many arts experiences – why is it so hard to get us there? We were frustrated and bored with the restrictions and ostentation and wine in plastic cups. Our hope is this offers people like us the chance to enjoy new and exciting art in an active, unpretentious way whilst also enjoying a ‘night out’ with like-minded people.”

ARTPARTY launches on the 26 February as Experimental Opera Director Alexander Gedeon steps into the spotlight with Concerto for Having Fun with Elvis on Stage, a new theatrical piece designed for video, composed by Daniel Corral and created with Video Director Allen Cordell of cult comedy site SuperDeluxe. Concerto was created around a cult 1973 album of Elvis speaking on stage between songs at live concerts. One reviewer wrote: “hearing it is like witnessing a car wreck, leaving onlookers too horrified and too baffled to turn away.”

Concerto is a reimagining of this vilified recording where Corral’s live musical score is performed along with the original LP as if they were the pit orchestra for opera or musical theater, while Gedeon’s “Elvis” persona becomes a vehicle to explore all things banal and absurd in pop idolatry, race and representation in music, as well as the performative aspects of ‘stage presence.’ First premiered at REDCAT Los Angeles in November 2020, this is the UK premiere of this bizarrely beautiful piece and not to be missed.

26 March sees Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Judith Glory Hill sharing new work in development in a collaborative Artist Residency with Gedeon. Hill’s impressive repertoire includes being Prince’s protege and backing vocalist for Michael Jackson, Josh Groban and John Legend, with her rise to fame recounted in documentary film 20 Feet from Stardom. Where she truly captured the world’s attention was her breathtaking performance of “Heal the World” at Michael Jackson’s memorial service.

April will celebrate the work of Leonie Rae Gasson – a Glasgow-based Queer artist creating innovative digital and live performance work, with a premiere of her new immersive audio theatre work Can You Hear Me?, a deeply intimate experience for two audience members exploring the complexities of distance and nostalgia, as Leonie cleverly pushes the boundaries of immersivity. 

In May, participants can look forward to spending time with groundbreaking composer, electronic music artist, and performer Dan Samsa with a live 360 audio premiere of his new album Contours. Samsa is an eclectic upcoming composercombining the technique and rigour of classical training, with the popular electronic music of South East London.

With a full year of programing to be announced,  ARTPARTY promises to offer something truly unique to arts lovers around the world who don’t take themselves too seriously. As Natalie confirms “If you’re sat at home craving live music and theatre; something fresh and provoking and a whole load of fun to share with friends, this is for you. Get your art fix but also pop some glitter on and dance with us. Everything goes.”

You can book your tickets to ArtParty from just £5.99 – £14.99 at www.socialconvention.org

Live stream of unique production for young audiences next week

I WISH I WAS A MOUNTAIN

Written and performed by TOBY THOMPSON

Monday 15 February, 5pm

Although doors remain temporarily closed this half term, The Egg Theatre is still bringing children and families superlative theatre! On Monday 15 February, Bath’s internationally acclaimed performance poet Toby Thompson presents his much-acclaimed production I WISH I WAS A MOUNTAIN for a performance live-streamed into your own home.

For one show only, Toby Thompson will be back on the Covid-secure stage of the Theatre Royal Bath, performing his enchanting concoction of poetry and rhyme, music and story-telling.

On the day of the famous annual fair, the town of Faldum receives an unexpected visit, a wanderer who offers to grant a wish to anyone who wants one. Before long, the city is transformed. Mansions stand where mud huts once squatted, and beggars ride around in horse-drawn carriages. But one man wishes only to be turned into a mountain…

Winner of the IPAY (International Association of Performing Arts for Youth) Victor Award, this is a beautiful and witty adaptation of Herman Hesse’s fairytale Faldum.

“With wonder, wit and sophisticated storytelling, I Wish I Was A Mountain embraces big questions and reveals Thompson as a star in the making” Guardian

I WISH I WAS A MOUNTAIN will be performed on Monday 15 February at 5pm. Tickets to watch the live streaming from the comfort of your own home cost £10 per household, and can be purchased online from www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Following the live stream, the audience will also have the opportunity to join Toby via Zoom for a post-show discussion and Q&A, helping adults and young people alike to discover how Toby approaches his work and how his globally-loved, award-winning show came to be. Whether a student, poet, performer or just curious, this is a unique opportunity to hear Toby share his thoroughly unique insights on poetry and theatre whilst offering some priceless words of advice and encouragement for anyone seeking to follow in his footsteps.

The live stream of I Wish I Was A Mountain and post-show event are supported by INNOVATE UK and The Egg Assembly

-ends –

I WISH I WAS A MOUNTAIN

Dates: Monday 15 February 2021

Venue: Live stream into your home

Times: 5pm (log in from 4.50pm)

Price: £10 per household

Age: Recommended ages 7+

Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk or www.theeggassembly.com

Post Show Event – BEHIND THE SCENES with Toby Thompson

Date: Monday 15 February 2021

Venue: Live stream

Time: 6pm, after the performance of I Wish I Was A Mountain

Price: Free to ticket holders

Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk or www.theeggassembly.com

Please note these are live streamed events from the Covid-secure Theatre Royal Bath – no audience tickets are available.

45NORTH AND ELLIE KEEL PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE FULL CASTS FOR RECOGNITION AND

THE GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS MARITIME SCHOOL

– PART OF AUDIO PLAY SERIES WRITTEN ON THE WAVES

45North and Ellie Keel Productions today announce full casts for Amanda Wilkin and Rachael Nanyonjo’s recognition, available from 17 February; and Jaclyn Backhaus’ The Giant Pacific Octopus Maritime School,the penultimate piece in the audio play series, Written on the Waves, which will be released 8 April. The final play in the series will be announced shortly.

Rachael Nanyonjo directs Obioma Ugoala (Samuel) and Shiloh Coke (Song) in recognition, based on the life and music of Afro-English composer and conductor Samuel Coleridge-Taylor; and Jessica Rose McVay, CEO and Creative Director of 45North, directs Adjoa Andoh (Emma), Sam Crerar (Ilya), Andrew Gower (Guy), Amita Suman (Priya) and Manjinder Virk (Seema) in Jaclyn Backhaus’ The Giant Pacific Octopus Maritime School.

Jessica Rose McVay today said “I’m so proud of the exceptional and varied writing displayed through Written on the Waves so far, and am so excited to be adding these two fantastic pieces to the series, and to be sharing our first family friendly piece (and trans-Atlantic collaboration!) with The Giant Pacific Octopus Maritime School. We hope audiences enjoy and look forward to sharing the final piece in the series soon.”

Written on the Waves comprises eight world premières – Loss and Hope,a trilogy of short audio pieces including Luke Barnes’ This is a Man starring Liam Jeavons; Rafaella Marcus’ The Gift starring Olivia Marcus; and Tife Kusoro’s We Have Sinned starring Seraphina Beh, Rafaella Marcus’ debut play for audio, The You Play: small acts with Rebecca Banatvala, Jonathan Case, Amber James, Daisy Lewis, Ken Nwosu, Katherine Parkinson and Boadicea Ricketts, Lem ‘N’ Ginge: The Princess of Kakos written and directed by Ell Potter and Mary Higgins and starring Olivier Award-winning Sharon D. Clarke; A Passion Play by Margaret Perry with Hannah Bristow and Nicola Coughlan; and Rafaella Marcus’ second play in the series, The You Play Volume Two: The Haunted Woman withOlivia Williams and directed by Jessica Lazar. These can be accessed via www.forty-fivenorth.com/writtenonthewaves

#WrittenOnTheWaves

RECOGNITION

Co-created by Amanda Wilkin and Rachael Nanyonjo

Written by Amanda Wilkin

Directed by Rachael Nanyonjo; Original Music by Cassie Kinoshi

Sound Design and Editing by Tom Foskett- Barnes; Music Mastering by Ollie Shelton

Piano by Deschanel Gordon; Violin by Fra Rustumji; Cello by Zara Hudson-Kozdoj

In 1898, classical composer Samuel is hearing his Ballad in A minor being performed for the first time. Nervous.

In 2020, Song is staring at her composition. Nervous.

120 years apart their music meets the other.

‘Looking him up… Has made me walk a little taller, into my music class, the last week. He was born in Holborn in 1875.  Victorian London. Black Victorian London. Musical Black Victorian London existed. Ha. I’m gonna remember that – next time I go into a room and notice I’m the only Black person here.’

How do we honour the forgotten whose work was once celebrated? And who gets to decide the work that stands the test of time?

Samuel Coleridge Taylor (15 August 1875 – 1 September 1912) was an Afro-English composer and conductor. He is best known for the Longfellow Triology including Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast (1898), The Death of Minnehaha (1899) and Hiawatha’s Departure (1900). 

Amanda Wilkin is a playwright. Her theatre credits include And I Dreamt I Was Drowning (Talawa Firsts Festival 2018), Shedding A Skin (Winner of Soho Theatre’s Verity Bargate Award 2020) and The Little Sob (Shakespeare’s Globe). As an actor, her credits for theatre include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, Hamlet, Gabriel (Shakespeare’s Globe), Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre / Shakespeare’s Globe), White Teeth (Kiln Theatre), The Grinning Man (Trafalgar Studios) and Pilgrims (Theatr Clwyd).

Rachael Nanjonjo directs. Her previous credits include Freedom Project, Assata – She Who Struggles (Young Vic), Bobsleigh (The Old Vic), An Alternative Musical (for NT Learning at National Theatre) and 2:1 (Kanzaze Dance Theatre); as an assistant director her credits include The Stepmother, Caroline or Change (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Kayla (Young Vic).

Obioma Ugoala plays Samuel. Ugoala will originate the role of Kristoff for the West End run of Disney’s Frozen, his previous credits includeThe Lost Love Speakeasy (site specific/The Lost Estate), Much Ado About Nothing (Dubai Opera/international tour), Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre), Motown (Shaftesbury Theatre), Henry V, Holy Warriors, Antony and Cleopatra, The Mouse and His Child (RSC), The Jungle Book, Crime and Punishment (Glasgow Citizens Theatre), Neighbors (Nuffield Southampton Theatres) and The Physicists (Donmar Warehouse).

Shiloh Coke plays Song. Her previous theatre credits include Small Island (National Theatre), Misty (Bush Theatre), Emilia (Shakespeare’s Globe), Julius Caesar, The Tempest, Henry IV (Donmar Warehouse), The Chaplain (The Yard Theatre) and The Litter (Bargehouse).

Cassie Kinoshi is a Mercury Award nominated and Ivors Academy Award winning composer, arranger and alto-saxophonist. Kinoshi is part of the ensemble SEED working alongside bands KOKOROKO and  Nérija. She was Mercury Musical Developments’ and Musical Theatre Network’s Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer Scheme recipient at Dundee Rep Theatre from 2018-19 and was a part of the London Symphony Orchestra Panufnik Scheme 2018-19.

THE GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS MARITIME SCHOOL

Written by Jaclyn Backhaus

Directed by Jessica Rose McVay

What’s it like once the Earth’s surface is uninhabitable?

Well, if you ask Priya and Ilya, citizens of a newly constructed underwater society, it’s pretty boring. That is, until their discovery in the basement of their school catches the eye of the base’s omnipresent AI system.

The Giant Pacific Octopus Maritime School is an ode to what we will have left behind once we retreat to the depths of the sea.

Jaclyn Backhaus is a playwright and screenwriter based in New York City. Her plays include Wives, India Pale Ale (Horton Foote Prize, 2018), Men on Boats, and You on the Moors Now. In addition to her writing, she is a co-creative director of arts facilitation group Fresh Ground Pepper and a teacher of playwriting at New York University.

Adjoa Andoh plays Emma. Her theatre credits includeRichard II (Shakespeare’s Globe),Troilus and Cressida (RSC),Leave Taking (Bush Theatre), Assata Taught Me (Gate Theatre), Soul (Royal & Derngate/Hackney Empire), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Donmar Warehouse), A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes (Tricycle Theatre), Great Expectations (Bristol Old Vic), Julius Caesar (RSC/Noël Coward Theatre/BAM), Or You Could Kiss Me, The Revenger’s Tragedy, His Dark Materials, Stuff Happens (National Theatre), Sugar Mummies, Breath Boom (Royal Court Theatre), Nights At The Circus, Pericles (Lyric Hammersmith) and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Young Vic). For television, her credits include as series regular Lady Danbury in Bridgerton, as DI Nina Rosen in Silent Witness, Acceptable Risk, Cucumber and The Awakening. For film her credits include Brighton, Fractured and Brotherhood.

Sam Crerar plays Ilya. This is their professional debut having graduated from LAMDA in 2020.

Andrew Gower plays Guy. His theatre credits include Conquest of the South Pole (Arcola Theatre/Rose Theatre Kingston), Terror Tales (Hampstead Theatre) and 1984 (Nottingham Playhouse/Almeida Theatre/Playhouse Theatre).

Amita Suman plays Priya.Her television credits include Shadow and Bone, The Outpost, Ackley Bridge; and for film her credits include Daughter and Girl Like You.

Manjinder Virk plays Seema.Her theatre credits includeA Kind of People, Bodies, Free Outgoing, Workers Writes (Royal Court Theatre),Dance Nation (Almeida Theatre), Redcrosse (RSC), I Call My Brothers (Arcola Theatre), Shabnam and Autobiography of a Face (Lyric Hammersmith). For television, her credits include Bad Move, as series regular Dr Kam Karimore in Midsomer Murders, Ordinary Lies, Hunted and Monroe.

Jessica Rose McVay is Creative Director and CEO of 45North. Her theatre credits include (un)written (un)heard (Fringe World Festival – Fringe World Dance and Physical Theatre Award 2020), Post-Mortem (Holden Streets Theatre/The Blue Room Theatre/The Space), Leave A Message (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Vaults Festival) and The Testament of Mary (Open Eye Figure Theatre).

‘SUPPORTING THE THEATRE COMMUNITY ISN’T JUST FOR GROWN-UPS!’

THE CREATORS OF

‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON!’

THEATRE SUPPORT FUND+

LAUNCH CHILDREN’S T-SHIRTS

TO CONTINUE RAISING FUNDS FOR CHARITIES

ACTING FOR OTHERS, FLEABAG SUPPORT FUND, NHS COVID-19 URGENT APPEAL

The creators of ‘The Show Must Go On!’ Campaign, the Theatre Support Fund+ (TSF+) are thrilled to launch products for children, the first of its kind in their range of merchandise.  The new items include Children’s T-Shirts, Draw String Sports Bags and Mobile Phone Cases.

While theatres remain closed, TSF+ are continuing to come up with new initiatives to raise further monies for charities Acting For Others, The Fleabag Support Fund and NHS COVID-19 Urgent Appeal.

Theatre Support Fund+ was set up by theatre industry workers Chris Marcus and Damien Stanton to help those who have been affected by the pandemic. In just nine months the team have taken over 60,000 orders and have helped thousands of workers who have had no or limited work since theatres shut 11 months ago. ‘The Show Must Go On!’ design is an amalgamation of the 16 biggest West End Musicals and has been recognised internationally with orders been sent to over 70 different countries across the globe.

Chris and Damien said today, ‘We are continuing to think of new ways to help support the theatre industry and we wanted to make a product which was accessible to children so they too could show their support. We have some amazing shows as part of our design which are really loved by, younger audiences so we wanted to make products they would love (and could fit into) so they could also show their support for the theatre community!  After all this is not just for adults but for all lovers of theatre!’

Shows included on the design are & Juliet, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Everybody’s Talking about Jamie, Hamilton, Les Misérables, MAMMA MIA!, Mary Poppins, Matilda The Musical, Six The Musical, Tina, The Tina Turner Musical, The Book of Mormon, The Prince of Egypt, Disney’s The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.

The children’s t-shirts can be purchased in sizes, 5-6, 7-8, 9-11 and 12-14 and are priced at £13. The children’s t-shirts and the full range of merchandise can be purchased from the website, www.theatresupportfund.co.uk.

FALL IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN AT DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

Treat the one you love to a memorable theatre experience to look forward to this Valentine’s Day

Whether it’s a musical theatre hit, an intimate drama or side-splitting comedy, Darlington Hippodrome has something for that special someone in your life this Valentine’s Day.

Music lovers are in for a treat with many fabulous nights to look forward to, celebrating the music of some of the greatest stars including Lionel Richie, Bon Jovi, The Temptations, Carole King and Tina Turner.

If your idea of a great date night is an evening of laughter, some of the biggest names in comedy are coming to Darlington including Carl Hutchinson, Al Murray, Jason Manford and Chris Ramsey. For those who want to let their hair down and make it a night to remember then how about spending it with the Dreamboys or maybe The Ladyboys of Bangkok – whichever you choose you are guaranteed to go home with a huge grin on your face.

If snuggling up with a good book at home rocks your boat then choose from one of several livestream events with best-selling authors, comedians and personalities direct to your living room.

We all know that love is endless, and so are theatre tokens. These can be spent not only on tickets for shows but also on any other Darlington Hippodrome product such as packages, programmes, and courses. Our vouchers can be purchased online and are delivered directly via email (just in case you need to buy something in a hurry!).

Councillor Andy Keir said “You may not be able to go out on a date this Valentine’s Day but you can still give the one you love a night to look forward to with the great gift of theatre. Darlington Hippodrome has a marvellous selection of shows on offer including music, dance, comedy and drama. Now is a great time to start making plans for some spectacular nights out.”

For full details or to book please visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk