Tuesday, May 21

NEWS

Another first for Mind the Gap as degree level learning-disabled performing arts courses launches
21May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Another first for Mind the Gap as degree level learning-disabled performing arts courses launches

Learning-disabled performance pioneers Mind the Gap are launching the UK’s first degree level performing arts course for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. The course has been validated by York St John University and will offer students a Certificate in Higher Education in Performing Arts equivalent to Level 4, or the first year of a University degree. The Bradford based company are Britain’s largest learning disability performance and live Arts Company running arts training programmes for people with learning disabilities and/or autism via its Academy since 1998. Much of that training is already accredited, but the new course is the first to be recognised and validated by a higher education institution. “The validation from York St John University is a huge coup fo...
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Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre announce ‘Hope Fest’
20May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre announce ‘Hope Fest’

Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre will launch a three-week festival in Ancoats this summer, HOPE FEST, with a programme of arts and cultural events from 16th July – 8th August. The festival will take place inside a large theatre tent which will accommodate 250 capacity, based beside New Islington Tram Station (one stop from Piccadilly Station) on the junction between Pollard Street and Great Ancoats Street. HOPE FEST, in association with Electric Park, has been made possible through collaboration and an ambition to champion the cultural arts post-covid with a unique programme of community-centric events. The festival line up offers something for everyone including family theatre, comedy, music, plays and musical theatre as well as one off special community events. The new pop-up ...
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Live Music returns to The Monastery as Manchester Camerata Moves to Gorton
20May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Live Music returns to The Monastery as Manchester Camerata Moves to Gorton

Manchester Camerata is delighted to announce its first two shows for 2021 - marking the orchestra’s long awaited return to public performances following the lifting of lockdown restrictions. These musically diverse and exciting concerts will be staged in its new home at The Monastery in Gorton where, in addition to creating a visually stunning space for live performances, Manchester Camerata will also transform it into an international innovation centre for music and health. Kicking off the orchestra’s return to live concerts on Thursday 10th June, is Resonance: a stunning and ethereal night of classical music staged in the perfect and atmospheric setting of The Monastery. This show will feature five pieces of varying lengths, scale and style, each chosen specifically for how they will...
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Hematoma, A one-man dark comedy about finding what’s missing
20May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Hematoma, A one-man dark comedy about finding what’s missing

This is a one man road-movie told on stage. Kieran re-tells the story of his craving to be challenged in order to fuse a gap he can feel in his brain. He sets off travelling, where he finds beautiful new environments, crippling hangovers, and, ultimately, a life-changing loss. Hematoma is a fast paced, witty play, where you’ll fall in love with this charming protagonist and feel as if you are journeying with him. You’ll laugh at the absurd situations he finds himself in, and walk together with him through grief. After the year the world has just had, coming together with people in a theatre to share a collective loss will be an invaluable experience. Kieran Dee, writer and performer of Hematoma, said: “In a year of being rooted to the same spot geographically, we have all been clutc...
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Serious Questions raised over DRIVEINSIDE at the Trafford Centre
18May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Serious Questions raised over DRIVEINSIDE at the Trafford Centre

Questions are being asked by ticket holders tonight as to what is happening with DRIVEINSIDE at The Trafford Centre, as days after the original advertised opening, and on the eve of the first rescheduled event there remains no sign of what is promoted as the biggest marquee tent in Europe arriving at the centre’s car park. DRIVEINSIDE is advertised by Beyond Theatre Ltd and posted an “11th hour” update on the 13th May, the day of the first scheduled performance of ‘Manchester’s Git Talent’ which read as follows. Since then postings on Facebook and Twitter have led us and ticket holders to believe preparations were ongoing to mount shows in the ‘tent’ from tomorrow, 19th May. As of 2pm today there was no sign of the tent being in place at the Trafford Centre, and a call put into ...
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Clive Rowe to Star as Jethro in The Prince of Egypt
15May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Clive Rowe to Star as Jethro in The Prince of Egypt

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, the hit musical based on the classic DreamWorks Animation film, is delighted to announce that Olivier Award-winner and ‘Tracy Beaker’ star Clive Rowe will join the company as ‘Jethro’ for a limited engagement from Thursday 1st July to Saturday 16th October 2021. “A huge popular hit” (LBC), the Grammy® Award nominated musical will resume performances at London’s Dominion Theatre on Thursday 1 July 2021 with tickets on sale until Saturday 8 January 2022.  Performances between Thursday 1st July and Saturday 4th September 2021 are currently expected to take place under UK Government Step 3 protocols (social distancing). Tickets for all performances are available now via www.ThePrinceofEgyptMusical.com From his celebrated debut performance as ‘Mr Snow’ in Nicholas Hy...
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Moulin Rouge! The Musical confirms UK Premiere dates
15May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Moulin Rouge! The Musical confirms UK Premiere dates

Global Creatures, the producer of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, is thrilled to announce today that the UK premiere of the acclaimed show will begin performances at the Piccadilly Theatre in London on Friday 12th November 2021. Priority booking will begin Monday 17th May 2021, with tickets on General Sale on Monday 24th May. For further information, please visit www.moulinrougemusical.co.uk “At its heart, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is about a group of artists fighting to keep their stage show alive. That element of the story has felt very real for us as a company, as we’ve contended with the Covid shutdown and delay to our UK premiere. But now we are so excited and so honoured to finally confirm that our show will form part of a revitalised West End. We cannot wait for the red windmil...
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Hot Gossip! Showbiz legend Arlene Phillips unleashed in the West End
15May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Hot Gossip! Showbiz legend Arlene Phillips unleashed in the West End

Arlene Phillips CBE is best known as one the UK’s top choreographers, an international theatre director, talent scout, TV judge, presenter, and dancer who has worked with legends from Elton John and Diana Ross to Tom Cruise and Clint Eastwood. Now at an intimate event in the West End she promises to share her biggest secrets and lift the lid on what it was really like working with the biggest pop and movie stars in ‘An Evening with Arlene Phillips’ at the Duchess Theatre on Monday 7th June. Arlene first became a household name as the director and choreographer of Hot Gossip, a ground breaking mixed race dance troupe that scandalised Britain in the 1970s after they exploded onto TV screens with risqué costumes and provocative dance routines on ‘The Kenny Everett Video Show’. Clean-up...
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Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre confirms Carousel initial principal casting and creative team
15May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre confirms Carousel initial principal casting and creative team

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have confirmed initial principal casting for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, which plays 31st July – 25th September. Carly Bawden and Declan Bennett play Julie Jordan and Billy Bigelow, John Pfumojena plays Enoch Snow, Olivier Award-winner Joanna Riding plays Nettie Fowler and Natasha May Thomas plays Louise Bigelow. Carousel is created by Joanna Bowman (associate director), Lucy Casson (casting director), Tom Deering (musical supervisor and orchestrator), Mark Dickman (associate musical director), Molly Einchcomb (co-costume designer), Annie May Fletcher* (creative team associate – sound), Barbara Houseman (season associate director/voice and text director),  Nick Lidster (sound designer), Simisola Majekodunmi* (creative team associate – lightin...
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Full cast and production team announced for The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber
15May By Paul DownhamNo Comments
NEWS

Full cast and production team announced for The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber

Leicester’s Curve theatre has announced the full cast and production team for its Made at Curve production of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, a celebratory reopening concert featuring the songs that made the musicals and memories from the extraordinary life and career of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Running 7th to 19th June in Curve’s transformed auditorium as part of the theatre’s upcoming socially distanced season, the production will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster. Bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s songs to life will be Madalena Alberto (Evita, Dominion Theatre), Jessica Daley (An Officer and a Gentleman, Curve and UK tour, Over The Rainbow, BBC), Tim Howar (The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre), Shem Omari James (Songs For A New World, London Palladium), ...
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