Thursday, November 14

NEWS

Everyman transforms into cabaret space to celebrate local artists across two weeks of shows
NEWS

Everyman transforms into cabaret space to celebrate local artists across two weeks of shows

This Christmas, the Everyman will be transformed into a lively cabaret space for two weeks of performance, songs and merriment, featuring local organisations and artists in the theatre’s main space. Split over two weeks from 10th – 24th December, the Everyman will showcase the talents of Liverpool through evenings of song and performance, in an Everyman auditorium designed with cabaret tables and intimate, socially distanced performances in mind. From 10th – 12th December, Everyman & Friends celebrates the rich tapestry of independent arts organisations from across Liverpool, and the diversity of theatre in our city. Everyman & Friends features performances from Everyman spoken word regulars A Lovely Word, the return of the sensational burlesque show DisabiliTease – hosted by...
The Royal Variety Performance 2020 Comes to Blackpool
NEWS

The Royal Variety Performance 2020 Comes to Blackpool

The Royal Variety Charity is thrilled to announce that the Royal Variety Performance 2020 will take place at the Blackpool Opera House, within the Winter Gardens complex, on Sunday 29th November. This year, the charity has continued to support current members of the entertainment industry with our own nationwide grants scheme, assisting many people who have found this year a particularly difficult one. Before Covid-19, it was only the top 4.8% of those working in the entertainment industry who earned above the average UK wage.  Sadly, theatres, music and other entertainment venues have mostly had to close, so many more people, including those who usually work ‘job-to-job’, have sought out our assistance. The Royal Variety Charity has also continued to manage its own care home...
Compass Festival 2021 – First Projects Announced!
NEWS

Compass Festival 2021 – First Projects Announced!

Compass announce their first projects for their live art festival running from 19th – 28th March 2021.   This festival was postponed from November 2020 and will now aim to invigorate public spaces by staging its live art projects in Leeds.  Using spaces such as shopping centres, markets, museums and the city streets.  See below for the first project announcements: Museums In People’s Homes Would you like a visit from Joshua Sofaer and Museums in People’s Homes in your home during 2021? Joshua Sofaer has created a mobile museum comprising 14 artworks, each representing a collector in Leeds, telling the fascinating stories of the museums people keep in their homes. Book a tour to see objects from our portable museum – and you can even visit a fun size café and...
Why The Child Is Cooking In The Polenta – Free Streaming by the Romanian Cultural Institute
NEWS

Why The Child Is Cooking In The Polenta – Free Streaming by the Romanian Cultural Institute

Written by Aglaja Veteranyi, and adapted and performed by Edith Alibec, this play is based on the autobiographical book of the same name.  The book loosely reflects on Veteranyi’s own experiences of life on the road with her family, after leaving Romania under a cloud.  This nomadic existence was necessary for this circus performing family as they moved from town to town, they were also running away; evading detection by the Romanian authorities for a crime that was committed whilst living in Romania.  Alibec was inspired to adapt this play as it resonated with her after visiting refugee camps in Germany, she wanted to highlight the vulnerability of people forced to move from their country and seek refuge in an unfamiliar country. The play never really gives the narrator ...
Panto is back in Blackpool this Christmas… OH, YES IT IS!
NEWS

Panto is back in Blackpool this Christmas… OH, YES IT IS!

For the first time in its 157-year history Blackpool’s famous North Pier will present a Christmas pantomime. The pier’s newly named Joe Longthorne Theatre will present Cinderella from Tuesday December 15th to Sunday December 27th. Starring Britain’s Got Talent winner and Scottish singer-songwriter Jai McDowall as Prince Charming tickets are on sale now from www.ticketsource.co.uk/blackpoolpiers The production of Cinderella is presented by Blackpool-based International Shows who already programme events in the unique venue. Managing Director Dominic Creighton was determined to see panto’ return to the resort this Christmas and, due to the vast size of The Joe Longthorne Theatre, the production can be staged with full social distancing in place. Dominic said: “We are absolutel...
M6 Theatre Company to Stream When We Started Singing
NEWS

M6 Theatre Company to Stream When We Started Singing

M6 Theatre Company will be streaming a brand-new short film for families on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November 2020. When We Started Singing for ages 5+ and families tells the story of Mr Popple (Declan Wilson), an elderly man whose acts of kindness bring his community together during lockdown. Written by Mike Peacock, the film began life as one of the winning entries in M6’s lockdown monologue writing competition. The theatre company went on to work with film maker Nick Farrimond to develop the piece. M6's Artistic Director Gilly Baskeyfield said: "Usually at this time of year we’d be creating a performance for schools which would then be toured to venues across the country. This year we’ve had to do things a little differently.  When We Started Singing reflects on a shared...
Freedom Studios looking for new Youth Theatre members
NEWS

Freedom Studios looking for new Youth Theatre members

Award-winning Bradford theatre company Freedom Studios are looking for new members aged between 11-19 to join their Youth Theatre. Freedom Studios’ youth theatre continues to offer free weekly sessions and workshops creating a space where young people can connect, create, and express themselves. Some of the Youth Theatre members have formed a small film production company to make a short film. Not only will the film production team write and perform in the films, but they will be guided through a production process from fundraising and pitching to screening and dissemination.   All sessions will be delivered through a combination of Zoom workshops and in-person, where possible, at Kala Sangam under the guidance of actor, film director and online content creator Tanya Vital, j...
Keeping A Christmas Carol safe at Leeds Playhouse
NEWS

Keeping A Christmas Carol safe at Leeds Playhouse

It’s tough enough directing a big festive show but for Leeds Playhouse’s associate director Amy Leach she also needs to keep the cast and crew safe as they rehearse A Christmas Carol during a national lockdown. They are working in their own bubble where they regularly sanitise their hands, have daily temperature checks and the rehearsal room is fogged clean every weekend. This revival of Deborah McAndrew’s version of the Dickens classic began life at Hull Truck Theatre before becoming a hit in the Playhouse’s pop up theatre they used when the main stages closed for a multi-million refurb. And the need to perform safely has forced the creatives to offer their socially distanced audience a really different show when it opens on December 3 in the Quarry Theatre. “Myself and Hayley Gr...
ATG Announce Free NHS Tickets and Casting for Pantomimes Across UK
NEWS

ATG Announce Free NHS Tickets and Casting for Pantomimes Across UK

Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce that all tickets for the first performance of their pantomimes, produced by Qdos Entertainment in Manchester, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham will be gifted to NHS workers and their families. Mark Cornell, CEO at Ambassador Theatre Group said today “The Ambassador Theatre Group is delighted to be showing pantomimes in five of our venues in Bristol, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Stoke and Birmingham this Christmas, thanks to the support of The National Lottery. ATG and its staff are also inviting our magnificent NHS and their families to the first performance at each venue free of charge. We hope that this small gesture shows how incredibly grateful we all are for what the NHS has done for this country”. NHS workers...
Paul Zerdin’s Hands Free Tour 2021 to visit Rhyl
NEWS

Paul Zerdin’s Hands Free Tour 2021 to visit Rhyl

Back by popular demand, Paul Zerdin and everyone’s favourite puppets are heading your way with a brand-new UK tour in Autumn 2021. Paul will appear at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre on Thursday 28th October 2021 Sam, Albert, Baby, Roger the bodyguard and an urban fox have all survived 2020 locked down with Paul….well nearly. They can’t wait to see you, so get ready to be involved. As well as his hilarious characters ‘Hands Free’ features Paul giving us a glimpse into his own world showing us what it’s like to be able to throw your voice in everyday situations where anything and everything can talk back! Don’t miss out on your chance to see the winner of America’s Got Talent, the star of London’s Palladium Panto and without doubt one of Britain’s finest entertainers at the Rhyl Pavilio...