Arts Council England Archives - North West End UK

Gideon: A Play with Music – Hallé at St Michael’s

12Apr

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Gideon: A Play with Music – Hallé at St Michael’s

This important play, developed by Modalways and written by Daniel Mawson, hits all the right notes under the diligent direction of Sue Dunderdale as we follow the life of a magnetic musician and his family as they face an impossible choice. World War I ends in November 1918 and the world is on the brink of new opportunities. A year later, Gideon Klein (Max Gallagher) is born into a musical Jewish family in Moravia, and displaying a musical talent from an early age, his sister, Lisa (Rosie Hilal), a fantastic pianist in her own right, encourages her parents to let him move to Prague with her when he is twelve. They are eventually joined by their mother, Ilona (Rebecca Scroggs), in spite of her guilt at leaving her sick husband behind. When Gideon’s opportunities are dashed by the rise...

20Mar

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Gideon: A Play With Music

Prague 1938. A musician and his family face an existential question: should music play on, no matter what? This intimate and resonant new show tells the true story of a young composer whose tenacity burned brightly even as the world around him collapsed. Mostly taking place at the cusp of the Second World War, this production follows the life of a magnetic musician and his family as they face an impossible choice. As war engulfs Europe, Gideon’s expansive world contracts – from the concert halls of Prague to the confined walls of Terezín, a garrison town turned into a propaganda tool. Within its walls where music is both solace and deception, its prisoners struggle with an urgent question: is art an act of resistance, a place of refuge, or part of the lie that helps to oppress them? ...

20May

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

Tender – Rich Mix

Phosphoros Theatre, renowned for its impactful and thought-provoking productions, returns with its fifth play, "Tender." Building on the success of their previous tours through a collaborative research and development process across the UK, "Tender" is a timely, robust, and engaging production. With the new Illegal Migration Act and Rwanda Bill, this piece fills an urgent gap that mass media seems unwilling to report on factually. The play features a diverse cast from Albania, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Iraq. Each actor brings unique flavours and perspectives, adding authenticity and depth to the production. Abel, Klevina, Ibrahim, Ismael, and Sara form a terrific and talented team on stage, seamlessly adopting numerous roles. "Tender" humanises the pain and suffering of young ...

One actor, one spectator: new micro-plays will tour London in a Covid-secure pop-up venue

27Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

One actor, one spectator: new micro-plays will tour London in a Covid-secure pop-up venue

Presented in a specially designed Covid-secure pop-up venue, We Are Kilter’s Theatre For Two is a series of personal, interactive meetings between actor and audience member. The four newly commissioned micro-plays are written by some of the most exciting up-and-coming talent, Tabby Lamb, Macadie Amoroso, Ryan Lane, and Gabriella Leon, and celebrate the absurdity of human connection. After a year of being stuck, unexpectedly stranded in isolation, isn’t it time to meet someone new? Step inside and meet four eccentric characters who are desperate for company and comradeship – whether that’s sharing a cuppa, a daydream or a waxworm. These micro-plays will plunge the audience into a funny, surprising and sometimes peculiar experience. Each semi-improvised play will engage the audience in th...

Leicester’s Curve theatre is gearing up to reopen with a special socially distanced season from the 20th May

15Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Leicester’s Curve theatre is gearing up to reopen with a special socially distanced season from the 20th May

After over a year without audiences in its building, Leicester’s Curve theatre is gearing up to reopen with a special socially distanced season from the 20th May. Including two nights of work curated by Curve Resident Creatives and local artists, a new comedy musical, acclaimed dance and a Made at Curve concert inspired by the life and career of Andrew Lloyd Webber, these reopening plans have been made possible by a second grant from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Culture Recovery Fund. As recently seen in streamed productions of Sunset Boulevard and The Color Purple, by raising the walls between its theatre spaces, Curve will reopen as a 533-seat socially distanced auditorium, with audiences enjoying live performances from all four sides of the stage. To e...

Halifax’s Square Chapel reopens for business

19Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Halifax’s Square Chapel reopens for business

In a rare bit of good news for the nation’s cultural life Halifax’s Square Chapel Arts Centre is back in business after going into administration in March 2020. Non-profit organisation Arts At The Mill CIC, with the support of Arts Council England and Calderdale Council, are the new owners of the recently refurbished town centre venue next to the historic Piece Hall. Arts At The Mill is the umbrella organisation for Wigan’s The Old Courts, Wigan Pier and The Royal Court Theatre who are deeply rooted in creating, producing and programming work with the community. The new team will be headed up by four experienced directors – Managing Director Dave Jenkins, Artistic Director Jonny Davenport, Director of Operations Michelle Mayor and Rebecca Davenport as Sales and Marketing Dir...