Francesca Forristal and Jordan Paul Clarke spoke to Emma Clarendon about their new musical Public Domain being live streamed from the Southwark Playhouse on 15 and 16 January 2021.
NEWS: Finalists announced for new online theatre award OnComm
Since the start of the Covid pandemic closures in 2020, many independent, alternative and fringe theatre venues and companies across the UK and beyond responded to the challenges of lockdowns by taking their shows online – and OffWestEnd has responded to this whole new strand of theatre by launching a new award, the OnComm, for the best of this new stream of online theatre.
‘People can now have an audience for their work across the planet’: Mark Potter launches online company Crowd Pleaser Theatre
Director Mark Potter chatted about his new online theatre company Crowd Pleaser Theatre.
From The Beatles to Brexit, from Cats to Covid, Mark Shenton reflects on the latest industry news
Now that I’m getting into a rhythm on these daily columns, I’m going to try to introduce some regular features. And starting today, I’m planning on launching the week with column of disparate “diary” items — some fun, some not, that of stories that have made the news in the previous week.
How will the West End look when theatre is back in business?
It’s difficult to know exactly what the West End might look like when it finally returns: already there’s been some shape-shifting.
NEWS: Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution will return to London County Hall in May 2021
It has been announced that performances of Witness for the Prosecution will resume from 18 May 2021 at London County Hall on the Southbank. Cast to be announced soon.
‘No production need die anymore when the final curtain comes down’: How NT Live became a game changer on the road to digital streaming
ll producers going forward will build digital preservation of their productions into their business models — and a future revenue stream will be available that means that no production need die anymore when the final curtain comes down, either.
NEWS: Theatremakers from all four nations are celebrated in The Stage 100 list
The Stage has unveiled its annual The Stage 100 list. The list has been re-imagined this year to celebrate individuals who have gone above and beyond in helping theatre survive the biggest crisis the industry has ever faced.
Being at home with who & what you are: Is actors’ openness about their sexuality the sign of a better future?
Mark Shenton reflects on the careers of two young gay actors, the late Marcus D’Amico and Jonathan Bailey (recently seen in Bridgerton), & their different experiences of the arts industry in different eras.
NEWS: Winners of The Stage Awards include Kiln Theatre, Nica Burns, Wise Children’s Simon Baker & the Theatre Support Fund
The Stage has announced the winners of The Stage Awards, reimagined this year to celebrate theatrical organisations who continued to create great theatre, show innovation, and help ensure theatre survives in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
NEWS: & Juliet producers plan a West End return in May 2021
It’s been announced that the West End production of the award-winning musical & Juliet at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre will return on 28 May 2021 (subject to social distancing restrictions being relaxed) and that bookings for the show have been extended into 2022.
‘It has been a bit like the Wild West’: Recognising those pioneers extending the digital frontier
While Matthew Warchus at the other end of the Cut from the Young Vic, may have the Old Vic that he presides over (without any subsidy) dark, too, actually the theatre has been in use regularly and has continued to produce throughout the pandemic, with its “In Camera” broadcasts of live performances that have been staged in its empty auditorium.
‘I wouldn’t count on us being safe until the summer at the earliest’: Mark Shenton shares his thoughts with a new daily blog for 2021
One of my new year resolutions — and one I intend to keep — is to revitalise this personal website ShentonStage as my primary editorial home this year.
NEWS: Sheila Hancock is made a Dame in the New Year Honours list 2021
Sheila Hancock has been made a Dame in the New Year Honours list 2021 with actors Toby Jones (OBE), Nina Wadia (OBE), Lesley Manville (CBE) and Sally Dynevor (MBE) also recognised.
NEWS: Ria Jones & Justin Matthew Sargent play a part in the launch of new children’s book The Boy Who Wanted to Rock
West End star Ria Jones and Broadway powerhouse Justin Matthew Sargent are helping launch David Weiser’s new music-themed children’s book, The Boy Who Wanted to Rock.
NEWS: More venues in the east & south east of England fall under Tier 3 rules, while Bristol goes down a tier
Following the news that London – plus parts of Essex and Hertfordshire – would move into Tier 3 from 16 December 2020, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that the same measures will also apply to a much wider area of the east and south east of England from 19 December.
NEWS: Royal & Derngate announces four new musicals for 2021
Royal & Derngate Northampton has announced that it will premiere a season of original musical theatre as part of its upcoming Made in Northampton 2021 season.
NEWS: Goblin Theatre Company goes online with Christmas musical The Ballad of Rudy
Goblin Theatre Company will present its Christmas musical The Ballad of Rudy via live-stream on 27 December 2020 at 3pm from The Crazy Coqs at London’s Brasserie Zedel in Piccadilly.
NEWS: West End producers react to the news that London is moving into Tier 3
There was devastating news for West End theatres today when Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons that London – plus parts of Essex and Hertfordshire – would move into Tier 3 from 16 December 2020.
NEWS: RWCMD’s Ayomide Adegun is awarded The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2020
Twenty-two-year-old South Londoner Ayomide Adegun, currently in his second year of the BA Acting course at Royal Welsh Academy of Music & Drama, has been awarded The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2020