As part of their continuing commitment to support artists during the pandemic, Chinese Arts Now have commissioned a series of new works as part of their ‘Digital Commissions’ initiative, an initiative encouraging the integration of technology and art to explore pertinent issues whilst reaching wider audiences. Commissioned for her work nineteen ways of looking, composer and producer Jasmin Kent Rodgman tells us more about her Instagram Opera, a production highlighting the experiences of 19 individuals, tackling themes of racism, isolation, media and mental health that will play out over 10 days during November.

An opportunity for leaders across industries to connect on a global scale, International Leadership Week, taking place from Tuesday 16th until Thursday 19th November 2020 will offer insight into how best to achieve effective leadership. A digital initiative encouraging inclusivity and transparency – the week looks to inspire, celebrate great leadership and bring about changes. Driven by inspiring social change within her work, Cut the Cord’s Artistic Director Camilla Gürtler, in collaboration with Nordic Council of Ministers will present a trio of podcasts connecting Nordic and UK leaders on how best to achieve sustainability within the arts. An advocate of the Nordic model of sustainability, having started to explore this within her work, Camilla tells us more about what to expect from the conversations.

Placing collaboration at the centre of what they do, Intercultural Roots are a network of 120 practitioner-scholars connected to communities and universities in over 26 countries, committed to the sharing of embodied practice and applying research gained within their practice. Currently adapting to the effects of the pandemic on collaborative practice by hosting sessions online, Intercultural Roots have introduced the Ripples Project, an initiative encouraging anyone online to respond to the question ‘What matters to you?’, with the first edition having taken place on World Mental Health Day (Saturday 10th October 2020), the 2nd due to take place on Saturday 24th October 2020. Ahead of the 2nd edition – Executive Director Dr Alex Boyd and fellow practitioner-scholars Dr Andrea Maciel and Alice Motta tell us more about the initiative and the organisation.

A crucial component of Grime culture, important in terms of their influence and preservation of music – DJs help to promote undiscovered voices to new audiences – bridging the gap between communities and inviting all to connect within a shared experience. Their ability to compile their own musical sets an opportunity to showcase creativity and a musical language unique to them. Establishing a career within a male dominated genre, award nominated DJ Kaylee Kay has performed for some of the UK’s well respected venues and radio stations including Rinse FM, Kiss FM, the O2 and is currently a resident DJ at Boxpark. Ahead of HighRise Theatre’s online Grime rave Lil.Miss.Lady where she’ll performing pre and post sets, Kaylee tells us more about what to expect from the show!

Celebrating Grime’s 20 year journey, a music form deriving from an array of other UK based genres such as Garage and Funky House, HighRise Theatre’s Dominic Garfield recognises the need to highlight contributions made – particularly by women within the genre as well as showcase how the form continues to evolve. Currently enjoying mainstream success, it’s important to learn about the genre’s past, as well as its present, and to celebrate those who don’t receive the recognition that they deserve, as it is those who often help shape the culture. Ahead of digital theatre rave Lil.Miss.Lady taking place on Friday 23rd October via Contact, Manchester Theatre, Dominic tells us more about what to expect from the show.

Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated world of James Bond, Co-Founders of the London Cabaret Club Evelina Girling and Doni Fierro present London Never Dies, a glamorous immersive dining experience entertaining audiences with choreographed dance sequences, specialty acts and a selection of tracks from the iconic franchise performed by talented singers. A welcome back to the venue post the pandemic, Evelina and Doni have made a commitment to support their artists – opportunities created for past and current cast members to perform in their upcoming Christmas and NYE Season a glimmer of hope. Having just experienced their opening weekend, Evelina and Doni tell us more about the production, and what to expect!

The infamous and consequential tale of political ambition, Shakespeare‘s tragedy Macbeth, renowned for its quietly sinister, psychological deterioration of both leads, articulates the ascension of, and inevitable downfall of a power hungry general – the basis of which can be traced back to a prophecy expressed by the famous three witches.

Sleep plays a vital role within our daily routines, the sleep-wake cycle a process forming one of our circadian rhythms – an internal 24hr clock supporting our survival. Delving into this cycle further in her new work Small Hours, showing online as part of IF Oxford from the 19th to 25th October, writer Ava Wong Davies talks about what inspired her to create the show, seeking scientific advice from the University of Oxford Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute and how she’s found creating work during this time.

This year, we celebrate 7 years! Within this time, it’s been great to witness a variety of shows within the capital as well as regionally. We very much look forward to continuing this journey, and seeing what happens next. We’re living in a very transformational time, whereby changes are made within our industry and crucial conversations are being had, and we hope to keep you updated on companies and shows contributing to our theatre landscape. Each week, we bring you the latest theatre reviews and interviews, and have now introduced a newsletter. This is your chance to stay updated on the very latest theatre news, competitions and reviews!

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A response to current theatre closures and keeping in line with social distancing restrictions, Access All Areas Theatre have curated an 8 stage tour of Hackney, a tour offering insight into the thoughts and feelings of the company’s members during this unprecedented time. Starting off at Hackney Town Hall, the 90 minute tour not only places centre the voices of learning disabled and autistic artists but also highlights locations significant to the artists behind the audio.