Formed in response to the theatre closures caused by the current pandemic, the first round of the Theatre Artists Fund, established by theatre organisations UK Theatre and Society of London Theatre (SOLT) has supported 2,600 theatre workers and freelancers with emergency grants during this challenging time. Supported by various donors, including Netflix and Arts Council England, the second round of the fund is currently open until Friday 20th November. The Theatre Artists Fund team tell us more about the impact of this year’s pandemic on the industry, how to apply for the fund and how it has supported its recipients.

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Inspired by the life and works of celebrated artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, an artist noted for his social commentary on power structures, race and class – PoetryHouse founder Jahmar Ngozi presents The Lost Generation – an online production delving into Basquiat’s experiences of living in New York and being of the Caribbean diaspora. Ahead of the streaming across YouTube and Facebook Live, Jahmar tells us more about why he identifies with Basquiat, adapting the show for an online audience and how he’s found creating work during this challenging time.

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A racialised term coined over a century ago, the impact of the term ‘Yellow Peril’ has been a damaging one; English novelist Sax Rohmer’s creation of villain Dr Fu Manchu in the 20th century further playing into the fear of the supposed existential threat imposed by East Asian nations on the West – this perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Exploring this further within her short film Casting Fu Manchu, a digital commission supported by organisation Chinese Arts Now; artist and filmmaker Eelyn Lee tells us more about deconstructing the fictional character – highlighting the inequalities faced by actors of East and Southeast Asian heritage, working with casting director Nicci Topping to cast the film and the process of socially distanced filming.

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