Following our initial Mindfulness Workshops organised in celebration of our 10th year, Megan Mattravers returns to deliver online workshops on Sunday 10th December 2023 and Sunday 7th January 2024 – with the idea of concluding the year on a positive note and seeing in the new year with good intentions. Timings are the same as before, 1pm/1:30pm with sessions lasting 30 minutes in total.
Legendary drag artist, songstress and performer Divina De Campo, is today announced as the host of the Stage Debut Awards 2023 in association with Ambassador Theatre Group.
The Stage Debut Awards is the only dedicated awards recognising breakthrough theatre talent. Taking place on October 1 2023, the prestigious event brings together the previous 12 months’ most exciting and emerging performers and creatives in a special ceremony celebrating their outstanding professional debuts.
Divina is currently performing in the nationwide tour of The Sponge Bob Musical. Since competing in the very first season of RuPaul’s UK Drag Race in 2019 she has starred in a series of major theatrical productions, most recently enjoying critical acclaim cast as Mary Sunshine in Chicago and also in her award-winning role in the revival of cult musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Upcoming, Divina will lead the cast of Snow White at The Wyvern Theatre in this year’s pantomime as the evil Queen Morgiana. With a solid history in musical theatre, Divina has secured her status as a multi-faceted theatrical tour de force.
Divina comments: “I am so proud and honoured to be hosting The Stage Debut Awards this year because they really do shine a vital light on those at the start of their careers. This awards ceremony gives an important platform to the breakthrough talent in the industry and it lets the rest of us know they’re coming for us! I can’t wait to celebrate with all the deserved nominees on the night.”
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Today, Arts Council England (ACE) announced a grant of £24 million for the English National Opera (ENO) for April 2024 to March 2026, and a longer timeframe for the ENO to complete the establishment of a new main base outside the capital.
During the 2024-26 period, the ENO will develop an artistic programme in the new city, whilst transitioning to a new business model, which will see the company deliver a substantial opera season every year in London while developing a significant performance and engagement programme in their new city. The ENO plans to confirm the location of the new city in December this year.
The move to the new base will be completed by March 2029, rather than by March 2026 as originally envisaged. The longer timeframe will mean more stability, allow for consultation with staff, more work in London and more time for the ENO to develop partnerships in the new city and to establish a programme there.
Applications for the bi-annual nationwide Linbury Prize are now open to support emerging designers to develop a sustainable career in stage design. Twelve emerging designers will be awarded a bursary prize of £5,000 and a design placement with an established industry designer or producing organisation. Recipients of the Linbury Prize will be able to gain first-hand experience of the production process from inception to delivery and explore sustainable practices, as part of the National Theatre and The Linbury Trust’s commitment to supporting new talent starting out in the industry.
The Bush Theatre today announced that it is the recipient of a major grant from the Jerwood Developing Artists Fund to support their new programme, Staged by Jerwood. The two-year programme will enable the commissioning of four plays by the Bush’s Emerging Writers Group along with assisting with production costs.
Stoke-on-Trent’s leading shopping destination, The Potteries Centre is excited to welcome Upswing, a leading UK based, multi award winning contemporary circus company. A first for the centre, Upswing in partnership with the New Vic will bring extraordinary performances and interactive workshops perfect for all the family.
Newham Council and University of East London (UEL) announce a collaboration at flagship Stratford Youth Zone that will inject £733,000-a-year investment to support creative and performing arts opportunities for young people in Newham. Located in the heart of Newham’s metropolitan and cultural district, the Council’s flagship Stratford Youth Zone offers young people access to a range of creative spaces including a 310 seat auditorium, a 90 seat studio theatre, plus a rehearsal space and dance studio.
This is Croydon, Croydon’s year as London Borough of Culture, and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, have announced the line-up for Liberty Festival 2023. The jam-packed programme from Friday 1 September to Sunday 3 September will celebrate the works of Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists, taking place across Fairfield Halls and the surrounding areas.
HOME are excited to announce the first cohort of resident artists that will be part of HOME’s latest Artist Development programme At HOME with Jerwood – a transformative support pro- gramme for early-career artists in the North West.
Five seasons down, and the BBC’s hit reality make up show Glow Up: Britain’s Next Top Make Up Artist makes the transition from our screens to the stage – head judges Val Garland – a renowned make up artist celebrating 30 years of working on various fashion campaigns including Alexander McQueen and Dominic Skinner – Mac Cosmetics’ current Global Senior Artist fronting Glow Up Live, to take over the London Palladium on the 15th and 16th October. Ahead of the live event, which will see eight contestants from the show’s previous seasons return to battle it out to be crowned winner live on stage, Val and Dominic tell us more about why it’s important to have a show such as this promoting the off stage skill of make up artistry!