Founded a decade ago in 2012 to platform the work of marginalised artists, performance venue Ugly Duck, located in Bermondsey – South East London, has been at the forefront of working with performance artists who are not afraid of exploring lesser talked about themes. Their @Disturbance Festival, now in its 4th year specifically created to showcase LGBTQ+ artists and stories. Set to show Hug Me Properly, a short film following the lives of a young, queer community on a night out, as part of Ugly Duck’s 10th year anniversary on the 10th,11th and 12th of November, queer and disabled video artist Olivia Morrison tells us more about what inspired the film’s creation, how they have approached creating the piece and what they have taken away from creating the film!

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The UK is at the forefront of encouraging important dialogues, in particular, ones revolving around international issues that help to nurture understanding and connection. This incredibly important to continue on with, especially now. Introducing their inaugural Palestinian Arts Festival, Rich Mix looks to showcase the Palestinian arts scene, offering a mixed programme of theatre, spoken word, poetry, music, singing and visual art. Debuting her first solo show ‘Another Lover’s Discourse’, showing from the 29th to 31st October, director Riham Isaac presents a story exploring the complexity of love and relationships. Having just recently performed at the Belfast International Arts Festival on the 22nd and 23rd October, Riham tells us more about what to expect! Continue reading

A former Fringe participant and experienced arts manager, has today been announced as the new Head of Artist Services at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.  Chris Snow took up post at the start of September 2022, having most recently held the role of Head of Support Services at the National Theatre in London.

With extensive experience in supporting and leading cultural teams, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge to the senior post.  In his early twenties Chris brought several small-scale shows to Edinburgh under his own theatre company, and understands the challenges and opportunities facing artists as they perform at the festival for the first time.  Having worked for several years managing large buildings for major global businesses, he then led National Theatre’s operational teams through the pandemic; and as such also has a strong grounding on how to support more established performers and venues.

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The ETPEP Award 2022 has been won by first time playwright by Saana Sze for their play Belly of the Beast.

YoungMartha, a bright and agreeable student, falls in love with Gia, who has had enough of school and teachers that don’t care about girls like her…

NowMartha enters the teaching industry, optimistic about making a positive change, but soon begins a quick journey towards disillusionment when they realise the corporate hell they’re in…

Black, non-binary and queer, Youngand NowMartha are set against rigid systems which insist they conform.

Belly of the Beast examines school politics, from the standpoint of both student and a teacher, as it asks “What are schools for?”

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Courtesy of Tom Morley.

Founded a decade ago in 2012 to platform the work of marginalised artists, performance venue Ugly Duck, located in Bermondsey – South East London, has been at the forefront of working with performance artists who are not afraid of exploring lesser talked about themes. Their @Disturbance Festival, now in its 4th year specifically created to showcase LGBTQ+ artists and stories. Set to show a multi-sensory, immersive work referencing the mythological creature the Bittern bird as part of Ugly Duck’s 10th year anniversary on the 10th,11th and 12th of November, performance artist Gisou Golshani tells us more about how they’ve approached creating the piece, what they’ve learned along the creative process and what the audience can expect!

Hi Gisou, you’ll be taking part in Ugly Duck’s @Disturbance Festival from 10th to 12th November. How are you feeling ahead of the event?

This is my first residency and I’ve really enjoyed taking the time to explore my ideas and engage in in-depth conversations with other queer creatives and professionals. Really excited to bring this project to life!

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One of the world’s most famous mountain ranges, the Himalayas – which homes the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, is one of our greatest wonders. A natural structure that inspires awe, it’s clear to see why this makes an intriguing backdrop for a motion picture, writer and director Suman Sen presenting The Silent Echo, a story about four children who play on a burnt-out mini-bus on land that only indigenous locals can cross, with what occurs next changing their lives. Having recently won ‘Best Short Film’ at the Raindance Film Festival and now eligible to be considered for a 2023 Academy Award, Suman tells us more about this thoughtful watch.

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Established 10 years ago, Voila! Europe was created as a means of showcasing the works of independent European artists – starting life as a festival hosting shows featuring the French and English languages, before broadening the criteria to include all European languages. Set to stage its 10th year edition from 3rd to 13th November at The Cockpit Theatre, the festival’s director Amy Clare Tasker tells us more about what to expect and the festival’s significance post the EU referendum.

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The 2022 UK Theatre Awards winners were revealed on Sunday 23rd October in a lunchtime ceremony at London’s Guildhall. The Awards returned following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

The Awards were hosted by star of the stage Courtney Bowman (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Six, Legally Blonde), and presenters included Dame Arlene Phillips, Isabella Pappas, Joel Harper-Jackson and Rakie Ayola.

The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to honour and celebrate outstanding achievements in theatre throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by UK Theatre members.

The biggest winner of the day was Leeds Playhouse, who won three awards including UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre,  Best Design for Laura Hopkins & Simon Wainwright for Dracula: The Untold Story and Best Performance in a Musical for Divina de Campo for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a Leeds Playhouse and HOME co-production.

Best Director was won by Elin Schofield, Robert Hastie and Anthony Lau for Rock/Paper/Scissors. In this theatrical first, the cast performed in the Crucible, Lyceum and Studio simultaneously at Sheffield Theatres.

The Best Musical Production award was given to the Curve Theatre Leicester’s Billy Elliot the Musical. Based on Stephen Daldry‘s acclaimed 2000 film, with music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall. The musical features incredible songs such as Solidarity, The Letter, He Could Be a Star and the show-stopping Electricity.

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Launched in 2019, the London Borough of Culture was established to celebrate the rich artistic landscape of England’s capital city. Often presented with stereotypical depictions of the city, the initiative dismantles preconceived ideas and acknowledges the multi-cultural communities that make London. Previous LBOC being – Waltham Forest (2019), Brent (2020) and currently Lewisham (2022), with Croydon having been announced as the next one in 2023.

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