The Genesis Foundation has announced the launch of a free training and mentoring programme for global majority applicants who are from socially and economically challenging backgrounds who want to pursue a career in theatre as a designer.
Folklore ties us back to our ancestral roots, narratives that effortlessly incorporate the lands they were birthed in and carry with them profound messages. The tale of Eze and the Kola Nut Tree within the Igbo (eebo) language native to Nigeria, West Africa one that ties those of the Nigerian diaspora, in particular Igbo to their horticultural roots. Initially debuting at the 2020 VAULT Festival, Tania Nwachukwu‘s The Kola Nut Does Not Speak English embraces what it means to be connected to one’s familial home yet embrace their UK heritage.
Courtesy of Ali Wright.
Leah Harvey and Alfred Enoch today announced the nominations for the 23rd annual WhatsOnStage Awards, the only major theatre prize-giving decided entirely by the theatregoers themselves. The announcement of the nominations marks the opening of the final voting stage (until 10 January), with winners announced at the annual Awards ceremony held on 12 February 2023 at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
Oklahoma! Courtesy of Marc Brenner.
Media forms an integral role within the societies we live in, bulletins actively shaping how we all go about our daily lives. With the power to connect our realities with those across the globe, conversations, discussions, debates are started off by the reporting of various issues. Delving into the unpredictable world of journalism, Sam Hoare’s Press serves as a contemporary look at the lengths taken to bring news worthy stories to the front.
Courtesy of Mark Douet.
Hampstead Theatre announced today that, in the light of the 100% cut in its Arts Council grant of £766,455, the theatre will need to change direction and can no longer continue solely as a new writing theatre. As a consequence, very sadly, Roxana Silbert has decided to step down as Artistic Director.
This morning the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society launches its review of the year: an in-depth look at the work it has accomplished over the past 12 months. With unease caused by a new wave of COVID in early 2022, there was still uncertainty that a fully formed Fringe could take place this August. However, against what felt like impossible odds at times, the Fringe re-emerged in glorious technicolour, with local performers joined by artists from across the UK and 63 nations.
Jerwood Arts has today announced £1million of funding for leading arts organisations to deliver transformative programmes tailored to what early-career artists, curators and producers need now. Against the backdrop of unprecedented challenges for the arts sector posed by the cost of living crisis, the aftermath of the pandemic, and Brexit, Jerwood Arts affirms its commitment to early-career artists through supporting over 100 outstanding opportunities across the UK over the next two years.
Milli Bhatia directs yet another outstanding play at the Royal Court by Jasmine Naziha Jones, a playwright that stared shame back in the face with smoke, cheap thrills, bells and whistles and ran with it. What we all really want to see is someone else face what we couldn’t, a storyteller that spits her truth out and an added bonus is doing it with style. A stunning production with pace and gut-wrenching symbolism that has made its mark on contemporary theatre. Extraordinary acting too from our playwright-cum-actor who amazingly plays a child better than she plays an adult. It’s the best exploration of intergenerational trauma I’ve seen on stage and to think this is only the start with this being Jones’s debut play. We love to see it.
Courtesy of Helen Murray.
The concept of freedom is a deep one, one that immediately evokes an emotional response no matter who you talk to. The tale of the ‘escape story’ one that throughout the generations has disclosed the soul destroying impacts of imprisonment against one’s own will, placing personal freedom at the fore. An exploration of the threat of personal freedom, Oliver Yellop’s production Tunnels ties the world of post WWII Germany to our present.
Courtesy of Mark Douet.
Kakilang(formerly Chinese Arts Now CAN) has announced the full programme and dates for its unique multi-art form festival which celebrates the work of artists from across the wide spectrum of East and Southeast Asian heritages. Eight extraordinary events platforming theatre, dance, visual arts, live music, cabaret and puppetry will be staged from the 21 February – 23 April 2023 in a selection of London’s leading arts venues including the Barbican, Omnibus Theatre, Rich Mix, Shoreditch Town Hall, Two Temple Place and The Yard.
