Sound has the power to shift mood, heal and evoke memory, soundtracks shaping many of our lives. Presenting an autobiographical one man show incorporating this element, as well as fusing projection and photography, theatre maker Victor Esses presents Where to Belong, an exploration of how to find your place within a rich and complex world of identity – as a Jewish-Lebanese Brazilian gay man, Where to Belong marks the journey to find home. Ahead of the show’s tour, starting at the Oxford Playhouse from the 7th September, Victor tells us more about how he’s found the process of creating this autobiographical work, what it means to him to be able to stage the piece and what audiences can expect.

Hi Victor, you’ll be touring Where to Belong from September. How are you feeling ahead of the tour?

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Having received its world premiere in 1967 at the Hampstead Theatre, Tennessee Williams‘ lesser known play, The Two Character Play returns 54 years later, themes of loneliness and mental health resonant as ever.

Courtesy of Marc Brenner.

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Courtesy of Foteini Christofilopoulou.

Seeking inspiration from the ancient Egyptian tale Sinuhe the Warrior King, celebrated writer and poet Ben Okri OBE presents Changing Destiny, an adaptation of the 4,000 year old poem. Having helped shape the show’s movement element and aesthetic, movement director Rachael Nanyonjo, whose credits include the National Theatre, BBC, Sky Arts amongst others, tells us more about what drew her to take part in the production, how she’s approached creating the show’s choreography and what she’s taken away from the process.

Hi Rachael, Ben Okri’s Changing Destiny will be showing at the Young Vic from late July. How are you feeling ahead of the run?

We have all, as a team, been working really hard to bring this story to life. Making work coming out of the pandemic is not an easy thing, however, it has allowed us to examine our practices and processes in order to work more productively. I am feeling very excited for audiences to experience what I believe is a really innovative production and piece of storytelling.

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Established in 2018, the Artistic Directors of the Future Board Shadowing Programme has offered a mixed programme of induction sessions, support, shadowing time, meet and greets, governance training, networking and evaluations for their alumni, continuing on with their mission to create opportunities for Black, Asian and Ethnically diverse creatives at an influential level. Taking part in this year’s programme, which will run from October 2021 – November 2022, Artistic Directors of the Future’s Training & Programme Producer Sandra Thompson-Quartey tells more about the programme’s importance, taking part as well as helping to organise and shape the initiative.

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During the first two weeks of November this year, over 190 world leaders will arrive in Scotland for the COP26 climate summit with the objective of tackling climate change. Leading up to the event, various organisations have organised initiatives in response to the urgent topic. Responding with their #CreateCOP26 initiative inviting creatives from across the world to submit work highlighting the impact of climate change, Art Partner – an online multi-disciplinary art resource will award 8 finalists cash prizes with 20 receiving honourable mentions and a feature in their virtual exhibition. Ahead of the summit, Art Partner President Amber Testino tells us more about her hopes for the initiative and receiving support from UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science in Latin America and the Caribbean.
 

Hi Amber, Art Partner have recently launched #CreateCOP26, an initiative inviting artists and creatives to create work responding to the urgent need for climate action. How are you feeling?

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With theatres returning to live audiences again, we emerge from the pandemic with a new hybrid approach – shows becoming increasingly accessible to watch online. Recognising a gap in the market for theatre online, Marquee TV was launched in 2018, a platform showcasing dance, opera, theatre, music and live performance from some of the world’s most recognised organisations including the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Opera House. Currently available to access online, as well as on App Store, Google Play, Apple TV, Fire TV amongst others, co-founder Simon Walker tells us more about what to expect from the platform.

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An era within theatre focusing on voices and perspectives often unheard, we’re witnessing important conversations, movements and art works responding to this need for representation on our stages. Told through a Black queer femme lens, babirye bukilwa’s production cake places the stories of the show’s two protagonists centre stage. Currently showing at Theatre Peckham until Saturday 7th August, the show’s director malakai sergeant tells us more about what inspired them to take part in the production, realising the show’s visual language with filmmaker and photographer Seye Isikalu and the importance of creating the production with an all Black and majority queer team.

Hi malakaï, you’ll be presenting babirye bukilwa’s production, cake from mid July until 7 August at Theatre Peckham. How are you feeling ahead of the run?

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Nicola T. Chang &Isabella Leung

An audio experience formed last year during the pandemic as a way of connecting with listeners, season 1 of Written on the Wavesby 45 North has already received over 5000 listens across 40 countries – showcasing the project’s reach. Soon to release season 2 of the series, the platform will showcase the works of 6 creatives, including Mooncake created by Nicola T. Chang and Isabella Leung. An audio drama revolving around conversations and events had around the delicacy typically enjoyed during the Mid Autumn Festival, Mooncakeplaces the stories of the South and East Asian community to the fore. Ahead of the release, Nicola and Isabella tell us more about what to expect. Continue reading

Launching Europe’s first of its kind technological hub this weekend, the Real Ideas Organisation look to champion innovation within the field, particularly within immersive technology. A 360 degree dome comprising of workspaces, meeting rooms and event spaces, the venue also looks to serve its local community of Plymouth. Ahead of its opening, Real Ideas Organisation’s Chief Executive Lindsey Hall tells us more about the digital focused venue.

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Spanning over a 6000 year time period, acclaimed comic book writer Alan Moore’s first novel Voice of the Fire, published in 1996, marked the author’s scale, ambition and imagination. Located in Northampton, the novel’s 12 part structure follows the lives of 12 people in various eras, each of which bringing the narrative forward in time. Moore is known for works such as V for Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Watchmen amongst others, and is celebrated for his literary contributions. Bringing to life Moore’s first novel 25 years later, former New Perspectives Artistic Director, and now newly announced Artistic Director of the Live Theatre in Newcastle, Jack McNamara tells us more about working with various well known performers including Maxine Peake and Toby Jones to produce an audiobook version.

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