“Remember… remember… remember…” a sentiment that echoes throughout Victor Esses and Yorgos Petrou’s digital performance Unfamiliar at Home; the past an integral component informing their present – their journey towards creating a family of their own a powerful and emotional one.
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.
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.
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.
Fuelled by political and social events that have witnessed noticeable divisions within the past four years, Chris Redmond – co-founder of spoken word collective Tongue Fu has been inspired to curate an album creating a ‘space of hope and solidarity’ during a chaotic time. Ahead of the album’s release later on this month, Chris tells us more about the album’s line up, listening to the final edit and what listeners can expect.
With current restrictions effecting how theatres will operate, this year’s impact has brought with it many challenges that have brought with it new ways of thinking. Returning to the Arcola Theatre after playing a part in the building’s inception 20 years ago, stage designer Jon Bausor has played a crucial role in designing the venue’s new Covid friendly space ‘Arcola Outside’. Ahead of the venue’s opening in December, Jon tells us more about the designing process.
Compiled from a year long period of research conducted by New Writing South, Dinos Aristidou’s digital performance ‘Hear Us Out‘ celebrates the stories of the elder LGBTQ+ community – a keyword from this performance being ‘visibility’; bringing to the fore stories that are often left untold. Dinos tells us more about how he’s feeling ahead of the show, his inspirations for the piece and the importance of verbatim within his work.
(Image courtesy of Rosie Powell)
Set on empowering the next generation of artistic leaders, Artistic Directors of the Future, founded by award winning founder and artistic director Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway seeks to demystify leadership roles; ‘celebrating the Black, Asian, Middle Eastern and Ethnic Minority talent which exists in our community.’ Formed 6 years ago, the charity’s impact has been significant within the theatre industry, conversations geared towards diversifying leadership a key factor in regards to advocating for change. Reflecting on the charity’s impact so far, Simeilia tells us more about the organisation’s journey, their Board Shadowing programme and Diversifying Boards event and her hopes for the organisation moving forward.
Advocates of preserving and celebrating the eclectic art form of puppetry, the Puppet Theatre Barge have been one of the major locations within the UK to showcase the art form, in all of its various incarnations. In an unprecedented year whereby shows have moved online, Drew Colby‘s Mr Shadow welcomes audiences back into a performance space, a light hearted piece of theatre celebrating the ‘live’ aspect of the form.
Within the past 7 months, the integration of digital within the arts has witnessed various creative responses to an otherwise challenging year. In response to current restrictions, award winning theatre company Popelei have curated a range of works for our new normal; shows programmed for their digital festival Press Play ‘set designed’ to help set the tone for each piece. Popelei co-founders Tamsin Hurtado Clarke and Scarlett Plouviez tell us more about the innovative festival and what to expect!