The media shapes how we learn about the issues of the day and dictates how we all manoeuvre. A powerful tool that forms ways of thinking and how our societies run. Almost a century ago, the General Strike of 1926 would grind many industries to a halt, a dispute that would see union workers demand better pay conditions lasting just over a week – with this, only a couple of news outlets – The British Gazette led by soon to be UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and The BBC, led by John Reith operating at the time. With one ending that same year, and the other going on to influence many up until the today, parallels to the early 20th century couldn’t be clearer. Drawing on this particular part of British history, writer Jack Thorne presents When Winston Went to War with the Wireless to show at the Donmar Warehouse from the 2nd to 26th June. Ahead of the production, performer Ravin J Ganatra talks about starring as influential figures, the Archbishop of Canterbury and J.C.C. Davidson – a British civil servant and Conservative party politician.
The Society for Theatre Research is delighted to reveal the shortlist for the Theatre Book Prize 2023 in its 25thyear.
DICE, the live event discovery platform, has been named the primary ticketing partner for Alexandra Palace, one of the UK’s most celebrated and historic independent venues. It marks DICE’s biggest venue partner in the UK to date, with Ally Pally delivering events for capacities ranging from 1,000 to 50,000 across its Theatre, West Hall, Great Hall and award-winning Park.
In response to a need from venues for more budget and resources to promote contemporary theatre and new writing following the pandemic and during the cost of living crisis, house – a South East venue network – has launched new initiative Take Your Seats. The initiative aims to engage local audiences with their theatres, and provides venues with a strong programme of shows along with the tools and resources to promote them.
‘The Rest of Our Lives’ courtesy of Sara Teresa.
Following the record breaking success of VAULT Festival 2023, which welcomed more than 81,000 audience members to 553 shows, VAULT Creative Arts presents the second annual A Pinch of VAULT. More than 60 shows will appear in this year’s festival which will take place at The Glitch and Sino Thai in Waterloo, running from Wednesday 24th May – Sunday 18th June 2023. A Pinch of VAULT will feature four exciting weeks of brand new and work-in-progress theatre and comedy, giving audiences the chance to see performances for the very first time in an intimate setting. This year, the programme features two weeks dedicated to comedy [24th May – 4th June], and two weeks dedicated to theatre and performance [6th – 18th June] with tickets for all performances on sale now.
The Stage Debut Awards, the only awards dedicated to recognising breakthrough theatre talent, announces today that it will take place on October 1 2023, uniting the previous 12 month’s most exciting and up-coming performers and creatives in a special ceremony celebrating their outstanding professional debuts.
Today, Tuesday 16 May, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is delighted to announce details of the new Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023 app, which will be available ahead of the festival. The app will include many navigational features which will support audiences in exploring the wealth of performance available at the Fringe. Users will be able to view and search full programme listings, book tickets on the go and use a ‘nearby now’ function to find shows starting soon, which are close to their location.
A team of learning disabled and autistic creatives from Access All Areas have joined forces with companies around the country to launch a ground-breaking programme that will change the face of cultural leadership in the UK. The programme will be launched on Monday 19 June to coincide with Learning Disability Week.
Two free programmes for young people interested in learning about technical theatre and offstage careers in the creative industry return this year. Applications are now open for the Young Technicians Programme which offers the chance for young people aged 14–18 to develop technical skills and learn from top industry professionals.
Popcorn Group, the innovative film, television and theatre production company, will be partnering once again with BBC Writersroom for the Popcorn Writing Award which champions brave and imaginative writing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that are best adaptable to the screen. Set up in 2019, the award offers a prize fund of £6,000 directly to the winner and finalists. The only award of its kind, it celebrates fearless work which playfully and artistically questions and addresses current affairs, societal trends and contributes positively to public debate. Submissions are NOW OPEN to all pieces of new writing shown at either the Assembly, Gilded Balloon, Pleasance, The SpaceUK, Summerhall, Traverse or Underbelly.
