With a greater focus placed on the contributions made by those within the NHS during the pandemic, it became apparent just how selfless and resilient these everyday heroes are. Amongst these medics, newly qualified trainees would have experienced their initial year on the frontlines in what has now become a very significant period within our history. Inspired by her own experiences of working on the frontline, doctor and playwright Shaan Sahota presents ‘Under the Mask’, a 360 degree binaural experience capturing the sounds of the Covid wards. Ahead of the show, Shaan tells us more about what to expect.

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Courtesy of Rowan Briscoe.

As theatre venues gradually begin to open, the industry will welcome audiences both live and virtually – a new adaptation to have emerged post pandemic. In a year that has transformed many on a personal, as well as global level, there is a need, now more than ever, to connect and bring communities together. Celebrating community within her work, lecturer and theatre maker Abigail Conway invites participants to take part in her latest installation, The Candle Project – ‘The candle project is an ode to resilience, a celebration of shadow and light, an ancient ritual for our times.’ Taking part in this year’s Brighton Fringe Festival at The Spire, workshops to create Bees wax candles containing handwritten messages will take place between 24th to 28th May, before the lighting ceremony on 29th May which will be live streamed to viewers. Ahead of the installation, Abigail tells us more about what to expect.

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Courtesy of Michael WharleyOriginally

Originally created for TV, Maynard has been reimagined for the radio world, the audio drama highlighting the eponymous lead’s journey from petty criminal to becoming the owner of his late mother’s Caribbean takeaway store in Brixton. Recently announced as this year’s Imison Award winner, hosted by the Society of Authors and the BBC Audio Drama Awards, the acknowledgement marks a pivotal moment within Maynard‘s creative process, having taken writer Fraser Ayres 15 years to produce. With the virtual ceremony having taken place on Friday 26th March, Fraser reflects on the production’s journey.

Hi Fraser, it’s been recently announced that your audio play, Maynard, has won the 2021 Imison Award. How does it feel?

It feels fantastic to be honest. The Imison Award is such a prestigious award and so well thought of, I do wonder why they gave it to me! To be recognised at that level always feels very good. It was extra special getting it for Maynard as it feels like a really nice finish to its long journey. We’ve been trying to get Maynard heard for 15 years so it’s a bit of a lesson in patience as well!

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Over the next 18 months, one of the UK’s leading dance-led venues, Pavillion Dance South West will run their inaugural Women Leaders South West initiative, a network of 16 talented associates who’ll help to change, innovate and inspire the voices of tomorrow. Recently announced as one of the associates taking part and helping to shape the programme, performer and choreographer Adie Dove will receive mentoring and support from various influential women within the arts. Adie tells us more about what she’ll bring to the network, what she’s learned from running her dance school KBSK and what she hopes to take away from the programme.

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Identifying the potential the online streaming platform has in regards to hosting theatrical works to new and wider audiences, YouTube have established the Digital Theatre Initiative – a funding and mentoring opportunity witnessing creatives receive up to £20,000 in financial support and guidance from YouTube’s content creation agency Remedy Inc to produce pieces of online content. Judged by an established theatre panel consisting of producer Matthew Byam Shaw, production designer Bunny Christie OBE, playwright Inua Ellams, actor Dame Sheila Hancock, chief commercial officer of LW Theatres Charlotte Longstaff and director Bijan Sheibani, the team will choose a maximum of four creatives they believe respond best to the question ‘what is theatre when it’s online?’. YouTube tell us more about the initiative!

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Identifying within their ‘Routes to Recovery’ report last year that 70% of self employed and freelance workers make up the theatre industry, Freelancers Make Theatre Work have established a community of more than 200,000 members, their advocacy for the arts proving incredibly crucial during this very unique time. Currently available to listen to on various streaming platforms, their podcast Ghost Shows, in collaboration with fellow freelancer community Curtain Call offers insight into the impact of the pandemic on the freelance work force. The podcast’s presenter – freelance Opera Director Adele Thomas tells us more about exploring these relatable stories further a year on from the pandemic, working with Curtain Call to realise the podcast and what she’s taken away from utilising the podcasting form.

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In response to the closure of theatres last year, Frozen Light Theatre created a podcast series in support of the PMLD community. Continuing on with their accessible practise, Frozen Light currently present 2065: The Multi-Sensory Movie – a multi-sensory filmic experience bringing theatre to the homes of those with PMLD. Ahead of the release of the production, Frozen Light Co-Founder Amber Onat Gregory tells us more about exploring the show’s narrative further, adapting the show – which was due to tour last year – for a digital stage and collaborating with people with PMLD to help shape and provide feedback for the production.

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Returning with their spring season, The Old Market present ‘Reigning Women’, an online platform of work showcasing both established performers and rising stars. Fronting the season will be Pecho Mama with their digital album tour on Sunday 28th March, followed by ‘Phoenix from the Flames’ on Thursday 1st April, an eclectic evening of music and spoken word featuring performances from Alice Russell, Scarlett Fae, Jenny Foulds and Phonetic. Ahead of the season, TOM’s Programmer Helen Jewell tells us more about what to expect! Continue reading

Returning with their debut season of online work, The Old Market present Reigning Women, a season seeing in a new era of work, celebrating both established and rising stars. Forming part of this important celebration, the aptly named event Phoenix from the Flames will front the season; an eclectic evening of music and spoken word featuring performances from Alice Russell, Scarlett Fae, Jenny Foulds and Phonetic. Ahead of the event, soul singer Alice Russell tells us how it feels to be back rehearsing and performing in a live space, what she’s taken away from this very unique point in time and what to expect from the evening.

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Due to launch this April, after envisioning the concept 5 years ago,  YARD Arthouse, formed by the MAIA Group, will serve as a community hub for locals to realise their ideas and projects. Based in Lady Wood, West Midlands, the venue marks the initial phase of a regeneration project that will also include an artist led hotel and cultural hub by 2023. Ahead of YARD Arthouse’s launch, MAIA Group co-founder Amahra Spence tells us more about what to expect from the venue, transforming her local neighbourhood and what her hopes are for the venue.

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