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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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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