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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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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