Due to showcase new work earlier on in the year, RUMAH have adapted their festival into an online event – a mixture of spoken word, scratch performances and comedy skits highlighting Asian voices, advocating for much needed representation on our stages. Presenting #RUMAHFest Online, founder and producer Nur Khairiyah talks about how she’s adapted to the current climate as a theatre maker and freelancer, the importance of creating these types of platforms and spaces for artists and her hopes for the festival moving forward.

Originally situated in Limehouse, the East End of London before the Second World War, Chinatown – now currently situated just off Shaftesbury Avenue since the 1970s in West Central London has continued its tradition of being an important cultural hub for the Chinese community as well as being an iconic fixture of the West End. Initially shown as part of Chinese Arts Now’s inaugural festival in 2019, Donald Shek’s Augmented Chinatown fused a real life tour with imaginative augmented reality structures – an inventive work exploring beyond the physical boundaries of Chinatown. Awarded a Digital Commission this year to develop his work, Donald tells us more about his updated Augmented Reality 2.0 – a virtual tour/audio drama available on Google Play and the Apple Store from 15th September.

For the last 15 years, Chinese Arts Now have been committed to presenting works focusing on contemporary Chinese perspectives. Recognising that there was a lack of shows presenting their narratives, CAN have established a network of partner organisations such as the Southbank Centre, Soho Theatre and the Young Vic amongst others who have supported the presenting of their work. Last year welcomed a new addition to CAN, the Chinese Arts Now Festival “dedicated to showcasing to the public performing arts that explore contemporary Chinese themes, perspectives and art forms. CAN Festival 2019 showcased a diverse range of art forms (music, drama, live art, dance, films, digital arts) with over 60 events across London“. Adapting to current theatre closures due to the Covid crisis, CAN are currently supporting artists with their ‘Digital Commissions’ initiative. CEO & Artistic Director of Chinese Arts Now An-Ting Chang tells us more about the festival and the commissions.

Starting from 1837 and ending in 1901, The Victorian Era, named after Queen Victoria, is an era commonly associated with figures such as Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens, the industrial revolution, various inventions including the telephone amongst other era defining moments. What’s little known and not as widely discussed are the various stories and contributions from the black community within that time period, a presence often forgotten. Inspired by this part of Black British history, acclaimed director and choreographer Jeanefer Jean-Charles has created Black Victorians, a 20 minute dance piece exploring the characters within this time period further. Ahead of its debut at the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, Jeanefer tells us more about the show.

The Harewood Artists Programme, Established in 1998 by the English National Opera aims to support talented Opera artists on their performance journeys. A mixture of vocal and language training offered by various experts in their field, the programme also offers the chance for performers to take part in current ENO productions. Twelve artists will be joining the 20/21 cohort, one of which will be award winning baritone Benson Wilson. Ahead of his training and performance in ENO Drive and Live’s La Bohème, Benson tells us more about taking part in the programme.

Six months post lockdown due to the Covid-19 crisis, the theatre industry finds itself adapting to a socially distanced era as Phase Four of the Government’s Five Stage plan now sees a handful of theatres open for performances. An uncertain time for the industry, it’s a case of adapting to an ever changing climate. A response to the current situation, Artistic Director of Spun Glass Theatre Jessica Cheetham, alongside a team of regional leads have worked together to create Theatre Search, a resource for the theatre industry documenting the opening status, dates and programming windows of nearly 900 theatres, venues and festivals UK wide. Jessica explains further about this crucial resource.

Frozen Light’s foundations were formed from co-founders Lucy Garland and Amber Onat Gregory’s “shared dream of wanting to create high quality theatre for audiences with Profound Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). Having created 4 shows and toured over 70 venues across the UK, their work has seen them collaborate with venues to promote accessibility for audiences with complex disabilities. In response to current theatre closures due to Covid-19, Frozen Light have created a podcast series sharing the experiences of people with PMLD, their carers and companions as they adapt during these unpredictable times. Frozen Light tells us more about what to expect from the podcast!

Founded by circus aerialist and associate director of Improbable, theatre-maker Matilda Leyser, Mothers Who Make is a peer support group recognising “the experiences and challenges specific to being both a mother and artist”. Noting parallels between the two roles in terms of “creativity, play and patience” amongst other attributes, the group intends to challenge the idea that the two are “incompatible”. Having established the network 6 years ago, the initiative has gone from strength to strength, taking place in nearly 30 regions across the UK and overseas with 26 peer support meetings taking place monthly. Leading the Northamptonshire hub is creative producer of Carbon Theatre Courtenay Johnson, here she tells us more about the initiative and connecting with local artists.

“A movement of mothers, moms and mamas spreading the message that you don’t have to be perfect, and sometimes being good enough is best”, The Good Enough Mums Club are a collective of mothers within the arts creating a safe space for shared experiences of motherhood to be explored, with the hopes of inspiring and uplifting others. Currently using this time to further develop their musical of the same name, the addition of The Good Enough Mums Club Podcast aims to offer an extension of the efforts of the collective and musical, and will also showcase new music from the show. The show’s creator Emily Beecher tells us more about the podcast and the empowering team of mothers behind it!

Touring rural parts of the UK has played an integral part in the work New Perspectives creates, bringing a range of stories to rural isolated audiences. Months post the the Covid-19 crisis, the way in which theatre is shared has shifted in response – creatives now showcasing their work via online streaming. Offering an alternative take on reaching audiences, New Perspectives present Love from Cleethorpes, a postcard drama that will play out over week in August. Ahead of the show, Artistic Director Jack McNamara tells us more about what to expect!