With theatres and companies having to adapt to our new normal, the industry have responded by creating works available to stream online. Adapting their show Romantics Anonymous to this new format, Wise Children will offer a mixture of live performances and online streaming – performing to a socially distanced audiences, whilst also streaming their work with partnering theatres via their digital tour format. Ahead of the show, performer Omari Hardwick tells us how he feels about performing to a socially distanced audience for the first time since lockdown!

Notably one of East London’s most well known streets, Brick Lane is the home to various vintage stores, market stalls and restaurants. An integral part of the Bangladeshi community since the 20th century, Brick Lane is a melting pot of culture, a welcoming environment adding to its charm. With a history spanning back to the 15th century – it’s name deriving from the manufacturing of bricks and tiles, there are various stories to be told about the street’s transformation ever since. Tapping into Tower Hamlet’s local history, Tamasha Theatre producers Debo Adebayo and Ellie Browning bring back their We Are Shadows: Brick Lane – an audio tour of the street. Debo and Ellie tell us more about the experience.

Marking its 50th year, the Young Vic celebrates with a year-long programme paying homage to the venue’s legacy of creating ‘an experimental workshop for authors, actors and producers’ as well as factoring in affordability. Established by Royal National Theatre Associate Director Frank Dunlop, successive Artistic Directors Michael Bogdanov, David Thacker, Julia Bardsley and Tim Supple, Tim Supple, David Lan and now currently Kwame Kwei-Armah have shaped the venue into what it is today. Commemorating the past as well as envisioning the venue’s future, Kwame tells us more about the venue’s initial programme, possible plans for a block party to mark the important milestone and his hopes for the theatre moving forward.

Returning with their hyper local radio show Radio Local; creatives Jenny Hunt and Holly Darton stop off at Nine Elms to bring listeners a mixture of gameshows, song requests, news bulletins, interviews with influential residents and more – ‘celebrating the joys and necessity of local radio and community.’ Ahead of their Nine Elms visit, Jenny and Holly tell us more about the show!

An exploration of the Universal Credit System, Laura Lindow’s pertinent show Credit utilises research gathered by various organisations in Gateshead and Newcastle as well as the experiences of people on Universal Credit to start up a conversation and examine whether the system benefits those its meant to support. Initially programmed for April earlier on this year, Credit will be exclusively previewed online on Tuesday 16th September, followed by Q & As discussing this important topic further. Ahead of the streaming, Cap-a-Pie Theatre’s Artistic Director Brad McCormick tells us how he’s worked with Laura to develop the show, developing the show during this unpredictable time and the importance of the Q & A aspect of the preview.

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.