Recognising the need for honest stories placing the experiences of the queer community navigating the dating scene centre stage, writer and performer Benjamin Salmon presents Blowhole, an exploration of connection and community in the modern age of serial dating, a story about ‘Him’, a single, sexless, grief stricken gay man in London. Ahead of his show, taking place at the end of August at the Pleasance Theatre, Benjamin tells us more about the importance of creating these stories, collaborating with director Tom Wright and what he’s learned from creating the show

Hi Benjamin, your show Blowhole will play at the Pleasance from late August. How are you feeling ahead of the show?

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Said to be the blueprint of many of the classics we are familiar with today, 4,000 year old Egyptian poem Sinuhe and the King receives an adaptation from critically claimed Nigerian writer and poet Ben Okri OBE.

Courtesy of Marc Brenner.

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Transporting us back to the early noughties with their psychological drama ...cake, babirye bukilwa presents a complex yet honest portrayal of motherhood and mental health.

Courtesy of Seye Isikalu.

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Returning to the Almeidawith critically acclaimed show Hymn, which was live-streamed earlier on this year, Danny Sapaniand Adrian Lesterprovide a welcome return to live theatre, both providing powerhouse performances gravitating all within their newly established world.

Courtesy of Marc Brenner.

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Sound has the power to shift mood, heal and evoke memory, soundtracks shaping many of our lives. Presenting an autobiographical one man show incorporating this element, as well as fusing projection and photography, theatre maker Victor Esses presents Where to Belong, an exploration of how to find your place within a rich and complex world of identity – as a Jewish-Lebanese Brazilian gay man, Where to Belong marks the journey to find home. Ahead of the show’s tour, starting at the Oxford Playhouse from the 7th September, Victor tells us more about how he’s found the process of creating this autobiographical work, what it means to him to be able to stage the piece and what audiences can expect.

Hi Victor, you’ll be touring Where to Belong from September. How are you feeling ahead of the tour?

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Having received its world premiere in 1967 at the Hampstead Theatre, Tennessee Williams‘ lesser known play, The Two Character Play returns 54 years later, themes of loneliness and mental health resonant as ever.

Courtesy of Marc Brenner.

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Courtesy of Foteini Christofilopoulou.

Seeking inspiration from the ancient Egyptian tale Sinuhe the Warrior King, celebrated writer and poet Ben Okri OBE presents Changing Destiny, an adaptation of the 4,000 year old poem. Having helped shape the show’s movement element and aesthetic, movement director Rachael Nanyonjo, whose credits include the National Theatre, BBC, Sky Arts amongst others, tells us more about what drew her to take part in the production, how she’s approached creating the show’s choreography and what she’s taken away from the process.

Hi Rachael, Ben Okri’s Changing Destiny will be showing at the Young Vic from late July. How are you feeling ahead of the run?

We have all, as a team, been working really hard to bring this story to life. Making work coming out of the pandemic is not an easy thing, however, it has allowed us to examine our practices and processes in order to work more productively. I am feeling very excited for audiences to experience what I believe is a really innovative production and piece of storytelling.

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Established in 2018, the Artistic Directors of the Future Board Shadowing Programme has offered a mixed programme of induction sessions, support, shadowing time, meet and greets, governance training, networking and evaluations for their alumni, continuing on with their mission to create opportunities for Black, Asian and Ethnically diverse creatives at an influential level. Taking part in this year’s programme, which will run from October 2021 – November 2022, Artistic Directors of the Future’s Training & Programme Producer Sandra Thompson-Quartey tells more about the programme’s importance, taking part as well as helping to organise and shape the initiative.

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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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