105 years since the end of World War I, or would have been known as The Great War at the time, we step into a time whereby the cusp of a global conflict appears very possible, current world events creating a ripple effect, impacting the geopolitics of the day. Crafted over 50 years ago, post World War II, Oh What a Lovely War offered a satirical historical lesson on the events that led up to, and inevitably formed the four year conflict – addressing the necessity to look back, to hopefully avoid what became one of the most catastrophic world events.
Making their highly anticipated comeback, the creators of the UK’s leading independent festival of live performance VAULT, have announced they are building a brand-new venue in the heart of London and that VAULT Festival will return in autumn 2024. Earlier this year, VAULT marked the end of its decade-long run of their flagship event VAULT Festival at its original venue launching the search to find and secure a new home. This new, multi-space venue will be a year-round, long-term home for VAULT, which will open its doors in Spring 2024 and will host the return of the much-loved VAULT Festival, as well as other new creative ventures, particularly aimed at supporting early career artists with more to be announced in the coming months.
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Society of London Theatre have announced their plans to search for their next cohort of Associate Members. The ‘Associate Membership’ pilot was launched in March, designed to identify producers and future theatre industry leaders in London who would not be eligible for other categories of SOLT membership. The first cohort, who will be Associate Members for another year, are Aidan Grounds, Ameena Hamid, Charlotte Holder, Chuchu Nwagu, Fiona Steedand Sarah Jordan Verghese.
SOLT are now beginning the search for up to six more individuals to join the scheme for a period of 2 consecutive years.
SOLT areencouraging applications from groups who have historically been under-represented within their membership over the last 114 years, ensuring that the membership becomes more inclusive and representative of society in its broadest sense and reflects the people of London.
As we see out the end of the year, you might be thinking to yourself that there are a whole host of shows out there that you’d like to tick off your list in 2024, future nights out in the making that’ll make for unforgettable experiences. Bringing the joy of theatre to theatre lovers, Theatre Tokens are Gift Cards and eGifts that can be used at more than 300 theatres nationwide, including all of London’s West End. They’re the simple, reliable way to gift someone a night at the theatre and, unlike other gift cards, Theatre Tokens never expire, meaning your giftee can use them for a show that they will love at a time of their choice.
TodayTix’s Black Friday promotion gives audiences the chance to see over 50 incredible West End shows at phenomenal prices. Running through 27th November, this year’s campaign gives audiences the chance to see sought after shows such as Book of Mormon, Crazy For You, Guys & Dolls, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Disney’s Frozen, Jersey Boys, The King and I, The Little Big Things, and Sister Act at enticing festive rates, providing much needed value for money at this time of year.
When you’ve stepped out of a traumatising situation do you really start to comprehend the experiences you’ve gone through – for victims of domestic abuse, the emotional and psychological toll can prove overwhelming to process. Victims often fearful and shrouded in shame, male domestic abuse a sad underreported reality due to the misconception of men not being victims. Bravely exploring this sensitive subject matter, Ronan Dempsey presents The Words Are There, a necessary, unfiltered observation of the insidious nature of domestic abuse and how it very slowly takes away a victim’s light.
Toilet roll sprawled across the ground, spells out the band ‘Trish’, this symbolic gesture accompanies a scattered home based scene, a small wooden table that collapses as a wine bottle is plonked onto it, an antiquated coat hanger taking on the imposing spirit of the name detailed on the ground, as Mick (Dempsey) animates the inanimate – the interdependent nature of Mick – the puppeteer breathing life into Trish, with him emotionally leaning on the embodiment of her makes for a fascinating dynamic to take in. We see a once playful relationship very gradually turn sour, Mick fully invested in the partnership as opposed to Trish who, used to Mick’s vulnerability takes advantage and spitefully emotionally and physically wears him down.
Warner Bros. Pictures invites you to experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond in The Color Purple. This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule, a multi-
medium artist whose breakout first feature is the highly acclaimed The Burial of Kojo. The film’s all-star producers are Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
The Color Purple stars Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), SAG Award winner and Tony Award nominee Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple, Orange Is the New Black), Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo (Euphoria, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), Tony Award nominee Corey Hawkins (Six Degrees of Separation, In the Heights), Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. (Judas and the Black Messiah), Grammy nominee Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid), Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard, Ray), and Grammy-winning artist Fantasia Barrino in her major motion picture debut.
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Over 40 of London’s biggest theatre shows are welcoming in 2024 with Official London Theatre’s New Year Sale. Tickets are available at £10, £20, £30, £40 and £50 for performances from 1 January to 29 February 2024, with no booking or postage fees.
Mastercard cardholders can buy tickets here, from 10am on Thursday 16 November, and tickets go on general sale from 10am on Tuesday 21 November, via Official London Theatre.
Dave Moutrey, HOME courtesy of Drew Forsyth
Dave Moutrey OBE will be stepping down from the role of Director and CEO at HOME, following 26 years leading Greater Manchester Arts Centre Ltd, trading first as Cornerhouse, and as HOME since 2015.
In this role, he conceived and led both the merger of Cornerhouse and Library Theatre Company and the £25m capital project to create HOME which has attracted almost 1million visits per year since it opened.
Gingerline, pioneers of the underground dining scene and immersive dining, announces its homecoming and return to London with a forthcoming project launching in 2024.
Reimagining one of their most beloved shows (more details to be released in early 2024) Gingerline fans can put their faith in the imaginations of Gingerline’s creators once more and buy an ‘Only the Brave’ ticket for a five-course immersive dining experience. The catch? Those who purchase tickets won’t know anything else about it, in true OG Gingerline style.