For over 50 years now, the music of Queen has has become an integral catalogue with the rock ‘n’ roll stratosphere. The late Freddie Mercury’s unrivalled, undeniable stage presence one admired and celebrated. Inspired by the eclectic works of Queen, TV comedian, actor and writer Ben Elton would go on to premiere We Will Rock You the Musical in 2002 at the Dominion Theatre. Panned by critics, but loved by fans all over, the show would go on to become the 11th longest running musical in the West End history – a very impressive feat. Returning back to London at its new temporary home for the next 12 weeks, the London Coliseum, Elton – who also plays the musical’s leader of the Bohemians, Pop – plugs us into today’s tech-centric universe.

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The Donmar Warehouse today announce that Tim Sheader is appointed as the new Artistic Director and joint Chief Executive alongside Executive Director Henny Finch. Sheader takes up the role in March 2024 taking over from Michael Longhurst. He joins the company from Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, where he has been Artistic Director since 2007. Under his tenure, the company has won seven Olivier Awards and four Evening Standard Awards, with productions transferring to the West End and North America.

Courtesy of Helen Murray.

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A lot of the time, we don’t even realise the psychological or emotional turmoil that we’re in – often hiding behind distractions to fight away the pain. The bonds we form around us a vital factor in possibly exploring this further and healing. Delving into this further with production I Was Kinda the Bad Guy, Jaz Johnson delivers a brooding drama very honestly exploring the impact of intervention and receiving a mental health diagnosis both on the individual and those around them. The topic of mental health the sole purpose of the piece which, perfectly pitched to a Gen Z demographic.

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Jillian Mercado – My Eyes Are Up Here

In order to broaden perspective, it’s vital to spotlight stories seldom told to bridge the gaps and foster meaningful connections. Writer Aminder Virdee and Director Nathan Morris both bringing to the fore the story of HER, played by Jillian Mercado, a disabled woman who sets off on a mission to get the morning after pill after a clumsy one night stand in short film my Eyes Are Up Here. Drawing on a day in the life of Aminder, a British South Asian transdisciplinary multi-art form and STEM artist, activist and writer, the short film embodies inclusivity at its very core. Ahead of its screening at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival on the 11th, 14th and 17th June, Aminder and Nathan tell us more about what to expect!

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As a thank you for all of your support during the last 10 years of our existence, we’ll be celebrating by hosting two free mindfulness sessions led by former Theatre Full Stop team member Megan Mattravers on Sunday 16th July at 1pm & 1:30pm via Zoom. Megan is a freelance Drama Practitioner, Writer and Theatre Director. She trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Megan has been practicing mindfulness for several years and it is part of her daily routine. She works in education and facilitates mindfulness with young people in Alternative Provision, focusing on mental health and wellbeing.
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Six East Anglian artists and companies – Aspire Black Suffolk, Jamie Beddard, Martha Loader, Mae Munuo, The Paper Birds and Spinning Wheel – are delighted to have been appointed to work with the New Wolsey Theatre’s Chief Executive/Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul in Ipswich, as part of its inaugural Associate Artists programme celebrating and supporting creativity in the region.

The Associate Artists will be supported by the New Wolsey Theatre over the forthcoming 18 months with a bespoke programme designed to enable individual development or to act as a step change.

The Associate Artists come from a range of artistic backgrounds:

Martha Loader is an Ipswich based award-winning writer, actor and producer whose work has been performed across the UK.

Mae Munuo is an actor, deviser and writer who grew up attending the New Wolsey Theatre’s Youth Theatre and Young Company, most recently returning as a professional actor earlier this year in DNA.

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In a secret room in the heart of London’s Theatreland there is a secret, stagey haven filled with talented West End performers serving dinner and cocktails. SingEasy’s singing waiters host a highly theatrical West End party with delicious food and cocktails every Thursday to Saturday.

At SingEasy everyone is in the front row, and for the first time, they are launching an exclusive membership scheme. New members will be issued a digital wallet membership card granting them SingEasy priority. This entitles them to priority entry, allowing them to skip The Piano Works queue and head straight down to SingEasy, as well as being the first to hear about exclusive events, experiences and offers. The membership scheme has been introduced as SingEasy will only be open to bookings and membership card holders and their guests from 1st June 2023 in order to ensure SingEasy is an exclusive and affirming space.

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Kiln Theatre today announces that Indhu Rubasingham will step down as Artistic Director of the company, leaving early 2024, having led the company for over a decade.

Indhu Rubasingham said today, “I never had an inkling of the journey ahead when I was first was appointed. I immediately felt the responsibility, but what emerged was both challenging and exhilarating, an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It has been an immense honour to be Artistic Director of Kiln Theatre. I have learnt and grown so much over these past 11 years. It has given me the privilege and opportunity to work with many brilliant people, who have contributed to the successes of Kiln; a theatre with a mission that is heartfelt and held by the whole team. I am deeply grateful to the Board of Trustees chaired by Sita McIntosh and former trustees and Chairs for their support and guidance and care of Kiln, and also to the many donors and Arts Council England who have allowed the Kiln to flourish and achieve all the things it has. It is a wonderful space, that welcomes us in to immerse ourselves in different worlds, narratives and experiences. I have been very lucky to be part of its story. It now feels the right moment to pass the baton and herald the next chapter of this unique theatre.”

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The world’s most prolific producer of musicals in theatre history has received the Freedom of the City of London at Guildhalltoday, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to musical theatre.

Over the last 40 years, Sir Cameron Mackintosh has established himself as one of the leading figures in musical theatre, having produced three of the world’s longest-running musicals – Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Cats, and other hugely successful productions, including Miss Saigon, Oliver!, My Fair Lady, and The Witches of Eastwick.

Sir Cameron owns and operates eight historic London theatres, including the Gielgud, Wyndham’s, Prince of Wales, and Sondheim, formerly, the Queen’s, and renamed in honour of his late friend, Stephen Sondheim, who was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2018.

He was knighted in the 1996 New Year’s Honours for his services to British theatre and is the first British producer to be elected to Broadway’s Theater Hall of Fame.

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The Musicians’ Union (MU) is proud to launch a Refugee Musicians Membership scheme giving refugee musicians access to one year’s free MU membership. The MU and
Counterpoint Arts hope it will help refugees build their music careers in the UK.

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