The third text in a trilogy of Theban plays written by Sophocles, Antigone proceeds from the aftermath of the Thebes’ civil war, a war that would consequentially witness the deaths of brothers Eteocles and Polynices – two powerful forces leading opposite sides of combat. Eteocles honoured, Polynices shamed by the newly crowned king of Thebes, Creon. Exploring the Ancient Greek text further in a newly adapted production by Merlynn Tong, with direction by Dawn Walton OBE, performer Wendy Kweh talks about taking on the role of Creon, a role traditionally played by a male. Ahead of the production at the Mercury Theatre, Wendy tells us more about what to expect.
The Central Nervous System – consisting of the brain and spinal cord, is responsible for the complex functions and various systems that power the human body. The brain, an organ of soft nervous tissue contained within the skull of vertebrates, functioning as the co-ordinating centre of sensation, intellectual and nervous activity. Diagnosed with incurable cancer around the time she’d been cast for a show at the National Theatre, in the part of the brain responsible for speech, language and memory, writer and director Phoebe Frances Brown, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, explores her health journey so far – The Glad Game focused on Phoebe “finding herself in the hardest of times, finding gladness in the saddest moments and of continuing to do what she loves.” Due to show at the Nottingham Playhouse from late September, the MAC Birmingham in mid November and supported by charity Brain Tumour Research, Phoebe tells us more about her important show.
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?
Over the next 18 months, one of the UK’s leading dance-led venues, Pavillion Dance South West will run their inaugural Women Leaders South West initiative, a network of 16 talented associates who’ll help to change, innovate and inspire the voices of tomorrow. Recently announced as one of the associates taking part and helping to shape the programme, performer and choreographer Adie Dove will receive mentoring and support from various influential women within the arts. Adie tells us more about what she’ll bring to the network, what she’s learned from running her dance school KBSK and what she hopes to take away from the programme.
Revisiting her production of Diary of an Expat, originally performed at the the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Festival, writer and performer Cecilia Gragnani returns with an adaptation of the production with podcast series London Expat. Joined by Drag Queen Jonny Woo, the pair examine experiences of what life as an expat means within the UK, Jonny Woo taking on the role of the ‘Spirit of London’ as each episode delves into the topic of migration further. Currently available to access via Storie Libere’s website, Cecilia tells us more about what she’s taken away from the journey of creating both shows.
Courtesy of by Paula David.
Responding to the powerful statement “Things I am Not!”, ten female artists were asked to use this as a basis to ultimately create ten original monologues produced by LegalAliens Theatre Company. Highlighting the experiences of female artists who have migrated to the UK, the THINGS I AM NOT podcast series gives voice to the often underrepresented. Currently available to access via the LegalAliens website, writer and performer Sabrina Richmond tells us more about her process responding to the “Things I am Not!” statement, working with director Becka McFadden to realise her episode and what she’s taken away from from the project.
Starting off as a podcast in 2018, Industry Minds currently offers a space for creatives to discuss issues relating to mental health. An important outlet and resource contributing to the mental health conversation, the charity also offer low cost and free counselling sessions led by counsellor Mary Burch BEM, as well as running The Industry Mind Awards – an initiative acknowledging the work of those raising awareness of mental health in the arts. Having supported the industry during a difficult year, co-founders Scarlett Maltman and Cathy Read tell us more about the charity’s work.