Barbara Windsor Backs Campaign for Joan Littlewood Sculpture

Barbara Windsor has joined Theatre Royal Stratford East's fundraising campaign to build a sculpture of the legendary director, Joan Littlewood. The theatre launches a public appeal to raise the final 40% needed for the sculpture International artist Philip Jackson has been commissioned to create the bronze sculpture. The sculpture is due to be installed in spring 2014 in Theatre Square and will coincide with theatre's staging of Oh What A Lovely War.

Barbara Windsor has pledged her support to Theatre Royal Stratford East's ambitious fundraising campaign for a sculpture to remember the legendary theatre director Joan Littlewood. Internationally acclaimed artist Philip Jackson has been commissioned to create the bronze sculpture which, subject to raising the necessary funds, is set to be installed in spring 2014 and will be placed in Theatre Square, Stratford. It will be a significant artwork for the area which is situated on The Edge of the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Barbara Windsor worked with Joan Littlewood at Theatre Royal Stratford East on several occasions during the Early Stages of her career appearing in the Broadway run of Joan Littlewood's landmark production Oh What a Lovely War in 1964 and Joan Littlewood's film Sparrows Can't Sing.

Philip Jackson is a sculptor with an outstanding international reputation. His most recent artworks include the National Memorial Sculpture to HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in The Mall, London; The Bomber Command Memorial Sculpture in Green Park, London; the Champions sculpture of Sir Bobby Moore at Upton Park; and the sculpture of Sir Alex Ferguson, for Manchester United FC.

To date the theatre has raised more than £143,800, almost 60% of the funds required. The organisation is now calling members of the public to pledge their support to help raise the remaining funds ahead of the 13 January 2014 deadline.

The public artwork will be a permanent reminder of Joan Littlewood's contribution to British Theatre.

Kerry Michael, Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East said: "Joan Littlewood brought theatre to the people of East London and revolutionised the international theatre landscape with her bold and powerful productions. She was an inspiration to many and it's important that we recognise the significance of her work and build upon her success to inspire future generations. We're grateful to all those who have helped us raise nearly 60% of the funds required to commemorate her with a statue in Theatre Square and urge the public to get behind this important campaign."

Members of the public can pledge their support to the campaign and donate online atwww.joanlittlewood.com

Subject to securing the support required, the sculpture would be erected outside the theatre in what is now Theatre Square and will be 1.5 x life size. It is based on the iconic photograph of Joan Littlewood sitting on rubble outside the theatre in the 1970s at a time when the theatre faced the threat of demolition.

Theatre Royal Stratford East presents Joan Littlewood's Musical Entertainment

OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR
By Theatre Workshop, Charles Chilton, Gerry Raffles and Members of the Original Cast. Title suggested by Ted Allen. Military Adviser Raymond Fletcher.
1 February - 15 March 2014
Directed by Terry Johnson, designed by Lez Brotherston, lighting design is Paul Pyant, sound design by Mike Walker, projection design by Ian Galloway, choreography byLynne Page Musical Supervision & Musical Arrangements: Mike Dixon

Cast includes: Alice Bailey-Johnson, Ian Bartholomew, Oliver J. Hembrough, Rebecca Howell, Tom Lorcan, Ciarán Owens, Shaun Prendergast, Caroline Quentin, Zoe Rainey, Kyle Redmond-Jones and Michael Simkins.

BOX OFFICE
020 8534 0310
Book Online at www.stratfordeast.com

TICKET PRICES
Tickets from £6.50
Previews at 7.30pm
Tues 4, Weds 5 Feb & Thurs 6 2014 - all seats £15
Weekday mats at 2pm
£19/£15/£14/£12/£10 (concessions £12.50/£10/£9.50/£8/£6.50)
Newham schools: £7.50 per child with 1 teacher free per 10 children
All Other Schools: £10 per child with 1 teacher free per 10 children
Weekday evenings at 7.30pm & Sat mats 2.30pm
£22/£18/£17/£14/£12 (concessions £14.50/£12/£11.50/£9.50/£8)
Fri & Sat eves at 7.30pm & Sun mats 3pm
£28/£24/£19/£16/£14 (concessions £18.50/£16/£12.50/£10.50/£9.50)

Groups
10 tickets for the price of 9 via Box Office (not available online).
Newham Discount Night
Sat 1 Feb 2014 at 7.30pm
Tickets at £2.50 available for Newham residents who are first-time bookers at Theatre Royal Stratford East (proof of address required).

Tickets not available online.