Nick Hern News

Science-fiction and theatre collide in Thirteen Cycles, where improvisation experts Project2 will make a new sci-fi movie on stage every night, featuring a live soundtrack and projection-mapped interactive visuals in this geeky, interactive show.

Polka Theatre's presents Double Act. Vicky Ireland, former Artistic Director of Polka Theatre, directs Ruby Ablett (Ruby), Lydia Orange (Garnet), Davina Moon (Rose), Erika Poole (Gran), Joseph Rowe (Jeremy, the blob) and Phil Yarrow (Dad).

Actor and playwright, Rory Kinnear (National Theatre, RSC, James Bond franchise) will present the 2018 Society for Theatre Research Theatre Book Prize at a ceremony at the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane today 21st June. Currently playing the role of Macbeth at the National Theatre, Kinnear has won and been nominated for multiple awards including an Olivier, two Evening Standard Awards and a British Independent Film Award.

Artistic Director of Sphinx Theatre Sue Parrish curates a new collection of short plays written by women and revolving around female characters. Commissioned as part of the Women Centre Stage Festival the plays presented in Women Centre Stage: Eight Short Plays By and About Women are designed to display a wide range of characters and themes that free the potential performers from any staging constrictions.

The Almeida Theatre today announces two new Almeida Young Company shows.

Full casting is today announced for Polka Theatre's production of Double Act. Vicky Ireland, former Artistic Director of Polka Theatre, directs Ruby Ablett (Ruby), Lydia Orange (Garnet), Davina Moon (Rose), Erika Poole (Gran), Joseph Rowe (Jeremy, the blob) and Phil Yarrow (Dad).

Troupe today announces the World Premiere of Joy Wilkinson's The Sweet Science of Bruising. Directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward, the production opens at Southwark Playhouse on 5 October, with previews from 3 October, and runs until 27 October.

Actor and playwright, Rory Kinnear (National Theatre, RSC, James Bond franchise) will present the 2018 Society for Theatre Research Theatre Book Prize at a ceremony at the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Thursday 21st June. Currently playing the role of Macbeth at the National Theatre, Kinnear has won and been nominated for multiple awards including an Olivier, two Evening Standard Awards and a British Independent Film Award.

Nick Hern Books has today (2 May) announced Amateur Theatre Fest, an exciting new event for amateur theatre-makers to be held on Saturday 8 September 2018 at The Questors Theatre, Ealing, West London.

Following a highly successful run at Latitude Festival, the multi-award winning Poleroid Theatre bring BAFTA nominated playwright Kenneth Emson's Plastic to life at the Old Red Lion Theatre. Directed by JMK 2017 award winner Josh Roche (My Name Is Rachel Corrie), this powerful new play explores how the insecurities of childhood can follow us into later life in this unflinchingly honest drama about time, memory and escape.

Recipients of the second annual Tonic Awards were announced tonight at an awards ceremony held at the May Fair Theatre hosted by Dame Jenni Murray. The awards celebrate the achievements of game-changing women in theatre and the performing arts, and significant organisations, projects and productions that redefine the role of women in the performing arts, both on and off stage. The recipients honoured in this evenings event were: Emma de Souza, Clean Break theatre company, Walking the Feminists, The Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester, Steffi Holtz and Gina Abolins, Kully Thiarai, Lyn Gardner, Caryl Churchill and Katie Mitchell.

Antony Sher details his journey as he prepares for the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of King Lear directed by Gregory Doran, his partner and Artistic Director of the company. Year of the Mad King: The Lear Diaries draws a fascinating, detailed picture, taking the reader through the doubts Sher encountered and the fears he faced.

Southwark Playhouse Young Company will take over The Little at Southwark Playhouse for 4 days this April to showcase two performances. The 14-18 group will perform Remote by Stef Smith whilst the 19-25 group will present There is a War by Tom Basden. Both plays are performed by a cast of over twenty-five members of the Young Company - Southwark Playhouse's dynamic in-house theatre company for young people aged 14 - 25 that offers local young people and emerging artists the opportunity to perform at one of London's leading Off West End venues.

Artistic Director Edward Hall announces Hampstead Theatre's spring/summer season. The UK premiere of Rajiv Joseph's darkly comic post-truth play Describe the Night will be directed by Lisa Spirling. The world premiere of Jemma Kennedy's blisteringly entertaining Genesis Inc. will be directed by Laurie Sansom. The world premiere of Fiona Doyle's haunting and provocative new drama The Strange Death of John Doe will be directed by Artistic Director Edward Hall for Hampstead Downstairs. The production is a Hampstead Theatre commission and a finalist for The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Under 30s can access Priority Booking for all shows via The Downstairs Club - Hampstead's free membership scheme to allow better access to the cheaper seats.

Louis Greatorex (Safe, Netflix; The Last Post, BBC1; Last Tango In Halifax, BBC1), Madison Clare (The Dark Things, Linbury Studio Theatre; War Whores, Courtyard Theatre; Close, Landor Space), Mark Weinman (Captain Amazing, Soho Theatre/Live/UK Tour; The Gamechangers, BBC2; Press, BBC1) and Thomas Coombes (Barbarians, Tooting Arts Club - winner of Best Male Performance at the Off West End Theatre Awards; Hatton Garden, ITV; Him & Her, BBC Three) will star in Plastic by BAFTA-nominated playwright Kenneth Emson. This powerful new play explores how the insecurities of childhood can follow us into later life in this unflinchingly honest drama about time, memory and escape.

After a sell-out performance, 'The Hardest One' is back for one more night.

The Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB), in association with Derby Theatre and In Good Company hosts its first regional Meet the Playwrights event, on Tuesday 20 February 2018 at Derby Theatre.

Tonic Theatre today announce the 2nd annual Tonic Awards, celebrating the achievements of game-changing women in theatre and the performing arts. The ceremony, which launched last year returns to the May Fair Theatre, at the May Fair Hotel on Monday 19 March 2018 hosted once again by Dame Jenni Murray. Attendees will include senior figures from across the theatre industry.

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced 10 Finalists for its prestigious playwriting award, the oldest and largest prize awarded to women playwrights writing in the English language. Chosen from over 150 nominated plays, the Finalists are:

An advocate for social advancement in the arts, VAULT Festival will hold a round table on gender equality leading to the launch of its progression scheme for talented emerging female writers, Writers Gap. A New Writers Award, partnership with the Integrated Fringe Platform and massive HeForShe arts week celebration featuring Jamz Supernova and Etta Bond will all contribute to VAULT's continued commitment to championing the best and most relevant contemporary theatre. With support from WeAreWaterloo, the programme scales immersive and site specific theatre, comedy, dance, cabaret, film and much more. VAULT Festival returns from 24th January to 18th March 2018 with over 300 shows exploring a myriad of topical themes with over 53% of shows written or directed by women. Full programme and tickets available now via vaultfestival.com.