Paapa Essiedu News

Today, the shortlist is announced for the 2021 BroadwayWorld UK Awards, celebrating the best of theatre - from the West End to shows around the country and online. CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

It’s 20 years since Caryl Churchill’s spry, elliptical cloning play premiered at the Royal Court with Michael Gambon and Daniel Craig, and it remains a fascinating chamber piece for a talented pair of actors – as we see here with the great Lennie James and Paapa Essiedu in this anniversary revival.

Marking twenty years since its premiere, Caryl Churchill’s sci-fi masterpiece A Number returns to the London stage. The hotly anticipated production stars Lennie James as a grief-stricken father who opts to clone his deceased son with the mindset of reattempting parenthood and making up for past mistakes. His intentions are not entirely honourable and as the play progresses, we soon learn of the man’s manipulative traits.

Alongside the opening of A Number, the theatre has announced three new productions at The Old Vic for 2022 – a topical world premiere, a modern classic and the return of a treasured favourite.

Though hardly an ideal start to the new theatrical year, we want to applaud all of the incredible casts, creatives, backstage and front-of-house staff who are working so hard to keep shows on. If you can support productions, please do – whether revisiting an amazing long-running show or checking out something new. And speaking of which: here are some of the most intriguing London additions for this month. Keep checking back for our reviews, interviews and features!

The in-production teaser and first-look images offer unique insight into the world of season two, as the gangs battle to decide who will win the soul of London. Set one year after the tumultuous events of series one, the second season charts London’s map and soul being redrawn. Check out the new images and teaser now!

AMC+ has unveiled a sneak peek clip from the premiere episode of the three-part original series Anne Boleyn. Starring acclaimed actress Jodie Turner-Smith as the titular character, Anne Boleyn is a retelling of the legendary Queen’s story from a different perspective – hers. Watch the new clip now!

The Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST) and English Touring Theatre (ETT) have announced Denzel Westley-Sanderson as the winner of the 2021 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award and Nathan Crossan-Smith as the runner-up.

The ensemble cast of Anne Boleyn also includes Emmy® and BAFTA® Award nominated Paapa Essiedu as Anne’s brother and Tudor nobleman George Boleyn, Mark Stanley as Henry VIII, one of the most famous Kings in British history, and Lola Petticrew as Anne’s love rival, Jane Seymour. Watch the trailer for the new three-part series now!

The drama explores the final months of Anne Boleyn’s life from the eponymous Queen’s perspective, as she struggles to secure a future for her daughter and to challenge the powerful patriarchy closing in around her.

Les Enfants Terribles, in association with WildChild, has announced the 2021 recipient of The LET Bursary, Obed Nzuzi Mayamona. Obed is entering his second year of training at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and will graduate in 2023.

Today, during Trustees' Week, ETT (English Touring Theatre) announce the appointment of five new trustees joining its Board – Dr Saphié Ashtiany, Olivier Brémont, Rubi Gubara-Sannie, Sanj Surati and Rosie Stanbury.

CBS and the Television Academy presented the 73rd EMMY® AWARDS, hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, September 19 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/5:00-8:00 PM, live PT) on the CBS Television Network, and it is now available to stream on demand on Paramount+. Find out all of the winners!

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics handed out its annual Dorian Awards last night, recognizing the best in film, television, and performance.

Now in its fifth year, the award – which honours the memory of RTST co-founder, Sir Peter Hall – offers the winner their first-time opportunity to direct a full-scale, fully funded, mid-scale regional touring production of a classic or modern play, which may be an existing play or a new adaptation of a novel or film.

This inspiring project seeks to support local schools in improving literacy, language and communication skills in young children who have been identified as having low confidence and self-esteem. The readings will be available to stream live and on-demand at Polka Theatre's website and social media platforms from Monday 19th July. 

This morning, Hamilton star Jasmine Cephas Jones and Ron Cephas Jones announced the 2021 Primetime Emmy Nominations, which included 12 nominations for the Disney Plus recording of Hamilton in addition to nomination for Broadway veterans like Billy Porter, Cynthia Erivo, Julie Andrews, the Lopezes and so many more.

BAFTA Breakthrough selects and identifies new talent through a cross-industry jury of leading professionals and BAFTA works closely alongside local cultural bodies in each region to ensure they offer expertise and deliver the necessary support.

Today, on The Old Vic's 203rd birthday, THE OLD VIC: BACK TOGETHER Season. This Season has been announced. The seventh from Artistic Director Matthew Warchus will run from July 2021 to July 2022, and will be an uplifting and thought-provoking combination of both streamed and live shows.

The series features more than 100 artists, commentators and thought leaders, with 23 commissions, performances from some of the UK’s most exciting names in contemporary arts and entertainment, and testimonies from the public.