Sarah Frankcom News

EKP and Paines Plough, with 45North and in association with Sonia Friedman Productions, today announce the seven finalist scripts for the inaugural The Women's Prize for Playwriting 2020, selected from 1,169 entries

EKP and Paines Plough, with 45North and in association with Sonia Friedman Productions, today announce the 35 shortlisted scripts for the inaugural The Women's Prize for Playwriting 2020, selected from 1,169 entries.

London Theatre Company has made plans to re-open the Bridge Theatre during September and October, assuming that the Government gives the go ahead for indoor performances with socially distanced audiences. 

LAMDA has released a statement regarding their delay in addressing current event in the US, and shared a plan on moving forward with addressing racism at LAMDA.

Filming begins today on new productions of Alan Bennett's critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning Talking Heads monologues, which first aired on BBC Television in 1988 and 1998.

LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art)has announced the inaugural LAMDA MishMash Festival, which will celebrate and showcase the self-created work of the drama school's alumni. Running from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 April at LAMDA's west London campus, the festival will mark the first public performances for the majority of pieces being staged.

The Stage has announced its 2020 list of most influential people in theatre.

The Women's Prize for Playwriting, launched by EKP and Paines Plough, today announces a partnership with Samuel French, a Concord Theatricals company, who will publish the winning scripts found in first, second and third place.

LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) has announced its new audition process and audition fee structure, which will see the cost of first round auditions slashed for all applicants. This is the first initiative under the leadership of acclaimed theatre director Sarah Frankcom as she today takes up the helm as Director of LAMDA. Applications open at 10.30am on Monday 4 November, via LAMDA's website.

EKP and Paines Plough today launch The Women's Prize for Playwriting to celebrate and support exceptional UK and Ireland-based playwrights who identify as female. The winning playwright will receive £12,000 in respect of an exclusive option for EKP and Paines Plough to co-produce the winning play. The founding sponsor of The Women's Prize for Playwriting is PER.

Artistic Directors of Paines Plough Charlotte Bennett and Katie Posner today announced their inaugural programme for the company.

The Royal Exchange Theatre is delighted to announce the appointment of Roy Alexander Weise and Bryony Shanahan as their new joint Artistic Directors. Bryony and Roy will join Executive Director Stephen Freeman to complete the leadership team for this award-winning theatre. Together they will assume the role of Chief Executive.

Under Sarah Frankcom's Artistic Directorship the Royal Exchange Theatre has been redefined, reimagined and reframed. It has explored classic texts in new and radical ways, celebrated the vitality and significance of new writing, embraced new ways to talk to audiences and engage communities and supported theatre makers to challenge their own practice.

The Old Vic is delighted to announce Matthew Warchus' Season 5 featuring an exciting and eclectic mix of thought-provoking entertainment.

The Royal Exchange Theatre has announced that their current smash-hit WEST SIDE STORY will return to the stage in 2020 due to unprecedented popular demand. Recognised as one of the world's most iconic musicals, tickets for Sarah Frankcom's reimagining of this Broadway classic, with new choreography by Aletta Collins, have been in high demand from the moment the production was originally announced and were close to selling out before the previews had even begun. Opening last week to critical acclaim and loved by Manchester audiences the Exchange is delighted to confirm that this celebrated production will be back next year running from Saturday 18 April - Saturday 23 May 2020.

Shakespeare's Globe is delighted to announce the programme for 'Women & Power', a new festival of events opening on Sunday 12 May 2018. With performances, panel discussions, and a scholarly symposium, the festival will celebrate the work and voices of women of all backgrounds and will explore how the work of Shakespeare speaks to the current gender revolution, and how women can use Shakespearean performance to tell their own stories of oppression.

Manchester International Festival today unveils its 2019 programme, which takes place across 18 extraordinary days (4-21 July 2019). Internationally-acclaimed artists from over 20 countries - many working in one-off creative collaborations - will present 20 UK and world premieres at the cross-art form biennial festival, the second with John McGrath as Artistic Director.

It has been announced today that Sarah Frankcom is stepping down as Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange Theatre to take up a new post as Director of the prestigious drama school LAMDA. Sarah originally joined the Exchange as Literary Manager in 1998. In 2008 she was made Joint Artistic Director before taking up her current position as sole Artistic Director in 2014. Under her artistic leadership the Exchange has thrived and has been celebrated for its originality, innovation and continued support for the next generation of writers, actors, directors and theatre makers. Described as a 'Powerhouse' and recognised for its 'brave and bold' programming Sarah has shaped the Theatre into an award-winning Company that asks what a producing theatre can be for artists, audiences and communities today.

Sarah Frankcom, Royal Exchange Artistic Director, creates a brand-new version of Broadway's biggest musical WEST SIDE STORY for the Royal Exchange Theatre's unique in-the-round stage. Celebrated for her reinterpretations of American classics, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, DEATH OF A SALESMAN and her award-winning production OUR TOWN, she brings a new focus to the gang culture of the iconic Sharks and Jets with new choreography from Aletta Collins and orchestration by Jason Carr. The production runs in the Theatre from 6 April - 25 May.

The UK Theatre Awards 2018 were hosted by Olivier-nominated musical theatre performer Tyrone Huntley, and presenters included Wendi Peters, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Ria Jones, Matt Cardle, Emma Williams and Michael Ellis MP.