Sky Arts News

Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the National Youth Theatre, Paul Roseby, has today become an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and receives the prestigious Queen's award in recognition of his efforts and achievements at the National Youth Theatre.

As the UK marks the centenary of women's victory in the fight for suffrage, for which hundreds of women were imprisoned, Fuel presents three specially commissioned sound installations exploring different aspects of female incarceration. Working with leading academics on the history of women's imprisonment at the University of Warwick and award-winning sound designer Gareth Fry, whose recent work includes Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on the West End and Broadway, Fuel will present the installations at a week-long exhibition at Tate Modern before touring the UK (dates tbc) and being made available online as a podcast series.

If Britain had a national voice, the sound of The Bach Choir could make a strong case for representing the UK. Its distinguished musical directors have included Otto Goldschmidt, Adrian Boult, Ralph Vaughan Williams, David Willc*cks and now David Hill.

If Britain had a national voice, the sound of The Bach Choir could make a strong case for representing the UK. Its distinguished musical directors have included Otto Goldschmidt, Adrian Boult, Ralph Vaughan Williams, David Willc*cks and now David Hill.

Cellist and BBC Young Musician 2016 winner, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, is to make his Edinburgh International Festival debut on Friday 17 August with a performance of Elgar's Cello Concerto.

Birmingham International Dance Festival (BIDF) 2018 kicks off at the end of this week, Friday 1 June. This edition of the festival seeks to open new up conversations, provoke new thinking and provide inspiring new opportunities for artists and the public to think about dance, their lives and to consider their place in the world.

Constructed around a 14-hour interview, McKellen: Playing the Part uncovers the remarkable story of actor Sir Ian McKellen. From his upbringing living through the Second World War, working through repertory and West End theatre becoming a pioneering stage star, coming out and being a leader in the campaign for equality, to his mainstream film breakouts as Magneto and Gandalf. His work and influence transcends generations, celebrated here in this fully authorized insight.

Bill Kenwright presents the inaugural Classic Screen to Stage Theatre Company production of RAIN MAN. Mathew Horne (Gavin & Stacey, The Catherine Tate Show) stars as Raymond Babbit opposite Ed Speleers (Downton Abbey, Wolf Hall) as Charlie Babbit. RAIN MAN opens at Windsor Theatre Royal on 21 August, before embarking on a UK tour to Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Eastbourne, Southend, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Brighton, Guildford, Leeds, Richmond, Derby and Northampton. Further dates and casting to be announced in due course.

Full casting has been announced for the sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! which comes to Palace Theatre, Manchester from 3rd - 14th July 2018 as part of its international tour. Shona White (Donna Sheridan), Nicky Swift (Rosie), Helen Anker (Tanya), Tamlyn Henderson (Sam Carmichael), Daniel Crowder (Harry Bright), Matthew Rutherford (Bill Austin), Lucy May Barker (Sophie Sheridan), Phillip Ryan (Sky), Leisha Mollyneaux (Ali), Lottie Henshall (Lisa), Matt Jordan-Pidgeon (Pepper) and Michael Nelson (Eddie) will star in the production. At certain performances the role of Donna Sheridan will be played by Natalie Langston.

The all-new special MEGHAN MARKLE: AN AMERICAN PRINCESS will air Today, May 11 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The two-hour event will focus on Markle's life and potential legacy as the first American to marry into the British royal family since 1937.

Sundance Now, AMC Networks' premium video streaming service, announced today the acquisition of BAFTA-nominated hit British television series 'Motherland' from global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), which has worldwide rights to the comedy. The critically-acclaimed series, written and created by Sharon Horgan, Holly Walsh, and Graham and Helen Linehan, will make its exclusive U.S. debut with the first two episodes premiering on the service Thursday, May 10th. New episodes of the half-hour comedy starring BAFTA-winner Anna Maxwell Martin (Philomena, The Night Watch), Lucy Punch ('A Series of Unfortunate Events', Into the Woods, 'Ben and Kate'), BAFTA-nominated Diane Morgan ('Cunk on Britain', Me Before You, Funny Cow) and Paul Ready (The Death of Stalin, 'The Terror') will stream weekly every Thursday until its season one conclusion on June 14th.

The National Theatre has announced its May-September 2018 season.

Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, has licensed a package of more than 65 hours of programming to Ovation, America's only arts network.

The all-new special MEGHAN MARKLE: AN AMERICAN PRINCESS will air Friday, May 11 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The two-hour event will focus on Markle's life and potential legacy as the first American to marry into the British royal family since 1937.

The all-new special MEGHAN MARKLE: AN AMERICAN PRINCESS will air Friday, May 11 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The two-hour event will focus on Markle's life and potential legacy as the first American to marry into the British royal family since 1937.

Brass Funkeys, Jocee, Ollie Howell and the National Youth Orchestra have all announced they will be supporting this year's Give a Gig Week with exclusive shows across London. In addition, YolanDa Brown, Chair of Youth Music, will be supporting Give a Gig Week via a show in Sydney. Give a Gig Week is Youth Music's flagship fundraising initiative, Youth Music supports 350 music-making projects across the country for children and young people experiencing challenging circumstances.

Hailed as 'a masterpiece of 21st century dance' from English National Ballet, Akram Khan's Giselle is released in cinemas for the first time from 25 April 2018, thanks to a collaboration between English National Ballet and digital commissioning agency The Space, giving ballet fans nationwide the opportunity to see this award-winning production in glorious high definition on the big screen.

New casting announced for the new National Theatre season. Full cast has been announced for Brian Friel's Translations including Colin Morgan and Ciaran Hinds, part of the Travelex season with thousands of tickets available at £15. Eric Kofi Abrefa and Thalissa Teixeira join Vanessa Kirby in the cast of Julie, part of the Travelex season with thousands of tickets available at £15. Sam Mendes directs The Lehman Trilogy, a co-production with Neal Street Productions, cast includes Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale. Full casting is announced for the award winning An Octoroon by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, transferring to the National Theatre in a co-production with the Orange Tree Theatre. The NT will tour to 30 venues in 27 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland, for a total of 83 playing weeks over the next year. Rufus Norris' Macbeth to tour to 18 venues across the UK and Ireland from autumn 2018. War Horse returns to the National Theatre marking the centenary of Armistice Day.

Inspired by real, untold stories from the world of women's football, Offside provides an untold commentary on the breakthroughs and limitations in women's football, exploring wider themes of inequality, self-belief and empowerment.

Fresh from her hugely successful debut show 'What Would Beyonce Do?!', star of Comic Relief and Live at The Apollo, Luisa Omelan will bring the cream of UK stand-up talent to Birmingham this February for a one-off comedy bonanza with 100% of all proceeds donated to Helena's Hospice Foundation.