UK THEATRE NEWSROOM - Page 618

It has been announced that Victoria Hamilton-Barritt has joined the cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's upcoming production of Cinderella as the stepmother!

West End Live has released the following statement regarding its cancellation via the event website: 

Papatango Theatre Company today announces that Isolated But Open Commissions - Voices From Across The Shutdown will now include two new monologues from award-winning writers Rachel De-Lahay and Anders Lustgarten, alongside ten monologues chosen anonymously from an open call-out.

The ETPEP Award 2020 is a playwriting prize for new UK playwrights who work in the theatre industry, run by the Finborough Theatre in association with the Experienced Theatre Practitioners Early Playwriting Trust (ETPEP).

Podcasts are a brilliant way of passing the time, while learning something new and being entertained at the same time.

Stephen Sondheim is today celebrating his 90th birthday - all best wishes from BroadwayWorld! You can mark this special day by watching the BBC Prom dedicated to the great man's 80th birthday, which will be repeated tonight on BBC Four.

Today, the almighty composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim turns 90 - happy birthday from all of us at BroadwayWorld! Here, BWW reviewers share some of the reasons why we adore his work.

There are some wonderful initiatives springing up online for those are itching to keep dancing during the shutdown.

The European premiere of Diva: Live From Hell was scheduled to take place at the Brockley Jack Theatre on 17 March, 2020.

Baz Bamigboye has revealed via Twitter today, a statement from Equity UK regarding Chancellor Rishi Sunak's latest statement about the state of entertainment workers during the current health crisis.

From today arts lovers can sign up for a no obligation 30-day free trial on Marquee TV, the international multi-genre performing arts streaming service.

The Evening Standard has reported that all West End performances have been cancelled until April 26.

Society of London Theatre has released a statement for all West End theatre ticketholders unsure of what to do amidst the shutdown.

According to The Stage, Philip Pullman and Stephen Fry are among those who have signed an open letter to the government, urging them to introduce a temporary income protection fund to support freelances during the Covid-19 pandemic.

William Whelton and Joseph Houston, respectively the Executive Director and Artistic Director of Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss the devastating effects of the shutdown on the theatre industry.

Flash, bang, wallop! Andrew Wright and Jaye Elster will be organising a HALF A SIXPENCE mass dance-a-thon via Instagram, according to Baz Gamigboye, who broke the news on his Twitter last night.

Theatre Together, a new collective of over 50 artists and professionals, today announce All the Web's a Stage, an online event featuring a variety of live performances to raise money for those in the arts facing hardship as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Following the closure of all West End theatres due to the Coronavirus outbreak, producers today announce that Thriller Live performed its last Moonwalk at the Lyric theatre on Sunday 15 March 2020 -  the 4657th West End performance.

The BBC is responding to the Covid-19 outbreak with a wonderful initiative: bringing arts and culture into the home via a virtual festival, Culture in Quarantine.

As we all adjust to the new, strange reality, online entertainment and education has become even more vital.

Sir Michael Morpurgo, the internationally bestselling author of War Horse and Private Peaceful, has issued a letter to supporters of the Barn Theatre, a production house based in the Cotswold town of Cirencester, pleading for support as the theatre launches its SAVE OUR BARN campaign.

The Old Vic has released the following statement regarding its closure and upcoming production of 4000 Miles:

Following the UK Government's official guidance, Shakespeare's Globe is closed to the public until further notice, ceasing performances, education activities and tours.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre have today announced that, in light of government advice restricting non-essential contact with others, their new musical, 101 Dalmatians will be postponed and will now open their 2021 season.

The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) is running a nationwide series of ads championing British theatre and encouraging people to support venues when they reopen.