UK THEATRE NEWSROOM - Page 618

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.

On Monday, SOLT and UK Theatre held an urgent meeting of leading theatrical charities to discuss ways to provide support for members of the theatre workforce a?" both on and offstage a?" affected by the unprecedented coronavirus situation.

The closures of major shows, events and venues, in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, has left many people in the theatre industry suddenly without work or a project to develop.

In light of latest Government advice to avoid public gatherings, the Young Vic has made the arrangement that the next event in its YV:IDemystify series, YV: IDemystify a?" What's Blocking You? will be live-streamed from the Young Vic today, Wednesday 18 March, 4pm a?" 6pm, in partnership with ArtsMi

In a world where live performance has all but disappeared for the moment, Robin Ince and those clever people at The Cosmic Shambles Network have come up with an ingenious plan to banish our housebound boredom and keep us all entertained.

Opened in 1911 and designed by Bertie Crewe for the Melville Brothers, Shaftesbury Theatre is one of the largest West End theatres and the last to be built on Shaftesbury Avenue.

In light of the most recent government advice due to COVID-19, The Original Theatre Company's production of Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART, which was due to open at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne on Wednesday 18 March 2020, will now perform a closed filmed performance on Wednesday 18 March 202

Due to the closure of theatres in accordance with the UK Government and SOLT's advice, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery played its last performance on Sunday 15 March 2020.

Since Prime Minister Boris Johnson's speech last night, which advised against going to the theatre but did not institute a formal ban, there have been serious concerns that it may not be sufficient for venues to claim on insurance.

The show must go on! Although UK theatres have closed their doors for the time being, The Showstoppers decided to still perform their Olivier Award-winning improv for audiences via Facebook livestream.

Robert Myles today announces The Show Must Go Online, an online group that will read the complete plays of William Shakespeare in the order they were written, livestreamed on YouTube.

The Vaults is very vocal about its mission statement of embracing artists from all walks of life to come together and inspire others.

Lambert Jackson Productions and the Theatre Café yesterday announced an initiative to keep actors in paid work during the theatre closures.