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Home , A Lady of Letters, Eileen Atkins, Harriet Walter, Her Big Chance, Imelda Staunton, Monica Dolan

Have you seen BBC One's up-to-date remake of 's yet? With all twelve 'episodes' (two new ones were added to ten originals by Bennett last year) now available on iPlayer, the series - ever- popular with amateur theatre companies - can be enjoyed by all.

Starring the cream of today's acting etablishment, the contained nature of Bennett's monologues have allowed the opportunity to tell timely and relevant stories while following the latest government guidelines on safe working practices during Covid-19. If you have already seen some of the new series, hopefully you will appreciate the acting masterclass given by each performer.

The Talking Heads series (specially written for television by Bennett) was first broadcast on BBC One in 1988 and starred Alan Bennett himself, , , , , David Haig, , and .

Bennett's long-term collaborator, lead director and producer, Nicholas Hytner, said: "Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads are among the masterworks of one of the very greatest writers in TV, film and theatre history. It has been a profound and fascinating experience to work out a way of making them again, this time with a company of phenomenal actors who are the equal of those who first made them; with a group of leading theatre directors, colleagues and friends of long standing; and with a team behind the camera that represents the best of the British TV and film industries."

The new series of Talking Heads - now on iPlayer:

[in alphabetical order] 1. in (1988), directed by 2. in The Shrine (2019), directed by Nicholas Hytner 3. in (1988), directed by 4. in Nights in the Garden of Spain (1998), directed by Marianne Elliott 5. Sarah in An Ordinary Woman (2019), directed by Nicholas Hytner 6. in (1988), directed by Nicholas Hytner 7. Lucian Msamati in Playing Sandwiches (1998), directed by Jeremy Herrin 8. Maxine Peake in Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet (1988), directed by Sarah Frankcom 9. Rochenda Sandall in The Outside Dog (1998), directed by Nadia Fall 10. in The Hand of God (1998), directed by Jonathan 11. in (1988), directed by Jonathan Kent 12. in (1988), directed by Marianne Elliott

It's all here

You Couldn't Make it Up!

Click the video to watch the Sardines Editor, Paul Johnson

So… theatres can legally re-open from Saturday, 4th July, just as long as none of them produce any live performances. Yes, folks, you read that correctly. If we’re not mistaken live performances are the very purpose of all theatres – whether they are in the West End or open for a three-night run in a village hall.

Ironically, this may well favour a large portion of the amateur theatre sector. While this year’s panto season becomes more and more doubtful – most notably for December’s professional calendar – at least the social aspect of non-professional theatre societies and companies may see 'one-metre+' socially-distanced events organised for members to take part in… live and away from Zoom, for a refreshing change. For those amateur companies fortunate enough to have some sort of premises or rehearsal space to manage, this could take the form of (non-performance) play-readings, safely managed rehearsals or even properly arranged social evenings and quizzes in the bar. At least it would allow members to see one another ‘in the flesh’ again and make some tentative, initial moves to reinstate the status quo.

For the life of me I can’t see the benefit of the big professional theatres opening – such as those in the West End – if they can’t put on any live performances and, let’s face it, while social distancing is still hanging over us all it’s highly unlikely that any of them will be lifting their curtains at all. And I can’t see them opening just for bar services; theatre prices are hardly competitive are they!?

When it comes to the performances themselves, the recent Government directions may seem bizarre and somewhat out of touch with the arts industry (you only have to look at the recent suggestion aimed at musical productions advising them to consider removing the singing!) but, looking at your responses to last week’s mini-survey, it looks like many of you are ahead of the curve anyway.

We asked a couple of very straight-forward questions: So if most of YOU don’t think amateur theatre can restart until social distancing has been completely removed, then it doesn’t really matter what the Government decides to allow – performance-wise – when it comes to reopening does it?

The really worrying aspect is that such a large proportion of you are also of the mind that the next amateur panto season won’t go ahead at all. This might signify that many of you envisage social distancing – causing financial restrictions and/or a lack of public & membership confidence – keeping our doors closed for some time to come.

To delve a little deeper, we’ve posed just three more questions to you this week. They’re just as simple and will only take a few seconds to answer, but we hope it might give us a clearer idea of your approach to the current situation. Again, you don’t need to leave any details and it’s all completely anonymous.

Answer the Questions...

Theatre in the Telegraph

The Telegraph published the following summary of the latest situation on Wednesday (24th):

English theatres will be able to re-open from July 4, although live performances will not yet be allowed.

In practice, theatre insiders have told The Telegraph that the autumn is the industry's general target for re-opening. In America, Broadway will remain closed until September 6 at the earliest. Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of Les Miserables and owner of eight West End venues, has suggested that the difficulties involved in preparing a production mean that many theatres are already facing closure until 2021. Christmas pantomimes are unlikely to happen this year.

Mackintosh has also warned that the idea of social distancing in the auditorium "doesn't add up" financially. Even under "one metre plus", theatres will need to accept significant reductions in audience numbers.

Some major theatres have been streaming videos of their past productions during the pandemic. To continue doing this with new work, however, would be a financial strain that few venues could bear.

50% of Charity-Run Small Theatres on the Brink

Due to the Covid-19 crisis and temporary closures of theatres, 57% of small theatres in the UK could fail without government support. Theatres Trust warns that as many as 136 small local theatre operators could go into administration in the next three months. In response, Theatres Trust has announced a package of additional support for small theatres to help them survive the impact of Covid-19.

At this critical moment, the national public advisory body for theatres is increasing its support for these smaller theatres including:

▪ Taking on an additional adviser to help small theatres with business planning, budgeting and cashflow, fundraising and essential building maintenance. ▪ Creating a new Theatres Trust Skills Bank to match theatres with experts willing to offer pro bono advice on preparing to reopen including hygiene and social distancing needs and general property management. ▪ Repurposing its small grants programme to support theatres to cover the additional costs of reopening after several months’ closure, including making adaptations for increased hygiene and social distancing measures.

The UK has a world-leading theatre industry and the small local theatres across the country are vital not just as places of entertainment but as community centres. Theatres Trust is lobbying the government and providing additional support to ensure that theatres are still there for communities around the UK to return to when the crisis is over. Local theatres include venues which are at the very heart of their local communities like Market Theatre Ledbury, Sheringham Little Theatre and Settle Victoria Hall, the oldest music hall in the world which has become a true community centre delivering shopping, prescriptions and making PPE during the Covid-19 crisis.

The role of Theatres Trust is to ensure everyone can access live performance where they live. Almost 40% of the UK’s theatres are small local venues and more than half of these – around 240 – are run by small charities. 38% of these have only one month’s reserves and 19% only have three months’ reserves. Without additional government support, including the full continuation of the Job Retention Scheme, many will have to permanently close their doors.

Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan comments, "These are tough times for the theatre sector and we are talking to the government about the additional support theatres need, but we hope that with these resources we can help more theatres to survive the current crisis. We have already seen some operators go into administration and unfortunately others are likely to follow, but Theatres Trust has a strong track record of supporting theatres to be saved and returned to cultural use and is working to ensure that no theatres are permanently lost due to Covid-19.

Jon Morgan sits on the Entertainment and Events Working Group which is working with DCMS and health officials to determine how theatres can reopen with minimised risks to staff, performers and audiences. Alongside this, Theatres Trust is calling for the government to invest in the theatre sector, including extending the furlough scheme for theatres to protect operators from going into administration.

£25 Billion Drop for British Events Economy

Together with Travel and Tourism, the Events industry is amongst those experiencing the biggest negative impact from Covid-19, as social distancing measures effectively continue to put a hold on traditional events. Predictions still indicate a 46% decline on a global level in 2020 alone.

However, the decline in Britain is expected to be even bigger – at 50%, which translates into a drop in the economy of GBP 25 billion. Although the market is expected to see some movement towards pre-Covid19 conditions in the months and years to come, and several new virtual event- types are emerging, the impact of Covid19 measures are expected to have a long-lasting effect. During the next five years, the accumulated decline in the Events industry economics could surpass £100 billion.

Are virtual events taking over?

Over the past few years, the events industry has seen the inevitable introduction of virtual experiences and activities alongside the increasing mass adoption of group video tools such as Zoom. Once Covid-19 hit, virtual experiences grew exponentially as customers began looking for new ways to get around close contact groupings. Does this mean that these 'virtual' events are now taking over from 'traditional' events? The answer is: To some extent.

As a consequence of Covid-19, the demand for virtual experiences has seen an increase of 241%. However, even after this increase, virtual experiences only make up for around 3% of the total Event economy.

As 62% of the total demand for virtual experiences originates from United States, the positive impact from the increase in demand for these, does not contribute as much in Britain.

In addition, the relative demand for virtual experiences is expected to decrease over time as well, although it is also expected to settle at a level above pre-Covid-19.

Lockdown Drama Continues...

By Jacquee Storozynski-Toll

Well we are still in lockdown and it looks more and more as though the theatres are in trouble. Unfortunately, many up-and-coming actors who had their big break just before lockdown, now find themselves out of work, and their big moment may never come again.

Already some shows have announced that they are cancelled and won’t be re-booked. , who was due to start performing in Hairspray, which has been postponed until next year, decided to give Marisha Wallace, an actress in the show, a helping hand by having her singing live on his radio show. As a result she has a hit with the song Tomorrow, which gives us cheer in these dark days. Purchase and streaming of the new single will be donated to organisations to help theatre professionals in the US and UK who have been left out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click above to watch Marisha Wallace singing Tomorrow

The track was self-recorded, entirely from her apartment, and then shipped over and produced by music producer, Steve Anderson (Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears).

Locally we still have no idea if our theatres will open, and so can’t plan our productions. We have managed a read thru, via Zoom, of One Man, Two Guvnors with interested actors. This is planned for next year, but if our spring production of Don’t Dress for Dinner doesn’t manage to take place in the autumn, we might have to push everything back in 2021.We might manage a Zoom committee meeting although, we have no answers to any of the problems.

There is so much online theatre now that I think perhaps, it might be a negative for theatres in the future. If people can see plays and musicals from the comfort of their front room, why go off to the West End?

Local actor David Streames, came up with the idea of performing Tim Wander’s play, The Power Behind the Microphone, as a radio play, it then dawned on all involved, that this could work well in other mediums. The play marks the 100 year anniversary of the first live entertainment broadcast. Marconi’s historic radio transmission of Dame Nellie Melba’s operatic voice was played down the airwaves and through the ether to radio listeners all over the world. Initially, the play was devised as a theatrical production for stage, but with the Covid-19 virus forcing our theatres into darkness, this couldn’t happen. Other local actors, Robert Daws, Wendy Morgan and Martin Carroll became involved, and a social distance reading of the play took place in Chelmsford Civic theatre. The play was streamed online and is now available on YouTube.

Derek G Lucy R.I.P.

By Raymond Langford Jones Thespians in the Croydon area and, in recent years Caterham, will be sad to learn of the death of Derek G Lucy (he liked the G) who passed away during the morning of Monday, 15th June in East Surrey Hospital after a long illness. Derek G Lucy c. 1987

Until a few weeks ago, he was living with Geraldine, his wife, at Oakleigh Court Care Home, Godstone but had gone into hospital with a suspected fractured hip and contracted coronavirus.

Many of us who were lucky to have worked with Derek in both plays and musicals, with Croydon Stagers in the 60s and 70s and, until some years ago, at The Miller Centre where (in 2008) he made his final, side-splitting cameo appearance in The Happiest Days of Your Life, will remember what a fine actor he was.

In his younger days he also brought his special brand of charisma and fleet-footedness to shows such as Kiss, Me, Kate, Half a Sixpence, Hello, Dolly! - and he was also memorable as the upwardly mobile anti-hero in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

If Derek's chirpy personality made him perfect casting in musicals and light comedies, he brought subtle, understated pathos to his George in Who's Afraid of and Willy Loman in - just two of his many moving, 'serious' performances. As a cheeky Puck, made all the funnier for being on the mature side, he brought the house down in Esther Weatherill's production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

His talent could certainly have graced the West End stage - as his daughter Francesca, who inherited his talent, did for a number of years - had he wished it to. After he retired from the boards, he continued to be a lively and useful presence in the Miller Centre's Costume Department. The life and soul of any party, he was a warm and caring person, a devoted husband and father to Francesca, Julian and Andree and a loyal and supportive friend. He will be hugely missed. Derek in Alphabetical Order at The Miller Centre, Caterham (1982) directed by Raymond Langford Jones. Wilde in Teddington is Upon Us!

Teddington Theatre Club (TTC) is presenting its Wilde Weekend on its YouTube channel this Saturday & Sunday.

TTC is performing some of Oscar Wilde’s greatest works for free, running non-stop from the afternoon of Saturday, 27 June until the afternoon of Sunday, 28.

More than 60 actors will be taking part in the reading of Oscar Wilde’s rich canon of work which will include five of his best known plays including An Ideal Husband, Lady Windermere’s Fan and The Importance of Being Earnest together with a selection of poems, letters and essays and his two unfinished plays, one of which has never been staged. Adolphin Theatre

Ever wondered what would happen if animals created their own versions of Broadway and West End musicals? Well the wait is over!

During the pandemic, while theatres are ‘dark’ across the land and human musical productions are on hold, Damian Trasler, David Lovesy and Steve Clark (collectively TLC Creative) and occasional collaborator Emily Thomas have discovered that our feathered and furry friends have stepped into the gap left in the market and started promoting their own alternative shows… Let the punning commence!

The result is the programme for Adolphin Theatre, a series of parodies of West End Musicals. Download the programme free by clicking on the brochure... Free Panto Readings Continue

Whilst we wait to see what may be able to happen with live theatre (pantomime) this season, top panto playwright, Ben Crocker, has announced keeping all of his scripts available free of charge for private Zoom readings until the end of July.

Societies are asked not to record record these readings or upload them to any platforms, such as Youtube - which seems fair enough!

Also, groups needing to postpone or reschedule live productions can do so at no extra charge until circumstances allow. Plus, all future licences will be issued with a postponement clause to guarantee this to you so that you plan with confidence.

Browse what's available HERE

Tom Whalley Too...

According to the Tom Whalley Pantomimes website, the 2020/21 pantomime season will be the most important for theatres and am-dram societies across the UK for decades.

"With theatres now green lit to reopen from July 4th and live performances doubtless returning in the weeks to follow, TWP is happy to help you find the perfect pantomime script to welcome back your loyal audiences this festive season.

However, should this NOT be the case, the award-winning pantomime scripts are now available to licence with a no quibble postponement clause. An update to the terms and conditions mean that if you have to postpone your production due to force majeure, you can reschedule at no additional cost.

SELECT A QUEST

From Olivier-nominated Pins and Needles Productions and award-winning writer Bea Roberts, comes an original interactive online children’s adventure, SELECT A QUEST, created in only seventy-two hours during lockdown. Select a Quest offers audiences an eclectic and innovative theatrical experience in the comfort of their own home. Meet Bigfoot, mutant plants and a swamp monster who works in HR plus many more in a vibrant mix of mystery, silliness and fun.

Jinkies! You’ve fallen through a time portal and find yourself in 1971-2 at Quest Camp, deep in the heart of the Freaky Forest - the UK’s most paranormal cursed forest. Luckily, Camp Captain Jenny has a magic whistle which stops the curse and keeps everyone at camp safe; but - oh no! The whistle is missing! Can you survive the Freaky Forest and find Captain Jenny’s whistle before nightfall? I sure hope so!

This entertaining mission is suitable for the young and young at heart (age recommendation 6+). Navigate through twenty-seven scenes set across six levels, leading to one winner, one curse and a whole lot of crazy deaths. With multiple paths to choose from, once you start it will be hard to leave. What happens in what order? YOU decide. Have you got what it takes to #FindTheWhistle and save the camp from the evil curse?

Select a Quest is available for free online HERE

Catch-Up From the LTG

LTG Newsletter: June 2020

From the majority of the Little Theatre Guild's members, the organisation has heard nothing - apart from requests to members for help with meeting financial commitments.

However, where theatres are fortunate enough to have technophobes there is evidence of some very creative ways of keeping in touch with members. Round-up from member newsletters...

RICHMOND SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY

From May 6th — June 3rd, RSS are virtually reading Henry IV. The first session took place on Shakespeare's birthday. They are also planning an Evening of Monologues — and in the meantime, will be rolling up their sleeves to carry out refurbishment and improvements works by installing lighting — and painting radiators and seats in the auditorium.

RSS YOUNG ACTORS COMPANY

The Young Actors Company are featuring each week in an online link with young actors from South Africa, India and Malta.

QUESTORS

Ealing’s Questors Theatre has also begun a new initiative with members this week. “In this isolation period we are launching an exciting new project for you to get involved In from your homes.!" Bridging the Gap is a chance for the East theatre’s members to showcase what they have been up to in isolation. “Have you been reading a great book that you'd love to recommend, or have you been learning a new yoga routine? Perhaps you've been getting creative and have written a short play or story, created a drawing, or partaken in a spot of DIY or gardening! “We'd love to see stories, images, videos or anything that best shows off your activity — even if it's just something you've spotted on your daily exercise!" People are invited to email their responses to [email protected] and every Tuesday the theatre will post the week's favourite emails on the website and across the Questors social media channels, with highlights on its Instagram and Facebook stories.

PRIORY THEATRE

— one of the first theatres to hold their first ever online quiz. They are now asking for photographs, new and old, to revitalise their archives. Post these memories to the Priory facebook. There you will also find a link to a 30-minute video filmed in the two years following the 1976 fire that devasted the Priory.

SEAFORD LITTLE THEATRE

On May 12th, Seaford organised a virtual play reading of At Mrs Beam's. Robert Boorman, who has a long history with SLT, although not quite stretching back 75 years, suggested the reading to commemorate VE Day. At Seaford Julie Pettit has been running fun and imaginative quizzes since the early nineties. She is looking forward to her first virtual quiz set to start just after 8pm so as not to interfere with clapping for the NHS.

THE MILLER CENTRE

The Miller Centre are adding ten more monologues to the ten previously posted. This series of monologues are written and performed by members and friends of The Miller Centre Theatre Company. Most are suitable for family viewing - And you will find them on YouTube. ALTRINGHAM LITTLE THEATRE

The Chairman Ian Bowden provided a little consolation after the production of Dead Certain had to be pulled after the opening night. The cast were delighted to hear that the author Marcus Lloyd would be in the audience when they brought the play back to the theatre — and wouldn't we all like to know when that would be!

£1,000 for Leicester's LTC

After being forced to postpone all of its 2020 productions until 2021, Leicester's Little Theatre Company is delighted to have won a £1,000 award thanks to nominations from the public.

One of 500 winners in specialist insurer Ecclesiastical's 'Movement for Good' awards, which is giving £1 million to charities this summer, members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts. 13,695 charities were nominated by an amazing 253,879 members of the public.

With the closure of all theatres from the West End to those in the local community due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many amateur performing arts groups are struggling from lost revenue and from unavoidable production costs due to cancelled performances in 2020. With LTC rescheduling all its planned 2020 productions into 2021, leading to the society having incurred extra associated costs (e.g. printing costs, set building, hire of props, costumes and wigs), the donation from Ecclesiastical makes a huge difference to members and audiences and allows LTC to move forward with our planned performances for next year with confidence.

Alternative Programme Although deferring all its Summer Season productions to later dates due to the COVID-19 outbreak, British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) has prepared an Alternative Programme which will take place in Autumn 2020 and Feb/Easter 2021. SINGING MASTERCLASSES

SATURDAY, 27 JUNE - 5pm - BYMTschool with Summer and RADA Singing Teacher Philip Raymond... Register TUESDAY, 30 JUNE - 4pm - with Sophie and international Vocal Specialist Pr. Derek Barnes... Register

FREE ACCESS WEBINARS

SATURDAY, 27 JUNE - 12pm - JOURNEY TO THE INDUSTRY With West End Performer Kayleigh McKnight... Register SATURDAY, 4 JULY - 12pm - GETTING INTO COMEDY With Writer & Performer Rosie Dempsey... Register

Financial Support for Students

For the graduates of 2020, the normal round of parties, proms and celebrations have all been put on hold. What’s more concerning is the uncertainty surrounding their futures and the financial pressure on families through the pandemic.

For the last five years, the Razzamataz theatre school network has been offering scholarships to students who are continuing their performing arts training at college, to assist with some of the cost implications that their courses will incur. While every business has felt financial pressure, Razzamataz Theatre Schools is adamant that it would press ahead with its Future Fund auditions and continue to provide grants for the graduates of 2020.

“This year of students have already lost so much but we were determined that one of those things wouldn’t be the chance to audition in front of an experienced panel of industry judges to be awarded a scholarship to help towards the cost of their course,” says Denise Hutton-Gosney, MD and Founder of Razzamataz. “We set up the Future Fund scholarship to support students achieve their professional dreams of working in the performing arts industry. We know that many families have incurred financial difficulty during COVID-19 so we are really pleased to be able to help out a little.”

For the first time ever, the auditions were held over Zoom, a new skill that students had to master. They were asked to perform a song, dance and drama piece in either musical theatre or commercial style, which reflects the curriculum that Razzamataz offers. Shekinah McFarlane

Andrew Wright

This year’s judges were Shekinah McFarlane, star of SIX the Musical as Anne of Cleves, and Andrew Wright, two-time Olivier Award nominee, West End Choreographer and Director and one of the biggest names in West End creative teams.

The standard of this year’s entries was again very high but after much deliberation, the first prize of £3,000 was awarded to Lewis Logie, age 18 from Razzamataz Carlisle, who was also offered a place on Andrew Wright’s online choreography course.

Lewis has been offered a place at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance where he will be fine tuning all his skills that he learnt at Razzamataz on the BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance course.

Through the pandemic, Razzamataz has worked with a number of highly skilled and experienced performers, including Kerry Ellis, leading lady on Broadway and the West End. “I love Razzamataz and if there had been something like this around when I was younger, I would have been beside myself,” says Kerry. “I was lucky enough to get to work with some of the young inspiring students and their enthusiasm and passion they had was mind-blowing. Having scholarships to support and help young people find a way into performing is a very special and invaluable opportunity and I can’t wait to see what the future brings for them.”

More HERE Kerry Ellis, star of the West End and Broadway Music Institute Open Days

A brand-new music institute at The Waterfront, Brierley Hill, is welcoming visitors back to the campus for personal, socially distanced open days.

Resonance, which opens this September and offers a choice of music degrees, is inviting interested students to get in touch and arrange a one-on-one tour of the campus and its state- of-the-art facilities. Personal open days are by appointment only and limited to one student at a time – along with up to two members of their household. “There’s nothing like walking round a place to get a real feel for what it will be like to study there,” said Rick Benton, director of industry and partnerships at Resonance. “Like many universities, we’ve been running virtual open days since the start of lockdown, but we’re now thrilled to be able to open the doors in a limited way so students can see in real-life just what we have to offer them.

“With a personal day, students can see exactly what they want and ask questions as they go round – so it will be a really valuable experience. Obviously, we’ll be observing social distancing guidelines and taking no risk with anyone’s health and safety. The open days and interviews we held before lockdown had a great response – it’s the sort of place you really need to experience for yourself. We can’t wait to welcome people back again.”

Places are still available on the B Mus (Hons) Popular Music Performance and BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance & Production degrees at Resonance, which are validated by Solent University.

Students applying to Resonance can apply up to the end of August for entry in September. At present, Resonance is planning for a full on-site opening in September for the 2020-21 academic year.

To book a personal open day, click HERE

LSQ TKTS Booth to Close

One of London's iconic buildings, the SOLT-run TKTS booth in Leicester Square, is to close due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The closure will cause around twenty job-losses.

According to newspaper, a spokesperson for SOLT said: "Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, SOLT has seen a detrimental impact on business as income streams have been greatly reduced as a result of the enforced closure of theatres throughout London.

"The focus of the organisation has been, and continues to be, to minimise the risk of redundancies. The reduction in staff salaries and the job retention scheme have, to date, assisted with this, although there are going to be changes to the JRS scheme from August.

"After serious consideration, we have had to regretfully propose to close down the TKTS ticket booth for the foreseeable future as there is no requirement to sell tickets and in light of the above."

HELP SAVE HACKNEY EMPIRE

Olivier award-winning actor and Hackney Empire Patron Clive Rowe has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help Hackney Empire survive the devastating impact Covid-19 lockdown has had on its finances.

Clive Rowe has starred in over 14 of Hackney Empire’s legendary pantomimes and said the Grade II* listed theatre ‘must survive’ in an appeal for public support.

The crowdfunding campaign aims to raise over £50,000 in a public appeal and hopes to attract donations from £10. As registered Charity, the 1,300-seater Hackney Empire relies heavily on box office and earned income for over 85% of its funding. Now, as lockdown is easing and other industries are starting to open up, theatres which rely on bringing large numbers of people together remain under threat and Hackney Empire is appealing to its audiences and communities to help ensure that this legendary venue can re-open its doors again in the future. Clive Rowe said “Hackney Empire is an incredibly special place for me. It brings people and communities together like no other venue I’ve experienced and its atmosphere is legendary. Generations of children have had their first experience of live entertainment at its Panto and its work with young people has transformed thousands of lives.

"Theatres have been hit incredibly hard by lockdown, but a world without them is unimaginable. Places like Hackney Empire must survive, and you can help to make sure they do. Please support this campaign if you can and ensure that Hackney Empire can open its doors again for Panto, for music, for comedy and for everyone."

Situated the heart of one of London’s most diverse, exciting yet economically challenged boroughs Hackney Empire plays a vital and unique role in its community and the cultural landscape at large. One of the UK’s most beautiful and best-loved venues it embraces audiences of over 200,000 each year from across Hackney’s communities. For over a century Hackney Empire has been an iconic venue for the performing arts, home to generations of artists, audiences and community participants who come to see a rich variety of music, comedy, opera and theatre as well as work by young and emerging artists which the venue provides a vital platform for.

The crowdfunding campaign can be found HERE

Octagon Crowdfunder Appeal

Over £40,000 raised so far in Octagon Crowdfunder Appeal to support the theatre’s future. Actors Ian McKellen, Sue Johnston, Sharon D Clarke, Matthew Kelly and more send messages of support for the theatre. 2020 was set to be the biggest year in the Octagon’s history, with the building due to re-open this summer after a major redevelopment and a planned programme of work that was gaining national and global attention. Instead, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic they are experiencing their biggest ever challenge as a registered charity and are facing a significant financial shortfall of half a million pounds in lost income. The theatre has therefore launched the Octagon Future Fund, and with generous support from the Oglesby Charitable Trust, are appealing to those who believe in their work to invest in the future and support them through this difficult time.

Sir Ian McKellen

“The Octagon Theatre has been providing a safe place for visitors, whether they are on stage or watching in the audience. It might surprise you that such a vital resource for the town is a registered charity. So do your best, contribute what you can.”

Matthew Kelly

“The Bolton Octagon is a thrilling, exciting, innovative, creative heart of a community and is a very, very special theatre.”

Sharon D Clarke

“Everyone in the building was so warm and welcoming. It was and still is a vibrant, creative fun place to work…over those 2 years I found my northern family. I remember that time vividly and so fondly…The team are doing all they can to keep supporting their local community through this difficult time and can’t wait to welcome you back when it is save to do so – but in the meantime they need your help.”

Bhavna Limbachia

“The moment I walked through the doors I was made to feel part of the family, the Octagon family….The Octagon have been making theatre and giving opportunities to young artists, like myself, and helping its local community in Bolton for over 50 years. The building was due to open this summer after a huge redevelopment but due to Covid-19 this has been delayed which means the theatre is facing huge financial difficulties…anything you can contribute will help protect the future of the theatre.” Denise Welch

“The Octagon theatre in Bolton is a wonderful, joyous place, it’s a very special theatre.”

Katy Cavanagh-Jupe

“I would like to ask you to support the Octagon Theatre. The Octagon is very close to my heart. I saw so many fantastic productions there whilst I was growing up and I will never forget how inspiriting my time was as a member of the Youth Theatre…Not only do the Octagon produce world class theatre they also support a huge range of people across the community in their creative engagement work.”

Sue Johnston

“I would like to share a message about the Octagon Theatre. It is my favourite theatre both to perform in and sit in the audience. Its atmosphere is warm and wonderful and suppose it reflects the people of Bolton. The Octagon should have been reopening this summer with a brand new truly world class building, instead it’s facing its biggest ever challenge thanks to Covid-19…please consider making a donation today so we can all enjoy the magic of the theatre again.”

Octagon Future Fund Crowdfunding page is HERE

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