Sardines' Weekly Video from Our Editor, Paul Johnson

We Called It! Unfortunately.

With additional requirements – on top of social distancing both sides of the curtain – to include the wearing of facemasks across the entire auditorium and throughout the duration of the performance are bound to keep some people away, the most noticeable point, from an amateur perspective, hasn’t changed. Amateur performances are still restricted to being outdoor-only and to involve no more than a grand total of thirty people. By the way, these amateur outdoor performances now also need to have socially distanced audiences, everybody wearing face coverings, and no cheering or singing throughout. Whoopee! Watch Sardines' weekly video from our Editor, Paul Johnson...

And people are being asked to pay to attend! I know these are unprecedented times, and we’re all making it up as we go along, but it’s little wonder that this year’s pantomime season is crumbling all around us…

…And you can’t say we didn’t call this one! Ten days ago Qdos Pantomimes announced that due to Oliver Dowden’s “reiteration last week that the Government won’t be providing further guidance on theatres operating without social distancing until November at the earliest,” … they were to “begin the consultation process with our partner theatres about the viability of each show.” Since that moment December’s annual pantomime season has virtually collapsed. Productions have been posting cancellation announcements all over the place in favour of postponing any planned performances for twelve months.

While there ARE still a fair few pantomimes that are yet to cancel their 2020 dates, we believe it’s only a matter of time before the inevitable happens and they all throw the towel in. Even the big Qdos production at the London Palladium appears to be waiting for the most convenient moment to announce its cancellation. Jack and the Beanstalk has no star names announced (they are usually all over the media by now), you can’t buy tickets from any website (not that any have probably been sold anyway), and Qdos won’t dare announce the usual list of star names and commit to such a huge financial undertaking – especially so late in the day – while the Palladium’s current capacity is somewhere in the region of 500-600.

Rest assured we take no pleasure whatsoever in this whole sorry state of affairs. Regular readers will know that, every year, Sardines covers at least half a dozen big pantomime launches where we are usually able to bring you an array of invaluable tips and advice from the biggest panto stars in the business. Over the years we’ve spoken with the likes of Brian Conley, Craig Revel Horwood, Leslie Joseph, Steve McFadden, Tim Vine, Stephen Mulhern, Clive Rowe, Al Murray, Christopher Biggins and Jessie Wallace, among countless others – as well as the biggest pantomime producers, directors and writers.

However, this year, we’ve nothing to bring you that could be considered slightly positive.

The only silver-lining that the amateur sector might be able to look towards, is what panto writer, Ben Crocker, alluded to when we spoke with him recently. As amateur societies, companies and charities are not locked into performing throughout December (unlike our professional counterparts), perhaps a number of productions will be able to run after the New Year – even leading up to and over Easter if necessary. By then a vaccine might have been introduced, enabling social distancing to become a thing of the past. Won’t it be interesting if it’s the amateur sector that brings pantomime to the country this year? We may not have the star names and big budgets but, in a way, community groups delivering theatre to get those 'communities' re-ignited and re-engaged makes much more sense, don’t you think?

Back to Ben Crocker; alongside fellow panto writer Tom Whalley – both hugely popular with amateur groups – as well as Imagine Theatre’s Laura Taylor and Head of UK Productions, Martin Dodd, our about-to-be-released online edition is one you really don’t want to miss. Our Panto in Ruins? article is essential reading – as is our huge twenty-five-page Life in Lockdown special feature.

That’s the good news. The bad news is you’ll need a digital subscription to access the upcoming edition. While print subscribers will automatically all receive a free digital subscription alongside the launch of our new website in a week’s time, we have also brought in some very low digital only rates - £7.50 for six months and just £12 for a year… that’s just £1 per month!

To subscribe or just to see the prices please click HERE... or below. In Motion Theatre Company partners with SCDA

Beyond the Headlines will be launched as part of In Motion Theatre’s Virtual Programme. The new project sees writers from Scottish Community Drama Association Clubs and professional actors from across Scotland who are ex SCDA members premier a set of new monologues online at at 7pm on Thursday, 20th August 2020 via In Motion Theatre’s YouTube channel and its website www.inmotiontc.co.uk

In Motion Theatre have been delighted to be working with SCDA and over the last couple of months to create an online set of monologues – Beyond the Headlines.

Ten writers from SCDA clubs all over Scotland have been working with playwright and creative director of In Motion Theatre Company Lisa Nicoll to create stories/monologues around the theme ‘Beyond The Headlines’. Over a series of live and recorded workshops and one to one development, these writers have each created 5-minute fictional stories which have been inspired by media headlines and take us beyond what a headline really says.

This process culminates in a digital online performance of these pieces at 7pm on Thursday, 20th August by professional actors – Alan Cumming, Robin Laing (Band of Brothers HBO, River City BBC, Waterloo Road BBC), Caroline Deyga (Our Lady of Perpetual Succour -National Theatre Scotland, Local Hero - Lyceum Theatre); Mark Armstrong (Our Girl - BBC, Frankenstein - National Theatre) Alasdair Hill and Lisa herself, who are all ex-Carnoustie Theatre Club members & were participants in SCDA Festivals & activities over the years.

Creative Director of In Motion Theatre, Lisa Nicoll, cut her teeth through SCDA festivals with Carnoustie Theatre Club for nearly 15 years. Her Aunty - Betty Gibson was an active member of the SCDA for nearly 50 years especially in the area of the youth festivals and encouraged Lisa (like Betty did with so many others including Alan, Robin, Caroline, Mark and Alasdair) in her field.

Clubs involved in Beyond The Headlines include Kirkton Players, Ury Players, Aberdour Players, Spotlights Community Youth Theatre, Thornhill Players, Greenock Players, Dunoon Players, Linlithgow Players and Fintry Amateur Dramatic Society.

Writers are; Tony Flisch, Julie Forrester, Marley Hunter, Kevin Murphy, Richard Payne, Timothy Roberts, Robin Smith, George Thomson, Olga Watkins and Carole Williams.

This opportunity was created for SCDA members to bring the professional and amateur world together to support each other especially during the current climate of not being able to perform in theatres.

In Motion Theatre was established in October 2016 and is a Scottish based touring new writing theatre company. Set up and led by producer, playwright and actress Lisa Nicoll, alongside a team of associates, the company creates and tours both its own work and the work of other writers across Scotland. www.inmotiontc.co.uk

Lisa Nicoll said “Being part of Carnoustie Theatre Club and SCDA Festivals a was a huge part of my development as an actress, writer and producer and provided me with an amazing grounding for the career embarked on. An invaluable experience that made me ready for life and able to mix with people of all ages and background. To be able to work and develop short plays with writers from SCDA clubs makes me feel like I am coming home.”

Resonance hosts summer music school for schoolchildren

Around 85 pupils from schools in the Dudley borough took part in the summer school at Resonance - the brand-new, state-of-the-art music institute in Brierley Hill.

The aim was to make up for some of the schooling they had missed during the lockdown period, and to give them an extra bit of support before returning to their classrooms next term.

Groups of primary school children spent a day at a time learning African drumming and Samba, whilst a smaller group of secondary-age students were in a different part of the campus, transforming themselves into rock musicians in the space of five days.

‘Rock band in a week’ was the theme for the older children, who spent the first day getting to grips with the different instruments and learning the basics. The rest of the week was spent forming a band, practising a piece and putting on a performance, which was recorded for posterity.

The sessions were run by a team from Resonance and Dudley Council’s Dudley Performing Arts team, along with teaching and safeguarding staff from the local schools.

"It’s been a great experience for the kids," said Rick Benton, Resonance chief executive. "All the kit is waiting for the first cohort of students joining us at the start of the autumn term, and it was brilliant to see the younger ones so enthused by the experience of playing and recording their own music. Our campus is a big place and there was plenty of recording, rehearsal and practice space for the two age groups to do their own thing safely in their own space. All the instruments were sanitised for every session."

Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people, added: "We are keen to support our children, young people and their families during these unprecedented times, and our summer schemes are an important part of this. We want to thank Dudley Performing Arts for all of their hard work in organising the programme and ensuring that it has been such an enjoyable experience for everyone."

The one-of-a-kind institute opens to its first cohort of students next month and applications are still being taken.

Students seeking a career in the music industries have until August 31 to apply direct to Resonance and can do so at resonance-edu.org.

NATIONAL THEATRE TO RESUME PERFORMANCES

THE NATIONAL THEATRE TO RESUME PERFORMANCES WITH DEATH OF ENGLAND: DELROY, A NEW PLAY BY CLINT DYER AND ROY WILLIAMS, PERFORMED BY GILES TERERA

National Theatre Roy Williams, Giles Terera, Clint Dyer (c) Helen Murray

Today the National Theatre announces its commitment to begin creating new work again, with plans to resume socially-distanced live performances in the Olivier Theatre in late October. A new one-person play, DEATH OF ENGLAND: DELROY, by Clint Dyer and Roy Williams, will be directed by Dyer, and performed by Giles Terera. This follows on from Dyer and Williams’ play Death of England, which Dyer also directed, and which was performed by Rafe Spall to critical acclaim in the Dorfman Theatre, closing only weeks before lockdown.

London, 2020. Delroy is arrested on his way to the hospital. Filled with anger and grief, he recalls the moments and relationships that gave him hope before his life was irrevocably changed. This new work explores a Black working-class man searching for truth and confronting his relationship with Great Britain.

The UK Government has now confirmed that indoor, socially-distanced performances can resume from this Saturday. Death of England: Delroy will begin performances in late October. Tickets will go on sale in September, when full details of the performance schedule, ticketing, and safety measures for audiences will also be available.

More HERE

Capital Theatres Reveal Impact of Dementia-Friendly Work

Capital Theatres is Scotland’s largest independent theatre charity, staging over 700 performances each year across the Festival Theatre, the Kings Theatre, and The Studio. Alongside this diverse programme of national and international artistic work, sits Capital Theatres’ extensive learning and participation programme.

In 2015, Capital Theatres began working to improve the provision of meaningful artistic and social activities for people living with dementia, and their families, friends, and carers. Supported by funding from The Life Changes Trust, The Robertson Trust, and The Rayne Foundation, Capital Theatres worked to create more inclusive dementia friendly environments in their venues with building adaptations to allow the Festival Theatre to be a dementia enabled environment and a diverse programme of activities that has been shaped by persons living with dementia.

The range of artistic programming, creative projects, and social activities offered to people living with dementia now comprises a variety of regular events and activities, including dementia friendly performances, workshops with visiting companies, networking opportunities, social cafes, training opportunities, and participatory events with live music, drama, and dance. This dementia friendly community programme has grown into an important network of support and activity for communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Adapting to the current closure

Capital Theatres closed the Festival Theatre, the King’s Theatre and The Studio on Monday, 16 March and as well as many performances being cancelled, several dementia friendly events and activities were also cancelled. In order to provide continuity for participants Dawn Irvine, Dementia Friendly Co-ordinator adapted to deliver a programme of events informed by the participants and created by staff and artists currently working from home.

These events include Contactless Afternoon Tea deliveries to approximately 70 people in the Lothians, recently expanded in partnership with Dementia Friendly East Lothian. The entertainment is pre-recorded performances available online, by MP3 or posted out in DVD format and baked goods are delivered by local bakers. Many have shared wonderful photos of people enjoying the tea parties at home, laying the cakes out beautifully and dancing around their living rooms.

More HERE

Midnight Gang on YouTube

Chickenshed was hugely proud to be the first theatre to bring David Walliams' The Midnight Gang to the stage back in 2017 - and we can't wait to bring it to you again, this time on a screen near you, and in the comfort of your own home!

When the clock strikes midnight most children are fast asleep, but for the Midnight Gang the journey is just beginning.

Five children find themselves in hospital for a variety of reasons, including Tom who's been hit on the head by a cricket ball and really doesn't want to go back to school. They soon discover that something far more exciting is happening beyond the confines of the children's ward. A heart- warming and hilarious tale of fun, friendship and adventure ensues, all under the cover of darkness when the horrible matron is sure they are all fast asleep.

"Unmissable!! Perfect for children, and just as good for adults. An absolute triumph of a performance and it's imaginative, innovate, funny and deserves a sell-out crowd. It's quite simply incredible!" 5*** Review from Everything Theatre

Cast:

Jonny Morton ... Sir Quentin Strillers/Mr Cod Michael Bossisse ... Doctor Luppers/Tootsie Bradley Davies ...Toms Dad/Nurse Meese/ Mr Thews Ashley Maynard ...Hospital Porter Belinda McGuirk ... Nelly/Dilly/Toms Mum Sarah Connolly ... Matron Yossi Goodlink ...Tom Tamika Armstrong ... Amber Finn Walters ... Robin Joe Booth ... George Chloe Stevenson ... Sally

Creatives:

Lou Stein ... Director Keith Dunne ... Set and costume designer Daniel Banton ... Assistant director Dave Carey ... Senior creative producer (composer) Fiona Carey ... Creative producer (voice) Zeeta Jacobs ... Production manager Emma Gale ... Costume supervisor Rodger Voyle Harries ... Deputy costume supervisor Andrew Caddies ... Technical manager/ Lighting designer Phil Haines ... Sound AV technician

Chickenshed's YouTube Channel HERE

SHOWSTOP THEATRE SCHOOL

There's a brand-new theatre school starting up! In the light of the dreadful situation the industry finds itself in Olivier Award- winning children's casting director, Jo Hawes (Mary Poppins, Les Mis, Joseph, Identical and many others), wants and needs to keep our young performers motivated.

It is difficult for the kids because their performing life in theatre is short and all they can see during the enforced closure are opportunities dribbling away. At lockdown Jo was doing eight shows and by the time theatres get going again all the licences and contracts will have expired. "We can only hope that we can still have them in our shows," says Jo. "Amongst other things I fear that schools will be unwilling to give permission for time off since they will want them to catch up having lost so much ground and that in itself might be an issue." Showstop's key focus is delivering elite training in singing, dancing and acting but we will also introduce students to other areas of the industry such as audition technique, stage combat, puppetry, makeup, circus skills and gymnastics.

Where?

Altwood CofE School, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PU

When?

20th September - December 6th (Sundays excluding October half term)

Who?

Anyone with a keen interest for theatre aged 7 - 17

An impressive list industry guests will be announced on our website below!

[email protected] | 01628 773048 | 07919151643 www.showstoptheatreschool.com

Bridge Theatre's Back

Now the Government has given the go ahead for indoor performances with socially distanced audiences to restart from tomorrow, London Theatre Company's announces its repertoire plans to re-open the Bridge Theatre during September and October.

Eight of the actors (Monica Dolan, Tamsin Greig, Lesley Manville, Lucian Msamati, Maxine Peake, Rochenda Sandall, Kristin Scott Thomas and Imelda Staunton) from the series of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads which LTC made for BBC One this summer will reprise their performances on The Bridge stage.

Three monologues - An Evening with an Immigrant, Quarter Life Crisis and Nine Lives - from Inua Ellams, Yolanda Mercy and Zodwa Nyoni will run alongside them, the first two played by their authors, the third by Lladel Bryant. And we plan to start with David Hare's passionate Beat the Devil about his own experience with the virus and the politics of its handling, performed by Ralph Fiennes.

"The Government is embarked on a phased return for the performing arts. We are hoping that we will get the green light to open with a reduced capacity of 250 seats and stringent safety measures, and we are inviting audiences from today to book seats with the assurance that, of course, if the season is delayed there will be automatic refunds for any performances that can't go ahead."

"We are all excited at the prospect of re-opening The Bridge after a hiatus of five and a half months but, needless to say, the safety of audiences and the well-being of all those who work at the Bridge remain our chief concern."

More HERE

Underbelly’s Fringe Crowdfunder

Eddie Redmayne, Clarke Peters, SIX, Hot Gay Time Machine, Danny MacAskill and Julia Donaldson offer new fundraising rewards to support Underbelly’s Crowdfunder Campaign, where 100% of donations will go to support artists from the 2020 programme. Eddie Redmayne (far right) in Cabaret at Big Belly, Underbelly, Fringe 2001

Last week Underbelly launched a fundraiser to support artists who were due to appear at Underbelly Fringe 2020. 100% of all donations received go straight to artists from this year’s planned programme.

The crowdfunder campaign has already raised over £5,000 in a week, with rewards such as a signed Fleabag poster from Phoebe Waller-Bridge and two years free access to Underbelly shows on the Fringe already snapped up.

This week sees more Underbelly alumni joining the campaign to lend their support to artists who have been impacted by the cancellation of the Fringe.

Academy Award and BAFTA winning actor Eddie Redmayne, who appeared at Underbelly in 2001 in a production of the musical Cabaret, will personalise and sign an exclusive cast photo from 2001 to the person that donates £600. Clarke Peters, Star of The Wire and Spike Lee’s latest film Da 5 Bloods, is signing a poster of the 2010 Fringe production of his hit musical Five Guys Named Moe (in which he also starred) and donating a personal piece of Five Guys Named Moe memorabilia to the person that donates £300.

Donate HERE

THE RHYTHMICS STUDIO ALBUM AND LOCKDOWN MUSIC VIDEO The album for brand-new life affirming musical THE RHYTHMICS, is now available via Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, Apple Music and many other digital platforms. With book and lyrics by Metta's Artistic Director Poppy Burton-Morgan, and music & lyrics from Stiles&Drewe award winner Ben Glasstone (Reanimator), THE RHYTHMICS explores the crisis of masculinity via a collection of oddballs belting their way through a thrillingly catchy guitar led score.

Hapless single-dad Grey is in a rut. Teenage daughter Silva packs him off to revive his rockstar dreams, successfully auditioning for ‘Nick & the Rhythmics' only to realise... he’s actually signed up for an All-male Rhythmic Gymnastics troupe. Against the odds these burly blokes make it as far as the World Championships - twirling their ‘ribbons of fire’ - and along the way Grey finally learns to commit to life. Calendar Girls meets Full Monty in this joyous new British musical.

Thanks to emergency support from Arts Council England, a hugely successful Crowdfunder campaign, which exceeded its original target, alongside Metta Theatre reserve funds, the producers were able to record the album (under socially distanced rules in studios across London, Brighton and Glasgow) during the month of July.

WEBSITE | STUDIO ALBUM | MUSIC VIDEO

PANTO CHANGE

Regal Entertainments announced today that their 2020 Christmas Pantomime at St Helens Theatre Royal has been changed, but a show will go ahead.

The curtain was due to go up on Cinderella at St Helens Theatre Royal from Sat 5 Dec ’20 – Sun 3 Jan ’21 and had previously announced Linda Robson in the lead role. However due to the government restrictions now enforced on theatres, it makes the current title not financially viable to continue with, Cinderella is one of the biggest productions in pantomime and carries many additional costs. Pantomime producers, Regal Entertainments say they have worked tirelessly to look at alternative options for the festive season and they want to ensure that they can continue to provide top entertainment to its community and regular attenders this Christmas. They will now produce Beauty And The Beast, with all the high production values and comedy that audiences have come to enjoy, tickets will go on sale soon.

The new show will be fully adhering to social distancing measures, in order to keep the audience, staff, and the cast safe. They will make all the necessary changes in order to ensure they comply to the government guidance at the time, full details will be announced when the show goes on sale, changes will include reduced capacity auditorium, temperature checks, wearing of face masks, deep cleaning and pre-order drinks and confectionary, to ensure the venue is Covid safe.

More HERE

Win a Golden Ticket! To mark the first day of what would have been the 2020 Edinburgh Fringe, they are giving one lucky Fringe fan a chance to win a pair of free tickets to every show at the Pleasance next August. All you need to do is enter their extra special raffle, as part of their Crowdfunder campaign, to be in with a chance of winning the Pleasance Golden Ticket!

One lucky winner and a friend will have the opportunity to see hundreds of shows next year at the Pleasance in Edinburgh, including their annual Opening Gala with their own dedicated member of the Pleasance Team overseeing all their reservations and recommendations. The winner will also receive exclusive access to Brooke’s Club for the duration of the festival. This is the ultimate VIP Fringe experience, for only £5!

The Golden Ticket pass provides the recipient with access to two seats for any production at Pleasance Edinburgh during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2021, scheduled to take place 4th - 30th August 2021 (subject to confirmation). The recipient will receive a personalised Pleasance Pass for ticket booking and collection.

Stars Support Second Phase Of War Child's Coronavirus Crowdfunder

War Child has reached the second half of its six-week Emergency Coronavirus Crowdfunder with even more incredible supporters from the sports and creative industries donating items and experiences to help raise crucial funds for children whose lives have been torn apart by war. The Crowdfunder has already raised a staggering £185,000 of its £300,000 target, and hopes to raise the remainder by the Crowdfunder’s closing date of 1st September 2020.

Watch Carey Mulligan's video appeal...

List of supporters for the second half of the campaign include: Anne-Marie, Brian O’Driscoll, Craig David, Damien Hirst, Dolly Alderton, Emma Gannon, Erdem, Fee Greening, Finn Wolfhard, Florence Welch, Frances McDormand, Gamer Network, Gillian Anderson, IDLES, James Bay, Jodie Whittaker, Keane, Muse, Newcastle United, Patrick Hughes, Portishead, Ralph & Russo, Ross Stirling, Rupert Grint, Sam Eastwood, Sports Interactive, Stella McCartney, Stephen Merchant, Suede, Ticketmaster, Vanessa Kirby, Vero, You Me Bum Bum Train.

More HERE

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