ANNUAL REVIEW 2019/20 Shows “I will always be grateful to the Playhouse Participation team.” Encore Participant “You have made a difference “Nottingham Playhouse is full of today, I hope you are able to surprises, after all that’s what continue making a difference you’re there for.” for years to come.” Community Participant Audience Member 2 Nottingham Playhouse Shows WELCOME In a year that ended with so many We were thrilled to co-commission Although this year didn’t end as uncertainties for the entirety of the Wasteland, the follow up to Gary anyone anticipated, we are still arts sector, Nottingham Playhouse Clarke’s award-winning Coal and immensely proud of the work we has managed to continue producing to feature a community chorus were able to present. theatre, serving its local community alongside the professional company and welcoming its loyal patrons. – a life changing experience for those And of course, none of it would have participants. been possible without the support of In a stellar year, highlights included our incredible audiences, members, Kemp Powers’ One Night In Miami... Throughout the year we developed funders, sponsors, staff team and which had us spend an incredible our work with, by and for our many board - especially coping with a night with Cassius Clay, Malcolm communities. We have loved situation which none of us could X, Jim Brown and Sam Cooke, and expanding our free Shine youth have foreseen. consider the effects of prejudice and theatres, work experience, our the power of brotherhood. Coram Encore group for older audiences, With your help, we hope to continue Boy, our community production Playhouse Platform for adults with being able to deliver world-class which featured a cast of over 70 local learning disabilities, Young Critics, In theatre here in Nottingham. people, showed us the power we House and brand new Nottingham have when we all come together to Playhouse Choir… to name but a create. ER and Doctor Who star Alex few. This area of work continues to Kingston, and Olivier Award nominee expand year on year – we believe Malcolm Sinclair joined us for the joy generated by taking part in Stephanie Sirr, Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s vital reworking something creative has never been Chief Executive of Ibsen’s classic drama, An Enemy more necessary. of the People. Meanwhile, playing the Neville Studio, LIT earned Eve A wake-up call was also in order for Austin a nomination for Best Actress the sector, with mass protests taking in a New Production of a Play in the place to mark the Black Lives Matter Adam Penford, Broadway World UK Awards. We movement. These events ensured Artistic Director welcomed back many familiar faces, we took an even closer look at our including Director Bill Buckhurst organisation and how we represent for Sondheim’s Assassins – a co- our local communities. Since then, production with our friends at The we have published our Anti-Racism Watermill Theatre. And of course, a Action Plan and formed a Diversity Caroline Shutter, Playhouse year wouldn’t be complete in the Workforce Working Group Chair without another fantastic panto in order to ensure Nottingham and Neville Studio Christmas show. Playhouse fully represents people of Sleeping Beauty and Pinocchio colour within its teams. rang in the New Year for us to large audiences. Annual Review 3 Shows Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company SKELLIG By David Almond Fri 22 Mar - Sun 7 Apr 2019 The Times East Midlands Theatre What our audiences thought: “Fabulous scenery and effects” “It was an excellent production, very interesting” “It’s really accessible to all ages” 4 Nottingham Playhouse Shows Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company THE MEMORY OF WATER By Shelagh Stephenson Fri 3 - Sat 18 May 2019 ReviewsGate East Midlands Theatre What our audiences thought: “It was so funny” “It was poignant, funny and an amazing exploration into how three sisters navigate their way through a really challenging time of grief” Annual Review 5 Shows Produced by special arrangement with ABKCO Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI... By Kemp Powers Fri 7 - Sat 22 Jun 2019 The Stage Metro What our audiences thought: “It’s not often you see a play with six black actors, doing something really positive, educational and entertaining” “The story… it really feels like it’s a story for now” 6 Nottingham Playhouse Shows Coram Boy took place in the Albert Hall and was seen by over 2000 people. It featured almost 100 people from the local community. Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company CORAM BOY Adapted by Helen Edmundson, based on the novel by Jamila Gavin Wed 7 - Sat 10 Aug 2019 Always Time For Theatre What our audiences thought: “Captivating” Participant Feedback: “From being scared stiff at the prospect of being on the Playhouse stage I sang in front of a packed house for the first time at the age of 71.” Roger, choir member “I didn’t really have much self- confidence, but then when I found out I got fully through, I was really excited and I felt like I’d really achieved something.” Isaac, acting ensemble Annual Review 7 Shows Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company Henrik Ibsen’s AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE A New Version by Rebecca Lenkiewicz Fri 13 - Sat 28 Sep 2019 The Guardian The Stage WhatsOnStage What our audiences thought: “It was really topical for today’s society” “Alex did a really amazing job adapting Dr Stockmann into a female role” “It brings a modern audience but still holds the intention of what the script was meant to be” 8 Nottingham Playhouse Shows LIT played to a sold out crowd HighTide and Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company LIT By Sophie Ellerby Tue 24 Sep - Sat 5 Oct 2019 The Guardian Broadway World What our audiences thought: “Just blew me away” “Absolutely loved every minute” Annual Review 9 Shows Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company and The Watermill Theatre ASSASSINS By Stephen Sondheim Wed 30 Oct - Sat 16 Nov 2019 The Times East Midlands Theatre A Spy in the Stalls What our audiences thought: “It’s an amazingly well-acted, beautifully set piece, intelligent, clever” “I think it’s a very relevant piece to this time” “I learnt some American history I didn’t know before” This production of Assassins was the first to use actor- musicians and swap the role of the Balladeer to female rather than male. 10 Nottingham Playhouse Shows Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company presents Kenneth Alan Taylor’s SLEEPING BEAUTY Fri 22 Nov 2019 - Sat 11 Jan 2020 The Stage What our audiences thought: “It’s a fantastic, proper Nottingham Panto” “Really funny, witty, great for kids and also some jokes in there for the adults too” “It’s the best. I’ve done six years. It is the best!” Annual Review 11 Shows Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company PINOCCHIO By Sarah Middleton Wed 11 Dec 2019 - Sat 4 Jan 2020 The Stage East Midlands Theatre What our audiences thought: “I liked the songs” “It makes me a little bit happy” 12 Nottingham Playhouse Shows Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS By Ron Hutchinson Fri 21 Feb - Sat 7 Mar 2020 Daily Mail British Theatre Guide East Midlands Theatre What our audiences thought: “It’s really fast-paced, hilarious, it’s got some great moments of drama in it as well” “The acting’s fantastic, the set’s brilliant” Annual Review 13 WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN How the Playhouse responded to Covid-19 March 2020 brought with it back at some of both venues’ “Hi, we just took part in something which affected not only productions with the teams who Noah and the Peacock the Playhouse, not only the arts created them. and wanted to say a big sector, but the whole world. thank you for an amazing Sadly, the pandemic meant we had experience. We were Although at first Coronavirus to reschedule a huge amount of fortunate enough to be seemed like a distant issue taking work to 2021 or later, but we still place thousands of miles away, it managed to release sneak peeks for given tickets by Derbyshire soon made its way to the UK and some shows, including a wonderful Young Carers. My daughter to Nottingham, and meant that we rendition of Hymne A L’Amour from couldn't stop giggling, which had to swiftly close our doors. Piaf, performed by the would-be is amazing as she has been cast and band. without her mum now for Our team of dedicated staff had to 15 weeks (been in hospital find new ways of working, still with And although we weren’t able to and we've not always been the hope that we would soon be produce anything live in person, we allowed to see her), so to producing again. did manage to do something brand hear and see her laugh new – a play, live on Zoom! Thanks has been very special. Can At the end of 2020 we remained to Jeff James who was due to be not thank you all enough in a similar situation, though directing First Touch, Noah and the for that, you have made a throughout that time we were able Peacock came to life digitally for to find new ways to bring the arts hundreds of families. difference today, hope you to our communities. are able to continue making This was a very worrying time a difference for years Many of our regular programmes financially and we’d like to take this to come.” moved online, including the opportunity to thank each and Audience Member, Nottingham Playhouse Choir, every person who engaged with us, Noah and the Peacock Encore and Shine.