Arts of the UK 2020: Making theatre fairer for women writers through empowering new company Burn Bright

LONDON – With plays by writers who identify as women still struggling to breakout on the larger stages, writers Tori Allen-Martin and Sarah Henley have come together to launch Burn Bright, a new not-for-profit organisation driving positive change for the next generation of women in the creative industry. Fuelled by the erasure of their work, this inspirational pair have founded the organisation to create a … Continue reading Arts of the UK 2020: Making theatre fairer for women writers through empowering new company Burn Bright

Arts of the UK 2020: Be The Star of New Musical Cautionary Tale From The Comfort of Home

LONDON – Brand new musical Cautionary Tale was deep in development when the Covid-19 pandemic struck and the workshop performances had to be cancelled. But despite this, the effort has not gone to waste. Now, the writers are giving people the opportunity to stage it in their own homes and share their recordings online. For five weeks, they will release sheet music and backing tracks, … Continue reading Arts of the UK 2020: Be The Star of New Musical Cautionary Tale From The Comfort of Home

Arts of the UK 2020: Women Modern Masters at The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh

EDINBURGH – Women have always been integral to the institution of art but, despite this, many women artists have found opposition in the narrative of art history, facing difficulty in gaining recognition. Women Modern Masters at Edinburgh’s The Scottish Gallery seeks to look back as well as forward, celebrating major female artists throughout their history. The exhibition revisits some of the great names of the … Continue reading Arts of the UK 2020: Women Modern Masters at The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh

Arts of the UK 2020: Artist Maxwell Fine donates percentage of profits to Switchboard as calls to their LGBTQ+ helplines rise during COVID-19

LONDON – Amidst stark warnings that the LGBTQ+ community is at increased risk of suicide and depression if observing lockdown in unsupportive or abusive homes, Maxwell Fine is donating a percentage of the sales of his dynamic typographical prints and sculptures to the helpline, Switchboard. A long-time supporter of the LGBTQ+ charity, the artist and designer turned to the helpline himself while in a shattering, … Continue reading Arts of the UK 2020: Artist Maxwell Fine donates percentage of profits to Switchboard as calls to their LGBTQ+ helplines rise during COVID-19

Arts of the UK 2020: Theatre Centre looks ahead with a season with a difference, offering new educational initiatives

LONDON – Rob Watt’s striking inaugural season as interim Artistic Director of Theatre Centre launches with a digital writing course led by exceptional professional writers to champion the next generation of voices. Alongside this are two fantastic new collaborations: 19 new commissions as part of ImagiNation, a digital anthology with Theatre503 to be presented by the nation; and a tour of a powerful new writing … Continue reading Arts of the UK 2020: Theatre Centre looks ahead with a season with a difference, offering new educational initiatives

Arts of the UK 2020: Creating entirely new Micro-Operitas online with #OperaHarmony

LONDON – Connecting creativity in the Coronavirus Crisis, #OperaHarmony looks to assemble teams from across the globe for all new homemade micro-operitas to be shared online. With ongoing support, composers will be paired with librettists to build the pieces on the themes of ‘distance’ or ‘community’ before being matched with directors and singers to record and turn their microopera into an online reality to share … Continue reading Arts of the UK 2020: Creating entirely new Micro-Operitas online with #OperaHarmony

Arts of the UK 2020: Britain’s ‘Sistine Chapel’ , the magnificent Painted Hall, goes digital

LONDON – Although it’s not possible to visit in person at the present time, the Old Royal Naval College, part of Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site, has ensured that the public can still marvel at their iconic attraction. A free 360-degree interactive virtual tour of the magnificent Painted Hall has been launched to provide visitors with the opportunity to explore Britain’s Sistine Chapel up … Continue reading Arts of the UK 2020: Britain’s ‘Sistine Chapel’ , the magnificent Painted Hall, goes digital

★★★★☆ Review: In Our Manner of Speaking – The AIDS Quilt Songbook by The Opera People

Singing of hope and life amidst fear in The Opera People’s latest showcase. With a wild storm brewing outside, being inside the intimate studio at W!ld Rice felt incredibly warm and cosy, as we settled in for the latest edition of The Opera People’s In Our Manner of Speaking. The show began as The Opera People co-founder Shridar Mani arrived to address the audience and set … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: In Our Manner of Speaking – The AIDS Quilt Songbook by The Opera People

Preview: In Our Manner of Speaking – The AIDS Quilt Songbook by The Opera People + Interview

The AIDS Quilt Songbook invites people to take risks. Some texts are very graphic. We’re not sugar coating it and saying, ‘Well, we’re just having a little difficulty.’ We must show some of the rough sides. After all, most of the songs are about crucial times in our lives — someone has died, someone has left you, you’ve inherited a lot of money, the boy’s … Continue reading Preview: In Our Manner of Speaking – The AIDS Quilt Songbook by The Opera People + Interview

Preview: Xiqu – Chinese Opera Series 2020 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Come 2020, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is set to launch Xiqu – Chinese Opera Series to present different forms of xiqu (Chinese Opera) throughout the year. Literally translating to musical theatre, xiqu is one of the oldest art forms in the world and tells timeless stories deeply rooted in Chinese culture and traditions. The new programme series will present a variety of large-scale and intimate … Continue reading Preview: Xiqu – Chinese Opera Series 2020 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay