For theatre... online, non-professional, amateur
Did You Take our Survey? If so, you’ve earned a 6-month digital subscription to Sardines

Did You Take our Survey? If so, you’ve earned a 6-month digital subscription to Sardines

The results are in and can anonymously be digested right now…

READ THE RESULTS HERE


There’s nothing to report this week really, apart from our survey results of course.
With the second wave hitting home all over the world – including the UK – it does rather look like all-things theatrical are going to get worse before they can get better. Plus with everybody completely bamboozled by the latest set of ‘tiered’ restrictions, it would seem like people are getting closer to the point of capitulation.

See if that’s what our latest survey discovered right HERE.

Stay safe… stay well… we will be back… (goodness knows when!)

Watch this weeks video:

THE THEATRE CHANNEL – FURTHER DETAILS RELEASED FOR HALLOWEEN AND ROCK EPISODES

THE THEATRE CHANNEL – FURTHER DETAILS RELEASED FOR HALLOWEEN AND ROCK EPISODES

Jordan Shaw. Photo: ©Edward Johnson


EPISODE 2 – THE HALLOWEEN EPISODE

DROPPING ON FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER – RIA JONES, JORDAN SHAW AND TREVOR DION NICHOLAS

COMPLETE LINE UP ALONGSIDE AIMIE ATKINSON, LINZI HATELEY, SOPHIE ISAACS, BRADLEY JADEN, AND JOSH PITERMAN

 EPISODE 3 – THE ROCK EPISODE

DROPPING ON 27 NOVEMBER

FEATURING SHAN AKO, ALEX GAUMOND, ROB HOUCHEN, FRANCESCA JACKSON, AISHA JAWANDO, JOHN OWEN JONES AND… 

EPISODES 1 – 3 ON SALE NOW – AVAILABLE TO BOOK HERE


Adam Blanshay Productions and The Theatre Café are pleased to announce further details for the forthcoming episodes of The Theatre Channel.

Episode 2 is Halloween themed episode with songs from The Rocky Horror Show, Beetlejuice, Into the Woods, Dracula, Carrie, Young Frankenstein and Jekyll and Hyde. The episode is available to purchase now, ahead of its release on 30 October, and Ria Jones, Trevor Dion Nicholas and Jordan Shaw will complete the previously announced line up of Aimie Atkinson, Linzi Hateley, Sophie Isaacs, Bradley Jaden and Josh Piterman.

Episode 3 – the Rock Episode – will be released on 27 November and will feature the following talent and performances:

  • Shan Ako (Les Misérables) singing I’ll Cover You (Reprise) from Rent
  • Alex Gaumond (Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) singing Le Monde est Stone from Starmania
  • Rob Houchen (Light in the Piazza, Les Misérables) singing Gethsemene from Jesus Christ Superstar
  • Francesca Jackson (Tina: The Musical, I’d Do Anything) singing Forgiven from Jagged Little Pill
  • Aisha Jawando (Tina: The Musical) singing Acid Queen from The Who’s Tommy
  • John Owen-Jones (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera) singing Pity the Child from Chess 

The Theatre Channel is a brand-new web series showcasing well-known musical theatre classics – a unique hybrid of stage and screen. Performed by the cream of British and international musical theatre talent, each episode is staged and filmed with high production values on location at The Theatre Café in the heart of the West End, making full use of the whole space – from the bar seating area all the way up to the roof – and feature a mix of 5-6 standalone performances, ordinarily set in a café, bar or restaurant. Many of the performances are supported by the Café Four, a regular cast made up of other West End talents.

Episode 2 – the Halloween Episode – will include the following talent and performances:

  • Aimie Atkinson (Pretty Woman, Six) singing Dead Mom from Beetlejuice 
  • Linzi Hateley (Mamma Mia!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Blood Brothers) singing When There Is No One from Carrie
  • Bradley Jaden (Les Misérables, Wicked) and Sophie Isaacs (Six, Heathers: The Musical) singing Life After Life from Dracula
  • Ria Jones (Sunset Boulevard, Evita) singing Last Midnight from Into The Woods
  • Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin, Dreamgirls) singing The Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Show
  • Josh Piterman (The Phantom of the Opera) singing The Confrontation from Jekyll and Hyde
  • Jordan Shaw (The Scottsboro Boys, The Lion King) leading Transylvania Mania from Young Frankenstein, along with the Café Four

The first episode – starring Tarinn Callender, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Oliver Ormson, Matt Henry MBE, Lucie Jones, Jenna Russell and Jodie Steele is available to purchase and download via www.thetheatrecafe.co.uk/channel – once purchased, audiences are able to watch episodes unlimited times.

The Theatre Channel’s Café Four is comprised of Alyn Hawke (Oklahoma, Follies, 42nd Street), Emily Langham (The Boy Friend, Oklahoma, West Side Story), Sadie-Jean Shirley (City of Angels, Ghost: The Musical, Aladdin) and Alex Woodward (Mamma Mia, Hairspray).

The Theatre Channel is produced by Adam Blanshay Productions and The Theatre Café, with direction and choreography by Bill Deamer and musical supervision by Michael England, set and costume design by Gregor Donnelly, lighting design by Jack Weir, sound design by Keegan Curran, videography by Ben Hewis and hair and makeup by Diana Hudson.


www.thetheatrecafe.co.uk/the-theatre-channel

@AdamBlanshayPro@thetheatrecafe#TheTheatreChannel

New online venue launched helping Arts organisations to stream content

New online venue launched helping Arts organisations to stream content

Online venue stream.theatre has launched, providing full streaming services for the Arts

  • New online venue stream.theatre has launched providing solutions for arts organisations wishing to stream content online
  • From ticketing and box office solutions, full-service video capture and transmission, to a secure online video player specifically conditioned for live streaming theatrical events
  • stream.theatre can cater for one-off events or create long term solutions by purpose building a streaming platform for an existing brand
  • User-friendly and straightforward process, accessible for all audience demographics
  • Visit www.stream.theatre for full information

A brand-new streaming service has been launched offering arts organisations online hosting and production solutions for all their streaming needs. stream.theatre is available now for any organisation, producer, or artist needing support to stream content.

Venue

stream.theatre is a digital venue for any theatre, art, or performance based video content. Live-streamed, time scheduled or on demand: shows and content can be transmitted in a variety of ways and can be individually priced. Customers can browse upcoming shows and watch marketing materials. Video content is shown on ahigh quality, secure video player, available on a variety of devices and applications. Content can be geo-fenced to protect rights holders and authors.

Box Office

stream.theatre can work with third party ticketing facilities or provide a full ticketing service. If stream.theatre provides a box office service, customers are able to buy tickets to shows and events on the platform and come back to watch them at the time of the ‘performance’. There are no complicated codes or vouchers; the customer’s account remembers what they’ve bought and allows access to the event. Full reporting is provided with full financial statements, viewership statements, watch time analysis and remittances to content owners.

Production

stream.theatre can act as a full video partner in the creation of content. A full 4k camera solution as well as audio capture, live vision mixing and all equipment necessary for a multiple camera shoot is available. It can provide live stream technology for truly live performances or editing capabilities for pre-recorded productions. The experienced production team can advise, consult or general mange digital production processes.

The service is available now and can be found at www.stream.theatre

‘Magic with the Musicals’ live show at the London Palladium

‘Magic with the Musicals’ live show at the London Palladium

Above: Ruthie Henshall. Photo: John Phillips

The London Palladium has hosted the world’s biggest stars over the course of its history. Today, like all theatres across the UK, it is dark. On Thursday, September 17, Magic Radio will bring together over 70 leading figures from across musical theatre at the venue, united for the first time, to shine a spotlight on theatre at a time when its very existence is under threat.

The day – produced by Magic together with TBI Media – will result in a special three-hour show airing on Wednesday, 23rd September on Magic Radio and Magic at the Musicals.

In addition to interviews throughout the day, the stage will feature West End stars recording exclusive ‘live’ performances from supporting musicals including MAMMA MIA!; Dreamgirls; Disney’s: The Lion King; &Juliet and more. 11 performances in all will be recorded, uniquely with a live, 23-piece orchestra, comprising some of the West End’s finest musicians, together with members of the London Musical Theatre Orchestra, under Musical Director Jon Ranger (all required safety and hygiene measures will be met).

These are all musicians and performers who have been directly financially effected by the impact of the COVID crisis on theatres, and – with invaluable support from the Audio Content Fund – Magic are ensuring all performers are being paid to be a part of this day of support for the industry. Additionally, students from Mountview, who are the future of the industry, will be forming a 16-strong chorus, supporting the performances.

Nicole Raquel Dennis (Dreamgirls and Dear Evan Hansen) will be talking to the performers to hear what it’s like to be back on stage again. Ruthie Henshall will be conducting interviews with some of the industry ‘leading lights’ including Judy Craymer (producer of Mamma Mia); Rebecca Kane Burton (CEO LW Theatres); and Sonia Friedman (multi-award-winning producer of shows including Dreamgirls, Harry Potter, Book Of Mormon) who will give a voice to the leading creatives, producers, composers, artists and musicians who are currently facing financial hardship.

John Owen Jones will host round tables with creatives from both on-stage and behind the curtain including Trevor Dion Nicholas, (Aladdin and Hamilton); Kenny Wax (producer of SIX The Musical); and a host of others.

With curtains down, box offices closed, and theatres empty, the coronavirus is a serious situation for the sector and will have far-reaching effects on the arts – a usually booming industry for the UK. Attracting both Brits and tourists alike, in 2018 UK theatres sold in excess of 34 million tickets, generating £1.28 billion in revenue.

Whilst a small handful of indoor theatres have now reopened, it is unlikely that most West End theatres will be able to open their doors for full-scale musical and theatre productions this year as these are economically unviable with social distancing practices in place.

Commenting on the show, Sheena Mason, Deputy Content Director Magic Network said: “The coronavirus has had devastating effects for many in the UK and has been particularly tough on the arts and entertainment industry. Musical theatre has a very special place in our hearts at Magic and our theatre-based station Magic at the Musicals, so we are thrilled to hold this event to help the industry, highlight the struggles that it has experienced during this time, and show the importance of the arts to our country. It’s incredible to see everyone – both on and off stage and from all productions – come together for our special event.”

Julian Bird, Chief Executive, Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, added: “We are delighted that SOLT’s ongoing relationship with Magic Radio, encompassing the Olivier Awards, West End Live and Magic at the Musicals, continue with the major new programme from the London Palladium celebrating the excellence of the UK’s world-leading theatre industry – with performances, interview and insights into the world of musical theatre, it promises to be an entertaining and informative show.

Magic with the Musicals will air at 7pm on Wednesday, September 23 on Magic Radio and Magic at the Musicals. Listen on radio, online, on the Magic app or on smart speaker.

This event is being made possible by the Audio Content Fund and the generous support of partners including LW Theatres, Delta Live, LMTO and Spiritland (audio).

The list of confirmed performers and interviewees for Magic with the Musicals includes:

  • Ruthie Henshall
  • John Owen Jones
  • Nicole Raquel Dennis (representing Dreamgirls)
  • Lucie Jones (representing Waitress)
  • Lee Mead
  • Cassidy Janson (Representing &Juliet)
  • Tyrone Huntley and the Soul Girls (representing the Regents Park production of Jesus Christ Superstar)
  • Trevor Dion Nicholas, (Aladdin and Hamilton)
  • Jarneia Richard- Noel (Representing SIX)
  • Courtney Bowman (Representing SIX)
  • Natalie Paris (Representing SIX)
  • Alexia McIntosh (Representing SIX)
  • Sophie Isaacs (Representing SIX)
  • Danielle Steers (Representing SIX)
  • Gugwana Dlamini (Representing Disney’s The Lion King)
  • Mazz Murray (representing MAMMA MIA!)
  • Judy Craymer (Producer of MAMMA MIA!)
  • Sonia Friedman (Producer of Dreamgirls, Harry Potter, Book Of Mormon)
  • Julian Bird Olivier Awards & CEO of The Society Of London Theatre
  • Michael Harrison (producer of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; The Bodyguard)
  • Rebecca Kane Burton (CEO of LW Theatres)
  • Michael Lynas (MD of ATG)
  • Kenny Wax (Producer of SIX the Musical)
  • Michael Rose (Producer Sleepless In Seattle)
  • Kate Griffiths – Make up artist.
  • Drew McOnie – Choreographer
  • Catherine Zuber – costume designer
  • Gabriella Slade – Costume Designer
  • Kelly Devine – Choreographer
  • Neil Austin – Lighting Designer
  • Richard Beadle (Musical Director)

Back to the Future Musical is Coming to London

Back to the Future Musical is Coming to London

Above: Olly Dobson as Marty McFly and Roger Bart as Doc Brown in Back to the Future – from the curtailed Manchester run. Photo: Sean Ebsworth Barnes

BACK TO THE FUTURE THE MUSICAL OPENS IN THE WEST END AT THE ADELPHI THEATRE, LONDON

PREVIEWS FROM 14 MAY 2021

Producer Colin Ingram (Ghost – The Musical) and Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the creators of the Back To The Future film trilogy, are delighted to announce that  BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical will transfer to the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End following an out-of-town opening at Manchester Opera House in March 2020, where it was enthusiastically received by critics and the public alike. Previews will begin on 14 May.

Roger Bart and Olly Dobson will reprise the roles of ‘Dr Emmett Brown’ and ‘Marty McFly’ respectively. Also returning are Hugh Coles as ‘George McFly’, Rosanna Hyland as ‘Lorraine Baines’, Cedric Neal as ‘Goldie Wilson’, Aidan Cutler as ‘Biff Tannen’ and Courtney-Mae Briggs as ‘Jennifer Parker’. Further casting to be announced.

Christopher Lloyd, the original Doc Brown, said, “I’m delighted that Back to the Future The Musical will be up and running in London in mid-May. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the show’s run in Manchester, so I’m excited to finally see it for myself. I’ve already heard some of the new songs and met many of the cast members, particularly Roger Bart who plays Doc, so I’m confident the stage version will be exactly what our fans have been hoping for. And, Great Scott — I can’t wait to hear Doc Brown sing!”

Bob Gale said, “Bob Zemeckis and I are over the moon to finally be opening Back to the Future The Musical in the West End at the historic Adelphi Theatre, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience our show.  I promise, everyone will be delighted with how we’ve translated the movie to the stage.  We’ve got all your favourite songs from the movie, and over a dozen news ones, brought to life by an incredible cast, along with some groundbreaking stagecraft, which we firmly believe raises the bar for production design and illusion.  You will be convinced that the DeLorean really does go 88 miles per hour!  I personally cannot wait to get back to Back to the Future in such a fabulous venue!”

Colin Ingram said, “I’m delighted to announce today that Back To The Future will open next year at one of the foremost theatres in the West End. The response we received from audiences and critics in Manchester for this show was incredible – men and women, young and old, film fans and newbies were all blown away by this heartening, hilarious story set to multi-Grammy winners Silvestri and Ballard’s fantastic new songs, alongside the original classics from the movie. We made Hill Valley sing, dance and laugh and, as one audience member said, ‘This is the new standard of spectacle, I feel like people are going to be talking about this for a long time.’ When the West End reopens, we believe people will want to go back to the theatre, with Back to the Future… Great Scott Marty, just don’t set the DeLorean to March 2020!”

Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando (UrinetownOn The Town), alongside the multi Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team of Tim Hatley (set and costume design), lighting design by Tim Lutkin, lighting consultant Hugh Vanstone, Gareth Owen (sound) and Finn Ross (video), with choreography by Chris Bailey, musical supervision and arrangements by Nick Finlow and Illusions by Chris Fisher. Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, with dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by David Grindrod Associates.

Back to the Future the movie was released in 1985, starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr Emmett Brown. The film grossed $360.6 million (£279 million) at the box office worldwide and the total box office for all three films in the Back to the Future franchise was $936.6 million (over $1.8 billion in today’s money).

 Marty McFly is a rock ‘n’ roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr Emmett Brown.  But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.

 BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is produced by Colin Ingram, Donovan Mannato, Frankel/Viertel/Baruch/Routh Group, Gavin Kalin Productions, Hunter Arnold, Crush Music, CJ ENM, Playing Field, Teresa Tsai, Ivy Herman/Hallee Adelman, Ricardo Marques, Augury, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, in association with, Kimberly Magarro, Robert L. Hutt, Stage Entertainment, Glass Half Full Productions/ Neil Gooding Productions.

Website: BackToTheFutureMusical.com | Twitter: @BTTFmusical | Instagram: @BTTFmusical

From 14 May 2021

Adelphi Theatre, Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2R 0NS

Performances: Mondays, Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7.30pm, Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm, Sundays at 3pm (N.B. no performances on Tuesdays except 18 May, 25 May & 1 June 2021 at 7.30pm)*

*31 May & 30 August – 2.30pm performance (no 7.30pm performance)

Tickets: from £19.55

Please book via the website (no booking fees)

Book with confidence. For maximised flexibility customers can exchange their ticket free of charge up to at least 24 hours prior to the event.

Current booking period to 26 September 2021

WHY DON’T EVEN FOOLS AND HORSES WORK?!

WHY DON’T EVEN FOOLS AND HORSES WORK?!

Only Fools and Horses The Musical – Silent Stand

Up to 30 members of the cast and crew of Only Fools and Horses The Musical will join together outside the Theatre Royal Haymarket to make a 15 minute socially-distanced silent stand.

This is to show solidarity with those in the UK theatre industry who have lost their jobs and received no government support, to highlight the lack of government guidance for the reopening of theatres, and to implore the Government to provide the industry with a date when theatres can reopen without social distancing.

Paul Whitehouse, co-writer and star of Only Fools and Horses The Musical, who will participate in the silent stand, said: “This stand is to highlight the plight of everyone who works in the theatre industry: the front of house staff, box office, bar staff, cleaners, ushers, maintenance workers as well as the stage crew and cast, producers, writers, set designers, directors, lighting and sound designers, art departments, production teams, make-up and wigs, costume, carpenters, marketing, musicians and musical directors.

“Not to mention all the small businesses that survive and thrive as a result of theatre audiences…the restaurants, bars, coffee shops, cabbies and many others.

“If it’s OK to go to the cinema, it must be OK to go to a show. If it’s OK to go to a crowded airport and sit on a plane for hours, it must be OK to go to a show. You can ventilate a theatre… you can’t open a window on a plane.

We need restrictions lifted, or a cohesive date to work towards, so we can plan how to reignite an entire industry.”

 

SLOCOACH Arts Coaching Platform Set Up by Broadway and West End Icons

SLOCOACH Arts Coaching Platform Set Up by Broadway and West End Icons

Broadway and West End icons join new coaching platform to save the arts industry

In response to the current state of the arts industry which is struggling under the pandemic restrictions, and to help save UK’s theatres from permanent closure, Broadway and West End legends Rosalie Craig, Rob McClure, Hadley Fraser and Savion Glover are turning their talents to coaching by joining SLOCOACH Arts. This brand-new digital coaching platform allows anyone to learn from some of the world’s finest artists by taking one-to-one masterclasses online. SLOCOACH Arts will be donating all its profits to Acting for Others, a non-profit organisation headed by Dame Judi Dench CH DBE.

Whilst indoors shows with social distancing have been allowed from 1 August, theatres can’t fill their capacities and generate profit – even the biggest players like London Palladium, Southbank Centre and National Theatre are struggling to stay afloat. The legendary The Phantom of the Opera is closed after 34 years and Qdos, the UK’s biggest pantomime producer, has started cancelling its 2020 shows. As stages can’t fully operate, the number of job losses have jumped to 5,000 and the industry fears that the government’s £1.57bn support package won’t be enough to save the theatres.

Supporting theatre workers across the country

Until the end of 2020, the entire profit from SLOCOACH Arts will be donated to Acting for Others – a non-profit organisation which provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in need through  14 member charities.

Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, Co-Chairman at Acting for Others, comments: “We are very grateful to SLOCOACH Arts and their brilliant mentors for supporting Acting for Others. It is increasingly important that we keep our creativity alive. This is a wonderful initiative which enables performers to keep honing their craft with an array of industry talent, online. From beneficial programmes like these we are able to continue supporting our industry through the crisis.”

The idea for SLOCOACH Arts came from technology veterans passionate about the arts industry:  “I’ve been in the tech industry for almost 30 years and what always fascinates me is the combination of technology and creativity. We’ve come up with the idea of SLOCOACH Arts to help people be their best and support the important – and currently struggling – arts industry. We are proud to have been joined by some of the most shining West End stars and we admire the work Acting for Others does – it’s a pleasure to be able to support them and help theatre workers in need,’ says Derek Hardy, co-founder at SLOCOACH Arts.

Private masterclasses with Broadway and West End icons

Academic students, early professionals and avid amateurs who would traditionally attend physical classes to prepare for exams, auditions and just to improve their skills, have been left with few opportunities to learn. SLOCOACH Arts fills the gap and removes physical barriers like distance and time restrictions – even pre-pandemic many couldn’t access a wide range of professional training of the Broadway and West End calibre – and provides personal one-to-one masterclasses online.

Students choose their coaches, submit video footage of their performance and receive a feedback session from their idols. Coaches analyse performances in real time and provide tools and ideas to help their recruits develop.

The main platform feature is Recording Studio where coaches watch students’ videos and record feedback filmed by their webcam. They can highlight parts of the video content and use drawing tools to show posture or alignments issues and even put the video to slow motion. Coaches can also add other media to the lesson for better demonstration.

The list of SLOCOACH Arts coaches continues to grow – from world-class vocal coaches and leading dancers from International Dance Companies to experts in disciplines like Fosse, Accent and Improvisation. These include:

  • Rosalie Craig – actress dubbed by The Times as “The new Queen of the West End”
  • Rob McClure – Broadway actor, multiple award winner and Tony Award nominee
  • Hadley Fraser – alumni of nearly every high profile musical in the West End
  • Shelby Williams – world-class ballet and contemporary dancer, known as Biscuit Ballerina
  • Cassidy Janson – musical actress, Olivier and Classical Brit Award nominee
  • Savion Glover – one of the greatest living Tap Dancers in the world, Tony Award Winner.

I’m thrilled to be part of SLOCOACH Arts. This new and innovative way to coach appealed to me immediately. The video feedback technology means there are no time or geographical limits – anyone around the world has legends in their field at their fingertips. The technology allows us as coaches the chance to respond in the kind of detail that up until now has only been available to sports teams and coaches. Everything from technical specifics to artistic intangibles can be scrutinised and addressed. I can only imagine the giant leaps performers and artists might take with this at their disposal,” says Rosalie Craig.

As well as creating a new channel for performers to pass on their world-class skills, we aim to raise as much money as possible to support people in one of the country’s biggest industries that has been particularly hard hit by COVID-19.” adds Derek Hardy.

To find out more about SLOCOACH Arts visit www.slocoach.co.uk/arts

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