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Dateline: 22nd January, 2012 News from the Midlands
New Vic reunites with Northern Broadsides for Shakespeare battle of the sexesNorthern Broadsides and Newcastle-under-Lyme's New Vic are teaming up for the fifth time to co-produce Shakespeare's battle of the sexes Love's Labour's Lost. Broadsides is starting its 20th year by appearing at the Staffordshire theatre-in-the-round for three weeks before going on a national tour. The company's founder and artistic director Barrie Rutter directs a cast of 16 who'll be joined at each venue by a surprise guest who'll play the role of messenger. Rutter said, "I never expected there to be a year two never mind a year 20. I had what I thought back in 1992 was one good idea - an all-northern cast presenting a classical play in non-theatrical venues (boat shed, transport museum, Middleham Castle, historical home of our protagonist Richard III). I have to say it's all been rather exhilarating." Designer for Love's Labour's Lost is Jessica Worrall, lighting is by David Philips and musical direction by Conrad Nelson. Broadsides presented its first co-production with the New Vic, The Tempest, in 2007, with Romeo and Juliet in 2008, The Canterbury Tales in 2010 and Hamlet in 2011. The cast of Love's Labour's Lost features Matt Conner as Berowne. He's appeared in The Admirable Crichton, Spring and Port Wine and The Rivals at the New Vic. Emily Aston who starred as Becky Palmer in Coronation Street plays Jaquenetta. Love's Labour's Lost is at the New Vic from Friday (27th January) until Saturday, 18th February. It's only other Midlands date is at Buxton Opera House from Thursday until Saturday, 29th until 31st March.
Bergman follow-up to Ibsen classic starts new Coventry seasonCoventry's Belgrade Theatre starts its spring season with a production of Nora, director and writer Ingmar Bergman's adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House. Director Patricia Benecke says, "Nora takes you on a dramatic emotional journey full of twists and turns, but it's also an uplifting story about a woman who makes a life-changing decision to break out of her world to explore who she really is. "Although Nora's story is over 130 years old, it's a timeless tale that deals with a number of issues that are still hugely relevant today, including the role of women in society and how easy it is to fall into roles and into restrictive power balances within relationships." Patricia adds, "Ingmar Bergman's version of Ibsen's classic is beautifully pared down and helps us to focus primarily on the dynamics of the relationships between the adult characters, the ways they communicate with one another and Nora's personal struggle for identity. "Naomi Dawson's set design will create a psychological, dream-like space enhancing the elemental nature of the play." Nora will be played by Penny Layden who returns to the Belgrade after appearing in the theatre's production of The Dice House in 2001. The cast also includes Stuart Laing who played Rob Minter in EastEnders; David Michaels as Nora's husband Torvald; Sanchia McCormack as Christine Linde; and Peter Lindford as Dr Rank. Nora runs in the Belgrade's B2 auditorium from Saturday (28th January) until Saturday, 18th February. The battle of the sexes and the role of women in the family will be explored further in the Belgrade's production of August Strindberg's The Father, which was written as a response to A Doll's House. The Father will run on the Belgrade's main stage from 31st March until 14th April.
Trio of authors in Derby debate over whether facts get in the wayThree distinguished authors will be discussing how they approach the challenge of writing about an historical event. David Edgar, Judith Allnatt and William Ivory will spend Friday evening (27th January) at Derby Theatre Studio asking Do Facts Get in the Way of a Good Story? David Edgar is president of the Writers' Guild. His new play Written on the Heart is currently being performed by the RSC in the Swan at Stratford. Judith Allnatt is the author of The Poet's Wife, a novel based on the 19th century Northamptonshire poet John Clare, and A Mile of River. William Ivory has written for stage and screen. He adapted D H Lawrence's Women in Love for the BBC and scripted the film Made in Dagenham. The event will be introduced and led by dramatist Amanda Whittington. Tickets which are available at the box office cost £5 but are free for Writers' Guild members.
All-black cast to wait for Godot in BirminghamCasting has been announced for Samuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot in Birmingham - the first time it's been produced with an all-black British cast. Jeffery Kissoon plays Vladimir and Patrick Robinson is Estragon - the two men waiting for the elusive Godot. Fisayo Akinade, Guy Burgess and Cornell S John complete the ensemble. Trinidadian stage actor Jeffery Kissoon works regularly with the RSC and will play Caesar in its all-black production of Julius Caesar this summer. Patrick Robinson has been in War Horse in the West End. His TV credits include roles in The Bill and Casualty. Directed by Ian Brown, Waiting for Godot is a co-production between West Yorkshire Playhouse and Talawa Theatre Company. It runs at the Old Rep Theatre as part of Birmingham REP's off-site season from 13th until 17th March. Hippodrome customers help the homelessBirmingham Hippodrome customers have raised £1,298 for homeless charities. The theatre took part in the annual StreetSmart campaign which raises money to help prevent youth homelessness. Customers visiting the Hippodrome's Stageside and Circle restaurants throughout November and December added a voluntary £1 to their bill. Gary Aymes, the theatre's director of hospitality and service said, "We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers who donated to this worthwhile cause. "This is the fourth time we've participated in the scheme and this is the highest total raised so far."
Curve will say hello to Dolly next ChristmasLeicester's Curve has revealed it's to continue its Christmas musical theme by staging Hello Dolly! next December. The theatre's artistic director Paul Kerryson will direct a new production of one of the biggest, boldest and brassiest Broadway musicals of all time. With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Michael Stewart, Hello, Dolly! includes numbers such as Put on Your Sunday Clothes and Before the Parade Passes By as well as the title number. Hello, Dolly! will run from Friday, 30th November until Saturday, 12th January. Matt delighted to be sent to CoventryWarwick Arts Centre has announced the appointment of Matt Burman as head of programme and audiences. He joins the arts centre at the University of Warwick in Coventry from the Norfolk and Norwich Festival where he was executive producer. Previously he was general manager for Forced Entertainment and has also worked for The Big Chill and The British Council's performing arts department. His appointment comes at a crucial time for the venue which is one of only five to benefit from ongoing Arts Council England support under the Transform programme. He will lead the development of Warwick Arts Centre's contemporary programme, exploring how it can realise its ambitions as a commissioner, producer and co-producer of new work. Director of Warwick Arts Centre Alan Rivett said, "Matt brings with him a breadth of knowledge and experience of today's artists which will be of great benefit to us at this time of transformation." Matt Burman whose family hails from Warwickshire added, "We're looking forward to working as a team to bring the best artists and companies to perform and make new work in Coventry, and to welcome loyal and new audiences and friends to Warwick Arts Centre over the coming years."
What's on this week
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