News

Gala extends COVID closure

Durham’s Gala extends its temporary closure until 2021.

Arts Council emergency support for North East theatre

Arts Council England has revealed the emergency support it has given to NE theatre during the coronavirus pandemic.

Rosie Kay in new solo work: Absolute Solo II.

Award-winning choreographer Rosie Kay is returning to the stage after five years in her new solo work as part of a triple bill: Absolute Solo II, 21 years on from her first ever solo show Absolute Solo.

Emergency funds for Nottingham Playhouse

Nottingham Playhouse has been awarded £295,930 by Arts Council England to help ensure its financial security while it is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Vic postpones new play until April 2021

A new play based on the life of Staffordshire hero Neil “Nello” Baldwin, Marvellous, has been postponed by Newcastle-under-Lyme’s New Vic Theatre until April 2021.

Hereford theatre gets £80,000 Arts Council grant

The Courtyard Hereford has received £80,000 from Arts Council England to protect its survival until September 2020.

Lowry advanced dance training open for applications

The Lowry Centre for Advanced Training in Dance has opened applications for the next year of its annual scheme starting September 2020, open to young people from the North West aged 11–16.

'COVID-safe' drive-in venue opens in Manchester

Immersive theatre company Beyond Theatre claims to have created the world's first COVID-compliant drive-in theatre venue in Manchester.

Blackpool Grand launches recovery fund

Blackpool's Grand Theatre, the oldest theatre in the town, has launched a recovery fund to help it to survive after more than 100 days of closure.

Hope Mill to stream new Olympia Dukakis documentary

Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre is to livestream the UK première of Olympia, a new documentary celebrating the career of stage and screen icon Olympia Dukakis, for free.

Octagon announces creative writing competition winners

Bolton's Octagon Theatre has announced the winners of its One Night In Bolton writing competition, launched to encourage creativity in lockdown.

Cumbrian writers selected for script development

Theatre by the Lake and Paines Plough have announced the four Cumbrian writers who have been commissioned under their Come to Where I Am project.

Medieval murder-mystery musical at Buxton Fringe

A medieval story of murder, deception and love set in Chesterfield in the aftermath of a global pandemic is to be told at Buxton Fringe.

“Uplifting” message from Midlands venues

Two Midlands theatres joined venues across the UK in being lit up in red in a message of hope for the sector and solidarity with all freelancers, artists and event staff.

Peak Voices sing online for Buxton Fringe

Professional Derbyshire-based singing group Peak Voices is presenting an hour-long online production of their show One Song More as part of Buxton Fringe.

Cheltenham theatre welcomes rescue package

Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre has joined organisations across the country in welcoming the government’s announcement of a support package for the arts and cultural sector.

Opera North's Tragedy on BBC iPlayer

Capturing the backstage world during a performance of La traviata by Opera North, Tragedy, by artist and film-maker Lynne Marsh, is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Birmingham REP looks forward to creating new shows

Birmingham REP has “wholeheartedly” welcomed the government’s £1.57 billion support package for the UK’s cultural organisations and says it can now look forward to creating new shows.

Gogol’s madman diary gets second Buxton reading

Damn Cheek Productions is to repeat its online reading of Kelvin Segger’s dramatisation of Nikolai Gogol’s Diary of a Madman as part of Buxton Fringe.

Manchester Mayor Burnham responds to Royal Exchange redundancy announcement

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said he is "saddened" by the announcement from the Royal Exchange Theatre that it may have to make up to 65% of its staff redundant.