Tag: news

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To my brilliant UNRESTRICTED THEATRE subscribers – a special note to you…

Hello Everyone,

I want to thank every one of you so much for the time you have spent enjoying the pages of this blog.

When I started it at the beginning of 2019, none of us had any conception that in 2020 a global pandemic would shut down our beloved theatres all around the world, as well as the events industry and all the many business who served them, throwing tens of thousands of talented, hard-working people out of work.

These amazing people did what they do best- they reinvented themselves in every way imaginable- from taking shows online, to retraining, to helping others carry on, and in hundreds of other important ways.

In my own small way, I was forced to adapt too. Honestly, my first thoughts were “Oh well, that’s the blog stuffed, then!”. But then I pretty soon started to think about things that I could do, ways that I could help us all remember, celebrate and keep a light on for the theatres we love, until they were able to return. In my own very small way I was inspired by the hope and creativity shown by our wonderful entertainment industries during their darkest hour.

And now, theatres are back, with all the benefits they bring to our wellbeing.

In terms of my own support, it has remained full-strength – but from afar. I am not back yet, as I sense a small but significant proportion of the pre-COVID audience aren’t. I hope that changes- and I hope to be back soon.

But in the last few months, my own circumstances have changed substantially, meaning that I have much less time to devote to running the blog than previously.

To those of you who have been kind enough to sign up for the regular Catch Ups, Thank You. I hope you have enjoyed them.

The key news is that I will be suspending the Fortnightly Catch Ups as of the Catch Up 120 on 21st July, for a few months. Please stay subscribed and you’ll be the first to hear of their return.

It’s been a difficult decision. But the blog itself carries on unchanged, so please carry on visiting when you have time, and rest assured there will still be things to see and do and enjoy!

When the Updates return I will let you know.

Until then, many thanks again for your support, warmth, feedback and praise. It’s been such a delight sharing our mutual love of theatre and all that goes with it! And I look forward to carrying on, hopefully with your interest and participation.

Do remember that I always enjoy hearing from you – you can find me at hello@unrestrictedtheatre.co.uk

Meanwhile, Keep Well – and Keep Theatre Strong in Your Hearts!

Gary

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Faith in UK Arts boosted as Weston Culture Fund Grants announced

On February 1st The Garfield Weston Foundation announced that over £30 million has been awarded to Arts organisations across the UK via the Weston Culture Fund.

Specifically created by the Weston family in response to the devastating impact of Covid-19, this new fund is supporting a diverse range of organisations from museums to regional theatres and national touring ballet companies.  Grants range from £100,000 up to £1.5 million, related to the size of the organisation.

The Foundation’s Trustees decided to increase the fund by more than 20% to over £30 million after seeing the level of creativity and determination from Arts organisations which have been hit by the pandemic and are fighting hard to ‘keep the lights on’.

There are many beneficiaries, with the largest being the National Theatre which receives the maximum figure of £1.5 million, and other organisations such as the brilliant Little Angel Theatre (Just over £250,000), The Young Vic (£200,000) and the Sage Gateshead (£875,000).

The Garfield Weston Foundation’s Director, Philippa Charles, said:

“Our cultural sector is at the heart of our local communities providing not only entertainment but education and inspiration for many. Our Trustees were impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit shown across the Arts in response to Covid-19 and it was a privilege to hear what organisations had been doing to not only survive but also to reinvent the way they reach audiences. What really stood out was the level of collaboration and support they had for each other and the determination to keep going, despite the increasingly difficult situation.

We all want and need our cultural sector to thrive and, if anything, our time away from the Arts has shown just how important they are to us – bringing much needed pleasure and enrichment to our lives. Arts organisations are desperate to re-open and get back to what they do best and we hope that this new funding will help many of them do exactly that.”

Click here for a full list of Weston Culture Fund grants.

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Theatres at Risk – those on the critical list in 2021

Ramsbottom’s CoOp Music Hall dating from the 1870s, the only addition to the list for 2021.

The Theatres Trust has today published its annual Theatres At Risk Register, which is its 14th year of publication. Yet again this year, the North West of England has the highest concentration of endangered buildings.

This year’s list of 31 UK theatre buildings are those most at risk of being lost due to closure, irreversible changes, demolition or simply neglect. With the appropriate help these historic (sometimes but not always listed) buildings could once again become vital assets to their communities. Once lost, they will never return.

Of the 31 theatres, 24 are in England with 10 of those in the north west and 4 in London. 3 are in Wales and 3 are in Scotland.

Changes from last year are minimal partly due to the pandemic, with the addition of just one building- the Co-Op Music Hall in Ramsbottom, near Bury, which dates from the 1870s and survives above a number of retail outlets, forgotten and neglected until very recently. Isn’t it astonishing how the UK’s building stock can still reveal forgotten treasures, even into the 21st century?

Last year’s new new addition to the list was the Grade II listed Groundlings Theatre in Portsmouth which suffered from the effects of break-ins and vandalism as well as a neighbouring redevelopment threat during 2019. The biggest thing impeding progress now is a very short-term lease which is the main stumbling block to unlocking further grant eligibility.

Positive steps have been made with the theatres who received financial and advisory support from the excellent Theatres at Risk Capacity Building Programme – Leith Theatre, Derby Hippodrome, Burnley Empire, Morecambe Winter Gardens, Salford Victoria, Spilsby Theatre, Swindon Mechanics’ Institute, along with Walthamstow Granada (you can read about my own visit to the Walthamstow Granada here).

Launched as a pilot scheme in 2019, the Theatres at Risk Capacity Building Programme is particularly important because it provides grants and in-depth advice from the Theatres Trust for the early stage work that is often difficult to fundraise for but essential to set theatres at risk on the path to survival and revival. It is certainly proving its value in driving renovation projects forward, which is to be celebrated in this otherwise uncertain time.

This new Register further reminds us of the extensive, valuable work which the Theatres Trust do to help keep our precious entertainment buildings from the wrecker’s ball. It is especially needed during times when daily observation and intelligence is restricted due to the constraints of lockdowns.

To explore the full 2021 Theatres at Risk Register, click here

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WhatsOnStage Awards winners announced

On Sunday evening, March 1st, the Prince of Wales Theatre hosted the 20th annual WhatsOnStage Awards.

Andrew Scott and Claire Foy won the Best Actor and Actress awards, for PRESENT LAUGHTER and LUNGS, respectively, both staged at the Old Vic.

The biggest winners in terms of musicals were COME FROM AWAY with five wins (including Best New Musical), and &JULIET with six wins (including Best Actress in amUsical for Miriam Teak-Lee).

Producer Kenny Wax’s SIX- THE MUSICAL won the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical, which has just opened on Broadway and is booking a long season at London’s intimate Arts Theatre.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN won Best Actor in a Musical (for Sam Tutty) and Best Supporting Actor in a Musical (for Jack Loxton) .

Jamie Lloyd won Best Direction for EVITA and Best Play Revival for his production of BETRAYAL.

The stage adaptation of THE LIFE OF PI won Best New Play, ahich comes to Wyndham’s Theatre soon for London audiences to enjoy.

Personally, I was very disappointed that Katy Lipson’s fabulous version of MAME did not win any awards, especially best Regional Production and Best Actress in a Musical for the amazing Tracie Bennett. If only it had come to London…..

All in all, a very well-earned congratulations to Editor Alex Wood and his team for a great evening, and many congratulations to all nominees and winners.