V' is for Vaccine All the Options
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>> All the Options
Click to watch this week's video Since we were forced to postpone the print version of Sardines after publishing our April & May issue – coinciding with the start of lockdown – we’ve received lots and lots of articles and snippets of news from readers who have seen their beloved society also forced to close its doors for the foreseeable future. We’ve published some of them in our weekly newsletters and some are still sitting in drawers… The trouble with publishing a theatre magazine like Sardines is that every single advertiser has also been closed... there is no business to be done. Theatre – large or small, amateur or professional – has been effectively shut down since the middle of March. And while social distancing is still in place it’s not going to start again! So, while we can’t print an edition of Sardines until the end of the year, hopefully December, we’ve got plenty of content to put your way. This is why we’re going to publish our next issue – no.49 – as an online-only issue. That way we’ll not only be able to fill the gap between August – November, but the mid-to-late August publication date will also coincide nicely with the launch of our brand-new website. Here, you’ll be able to subscribe either to the print & digital version together or just read Sardines online using your PC, mobile phone or tablet. The online-only subscription price is obviously quite a bit cheaper. Both formats are available to choose on the current website so please make sure you don’t miss out – whichever one you pick, our next edition will be yours to download and/or read at your leisure. As mentioned, we’re aiming to be up and running again in-print for the December 20 – January 21 issue. By then, we sincerely hope a vaccine will have been developed, mass-produced, distributed and delivered to the British public… putting an end to social distancing, which is doing such a great job of keeping our theatres closed.
Talk of a vaccine isn’t pie in the sky either. When you think that as early as 23 April, human trials of a coronavirus vaccine in Europe began, run by a team from Oxford University. Then, by 17 May: £84m of Government funding was announced to help mass-produce a vaccine being trialled in Oxford. A month ago, scientists at Imperial College London also begin human trials of a Covid-19 vaccine after tests on animals indicate an effective immune response. So – while such vaccines are all very hush-hush until they’re ready – when a successful solution does finally emerge you can bet it will be a day for celebration. Originally a vaccine was predicted to be ready for September. Whether this year’s pantomime season can be saved ‘if’ and ‘when’ something positive was to happen, is another thing entirely. But one thing’s for sure; without a vaccine, pantomime and even outdoor performances aren’t going to be realistically viable if you’re only going to play to a fraction of your audience. To be honest why would you even want to perform a pantomime to a fifth of an auditorium? Imagine the atmosphere! Imagine the box office takings! We did have to chuckle when last week the Government announced that outdoor performances can go ahead – with two days’ notice. Good luck with not only adhering to all of the stringent social distancing requirements, but also licensing, rehearsing, producing and organising a complete production in 48 hours… even if it is just a series of monologues. I think by now one thing’s for sure. Most people appear to be of the opinion that the whopping £1.57bn arts rescue package announced by Oliver Dowden and Rishi Sunak last week will almost certainly barely scratch the surface, let alone reach the people who need it so desperately. And if you’re wondering where the Government’s mysterious indoor ‘pilot’ productions might be taking place – to see if socially distancing the audience actually works – (it won’t), all you need to do is look for ANY theatre productions that are going ahead, now or in the near future. While any theatre producer worth their salt won’t even consider playing to a socially distanced audience, strangely The Mousetrap in the West End and new musical Sleepless at Troubadour Wembley have both announced they are pushing ahead with the idea. It’s our guess that both of these shows have been selected to act as Government guinea pigs. But we could be proved wrong. Perhaps their producers just like throwing money away… One production which won’t be seeing any of the cash is the much-publicised UK drive-in tour of Six, which has just been completely cancelled. On Wednesday we learned that “Live Nation
Entertainment this afternoon announced that their Live From The Drive-In concert series that was
to feature SIX, will no longer proceed as planned.” It’s such a shame because, according to the
show’s producers, “It is also a sad day for our West End and UK Tour Queens who had already
started rehearsals and our entire team of up to 60 people who were all working so hard to deliver
a spectacular show.”
Drive-ins are, in essence, a great idea to solve the social distancing dilemma but, in the case of
SIX, the blame has been laid at the door of the tour visiting several of the UK’s suspect
destinations: “the planned tour was due to visit 12 cities several of which have since been
identified as emerging Covid infection hot spots.”
I think we’ll stick to amateur theatre; it’s probably safer.
Don’t forget to subscribe to read our online-only issue. Click HERE
Miller Monologues
During the lockdown, the members and friends of the Miller Centre in
Caterham have been busy creating drama. They might not have brought their
usual mix of thrillers, dramas and comedy to the stage, but instead have
produced a whole raft of original material called Miller Monologues.
The challenge sent out to members was to write 500-1,000 word monologues that could be
performed either at home or socially distanced in the open air. The results were phenomenal –
fifty pieces, each lasting 5 minutes or so, have now been added to the Miller Centre’s YouTube
channel. There are witty items, lockdown-themed pieces, mini-dramas and a few touching
reflections. It has helped them realise what amazing talent The Miller Centre – and other amateur
companies – can call upon.
The easiest way to find the videos is to sign in to YouTube, then search Miller Monologues.
But the story doesn’t end there – over the summer The Miller Centre are adding some more
“specials”, all produced by members, including their Young Players, who have recorded excerpts
from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Robin Hood and Twelfth Night. Then from Thursday 23rd to
Saturday 25th July “Scenes from Pressure”, will be available on YouTube, by kind arrangement
with Nick Hern Books. The Miller Centre’s production of “Pressure” by David Haig was one of the
casualties of the coronavirus, but the keen cast have videoed a rehearsed reading of some
scenes, really as a taster of what their audiences can expect when they do eventually stage it. It
was all recorded with proper social distancing, of course – the cast are all safely at home, using
Zoom!
This is a ticketed event, but there is no charge and anyone interested
can book via the website
NP Live
The Regina Monologues
Fri 17 July 2020 - Sun 19 July 2020
The first 'NP Live' production will be streamed live from the NP stage on July
17th 2020 at 7.30pm, and then available to encore stream until Sunday 19th
July at Midnight.
Click the image
REQUEST YOUR FREE LINK NOW!
Email info@nantwichplayers.com using the email Title 'NP Live Viewing Link'
and include your full name in the email requesting your link. It's that simple!
There will be no charge for viewing this production... we will even be providing a free programme
that you will be able to download from our Website 24 hours prior to the Live Stream!
So with all that in mind we really would appreciate any donations you can make to help support
Nantwich Players and to help us keep creating during these difficult times. You can donate HERE
The Regina Monolouges by Rebecca Russell and Jenny Wafer.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived... Admired, vilified, de-humanised. Three
Catherines, two Annes and a Jane. Six women with one thing in common - marriage to a man
called Henry - have passed into historical legend. Of course, it couldn't happen these days... Six
modern women have also married one man. Their lives are both separate and intertwined as they
tell their stories. Their experiences - miscarriage, love affairs, betrayal, and a shared loathing of all
things ginger - are portrayed with humour, pathos and a great deal of wine. The plight of those
sixteenth century women is personal, poignant and still relevant five hundred years on.
The Regina Monologues is a sharp, funny, well-written short play which puts the six wives of
Henry VIII into a modern context and imagines how the lives they lived might unfold now.
Scenes in Solitude
Based in Ealing, Questors Theatre is producing Scenes in Solitude
It was Funny the First Time by Ben Francis
Released Friday, 17th July
Chester from accounts hosts it in his hideous front lounge. Geoff says he went there just for fun.
But when Chester asks Geoff for a favour, events spiral out of control...
Geoff is writing a letter to someone he's not sure about, from a place no-one wants to be.
A surprising, darkly comedic new monologue written by Ben Francis, directed by Maria Gebhardt
and performed by Daniel Cawtheray.
If you need a catch up on Questors' previous films, there is still time to
watch...
Go to The Questors YouTube channel HERE
With Flying Colours
All the world’s a digital stage for Plymouth schools taking part in innovative
With Flying Colours community arts project
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it brought the curtain down early on the first year of a three-
year play-making project that is bringing arts opportunities to schools in areas of Plymouth with
traditionally low cultural engagement.
Since last autumn, hundreds of children across 10 classes at five schools in Devonport,
Stonehouse, Keyham and Stoke have been working with arts professionals on the Plymouth
Cultural Education Partnership’s With Flying Colours project, to write, develop and co-create a
series of pieces to perform at their schools and in the wider community.
The schools involved this year are Stoke Damerel Community College and four feeder primary
schools - St Peter’s, Mount Wise Community, College Road and Marlborough. Each was working
on a 30-minute school play as well as short pop-up pieces - planned locations included the
Torpoint Ferry, the Dockyard, Devonport Park, an outdoor high street setting and a restaurant.
Through a series of workshops, the sets, props and costumes were being made by people and
businesses in the local community, building skills to keep arts thriving in the area long after the
project ends.
For the With Flying Colours team, the challenge was to ensure all that brilliant work would get to
be seen and applauded after all. The result is a website which showcases the creativity of the
young people by realising their ideas digitally. Each school has its own ‘zone’ on the website, with
links to multi-media examples of the work, which is presented by the artists who worked with the
year groups.
Final days to submit entries to
national storytelling project
Since its launch, over 250 people from different areas of the country have
come together as part of the national storytelling project, ImagiNation, led by
Theatre Centre and Theatre503.
With only one week left to go, there’s still time to read, record and share your submissions
online. Local communities, organisations, individuals, and families have all shared their
voices, using the exciting digital anthology created by acclaimed writers, including Olivier
Award-winners Timberlake Wertenbaker (Our Country’s Good) and Jon Brittain (Rotterdam).
Showcasing the diversity of our nation and its creative responses during the current chaos,
Theatre Centre and Theatre503 will use a selection of the recordings to create a patchwork of
stories told by a multitude of voices. There’s still time to get involved and have your voice be
heard. Recordings can be submitted until 6pm Monday 20th July 2020 through Theatre Centre’s
website.
The Writers involved in ImagiNation are: Jon Brittain, Ryan Calais Cameron, Alex Critoph, Zinnie
Harris, Matilda Ibini, Asif Khan, Geraldine Lang, Bethan Marlow, Eoin McAndrew, Nicholas
McQuillan, Nessah Muthy, Amy Ng, Chinonyerem Odimba, Lettie Precious, Leo Skilbeck, Julie
Tsang, Daniel Ward, Timberlake Wertenbaker and Theatre Centre patron Roy Williams.
Rob Watt, Artistic Director of Theatre Centre comments, ImagiNation has reached so many parts of
the country, from Blackpool to Brighton, Glasgow to Cardiff. We are deeply excited about the
range of submission we have had and are looking forward to curating them into the ImagiNation
Festival later in the Summer.
MORE HERE
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE:
The Jack Petchey Covid-19 Youth
Survey
The Jack Petchey Foundation has, this week, launched its COVID-19 Youth
Survey to hear directly from young people their experience of the lockdown, what they want for the "new normal" and what support they think young people will need in the future. What's in it for me? PRIZES: Every young person who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw for £500 for themselves and up to £1000 for their school/youth group. MAKE A DIFFERENCE: We will use the survey results to raise young people’s voices to the public, media and decision makers as well as using your thoughts to help us shape our programmes for 2021 and beyond. How do I do it? Click the link below and fill out the survey. It takes around 10 minutes and will automatically enter you into our prize draw!
Take the survey NOW
Graduate Training
LONDON THEATRE RUNWAY OFFERS WEEKEND ONLY OPTION TO BESPOKE
NEW GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAMME
London Theatre Runway is a bespoke training and connectivity programme for performing arts
graduates which will be based at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. With new Government
advice allowing dance studios to open this month, the programme is due to begin in September
with applications open until 27th July.
Announced at the end of last month London Theatre Runway is a brand new training programme
specifically aimed at driven and aspirational professional performers who have recently
graduated or those already working in the industry who feel they would benefit from time with
leading industry directors, choreographers, musical and casting directors in a supportive, non-
competitive environment. It is also aimed at performers who may find themselves with a gap in a
busy schedule and want to use this free time to keep ‘match fit’ and work on their performance
skills. Through masterclasses and rigorous classes, London Theatre Runway offers the unique
opportunity for attendees to work with a different industry leading professional every weekend and
gain their guidance and expert feedback.
Full details can be found at www.londontheatrerunway.com
DriveINSIDE
World’s First DriveINSIDE Theatre Venue Opens in Manchester
Creators of immersive musical theatre productions, Beyond Theatre, have
created the world’s first drive-in theatre venue in Manchester.
With the social distancing restrictions necessary due to coronavirus, it is difficult to see how
and when productions in normal theatre venues can begin again. With the lockdown imposed
just days before the world premiere of their new immersive musical, The White Witch, the
team at Beyond Theatre, have put their creative talents to use by creating Drive Inside, a
venue concept that can allow live theatre and music to go ahead in a COVID-safe way.
Creative Producer of Beyond Theatre, Paul Levin, explained the concept: “So many people love
live music, ballet, opera and theatre, but it is really unclear when and how we will be able to start
attending live shows in a safe way again. The future of our creative arts is very uncertain because
of the necessary social distancing measures brought about by COVID-19, and that is why we have
created a venue that can ensure live performances can take place immediately in a safe way. This
will allow the industry to start getting back to some sort of normality and audiences to begin
enjoying live performances again.”Click for contact & details With a raised stage in the centre of the outdoor venue, cars are directed to their own isolated viewing area, which will be on one of the four sides of the stage. Each car is given four folding seats for their area so that audience members can leave their cars to watch the show. There will always be a car between them and the people next along the row to ensure there is no contact between audience members. Taking account of the uncertain UK weather, the venue is covered by Europe’s largest mega-tent (70,000 sq.ft.) to protect the audience and performers. The venue is licensed and has full catering facilities. The first Drive Inside venue is located in the centre of Manchester, just behind G-Mex and can hold 200 cars, which gives a maximum audience capacity of more than 800 people. Watch the video
Our dry hire would include the use of the 90ft stage, lights and sound. It
would also include the use of the CUBE over stage LED system.
We also provide security and theatrical car jockeys
to create atmosphere pre and apres shows.
EDUCATING RITA in CORNWALL
Stephen Tompkinson & Jessica Johnson in Educating Rita to play
Minack Theatre, Cornwall from 18-29 August
They were the last couple Sardines spoke with prior to Lockdow. But now the acclaimed 40th
anniversary production of Willy Russell’s EDUCATING RITA will play the Minack Theatre,
Cornwall this August.
The production was on a UK Tour when the Government closed theatres, but is now able to open
at this beautiful outdoor theatre with social distancing. Performances will begin on Tuesday 18
August and the season will run until Saturday 29 August. The production stars Stephen
Tompkinson as Frank and Jessica Johnson as Rita and is directed by Max Roberts.
Photo: Lynn Batten
More HERE
SIX TOUR CANCELLEDDue to Lockdown Concerns, the UK Drive-In Tour of SIX has Been Cancelled.
Live Nation Entertainment' this afternoon announced that their Live From
The Drive-In concert series that was to feature 'SIX', will no longer proceed as
planned.
"The latest developments regarding localised lockdowns mean it has become impossible for us to
continue with the series with any confidence," they said in a statement.
SIX producers Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes and George Stiles said: "This devastating news
has come out of blue and hit us all for six. We are so sorry to disappoint the thousands of fans who
have booked tickets and sold out many dates on the tour. It is also a sad day for our West End and
UK Tour Queens who had already started rehearsals and our entire team of up to 60 people who
were all working so hard to deliver a spectacular show.
"Despite the Government announcing Stage 3 of Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden's road map
permitting performances outdoors with an audience, the planned tour was due to visit 12 cities
several of which have since been identified as emerging Covid infection hot spots.
"We know that ultimately there is nothing more important than the safety and wellbeing of our
company and the Six Queendom. We look forward to better times."
Full refunds will be issued directly to all ticket holders within the next 7 days from TIcketmaster.
ONLINE MIRREN
Oscar winner and Greenwich Theatre patron Dame Helen Mirren is set to
support the venue’s debut online production - a new version of Steven
Berkoff’s The Secret Love Life of Ophelia - with a special guest appearance.Written as an exchange of letters between the young Shakespearean lovers Hamlet and Ophelia,
Berkoff’s play parallels the events of Shakespeare’s play but gives a new insight into the way that
their relationship develops, from first meeting to tragic end.
The Secret Love Life Of Ophelia is the latest event in Greenwich Connects, Greenwich Theatre’s
ambitious online programme launched within days of the COVID-19 UK theatre closures.
Supported by Arts Council England and the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the programme has
included streamed shows from the theatre archives, weekly industry advice sessions, writer and
actor challenges and the online version of the Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival.
The Secret Love Life Of Ophelia will premiere on Greenwich Theatre’s YouTube channel on
Friday 31 July at 7.30pm, and will remain available to watch for free until Friday 14 August.
THEATRE SUPPORT FUND +
After phenomenal public demand for ‘The Show Must Go On!’ t-shirts,
Theatre Support Fund + has reached an incredible milestone by raising a
huge quarter of a million pounds for Acting For Others, The Fleabag Support
Fund and NHS COVID-19 Urgent Appeal.Theatre Support Fund + was set up eight weeks ago by theatre industry workers Chris Marcus and
Damien Stanton who wanted to form an initiative to help individual workers who are now out of
work due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. They created and designed ‘The Show Must Go On!’ t-
shirt, the design of which is an amalgamation of the world-famous artwork of 16 of the biggest
musicals in the West End. Since Theatre Support Fund’s inception the team have received 20,000
orders and have shipped to 63 countries across the globe. The orders are being packed daily by a
small team of volunteers from within the West End theatre community. All profits from merchandise
sold goes to Acting for Others, Fleabag Support Fund and the NHS Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.
Pheobe Waller-Bridge who is the figurehead for The Fleabag Fund said today "These shirts must
go on!" A massive thank you to Theatre Support Fund for supporting Fleabag Support Fund and
other wonderful charities with this incredible range of merchandise’.
The shirt design is an amalgamation of the world-famous artwork of 16 of the
biggest musicals in the West End. Shows included on the design are &
Juliet, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Everyone’s Talking about Jamie,
Hamilton, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Matilda The Musical,
Six The Musical, Tina, The Tina Turner Musical, The Book of Mormon, The
Prince of Egypt, The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.
In addition to the t-shirt, merchandise now includes a re-useable face covering, notebook, mug,
badge and tote bag. All profits from merchandise sold goes to Acting for Others , Fleabag Support
Fund and the NHS Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.
All of ‘The Show Must Go On!’ merchandise continues to be available
via the website www.theatresupportfund.co.uk©2020 Sardines magazine | PO Box 302 | Sidcup | DA15 0GU
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