South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2018 Winners Announced

South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2018

The winners of the South Bank Sky Arts Awards were announced today in London with Benedict Cumberbatch, Stormzy and Paddington amongst the top prize winners. The South Bank Sky Arts Awards were hosted by Melvyn Bragg and continue their legacy as the world’s only awards celebrating the complete range of the arts. On presenting his good friend, Benedict Cumberbatch, with the Outstanding Achievement Award, Tom Hiddleston said, “He can do anything; he has done almost everything. He’s a great actor, a great man and I’m glad to call him my friend”. Grime artist Stormzy took home the Pop award for Gang Signs & Prayer, his sensationally popular debut album that has taken the music world by storm. The universally treasured Paddington 2 was victorious in the Film category, meanwhile Ma’am Darling, the rip-roaring and witty account of Princess Margaret’s life, saw its author, Craig Brown, scoop the Literature prize. Other … Read more

Casting announced for Fever Pitch the opera

Cast announced for Fever Pitch the Opera

  Twenty-five years after Nick Hornby’s iconic book was first published, Highbury Opera Theatre have announced the casting for thier upcoming production of Fever Pitch the Opera which is to be presented from 22- 24 September 2017. Exploring Hornby’s obsession with Arsenal Football Club, Nick has given his blessing to the north london company to create and perform an original musical production based on his novel. Composer Scott Stroman and librettist Tamsin Collison have re-imagined it as a comedy/drama with musical styles ranging from classical and jazz to terrace chants and folk-rock. The lead role of Gooner will be performed by Robin Bailey, Gooner’s fellow fan Rat will be performed by Nick Allen, and Mezzo-Soprano Joanna Harries performs the role of Girl, a role which embodies a number of the women in Gooner’s life. Completing the principal cast is Robert Gildon as Gooner’s father. Supporting the principal cast is a … Read more

Innovative new production of The Cunning Little Vixen comes to Grimeborn

Grimeborn Festival presents Janacek's The Cunning Little Vixen at the Arcola Theatre

Director Guido Martin-Brandis brings an innovative new production of Janácek’s The Cunning Little Vixen to the Arcola Theatre as part of the Grimeborn Festival 2017. Guido Martin-Brandis will be joined by veteran theatre maker Alexander McPherson, who was head of design at the Bristol Old Vic, and Theatre Royal and has designed shows for the Welsh National Opera, Opera North and Scottish Opera. The pair join forces again after the success of their 2016 collaboration for BBC Young Musician of the Year winner, Grace Evangeline Mason’s debut opera The Yellow Wallpaper. The Cunning Little Vixen is the story of a young Vixen growing up in the parallel worlds of animals and humans, after having been brought home by a forester. Featuring dance, masks and puppetry and video projections to depict the animal world, this show will mix art forms to reach new opera audiences, young and old. Sung in English with a brand new chamber arrangement, the cast features … Read more

Dance Opera and comedy at forefront of Storyhouse Spring Season 2018

English Touring Opera Gianna Schicchi

Following its recent opening Storyhouse Chester has revealed the first shows in its Spring Season for 2018, with major names in opera, comedy and dance coming to the new venue. The Saint Petersburgh Classic Ballet under the direction of Marina Medvetskaya will make its debut from 16 to 18 February with Giselle and Swan Lake. These two incredibly romantic ballets are sure to delight dance fans. Two favourite comedians are bringing their solo shows to Storyhouse. TV favourite Sarah Millican brings her show Control Enthusiast, a frank, funny and unapologetically filthy look at the comedienne’s need for control on Thursday 22 February 2018. David Baddiel will bring his Olivier Award-nominated My Family: Not The Sitcom about memory, ageing, infidelity, dysfunctional relatives, moral policing on social media and gay cats to Storyhouse direct from the West End. Strictly Come Dancing‘s Brendan Cole and his guest dancers bringing his latest Latin and … Read more