Entertainment News

Over a year since it fell, the curtain is set to rise again at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre as plans are put into place for a reopening from Sunday 4 July.

In line with Step 4 of the Government’s roadmap, currently due to begin in June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre plans to reopen on Sunday 4 July with The Elvis World Tour. The season that follows will begin in September and is full of hit musicals, many of the UK’s leading comedians and a huge variety of music acts.

A new brochure will be available in May; accessible online and print copies will be available.

These encouraging steps towards the full reopening of theatres mean that this year, Cinderella can finally go to the ball in the annual family pantomime! The much-missed magic of panto returns to Wolverhampton with Cinderella from Saturday 4 December 2021 – Sunday 9 January 2022. Tickets are now on sale for the pantomime, which has retained 70% of bookings from its original, postponed 2020 - 2021 season. An exciting, all-star cast will be announced soon.

Throughout the past year, whilst audiences have not be able to attend, the Grand Theatre has been committed to its role within the community and has continued to reach out and support those who rely on the many benefits that live performance can give.

The Memory Café that forms the core part of the theatre’s Dementia Programme was able to continue online but steps are now in place to safely reintroduce the patrons and their carers back into the theatre. They will once again be able enjoy live performance and the many emotional and behavioural benefits that live music and entertainment has to those living with Dementia. The launch and continuation of this project is only possible because of donations.

The theatre’s audience development programme has also continued throughout the past year and excitingly will continue to grow with the appointment of a second freelance Audience Development Consultant, Tonia Daley-Campbell.

Tonia is an actress, director, producer, author and community activist. In 2014 Tonia set up her charity Kuumba Arts Movement supporting disadvantaged young people by using the creative arts. As part of the charity, Tonia also set up a film school called 4th Wall, supporting young people from diverse backgrounds.

Tonia will help the Grand Theatre in its commitment to making its audiences as diverse as the communities in around the city of Wolverhampton. On her appointment, Tonia said; “Change is coming! I'm so, so excited to be working with Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in my new role as Audience Development consultant. I've got such a strong vibrant community supporting me and I can’t wait to start the development work, watch this space.” 

Chief Executive & Artistic Director at the Grand Theatre, Adrian Jackson said; “Finally, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the prospect of re-opening the Grand Theatre is incredibly exciting.

“With the dates set out in the Government roadmap, it has given us something to work towards. I can’t wait for the dressing rooms to be full of artists and crew members again, the band warming up and the magic returning to our stage.

“I know that when the times comes, the hard work and dedication from the team here at the theatre will result in the return of many happy theatregoers as well engaging and inspiring our community for the remainder of this year and in the many to follow.”

Everything is falling into place for Litany right now. Her previous single ‘Uh-huh’ was praised by NME, The Line of Best Fit and Mollie King, while its profile was boosted by a video that was directed by Joe Lycett and starred Katherine Ryan. The first Litany remix by Dua Lipa’s collaborator Initial Talk soon followed.

It also prompted a rediscovery of Litany’s previous releases, elevating her breakthrough track ‘Bedroom’ over the 30 million streams landmark at Spotify. Litany’s skybound trajectory continues today as she unveils her new single ‘Playlist’, which features one of her favourite artists, Oscar Scheller. Listen HERE.

The duo’s natural connection sizzles on ‘Playlist’, a song fuelled by their creative instinct but with a refined sense of pop perfectionism that you’d expect from long-life collaborators. The song plays to both their strengths, with Litany’s expressive, diary entry lyrics set to the kind of inventive and impeccable production with which Oscar has forged his reputation.

“I just adore Oscar,” says Litany. “He’s got this impalpable work ethic and artistic vision to go along with it, so to be able to collaborate let alone call him a dear friend is just rad as hell. We wrote this song a couple sessions deep after I told him that I was obsessing over this playlist a dude sent to me and felt I was looking for hidden messages, like, ‘OMG, does he love me ‘cos the first song is ‘Girl Like You’ by Edwin Collins?’ But Oscar was like, ‘THERE’S THE SONG RIGHT THERE.’”

Oscar adds, “First of all, I’m constantly laughing with Beth. It’s been that way from the get go. And I’m always floored by how effortless she is with her melodies, lyrics and storytelling. It’s so great to have a collaboration with my friend. 90% of our time in the studio is just us chatting shit, doing impersonations and messing about. But that remaining 10% is all we need to make a great tune ;)”

The ‘Playlist’ video extends the song’s playful tone, its bright cinematography enlivening the feelgood mood. Both artists are depicted telling their side of the tale directly to camera which provides the intimacy of a video call, before they’re reunited and sharing earphones at a playground. It was directed by Donny Johnson (Ashnikko, Joy Crookes).

In addition to ‘Playlist’, Litany is also excited to announce her return to live shows. She’s set to play her most intimate London headline show to date at the Jazz Cafe on 26th June 2021, her first in the capital since selling out The Garagetowards the end of 2019.

Litany’s hook-filled, conversational songwriting explores the ups, downs and inbetweens of relationships in the digital age, with a sound that puts a fresh UK spin on influences such as Robyn, Christine and the Queens, HAIM and Caroline Polachek. After just two EPs and a handful of singles, Litany (Beth Cornell) is connecting with audiences, building radio support at 6 Music and BBC Introducing, and accumulating big stats including over 72 million streams at Spotify.

As a go-to producer and engaging solo artist, Oscar Scheller has collaborated with an array of empowering female artists as varied as Charli XCX, Ashnikko, Rina Sawayama and Lily Allen. Meanwhile, his three solo albums to date draw on a broad range of influences from contemporary alt-pop to indie and old school new wave, while often exploring topics such as mental health issues and masculinity. His most recent album, ‘Boys Cry’, was released in February and was described by Clash as being “genuinely sonically engaging – a refreshing take in this era of fast-food pop.”

Birmingham Museums Trust has received a grant of £820,841 from the second round of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund helping to ensure the independent charity has a sustainable future beyond the coronavirus pandemic. 

More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Birmingham Museums Trust in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

The award will help offset the devastating financial impact of coronavirus closures which has cut off much of the Trust’s income. The financial support is vital in enabling the charity to continue to recover and the Trust can now focus on its plans for reopening Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum.

Birmingham Museums is one of the largest independent museums trusts in the UK providing a wide range of educational and enjoyable cultural experiences, events and activities to visitors at nine venues across the city while also caring for the city’s collection of around 1 million objects.

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead. 

Speaking about the Culture Recovery Fund announcement Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, Co-CEOs of Birmingham Museums Trust said: “Birmingham Museums Trust is delighted to secure this financial support from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. It is a vital lifeline that will form part of our recovery, helping ensure that Birmingham Museums will be here, now and in the future.

“Birmingham Museums impact extends beyond the West Midlands region welcoming over a million visitors each year and reaching many more audiences through its digital, learning and community programmes. The coronavirus crisis has changed many things and raised many questions. What remains constant is Birmingham Museums’ mission to ensure everyone in the region has the opportunity to experience Birmingham’s world class collections regardless of age, background or financial means.

“While the challenges of the pandemic are not over, we can now begin to put plans into action for reopening Thinktank Science Museum and Birmingham Museums’ historic properties.”

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our record-breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced.

“Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead."

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said: “Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work. 

“We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”

The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute. 

A mural in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore has been created in Manchester.

Street artist Akse P19 painted the artwork in tribute to the 100-year-old, who died on 2 February after contracting coronavirus.

The World War II Army veteran won the nation's hearts by walking 100 laps of his garden during the first lockdown, raising almost £33m for NHS charities. The mural has been painted on the corner of Tib Street and Thomas Street in the city's Northern Quarter.

The artist, Akse P19, is behind a number of murals in the city including a tribute to NHS workers and George Floyd, who died after being arrested in the US in May. The street artist also created a mural to footballer Marcus Rashford in Withington in recognition of the Manchester United star's successful campaign to extend free school meals.

Capt Sir Tom walked 100 laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, during the first lockdown last year. He had initially set out to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by walking 82ft (25m) loops of his garden, but eventually raised £32,794,701 from more than 1.5 million supporters.

The Army veteran was knighted by the Queen in July in a special ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Grounds maintenance and landscape creation specialists, idverde, have been awarded a ten-year Grounds Maintenance, Sports and Bereavement Services contract with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea that will achieve carbon neutrality in year one.

By placing sustainability and the environment at its core, the parks management and landscape maintenance contract will see the latest electric technology deployed. Electric vans, mowers and hedge cutters will be in use across all parks, cemeteries and open spaces.

During the new contract, which is estimated to save at least 28 tonnes of carbon, idverde has committed to raising all borough parks and open spaces not already accredited to Green Flag standard. Green Flag criteria focus on the benefits provided to the local community and idverde will work closely with local groups, initially targeting the Portobello Squares.

The ten-year contract (with up to five-year extension), starts in April 2021 and is driven by idverde’s sustainability methodology and investment in electrification and zero-emission assets for the Royal Borough, including:

·12 Electric Vehicles

·All Electric Small Plant

·5 E-Cargo bikes for Supervisors and Park Keepers to use

·Full Carbon Offsetting from Year One

·Sustainable Planting Guide

·5-year plastic reduction plan in place

·Real-time Management Information System using PDAs to reduce paperwork and waste

Other environmental initiatives include rainwater harvesting for irrigating the nursery and filling bowsers and an enhanced green waste composting facility.

Saul Huxley, idverde’s Organic Development Director, said:

“Accomplishing outstanding results with parks and open spaces, while achieving strict environmental and social objectives are central to this innovative contract. Not only are we investing in electrification and zero-emission equipment and vehicles, but we are also investing in the idverde team on the ground through enhancing skills, standards and expertise.”

idverde will be introducing the following new sustainability working methods and service improvements:

·         A dedicated Community and Training Manager to raise horticultural standards and increase community engagement activities and volunteering opportunities

·         Supported L2 horticultural training for all gardeners commencing Year One

·         Internal accredited horticultural training for all staff

·         The creation of a Community Nursery for local groups to use, with community training sessions and workshops

·         Two horticultural apprentices per annum, starting their training in the nursery

Saul Huxley added, “As government bodies and businesses seek the best means to achieve sustainable outcomes, we firmly believe that this type of innovative carbon-neutral contract is a crucial asset in our ongoing efforts to reverse climate change and is a testament to the forward-thinking approach from The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.” 

Ben Binnell, idverde’s Contract Director for Kensington and Chelsea, said: “This is an incredible opportunity to showcase idverde’s innovative approach to integrating technology with engaged staff to deliver world class grounds maintenance services. This contract will deliver improved biodiversity that enhances the local environment.  There is also a strong element of community in our operational deployment plan and we look forward to engaging anew with residents to improve the green spaces.” 

Councillor Emma Will, Lead Member for Leisure at Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: “We are all very proud of our parks and open spaces in the borough.  Not only are they beautiful places to spend time and take a break from the hustle of city life, but for many of us they are a welcome piece of green space.

“As a Council we are committed to being carbon neutral by 2030, and this includes our contractors, so it is great to see the plans idverde have to achieve this and help build the borough’s biodiversity.”

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is offering supporters the rare chance to win £3,000 as part of the lifesaving organisation’s 30^th anniversary celebrations – Air30.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s Air30 Rapid Response Raffle not only gives players the chance to win cash prizes, monies raised will directly help fund future lifesaving missions and enable the aircrew to attend and treat some of the Midlands most critically ill and injured patients. As well as the jackpot prize of £3,000 there are also £500, £50 and £25 prizes available. Not only that, but the charity is also giving one lucky winner the chance to win a family pass (for up to five people) to visit one of its three operational airbases.

Emma Gray, fundraising and marketing director for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity says: “With the Rapid Response Raffle, we are returning to a more traditional way of fundraising to commemorate our 30^th anniversary year.

“During the past year, due to the pandemic, community donations from events and local fundraisers, have decreased by 50 per cent. We hope the raffle will be an alternative way for the communities we serve to show their support, get involved and potentially win some cash.” The Rapid Response Raffle is open to anyone who wants to support the local, lifesaving charity.

Each raffle ticket costs £1 and you can purchase as many as you like. Once bought, your unique raffle ticket numbers will be automatically entered into the prize draw. The draw will take place on Air30, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s 30^th birthday – Friday 21 May 2021.

Winners will be contacted directly.

The documentary, Being Sikh, explores how people within the Sikh faith celebrate and mark some of life’s biggest moments from birth to coming of age, marriage and end of life.  

Dr Takhar is an internationally recognised researcher within Sikh Studies and the Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies at the University of Wolverhampton is the only centre across the UK and Europe that researches and teaches subject matter relating to the Sikh and Panjabi communities. Her publication on ‘Sikh Identity: An exploration of Groups among Sikhs’ (Ashgate 2005) is used as a key text in many Universities around the world.

Her research is on-going in terms of caste issues and gender dynamics amongst Punjabis, and Sikhs specifically. She is currently supervising two research projects. 

Dr Takhar said: “Sikh identity has always had multiple layers even from the time of the Gurus and it’s really positive to see this become the subject matter of a new BBC documentary. 

“The programme explores several stories and the relationship that Sikhs have with their faith at pivotal moments in their life, such as when a child is born or when a family member dies. I was honoured to consult on the programme. My expertise ensures that the views are representative of what Sikhs believe and practise.  

“Sikhs have been living in the UK for over 60 years and there is still a degree of illiteracy about their religion and this documentary explores the importance of the ethics around Sikh beliefs and practices including wearing of the turban and the kirpan.” 

Being Sikh is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer and is being aired on BBC One on Tuesday April 13 at 10.45 pm. Listen to a recent interview by Dr Takhar on BBC Radio Wolverhampton. The Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies is the first of its kind in the UK and was launched in 2018, offering PhDs and Master’s level courses in Sikh studies as well as continuing professional development (CPD) courses for teachers and managers.  

Easter is just around the corner and parents desperate for things to keep their kids entertained will be thrilled to hear that Birmingham Museums has plenty to offer.

While visitor attractions currently remain closed, Birmingham Museums are inviting families of all ages to take a step back in time or zoom into space with a programme of activity designed to keep inquisitive minds entertained during the school holidays. Highlights of the Easter holiday programme include online visits to two of Birmingham’s famous historic properties - Jacobean mansion Aston Hall and Tudor family home Blakesley Hall, an online Planetarium tour exploring the night sky plus free downloads of arts and craft activities to try at home.

Sarehole Mill’s Bakehouse will be open from 11am – 4pm Wednesday to Sunday each week for delicious Easter treats, including tasty hot cross buns and mouth-watering dessert pizza topped with Nutella, marshmallows and chocolate eggs.  Sarehole Mill’s Pizza in the Courtyard dining experience also reopens from Wednesday 14 April and outdoor table reservations are now open for bookings.

Katherine Bosworth, Learning and Engagement Manager at Birmingham Museums said: “While we’re waiting for our museums to open Birmingham Museums are still here to inspire inquisitive minds with online tours of Birmingham’s famous historic properties and out of this world adventures with our family friendly online Planetarium tour of constellations and planets.  Our Easter programme activity has been created particularly with families and children in mind – we hope you will join us!”

Covid-19 continues to impact Birmingham Museums and the Easter holiday programme of activity adds to an already packed and varied programme in bringing the museums to audiences during the pandemic. Other ways audiences can engage with Birmingham Museums online include a Digital Image Resource where thousands of images from the city’s collection are freely available to view, download and use creatively.

A 3D virtual tour gives people the opportunity to visit the permanent galleries of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery online. Art lovers are able to open the doors to their own fantasy art galleries and exhibitions in the virtual online game, Occupy White Walls and there’s a packed online programme of fun, learning activities for families and schools including some amazing Kitchen Science videos to try at home.

Game of Thrones is coming to the stage, with a theatre adaptation likely to be a major attraction in the West End and on Broadway.

The show will open in 2023 and depict a pivotal gathering a decade before the events in George RR Martin's novels and the hit TV series. Some of the best-known characters from the epic story will be involved. The show will be brought to life by the British pair of playwright Duncan MacMillan and director Dominic Cooke.

A statement said: "The production will boast a story centred on love, vengeance, madness and the dangers of dealing in prophecy, in the process revealing secrets and lies that have only been hinted at until now." Martin said: “The stage show, set during a grand jousting tournament that helped set in motion the subsequent events, ought to be spectacular.

"The seeds of war are often planted in times of peace. Few in Westeros knew the carnage to come when highborn and smallfolk alike gathered at Harrenhal to watch the finest knights of the realm compete in a great tourney, during the Year of the False Spring.

"It is a tourney oft referred during HBO's Game of Thrones and in my novels, A Song of Ice and Fire. And now at last, we can tell the whole story... on the stage." Characters who were present and went on to be major figures in the books and TV show include Robert Baratheon and Jaime Lannister.

The author said: “Starting work with MacMillan and Cooke before the pandemic had been a treat - and I am eager for our collaboration to resume. Our dream is to bring Westeros to Broadway, to the West End, to Australia... and eventually, to a stage near you."

MacMillan, whose plays include Lungs; People, Places and Things, and 1984, said: "I have such admiration for George's world and his characters. His generosity and trust during this process has been incredible.

"Working on this play during lockdown has felt like a real privilege. I can't wait until we can be back in a theatre to experience this together." Cooke was artistic director of London's Royal Court Theatre from 2007-13 and directed The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses, a TV adaptation of a series of Shakespeare's plays.

"One of George's inspirations for the original books was Shakespeare's history plays, so the material lends itself naturally to the theatre," the director said. "Duncan MacMillan and I are having a great time digging into the dynastic power struggles at the heart of George's extraordinary imaginative world - and he has been hugely generous and supportive towards both of us."

The announcement came after the news Martin has signed a five-year deal to develop more TV shows for HBO. A prequel series, House of the Dragon, set 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones, is expected to air next year, while several other TV spin-offs are also already in the works.

Rag‘n’Bone Man has releases a new collaboration with US superstar P!nk on their new single ‘Anywhere Away From Here’, out April 9, taken from his new album ‘Life By Misadventure’ – released May 7 on Columbia. 

Written by Rag’n’Bone Man, his album collaborator Ben Jackson-Cook, as well as Simon Aldred, Dan Priddy and Mark Crew, the song is about being uncomfortable in your surroundings. “When the lights go up/ I don’t think I told you… That I feel out of place,” he sings. “Pull me underground/ Don’t know if you notice/ Sometimes I close my eyes and dream of somewhere else.”

Of the track, Rag’n’Bone Man says; “This song is an honest reflection of wanting to disappear from uncomfortable situations - about the vulnerabilities that we all face. It’s a honour to have P!nk on this record and I’m so glad she is able to be a part of it”

“I first encountered Rag’n’Bone Man in Europe in 2017 not long after hearing his song ‘Human.’ By then I had already fallen in love with his voice, and when we met in person I quickly learned he has a beautiful soul, too,” P!nk says. “Since then, I knew I wanted to work with him one day. ‘Anywhere Away From Here’ couldn’t be a better song for us to sing together. I’m so honoured to be a part of this collaboration.”

Previous single, the sublime ‘All You Ever Wanted’, made its mark with Radio 1 and Radio 2 playlist spots, as well as racing to #1 in both the Airplay and iTunes Chart. Rag‘n’Bone Man recently turned in all-star performances on Comic Relief, Later...with Jools Holland and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and will perform three special sold out shows at London’s Jazz Cafe on June 27th, 28th & 29th.

His 2017 landmark debut ‘Human’ was a phenomenal success; a 4x platinum album which shot to #1 week of release in the UK, became the fastest-selling album by a male artist for the entire decade and earned him BRIT and Ivor Novello Awards.
 
If that’s a hard act to follow, Rag‘n’Bone Man tore up the rule book and went to Nashville to write and record what would become ‘Life By Misadventure’, returning to the UK as the first lockdown set in. While a dose of heavy blues and soul lives within some of these new tunes, the majority of this new album finds Rag‘n’Bone Man taking a huge step forward as an artist, a songwriter, and a singer capable of showcasing tremendous warmth and real emotion with every breath.
 

Poet Amanda Gorman was Oprah Winfrey's latest interviewee on her ‘The Oprah Conversation’ series. 

After being enthralled by the 23-year-old's performance at President Joe Biden's inauguration, the media mogul said the USA’s first National Youth Poet Laureate and the youngest inaugural poet in the country’s history, stepped into a moment in history with enormous grace and dignity,” after she recited her poem; ‘The Hill We Climb’ for the swearing-in ceremony for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in January.

“I was enthralled by her youthful spirit from the first moment we met,” the world’s most famous chat show queen said in a statement just before her Apple TV+ interview, “and very much looked forward to hearing her unpack all that has happened to her the past few months.” The two ‘national treasures (Oprah Winfrey and Amanda)’, united for the TV event in honour of ‘Women's History Month’.

The first National Youth Poet Laureate and the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, Gorman recited The Hill We Climb for the January 20 swearing-in ceremony for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

In a wide-ranging interview, Miss Gorman discussed how she approached the poem's creation, the literary figures who has inspired her, personal stories that shaped her past and her hopes for the future. During their discussion, she (Amanda) offered an insight into her poetic process and pulled the curtain back on the making of her inaugural poem — a hard-copy edition of which will be available to purchase.

“It felt meaningful, not only for me but in a broader sense,” she said of her poem. She describes the work as “something that the world needed to hear and that I needed to write.”

Oprah's interview with Ms Gorman comes after her bombshell conversation with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, who opened up about their struggles of their lives as part of the royal family, as they detailed why they left their royal duties and are now more at ease by creating a new, independent life in California.

Other leading figures who have been interviewed for The Oprah Conversation include Emmanuel Acho, author of ‘Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man’, ‘How to Be an Antiracist’ author Ibram X. Kendi, pop sensation Mariah Carey, former US President Barack Obama, Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey as well as legendary musicians Stevie Wonder and Dolly Parton.

23-year-old author, Amanda, who recently signed with modeling and talent agency IMG, has stated that she plans to run for president as soon as she's eligible in 2036).

Lord Andrew Adonis has been confirmed as a keynote speaker for DIB’s first national property and regeneration conference which will take place at the Belfry on Thursday 9th September 2021.

Lord Adonis, Baron Adonis, PC is a British Labour Party politician and journalist who served in government for five years in the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown administrations. In addition his political career, Lord Adonis became a weekly columnist for The New European in 2018.

Other confirmed speakers at the event include Tom Bloxham of Urban Splash, Sir Howard Bernstein and Gary Neville. Many leaders and chief executives of local government agencies from across the country will also be in attendance for the one-day event with further speakers will be announced.

International Law Firm Kennedys have already been announced as key partners for the property and regeneration conference. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are limited. 

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announces its first in-house podcast, Interval Drinks, bringing together members of the RSC’s 2020/21 acting company with inspirational personalities from the Company’s history. The series is supported by Darwin Escapes.

Interval Drinks is an opportunity to learn more about the life of the RSC from those at the heart of the Company. The Podcast offers audiences a rare insight into the professional journeys of these RSC artists, as well as a chance to explore the craft of modern theatre and discuss some of the biggest issues facing the theatre industry today.

Each episode of the seven-part series will be available to download for free via the RSC website, as well as multiple podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes). A new episode will be made available to download every Thursday and will include a captioned vodcast episode, available via video supporting platforms and the RSC YouTube channel.

The first two episodes of Interval Drinks are available to download now. Episode one features actor and comedian Miles Jupp in conversation with singer/songwriter, Tim Minchin, who this year joins the RSC in celebrating a decade since Matilda the Musical, for which Tim wrote both music and lyrics, opened in the West End. Episode two features Mogali Masuku in conversation with playwright, actor and political activist John Kani, who recently wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed RSC production of Kunene and the King, which premiered at the Swan Theatre before transferring to the Ambassadors Theatre in London last year. The show’s run was ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The series’ guests also include Adjoa Andoh (Netflix’s Bridgerton, RSC’s Troilus and Cressida) Charlotte Arrowsmith (RSC’s As You Like It and The Taming of the Shrew), Justin Audibert (RSC’s The Taming of the Shrew 2019/20) Paul Chahidi (BBC’s This Country, Death of Stalin) and Juliet Gilkes Romero (RSC’s The Whip).

Joining Miles and Mogali from the RSC’s 2020/21 acting company are Kemi-Bo Jacobs, Hal Chambers, Greg Haiste, Avita Jay and Bea Webster. The music is ‘Oberon’s Theme – King of Shadow’, originally composed by Sam Kenyon for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2016).

A socially-distanced operatic production of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Coraline, led by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire students, will take place behind closed doors this weekend and without an audience. Vocal and orchestral students from the acclaimed UK music school will perform a semi-staged version of Coraline, an opera based on Neil Gaiman’s children’s novella, in the Conservatoire’s 493-capacity Bradshaw Hall on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 March.

Fashion, Visual Communication and Stage Management students and alumni from Birmingham City University, of which Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is a part, have lent their skills to the project, making bespoke costumes, documenting preparation and rehearsals, and overseeing the logistics of the opera. It will be one of the first opportunities for vocal studies and orchestral students to perform live in the space since the pandemic began a year ago, and will allow the 30-strong multi-disciplinary group to learn practical skills and experience in a working concert hall despite the current restrictions.

Covid-secure measures taken by staff in advance of rehearsals and two performances include a series of risk assessments, employing a taped grid on stage to ensure two metre distancing for performers and musicians, a chamber orchestra comprising 15 members, and no physical contact between individuals during the opera. Specialist Visiting Tutor, Daisy Evans, director and founder of the critically-acclaimed Silent Opera, is working alongside staff and students from Birmingham City University to deliver the project, stage managed by Rebecca Critch, a 2016 graduate of the Stage Management course at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and experienced opera and classical music concert professional.

The children’s novella Coraline, written by English author Neil Gaiman, scooped a number of awards following its publication in 2002. Following the story of a girl who moves into a new house, finds a door into a parallel universe and meets her Other Mother and Other Father who’ll give her anything she wants if she exchanges her eyes for buttons, Coraline was adapted in to a stop-motion animated fantasy film in 2009, voiced by Dakota Fanning.

Turnage’s opera, based on the book, was premiered at London’s Barbican in 2018. It recently took part in a virtual Q&A with Royal Birmingham Conservatoire students, organised by Head of Vocal & Operatic Studies and Coraline conductor, Paul Wingfield.

Speaking ahead of the performance, Paul said, “I am enormously proud of the students and creative team behind this exciting production of Coraline. Not only are we the first conservatoire to stage this complex and colourful opera, but we have created something of which Birmingham City University can be rightly proud in the face of the enormous challenges to live performance posed by the pandemic.

“I would like to thank staff at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and at Birmingham City University more widely for their support of this production which surely places us at the leading edge of what is currently possible for live opera performance in the UK. The fact that, on top of all of this, we’ve been able to make this a truly cross-faculty project reflects the desire for students across Arts, Design & Media to create projects of real impact which must surely rival anything to be found at other conservatoires across the UK.”

Coraline, performed by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire vocal and music studies, will be recorded for broadcast at a later date.

Falana’s latest single ‘Joy’ has been embraced by tastemakers from London to Lagos, resulting in support from Wonderland, EARMILK and the Independent. The Nigerian-Canadian artist now presents an engaging introduction to her story by sharing the short documentary ‘Life From My Point Of View’.
 
‘Life From My Point Of View’ covers everything from her early years growing up, her influences and creative process, right through to the making of the video for ‘Joy’. Falana revisits various locations in Lagos that represent landmark moments in her career so far, including the I.AM.ISIGO fashion show room where she played her first head-line show in the city, and ALÁRA, a contemporary design store when she held the launch party for her ‘Chapter One’ EP.
 
Falana says: “I wanted this documentary to tell my story from my roots to where I am now. Finding old pictures and video footage of me and my family brought back many memories which I wanted to share. The documentary tells the story of how this journey shaped my sound and me as an artist, from Toronto to Lagos via Havana. It is a snapshot of my life and musical journey, right up to the making of the video for my current single ‘Joy’ in Jamaica.”
 
Raised in Toronto, Falana’s upbringing was soundtracked by a diverse music selection that spanned Fela Kuti to Sia. Her Nigerian parents would play a lot of traditional Yoruba music as a way of staying connected to their home, and through the melting pot of the city, Falana was introduced to the pop, hip-hop, soul, R&B & dancehall that she’d spend hours compiling into her own playlists.
 
Added to her extensive travelling, spanning London, Denmark to Cuba, Falana has honed in on the sound she’s been searching for.  Falana is now on the road to a bright future as a unique international artist.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has published an educational resource that features five films that focus on transgender experiences for families to watch together. The BBFC has partnered with All About Trans, an On Road Media project, on this initiative. The Charity supports people with first-hand experience of the issues to do safer, more strategic media work, bringing them together with journalists and producers to inspire great content.

At the lower end of age rating categories, Little Girl (PG), A Kid Like Jake (12) and Ma Vie En Rose (12) have all been highlighted as films that deal with transgender themes sensitively. For older teens and parents who want to continue learning about other topics, such as trans representation in the media and starting a family, the BBFC has suggested both Disclosure (15) and Seahorse - The Dad Who Gave Birth (15).

All films come with information about the classification, information about what viewers can expect, and accompanying suggested discussion points so families can hold a guided conversation after the credits roll. The BBFC and All About Trans held a focus group, made up of non-binary and trans people and a parent of a trans child, to consult on the films and the resource.

Sarah Peacock, Compliance and Education Manager for the BBFC, said: “Films are excellent springboards for starting conversations. We’ve selected three films rated U, PG and 12 and two films at 15, so there is something for the whole family to pick from, with a range of different themes to explore together. We were delighted to partner with All About Trans on this resource, to ensure that the voices of trans people were accurately reflected in the project. We hope that these films act as a starting point for more research and education.”

Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir from All About Trans, said: “We know it can be hard to find time to sit down with your kids to learn about new issues and ideas. We hope that this resource will open up a space for really meaningful and worthwhile discussions with children and young people about identity, and what it means to explore who you are.” The educational resource can be found on the BBFC website.