It’s been another big awards month in theatre, both in the UK and the USA, as you’ll see below. Alongside these big awards, we’ve also flown straight into summer, with a lovely hot weekend. Theatre-wise, nothing quite marks the summer season like the return of open-air theatre.
Whether it’s at the Globe, Regent’s Park, or the Minack, there’s plenty of excellent shows to be seen in outdoor theatres across the nation. So, if you need a fun way to spend a lovely summer afternoon or evening, look up your local open-air theatre, whilst the good weather lasts!
Tony Awards 2019
Other winners include Bertie Carvel for his performance in INK, Bryan Cranston for his role in Network and Stephanie J. Block for her performance in The Cher Show. Lifetime Achievement awards were received by Rosemary Harris, Terrence McNally and Harold Wheeler.
Source: Billboard
Schools receive performance rights to Emilia
Emilia has wowed audiences across the UK over the past year, opening at the Globe and then transferring to the West End in March. Emilia closed in the West End this month, and it was announced only days ago that performance rights were being released by agents Nick Hern Books, solely for secondary schools, universities and drama schools. Amateur dramatics companies are also being encouraged to register interest in this show.
Source: The Stage
Nominations for South Bank Sky Arts Awards announced
The South Bank Sky Arts Awards celebrate arts and culture from across the UK in all forms, from music, visual art, TV, dance, opera and theatre. The awards will take place on Sunday 7th July at the Savoy Theatre.
Nominations in theatre categories this year are The Inheritance, Sweat and Company, whilst English National Opera’s Porgy and Bess competes against Garsington Opera’s Falstaff and Welsh National Opera’s Rhondda Rips it Up!
The Breakthrough Award features a nomination from each category, and this year SIX the Musical writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss are nominated.
Source: Sky
National Stage Management Awards
The Stage Management Association run the National Stage Management awards yearly, in order to recognise the hard work and talent behind the scenes of some of the best productions in the UK. Nominations are open, so anyone can nominate an individual or team who they feel excelled and deserves recognition for their work.
This year's winners include Julia Nimmo for the Individual Stage Manager Award for her work on Songlines - UK Tour and Trick Tour. Sheffield Theatres Stage Management Team took the award for best team, and Lifetime Achievement Awards were won by Andrew Killian and Ba Penney.
Source: SMA
Critics’ Award for Theatre in Scotland 2019 Winners
The Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland took place earlier this month. Winners include Ulster American which won Best Production, Best New Play, and won Lucianne McEvoy Best Female Performance; Lost At Sea which won Best Ensemble and won Ian Brown Best Director; and The End of Eddy which won Best Technical Presentation.
Queen’s Birthday Honours
Simon Russell Beale received a knighthood for his work as an actor at the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year. Honours were also given to Olivia Coleman, who received a CBE for her services to drama; Sheila Atim, who has been made an MBE for her services to drama; Cush Jumbo who has been made an OBE for services to drama; and David Pountney, who received his knighthood, having received a CBE in 1994.
Tim Angel, chairman of costumiers Angels, has been awarded a CBE for his services to theatre, film, television and the arts. Singer and actor Alfie Boe also received an OBE for his services to music and charity. Other honours were received by choreographer and artistic director of ZooNation Kate Prince, deputy chief executive of the Arts Council Laura Dyer, and Marcus Davey, artistic director of the Roundhouse.
Source: The Stage
Mark Rylance resigns from RSC
Mark Rylance announced his resignation as associate artist from the Royal Shakespeare Company, as part of a backlash surrounding BP Oil’s sponsorship of the arts, which he said allowed the company to “obscure the destructive reality of its activities’. This follows some protests from high-profile artists and campaigners against BP and other global oil corporations at UK cultural institutions, including a mass-occupation of the British Museum back in February over its relationship with BP.
There have been other protests at galleries in recent weeks, and last week the Extinction Rebellion occupied the National History Museum as an objection to its hosting of a Petroleum Group dinner.
Source: The Guardian
Theatre roles to be advertised in job centres
A new initiative which aims to increase diversity within the theatre industry will see backstage vacancies at 50 of London’s theatres advertised by job centres in the capital. BECTU has partnered with the Department for Work and Pensions on the scheme, which aims to increase the number of applications from BAME backgrounds to theatre jobs.
The job vacancies will cover roles including costume, technical, lighting and front of house, and BECTU hopes to roll out this initiative across the UK. It has been announced that 26 theatres in Wales have also signed up to the Theatre Diversity Action Plan.
Source: The Stage
Pretty Women West End run announced
It has been confirmed that the Broadway Production of Pretty Woman will be transferring to London’s West End in February 2020, venue yet to be announced. The musical is based on the 1990 hit movie of the same name, which starred Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. It is currently playing to packed houses in New York’s Nederlander Theatre on Broadway.
The musical is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. British performer Samantha Barks currently plays the lead role in the Broadway production. Casting is yet to be announced.
Source: London Theatre Direct
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