City of London Corporation’s Post

When I was little I dreamed of becoming an actor. A term into a drama degree at Goldsmiths, University of London quickly told me that my acting skills perhaps (!!) weren’t up to scratch to make a living. So I funnelled my love of theatre into PR and spent 4 fabulous years working with Ben and Clair who now lead bread & Butter - seeing brilliant shows 2 or 3 times a week and working of a range of west end and fringe productions. Although my career has now taken a step away from the arts, I still want my children share my love of theatre and have taken them to a wide range of shows since they were little. But lately the cost of taking the family to shows has skyrocketed. So the The Guardian article below on the push and pull of ticket pricing was super interesting. The Kids Week initiative from Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre is brilliant - but getting tickets is somewhat stressful. I’ve learned to embrace off west end theatres and highly recommend the Rose Theatre , Polka Theatre and Unicorn Theatre for excellent child friendly shows at more affordable prices. However the problem still remains. How do we make theatre more diverse and inclusive if access to simply seeing shows is financially impossible for so many. Could more broadcasts of live shows (such as the NT live series) be the answer so that people can still be inspired? How would you solve the reputation problem the theatre industry currently has of being too expensive?

Performing Arts - Shakespearian Plays are a timeless form of entertainment that continues to captivate audiences around the world. The intricate language, complex characters, and universal themes explored in these plays make them a staple in the world of theater. From the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet to the political intrigue of Macbeth, Shakespearian Plays offer a diverse range of narratives that appeal to a wide audience. Shakespeare's plays have not only stood the test of time but have also influenced countless works of literature, film, and other art forms. The impact of his work can be seen in modern adaptations, such as the film "10 Things I Hate About You," which is based on "The Taming of the Shrew." Additionally, Shakespeare's plays are often performed in various languages and settings, showcasing their universal appeal and relevance. According to statistics, Shakespeare is the most performed playwright in the world, with his works being staged in theaters big and small, from Broadway to local community theaters. The enduring popularity of Shakespearian Plays speaks to their ability to resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. In conclusion, Shakespearian Plays are a cornerstone of the performing arts, continuing to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide. Whether you are a seasoned theater enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of Shakespeare, experiencing a live performance of one of his plays is sure to be a memorable and enriching experience. #arts #theater #FrizeMedia https://buff.ly/3hMqEeK

Devoted and Disgruntled is nearly here! We are delighted that our annual Devoted and Disgruntled event is only a few days away! We will be in Leeds at The Warehouse in Holbeck from 16-18 March 2024, where we will once again be asking ‘What are we going to do about theatre and the performing arts?’ Over the last few weeks, we have shared invitations from Leeds Playhouse’s Assistant Production Manager Sophie Slater, Wellbeing in the Arts’ Adam Bamborough, John R. Wilkinson, Associate Director at York Theatre Royal and Co-Founder of The Calm Farm, Tajpal Rathore, Artistic Director & Executive Producer of Tribe Arts | Editor-in-Chief, Off/Stage Zine and Slung Low’s Artistic Director Alan Lane. Now it’s over to our Associate Director, Matilda Leyser… Devoted and Disgruntled: What are we going to do about Theatre and the Performing Arts? That’s a genuine question. And this is a real invitation, to come and work on that question – and any others you are holding – and to explore a myriad of answers, together with us, in Leeds, in March this year, at our annual Open Space event. We ran our first Devoted and Disgruntled event in 2006- 18 years ago. Since then we have used Open Space to run our company, make our shows, birth some children (true story). But through all the years, we've continued to come back to the beginning - to this core annual event - the one we are inviting you to be a part of in 2024. And it starts now. Because the beginning of this event - the very first thing that happens - is that we write an invitation. Writing an invitation is something of art. Like any art, it’s a kind of practice. Which is to say, we are still practicing it - still finding out how to do it. But also, as with any practice you keep at for a while, you start to form habits. So, over the years, we have tended to use our annual D&D invite to reflect on the current state of the performing arts, of the country, of the world, and then to use that as a sort of motivator to encourage you to come along and do something meaningful, instead of moaning. The problem with this formula is that the state of the arts/ country/ world keeps on getting worse, so the invites sound increasingly bleak. Or maybe it’s just that we keep on getting older. Or maybe a bit of both. Either way, when we tried to follow the formula this year, it came out like bitter old actor’s version of the queen’s speech (she did 70 of them - we are far behind!). We felt a little desperate. We tried AI, which, to be honest, did a fair job of turning the bitterness around into something more positive. But because I cannot think of a single, fricking event better than D&D at connecting us back to our ‘HI’ - our deep, natural, human intelligence and creativity (yes, I believe we have this- that's where theatre comes from) - as opposed to the heart-breaking individual https://lnkd.in/eEyn_cYv

Looking back to the time before my retirement, there were many occasions when I was asked to document a deal in a way which suggested that drafting would need to be bespoke and original. Usually it turned out that the proposal was not as unique as one first thought. Inevitably, others would have trodden that path before and there would be a precedent which was at least worth a read. Sometimes (with the advice “don’t be a slave to precedent” ringing in my ears) I would realise that an existing document was only helpful to show me how not to proceed. As Dave Allen would say, “Well I wouldn’t start from here!” And so sometimes the new document which emerged from a concerted team effort was truly bespoke  and worthy. Why am I, long-retired, mulling over historic experiences. Well it’s because I am now having the same challenges with the play which I am directing at The Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre;  there is simply no “precedent” available for this play. Indeed if you Google "Warrior" by Shirley Gee the first substantive “hit” is actually for our own production in a week’s time.  It was performed at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 1989 and the late Shirley Gee was an award winner, but there seems to be no trace of a production between then and now. Does that cast a doubt over the material? Well everyone who has read it has been impressed and the cast are not complaining about a lack of quality in this rare piece of historical drama about a real C18th heroine, Hannah Snell, who went to sea and fought for years, disguised as a boy. But, I hear you say, new plays are regularly being staged for the first time so why is this different? Well usually the author is on hand to influence things in concert with the director. Here we are trying to give life to something which has, quite possibly, lain dormant for 25 years, without the benefit of being able to ask the writer for input or of drawing on the interpretations of others. What brought to mind the task of creating, back in the day, that bespoke, commercially watertight, document are the technical demands of this play; a working instrument of torture, a mast and rigging which is safe to  climb and making the stage take on the attributes of both a C18th man o’war and the inside of Bedlam. But just as it used to work with the “unique “ deal, the huddle comes into play; calling on some superb (professional) skills of our volunteers, the building of the ship and the asylum will happen, the play will be expertly lit and dressed, and explosions will happen when they are meant to. So this could be that rare case where, by analogy with what I used to do for a living, without helpful precedent but, with the help of my team, I have to create something entirely original. A production which I hope would have ticked all of the boxes for Ms Gee and which (pardon the pun) is watertight from an artistic perspective.

In this interview with Patrick Whitbread, he discusses his time touring New Zealand and Australia for nearly a decade. His new role in Opera Australia’s West Side Story is one he is familiar with from his own theatrical past. Read the full interview on TAL - https://lnkd.in/gpdRUGRp #operahouse #operaaustralia #theatre #acting #actor #stageactor #entertainment #entertainmentnews

"We’ve all heard it before, “Directors, stop casting the same performers for every single show.” Take a peak at my newest article on OnStage Blog on the importance of not casting the same actors and actresses for every lead role. #performingarts #theatre #director #freelancewriting #youthempowerment

Stop filling your scripts with endless dialogue (unless you write soap opera). Film making is a visual medium. We like to watch what our characters do. Great dialogue or sound bites are important. Sound is 1:3 of your film! However, needless dialogue is your fastest ticket to bored-ville. Hearing your character say a great zinger to the bad guy, well that is fun and sometimes makes a great movie moment. But know what really gets an audience going? Watching our hero as something happens to them. We love watching others, so let the audience have a chance to watch your hero rather than listen to them too much. Besides, one well placed line is worth twenty.

Dive into the world of william kentridge extraordinary art! "Tango for Page Turning" is a mesmerizing stop-motion animated film from Kentridge's acclaimed multimedia chamber opera, "Refuse the Hour." Explore powerful allegorical imagery and thought-provoking themes. Discover more trending videos like this on ikonoTV. #WilliamKentridge #ArtTrends #ikonoTV #ExtraordinaryArt

The worst questions to ask an actor: I have been a professional actor for 16 years now and I run a theatre company, I teach people of all ages to act. Here are some questions I have been asked and why the questions are ill placed - enjoy and remember to avoid these next time someone tells you they are an actor. What have you been in that I've seen? - That depends how often YOU got to the theatre. If you only watch TV, film and musicals in London then you are missing out on seeing some fantastic work and amazing actors, including me 🎭 Why haven't I heard of you? Are you famous? - 🤷♂️ let's see... 0.01% of the professional acting community are household names and even less of those because of their theatrical work. Just because you've heard of them doesn't necessarily mean they are the best, they are just the lucky ones who get paid the mega bucks 💷 Do you get lots of money? - No! most actors have a second job to ensure the bills are paid when work is slow. When the work does come in, sometimes we say yes because we love to perform or the story connects with us, somtimes we do it for the love of the art. 😍 Have you worked with any celebrities? - Yes! Loads, they are just people trying to earn an honest living, the people I've worked with are not really a reflection of my ability. 🤩 What's the biggest / most well known thing you've done? This one is irrelevant simply because the work I am doing now is what matters to me, the work I am doing right now is training young people to achive their goals, by sharing the experience of how I achieved and continue to achieve my own. 👊 ❤️ Love to all the performers in my network who have politely side stepped these ego damaging questions, feel free to drop some of your own in the comments. 💬 #actor #bohemia #ego #theatre

How much do you know about theatre and performing arts? See if you can answer these 15 theatre and performing arts trivia questions. https://lnkd.in/efuT_9ND