Month: January 2023

Derby has secured £20 million from the government’s levelling-up funding towards a plan to redevelop the Assembly Rooms site in the city centre. In 2014, the 1,200-seat venue suffered extensive damage because of a fire in the plant room, which powered the electricity and lighting supply, on top of its car park. The Assembly Rooms… Continue reading Levelling up: Derby gets cash for new learning theatre

Birmingham Royal Ballet has set up a new company, BRB2, which will seek out ”some of the best young ballet graduates from around the world” to join a two-year performance programme. BRB director Carlos Acosta said, “since arriving at BRB, I’ve wanted to develop a young company with its own artistic identity in which some of… Continue reading BRB develops young ballet company

Chichester Festival Theatre has appointed Justin Audibert, currently Artistic Director of London’s Unicorn Theatre, to to succeed Daniel Evans as Artistic Director, working alongside Executive Director Kathy Bourne from July 2023. Evans, who leaves Chichester at the end of April, said, “I am beyond thrilled by Justin’s appointment. He is a thoughtful, dynamic and compassionate… Continue reading Audibert from Unicorn to Chichester

“One of the leading dance organisations in the East Midlands” has revealed its spring and summer 2023 season which includes “circus, dance and fairy tales like you’ve never seen them before”. Manya Beneson, creative producer of Déda, said, “the programme has a selection of the best of international theatre and dance. There’s something for everyone,… Continue reading Derby dance centre unveils new season

Bolton Octagon is part of the Warm Spaces initiative, opening its doors to provide a safe space for anyone to use during the current energy and cost of living crisis. The Bolton venue has received funding as part of a nationwide initiative to provide this free drop-in service. Available every Tuesday and Thursday 11AM–2PM in… Continue reading Bolton’s warm welcome

Blackpool Grand Theatre celebrated Winnie the Pooh January 18 by lighting up the town with yellow and red colours. They even arranged for Blackpool Tower to light up in yellow and red to say Happy Birthday to the author A A Milne. Winnie the Pooh and friends will be bringing a new live adventure to… Continue reading Winnie lights up the town

The Queen’s Hall Arts Centre in Hexham has a new spring season, including a new production of Michael Morpurgo’s Little Manfred, February 10–11. Other theatre highlights include the return of Durham-based Elysium Theatre Company. A rich, boisterous piece of theatre set on Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held, The Island has been seen all over the world.… Continue reading Hexham springs theatre season

Sheffield Theatres has announced the full cast for their new Playhouse production: Eve Leigh’s new play Wildfire Road, March 4–18. Honeymooners, middle managers and spontaneous singletons settle after take-off to Tokyo. But this flight is no holiday as the plane has been hijacked. Raj Bajaj (Tartuffe) will play the roles of Rohan, Kazuo; Siubhan Harrison (The… Continue reading Wildfire Road cast in place

A one-act play, The Podcast Wars, is a two-hander set in a world of illusion, at the White Hotel in Salford February 16. Two men filled with messy emotions but people can have different versions of the same thing.