Antony Sher - Visualising Theatre (Autumn Art Lecture Series)
Antony Sher in conversation with Martin White (Emeritus Professor of Theatre at the University of Bristol)
25 October 2016, 6.15 pm, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol, BS8 1RJ
When Antony Sher played Richard III, he published an account of his work on the part, Year of the King, which he subtitled ‘An Actor’s Diary and Sketchbook’. He is a gifted artist, and throughout his long and varied career has used his art to trace and capture his route to finding the essence of a particular role, to record his own and other actors’ work in rehearsal and often to produce more ‘finished’ paintings of the character who finally emerged. Exhibitions of his paintings and drawings have been held at the National Theatre, The London Jewish Cultural Centre, the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and the Herbert Gallery in Coventry. In this conversation, drawing on examples of his own work, Sir Antony will discuss the relationship between his art and his acting.
Booking required via the online form.
Joyce McMillan: Theatre in Scotland
Scotland's finest theatre critic talks to theatre director Philip Howard and playwright David Greig about her new book, Theatre in Scotland, a kaleidoscopic portrait of the Scottish stage and an insightful portrait of a nation undergoing huge change.
Wigtown Book Festival
County Buildings, Main Hall
Sunday 25th September 2016
16:30
Tickets available here.
In Focus: Theatre in Scotland – A Field of Dreams with Joyce McMillan
Distinguished theatre critic Joyce McMillan has been writing about theatre and politics in Scotland for more than three decades. She is joined by Vicky Featherstone (Artistic Director of the Royal Court, and formerly of National Theatre of Scotland) and Philip Howard (former Artistic Director of the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh) to discuss the remarkable journey of modern Scottish theatre.
The event will be followed by a book signing of Theatre in Scotland – A Field of Dreams by Joyce McMillan.
Tickets £6 (£5 concessions). Book online or call 020 7452 3000.
'Rattigan Returns' study day
Terence Rattigan's work has seen a recent resurgence in theatres across the UK. Playwright, teacher and academic Dan Rebellato, editor of the NHB Rattigan Collection, will lead this day-long event which explores the renewed interest in Rattigan's work.
Rattigan was one of the most successful playwrights of the 20th century, with many of his plays receiving long West End and Broadway runs, numerous revivals, and transfers to screen. Until recently, he tended to be dismissed as a lightweight, class-bound, conservative and even emotionally dishonest writer of mere 'well-made plays'. This event is an opportunity to look again at his plays and his reputation, revealing the extraordinary precision and subtlety of his craft, and the bold, emotionally rich, socially questioning aspects of his work.
The day will look at The Deep Blue Sea, which is currently in repertoire at the National Theatre, and consider works like After the Dance, The Winslow Boy, The Browning Version, and Separate Tables, as well as other, lesser-known plays.
Thursday 15 September 2016, 10.30am - 4.30pm
Running Time: 6hrs approx
Tickets: £45/34 from the National Theatre Box Office
Joyce McMillan: Scottish theatre's remarkable journey
With the resignation of Laurie Sansom as director of the National Theatre of Scotland, the nation’s dramatic future is again the subject of fierce debate.
One person who’ll be at the heart of that discussion is theatre critic Joyce McMillan, who’s charted Scotland’s cultural renaissance through its theatre over the past 30 years. Here she explores some of the defining moments, as recorded in her collected reviews, Theatre in Scotland – A Field of Dreams.
Tickets: £8 (£6) - find out more and book here.
David Edgar: Shakespeare's Structure
Join David Edgar for an interactive day exploring Shakespeare's structural genius, discussing some of his greatest scenes. His guests include barrister and rhetoric expert Benet Brandreth; Simon Godwin, Director of the RSC's current production of Hamlet; and its lead actor, Paapa Essiedu.
David Edgar's plays include Destiny, Nicholas Nickleby, Pentecost and Written on the Heart. He is the author of How Plays Work.
Sunday 24 July
11am - 4.30pm
Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
£30 (lunch not included)
Book tickets here.
Theatre in Scotland: Reflecting the Nation
Join a distinguished panel of critics and theatre makers to discuss the remarkable journey of modern Scottish theatre, and to explore the directions it might take in the years to come.
The last three decades have seen an extraordinary cultural renaissance in Scotland, reflected in the newfound confidence of its playwrights, in the vibrancy of its theatre culture and in its recent outburst of new theatre companies. Join Orla O’Loughlin (Artistic Director, Traverse Theatre), Joyce McMillan (theatre critic, The Scotsman), Philip Howard (director and dramaturg), and Mark Fisher (theatre journalist) to explore and celebrate this success, and ask what it can tell us about Scotland as a whole.
This event will be followed by a book signing of Joyce McMillan's new book Theatre in Scotland – A Field of Dreams (edited by Philip Howard).
Ticketholders will be able to buy Theatre in Scotland – A Field of Dreams at event at the special price of £10 (normal price £14.99).
Date & Time
Wed 29 Jun, 7.30pm
Tickets
Full price £5
Standard concession £4
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. Book here.
Tonic Theatre celebrates
Join Tonic Theatre in the West End for the first Tonic Celebrates event, celebrating inspirational women in theatre.
Lighting designer Paule Constable (War Horse), Tricycle Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham (Red Velvet), and writer Jessica Swale (Nell Gwynn) will be in conversation with Tonic Theatre’s Director Lucy Kerbel, author of 100 Great Plays for Women.
Tickets available here.
Tonic Theatre supports the UK theatre industry to achieve greater gender equality.
Joyce McMillan: Theatre in Scotland
Join leading theatre critic Joyce McMillan for a panoramic overview of the remarkable history of Scottish theatre. Joyce has never failed to spot a great play and champion the performers and writers, and she believes absolutely in the transformative power of drama and its central importance in Scotland.
Borders Book Festival, Melrose, Saturday 18 June, 5.00pm. Tickets £8/£6 from www.bordersbookfestival.org.
Bella Merlin on Facing the Fear
Actor and academic Bella Merlin unveils her new book, Facing the Fear: An Actor's Guide to Overcoming Stage Fright, which explores what happens when (among other symptoms) actors forget their lines.
Joined by director Mike Alfreds (founder of Shared Experience) and neuroscientist Dr Catherine Loveday, she explores this misunderstood and often secretive condition, looking at the neuroscience of learning, the psychology of fear, and practical solutions to deal with performance nerves.
Chaired by Edward Kemp, Artistic Director of RADA.
This Platform is followed by a booksigning.
Tickets £5 (£4 concessions). Book your tickets here.
Bella Merlin: Samuel French event
Join actor, author and actor-trainer Bella Merlin for an enlightening, empowering discussion about stage fright: why it occurs, how it manifests itself, and how to overcome it. An unmissable event for any actor: those who are experiencing or have previously suffered from stage fright, as well as for those who want to be fully prepared in case that day ever comes. Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask Bella questions yourself in an audience Q&A.
In her new book Facing the Fear: An Actors' Guide to Overcoming Stage Fright – the first book of its kind written specifically for actors – Bella Merlin draws on her own and other actors’ personal experiences to provide all the tools you need to understand, confront and ultimately overcome stage fright and its effects, thereby regaining control over your life and career.
This event will be followed by a booksigning.
A Samuel French event at New Diorama Theatre, London, on Monday 6 June, 7-8.30pm. Tickets £5.
Paul Clayton - How to Be a Working Actor
Join NHB author Paul Clayton (Chairman of The Actors Centre, with over forty years' experience as an actor himself) in conversation, to discover the essential steps to building a successful career – including how to get work, keep getting it, and make a living from it.
Paul Clayton's new book The Working Actor: The Essential Guide to a Successful Career offers inspiring advice on a range of topics including working with your agent, nailing auditions and meetings, networking on- and offline, and supporting yourself between jobs. All of these will be discussed and more; plus you'll have the chance to ask Paul questions yourself in an audience Q&A.
This Samuel French event at Camden People's Theatre will be followed by a booksigning. Monday 9 May, 8pm. Tickets £5.
https://www.cptheatre.co.uk/production/paul-clayton-how-to-be-a-working-actor/
Simon Callow and Harriet Walter - Words in the Square
Simon Callow and Harriet Walter appear in a panel event on 'Building a Character' in the London Library's Words in the Square festival on Sunday 8 May, 1pm-2pm.
BUILDING A CHARACTER
How do actors, writers and directors develop their understanding of character to avoid cliché and create believable and compelling drama? In this revelatory look behind the scenes Simon Russell Beale, Simon Callow, Natascha McElhone and Harriet Walter discuss the process of research and rehearsal, revealing how they have developed specific techniques to help them find their own particular truths about human behaviour and performance. Nicholas Hytner, former Artistic Director of the National Theatre, chairs.
Annie Baker on The Flick
Annie Baker discusses her Pulitzer Prize-winning play, The Flick, in a National Theatre Platform on Friday 15 April at 5.45pm.
Jack Thorne on The Solid Life of Sugar Water
Playwright Jack Thorne talks to Graeae Associate Director Amit Sharma about his play The Solid Life of Sugar Water in a National Theatre post-show Platform event on 10 March.
This Platform is free but booking is required - visit the National Theatre website.
Antony Sher - Guardian Live event
Join Antony Sher for an intimate evening discussing a life in theatre with Mark Lawson.
At the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London, NW3 3HY. Tuesday 12 January 2016, 7pm–8pm.
Full details on the Guardian Live website.
Richard Eyre in conversation with Rupert Goold
Almeida Theatre Artistic Director Rupert Goold talks to Sir Richard Eyre about his time at the National Theatre, how he feels theatre has evolved since then and what challenges, trials and joyous rewards there are in leading an ambitious theatre company.
Almeida Theatre, London, Tuesday 24 November, 6pm.
Full details on the Almeida Theatre website.
Antony Sher - Cheltenham Literature Festival
The leading actor talks to theatre critic Libby Purves about Year of the Fat Knight: The Falstaff Diaries, an in-depth account of performing the iconic role and a unique portrait of the RSC at work.
Richard Eyre at HighTide Festival
Richard Eyre is interviewed by Kate Mosse at HighTide Festival.
Antony Sher - Toppings bookshop author event
Antony Sher discusses his latest book Year of the Fat Knight, about playing Shakespeare's Falstaff for the Royal Shakespeare Company.