State of the Nation perform STIGMA at the Houses of Parliament for World Aids Day

January 16th, 2012

Update: Theatre Royal Stratford East has received some great feedback from a manager of the conference: ‘Stigma was an innovative and thought provoking addition to our programme and was very well received by the delegates and observers, we feel the play was an extremely successful conclusion to the conference.’

State of The Nation member Myriam Moustakim talks about the experience of creating Stigma and performing at the Houses of Parliament.

When I heard that State of The Nation had been invited to perform at Parliament for World Aids Day on 1st December, I was full of anticipation. Having taken a short break from rehearsing and performing I was intrigued to see what the others had been working on and was impressed at how they had developed ideas so quickly in such a small time frame.

Hearing the voices for the very first time was quite a poignant moment – as we listened to the personal accounts of those who had been diagnosed HIV positive, someone who works for an charitable organisation and another person’s opinion on HIV and awareness, I could see how this piece was going to be so charged with emotion, inspiration and possibly controversy in terms of the opinion of whether or not there is a stigma surrounding the topic of HIV. The aptly named Stigma was clearly going to be a big deal, and for the crew to carry the responsibility of being the spokespeople for such a sensitive topic on World Aids day at the Houses of Parliament, was both a great opportunity and a milestone in State of The Nation’s work.

During rehearsals the piece seemed to fall together effortlessly with each crew member getting to grips with the voices they had been given.  A key aspect of the performance was Serena B. Robins (our Project Manager and facilitator) weaving the letters to spell STIGMA on to a large quilt,  symbolising the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in America.. Each member’s role as an actor/actress and facilitator was accurate and sensitive, paying fair tribute to the weight of the words spoken by each ‘voice’.

As part of the rehearsal process, we performed Stigma in the familiar setting of the Dillon Room at the theatre in front of a few familiar faces. It was then that we could see how spectators (or ‘spect-actors’ as we call them) would respond and the response was very positive, provoking members of the audience to share their opinions openly. Positive East, (one of the organisations who so kindly contributed to the group’s research and to the piece itself) invited the group to perform Stigma in the very near future to their workers and service users, many of whom live with HIV.

Later that week, the day came… and it wasn’t your average ‘trip’. This was an important day for many reasons. The ministers of the commonwealth were gathering not only to commemorate World Aids Day but also to discuss ‘Getting to Zero’ – the UN’s 3 year campaign to get to zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero discrimination and zero stigma. Our performance would be contributing to the ‘stigma’ aspect of the initiative by raising awareness and that in itself was a major role to play.

We arrived at the Houses of Parliament at 3pm. After going through security, getting our photos taken and given to us to wear as ID, we waited in Westminster Hall which is Parliament’s oldest remaining building (more than 900 years old) and is part of the ancient Palace of Westminster.

State of the Nation at the Houses of Parliament

The State of the Nation Crew at the Houses of Parliament

We then met Victoria, our co-ordinator for the day, who led us to Portcullis House where Stigma would be performed. As we waited for an empty function room to be available for the group to warm up and rehearse we were passed by leaders and officials of the commonwealth and could hear a whole range of languages being spoken. We then saw UN AIDS Ambassador Annie Lennox OBE (!) being introduced to other groups of people and she then came to speak to us. Ironically, this grounded me as I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the surroundings and the fact that we were in the Houses of Parliament. Knowing the great work that Annie Lennox does for AIDS awareness and having seen her speaking on the subject on TV just the day before – I remembered why we were there.

We went into the conference room where all of the delegates (high profile parliamentarians from Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth countries) were seated. Annie Lennox, the speaker of the House of Commons Hon John Bercow MP and Lord Malloch-Brown former Foreign and Commonwealth Minister and Deputy Secretary-General of the UN were seated on the raised platform where State of The Nation would later be performing Stigma! Annie Lennox gave a speech referring to her work in Malawi and talked about the issues surrounding AIDS and the effects on women and children. She made a plea for more action from parliaments across the world.

We then returned to the spare function room, to do some warm ups.  It was quite bizarre to be doing the exact same vocal and physical warm ups that we do each Monday night in Stratford in the Houses of Parliament instead, but in a way reassuring. The group were focused and considerably calm (as much as you could be under the circumstances).

State of the Nation perform Stigma

State of the Nation perform Stigma at the Houses of Parliament

Then it was time…walking back into the conference room all dressed in cream and white costumes, State of The Nation were ready to take on the world! Ok that’s a bit dramatic, but we were ready. The crew took their positions and a presentation created by Sylvan (from The Peoples’ Palace Project, Queen Mary & Westfield University) to accompany the piece began to play. The presentation gave the piece a dramatic edge but also kept to the point and included some shocking statistics.

During Stigma there were a few moments of silence in the beginning of the facilitation before a delegate shared a thought about the issues raised. We were all aware that many people in the room were not likely to have experienced theatre using this technique but as the piece developed there was more participation from the delegates. It was at that moment that I realised that although the delegates spoke many different languages, came from diverse cultures and different continents, Stigma was a piece of theatre that engaged everyone in the room. The response was really positive and from the delegate’s questions and feedback afterwards it was clear that we had had an impact.

After the performance we attended the Reception where speeches were being held. It was a chance to mingle with delegates and they were very keen to talk to us about Stigma. One delegate commented, “It seems to me that your group likes to talk about things that are swept under the carpet and that’s good.” Many were curious as to where the technique we use had come from. There were many positive comments and we were even invited to Samoa, Canada, Kenya and some of the Caribbean Islands to name a few. Imagine that!

Well it was certainly an experience to remember for all of us; rubbing shoulders (not literally) with delegates from around the world did seem surreal. On the way home we mentioned that it was almost like a dream…then we arrived back at the theatre got out of the black cab in the pouring rain in Stratford and I wondered if it had been a dream after all! We were back in good old East London – now if that didn’t ground us after the day we’d had, nothing would!

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2012 programme announced

December 15th, 2011

In the momentous year of the London Olympics and Paralympics Games, Theatre Royal Stratford East presents a menu of ground-breaking, new projects. The programme has a local, national and international reach, and boasts a range of internationally renowned partners.

Through the OPEN STAGE initiative launched in 2010, the people of East London and beyond have been handed programming power.  This consultation is the first engagement programme of its kind in British theatre and this unique process has already connected with over 3,000 people and will continue as the theatre creates a meze of opportunities for the community to further flex their curating muscles.

An impressive array of partnerships have been formed by Theatre Royal Stratford East, placing itself at the epicentre of artistic innovation and collaboration.  Partners include Barbican Centre, Battersea Arts Centre, Citizens Theatre Glasgow, Graeae Theatre Company, Kneehigh Theatre, Lyric, Hammersmith, National Theatre of Scotland, Romanian Cultural Institute, Sadler’s Wells, Serious Music, Team Angelica, Urban Development, and Young Vic; and the theatre’s work will be part of BT River of Music, CREATE, London 2012 Festival and World Stages London.

There are new shows in the theatre, site specific performance across London, work on-line, mass participation events, concerts, scratch performances and national touring.

With over 160 languages spoken in its community, Theatre Royal Stratford East celebrates the internationalism on our doorstep and will work with artists from Africa, Eastern Europe, Australia and Asia.

Artistic Director Kerry Michael says, “In this unique time for the area, with the huge energy and buzz growing, it is only right that we offer up a programme for our audience, with a range of some of the most exciting creative partners, that celebrates our place in London and London’s connection to the world.”

TOURING

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL… The Tour!

Script by Paul Sirett. Music by Ian Dury.

Produced by Graeae Theatre Company and The New Wolsey, Ipswich.

Original production co-produced by Graeae, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and Theatre Royal Stratford East

Kicking off an epic 1,633-mile tour, REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL – 2012 Tour opens at the New Wolsey Theatre on date?, before visiting Hall for Cornwall, Hull Truck Theatre, Watford Palace Theatre, Dundee Rep, Dury’s old stomping ground Hackney Empire and finally Nottingham Playhouse.

‘Rough, ready and bl**dy brilliant’ Time Out

It’s 1979: Labour loses to the Tories, strikes rock the nation and Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3) climbs the charts. As the ultimate fans, Vinnie and his mates would do anything to see Dury at the Hammersmith Odeon, only the gig is sold out. But life has a habit of throwing strange things at you and one night of frustration becomes something completely different.

Written by Paul Sirett and directed by Graeae’s Jenny Sealey, this acclaimed coming-of-age tale featuring Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ greatest hits such as Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll, Sweet Gene Vincent, Spasticus Autisticus and Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick will fill theatres with raucous glee. ‘Ave it!

‘A Masterpiece!’ – Chaz Jankel, The Blockheads

For further information – www.reasonstobecheerfulthemusical.co.uk

Dates: Thursday 9 February – Saturday 7 April 2012

YOUNG PEOPLE’S WORK

POET’S PLATFORM

Young Spoken Word artists will work with leading performance poet Kat Francois to produce two nights of amazing, tongue-twisting poetry. Participation in the project will be open to young people across Newham.

Location: Theatre Royal Stratford East Studio

Dates: Friday 17 & Saturday 18 February 2012, 7.30pm

OPEN STAGE

OPEN STAGE is supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

Since September 2010, Theatre Royal Stratford East has been asking the people of East London and beyond what they want to appear on Theatre Royal Stratford East’s stage from January to July 2012. Called OPEN STAGE, this initiative is designed to give the public programming power.  After asking over 3,000 people, the venue was told people wanted new work, particularly plays and musicals, so the theatre has prioritised new plays and musicals.  Feedback also suggested that audiences wanted a familiar narrative or reference point to productions – and that they also wanted a deeper connection with the theatre.  With this in mind the venue has decided to continue the consultation and present a series of ways in which to carry on exploring the stories and shows that audiences want to see.

OPEN STAGE highlights include Angelic Tales, Musical Theatre Initiative, a Community Show and Live Debate:

- Angelic Tales

Presented by Theatre Royal Stratford East in association with Team Angelica

In partnership with acclaimed writer and director Rikki Beadle-Blair and his Team Angelica, the theatre is putting a call out for new plays to be selected for development. The most promising 20 will be rehearsed and read in front of an audience. Through the OPEN STAGE process there will be opportunity to debate and comment on the work and the theatre pledges to further develop at least one of the most popular pieces to a professional performance level.

For further information, please check the New Writing page at www.stratfordeast.com

Location: Theatre Royal Stratford East Studio

Dates: Tuesday 28 February – Saturday 3 March and Tuesday 12 June – Saturday 16 June 2012


- Musical Theatre Initiative: Concerts and Showcases

As part of the Musical Theatre Initiative, which has developed and produced new musicals from British voices since 1999, Theatre Royal Stratford East will present concert versions of some of the top musicals from the past decade, suggested by the Open Stage research.  There will be a showcase of scratch performances of new musicals as the theatre continues its search for artists and help them develop the musicals of the future.

Location: Theatre Royal Stratford East Studio

Dates: During period Friday 27 April – Saturday 30 June 2012


- Community Show

A huge number of people who took part in OPEN STAGE said they wanted to be more involved with Theatre Royal Stratford East – including putting on a show.  Over the Easter period, the theatre will turn the building inside-out for a mass participatory community show – creating a tailor-made promenade event.

Location: Theatre Royal Stratford East

Dates: Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 April 2012

- Public Debates

There will be a chance for audiences to have their say at three public debates, exploring the themes and values of OPEN STAGE:

Democracy in the Arts: Whose art is it anyway?

Who has the right to decide what happens in arts spaces in a modern, diverse society? Can the cultural elite continue to define what art should be available for others? Who is really serving who?

Community Empowerment

How can organisations truly engage and involve the public in making decisions about their communities?  Engagement experts and voluntary organisations explore the impact, practice and future of involving communities in the decisions that matter to them.

What ‘Big Society’?

Can the arts and cultural sector lead government thinking and policy around the Big Society? Does it want to? And what would this look like? Leading thinkers come together to explore these big ideas.

The season will also include a host of OPEN STAGE events, activities and ways for audiences to get involved.

For further information email openstage@stratfordeast.com

Location: Theatre Royal Stratford East

Dates: Throughout 2012

STRATFORD EAST SINGERS

In autumn 2011, the theatre launched STRATFORD EAST SINGERS – a singing group led by singer and vocal coach Byron Gold. This singing collective is open to everyone over 16, regardless of ability or experience. There will be two major performances at 2012’s biggest cultural events.

Those who join Stratford East Singers will be part of:

- Babel

A World Stages London Project

WildWorks and Battersea Arts Centre in collaboration with Lyric Hammersmith, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Young Vic

Promising to be one the most talked about events of 2012, BABEL is tipped to be a theatrical experience of truly epic proportions. A spectacular outdoor show created for an iconic London setting, BABEL is staged through a unique partnership between WildWorks and Battersea Arts Centre and will feature a cast of 500 community and professional actors and musicians.

Dates: Tuesday 8 – Sunday 20 May 2012, 8.30pm. Press night 10 May 2012.

Prices: Preview £12.50; Tuesday – Thursday £22.50 (17.50 concs); Friday – Sunday £25 (£20 concs);

Day Tickets £12.50.

- BT River of Music

A London 2012 Festival Project

BT River of Music is created and produced by Serious for the London 2012 Festival with significant funding support from the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, Arts Council England and the British Council, with additional funding from Paul Hamlyn Foundation and City Bridge Trust.

BT RIVER OF MUSIC welcomes the world to London with a once-in-a-lifetime weekend of free music at landmarks along the River Thames the weekend before the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. A massive musical celebration, BT RIVER OF MUSIC will feature performances by musicians representing all the Olympic and Paralympic nations, from leading international musicians and major stars to home-grown talent from across the UK.

Musicians from the world’s major continents will be represented across six stages: Battersea Park (Asia stage); Jubilee Gardens (Africa stage); Trafalgar Square (Europe stage); Somerset House (Europe stage); Tower of London (Americas stage) and Greenwich Old Royal Naval College (Oceania stage).

Location: Tower of London Stage, River Thames, London

Dates: Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 July, 2012

Prices: Free ticketed event

WAH! WAH! GIRLS

A World Stages London Project

Presented by Sadler’s Wells, Theatre Royal Stratford East & Kneehigh in association with Hall for Cornwall

East London meets Bollywood in a sparkling new musical from Sadler’s Wells, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Kneehigh. Inspired by the world of the Mujra dancers, who for generations have entertained the rich and powerful with a spellbinding mix of dance and song, WAH! WAH! GIRLS tells a passionate and playful story of love against the odds. Set against the vibrant background of the East End in 2012, these unstoppable girls uncover deep secrets and create unexpected dreams.

Written by acclaimed playwright Tanika Gupta (Fragile Land, Sugar Mummies) and directed by multi award-winning director Emma Rice (The Red Shoes, Brief Encounter), this extraordinary team of talents also includes associate director Pravesh Kumar (Britain’s Got Bhangra) and set and costume designer Keith Khan.

Featuring stunning dance sequences choreographed by Bollywood master Javed Sanadi and leading Kathak choreographer Gauri Sharma Tripathi, set to a mix of classic Bollywood tracks and new music by composer Niraj Chag, Wah! Wah! Girls will draw audiences into the world of the modern British-Asian community.

Location: Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, London WC2
Dates: Thursday 24 May – Saturday 23 June, 2012

BUCHAREST CALLING!

Funded in partnership with the Romanian Cultural Institute.

Theatre Royal Stratford East are proud to announce their Artist-in-Residence for 2012

Ioana Păun, is a theatre director and performance artist based in Bucharest, member of the réaltympanica site-specific collective and Romanian based tangaProject theatre group.

She is currently working with réaltympanica on a video live streaming project, creating site specific reconstructions of different European realities in a foreign country. The project has a pilot phase in Pécs, Hungary, during Europe Mania Festival.

Ioana will work across all areas within Theatre Royal Stratford East and will create a new work to be presented in June 2012.

EN ROUTE

A London 2012 Festival Project

Presented by Theatre Royal Stratford East, created and produced by One Step at a Time Like This and Richard Jordan Productions. Funded by the Olympic Lottery Distributor and Create

‘A deliciously devised, surprise-laden piece of theatre-as-walking tour offers to reacquaint you with your environment.’ – Time Out, Chicago.

Theatre Royal Stratford East is proud to present en route, a love song to our city. With MP3 player and mobile phones, audiences take a journey, inward and outward, through the thoroughfares and back alleys of East London. The winner of the 2010 award for ‘Best Theatre Production’ at the Adelaide Fringe, en route combines local music and snatches of narrative, musings, sound, dialogue, philosophy with the wanderings, observations and experiences of each audience member, opening up a field for multiple ways of seeing the city, themselves, and others.

Created by Suzanne Kersten, Clair Korobacz, Paul Moir and Julian Rickert

Location: Around Stratford

Dates: Tuesday 26 June – Saturday 21 July 2012

YOU ME BUM BUM TRAIN

Co-commissioned by the Barbican, London with CREATE and Theatre Royal Stratford East

Supported by Arts Council England and Canary Wharf Group. Created by Kate Bond and Morgan Lloyd

In an exhilarating, participatory adventure, you are the sole audience member – a passenger who journeys through a maze of live scenes featuring over 200 performers. You will be catapulted into unimaginable situations before being returned to the outside world, breathless, invigorated and left wanting more. The intensity of the journey is enhanced as audience members ride solo throughout the performance, making for an unforgettable experience. Artists Kate Bond and Morgan Lloyd originally created YOU ME BUM BUM TRAIN in 2004 and the piece has been evolving ever since. Last year, they won the Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award, an annual prize that aims to encourage a new generation of creative artists working on bold, innovative and challenging projects.

Age restriction: 16+

Location: Canary Wharf, details to be announced
Dates: Friday 22 June – Monday 27 August 2012
Price: £20 (multi-buy and student discounts apply)

NIGERIA HOUSE

Nigeria House at the London 2012 Olympics

Theatre Royal Stratford East is delighted to be hosting NIGERIA HOUSE a cultural festival celebrating the best of Nigerian life and art, during the 2012 Olympics. Audiences will learn more about the culture of this West African nation amidst a backdrop of the world’s athletes competing for glory.

Location: Theatre Royal Stratford East
Dates: Friday 27 July – Sunday 12 August 2012

RE:DEFINITION

Presented by Theatre Royal Stratford East in association with Urban Development

RE:DEFINITION is a conceptual showcase designed to redefine urban music as we know it by uniting established acts and emerging talent from East London through collaboration. Blurring the boundaries between theatre, multimedia and live music. In 2010, as part of Create10, Urban Development presented RE:DEFINITION at Theatre Royal Stratford East, which brought together some of the biggest names in urban music.  In 2011, they teamed up with the Barbican and CREATE11 – a collective of musicians, emcees, vocalists, actors and dancers at Hackney Empire.

RE:DEFINITION tells the tale of an area that lies at the crossroads where old values meet new ideals. Involving artists and young people, this high quality finale celebrates urban culture in style.

Location: Theatre Royal Stratford East
Dates: Friday 5 & Saturday 6 October 2012

MARTINA COLE’S DANGEROUS LADY

Adapted by Patrick Prior

Pretty seventeen-year-old Maura is part of London’s underworld. Although at first she doesn’t approve of her brother’s escalating criminal ambitions, Maura soon finds herself drawn to the family business—and ready to make her mark.

“More cleavage, bitching, dodgy deals, queasy stomachs and fist-fights than a Friday night Romford cab rank, the Theatre Royal and Queen Martina have done it again.” – The Wharf on The Graft

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of Martina Cole’s first novel Dangerous Lady, Theatre Royal Stratford East presents a stage adaptation with all the drama of the novel. This will be our third Martina Cole stage adaptation: previous productions have been Two Women (2010) and The Graft (2011).

“I realised I was watching something rare and cherishable: the theatrical equivalent of a page-turner.” (4 stars) Evening Standard on Two Women

Location: Theatre Royal Stratford East
Dates: Friday 19 October – Sat 17 November 2012

GLASGOW GIRLS

World premiere presented by The National Theatre of Scotland, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Pachamama Productions, Richard Jordan Productions Ltd in association with Citizens Theatre and Merrigong Theatre Company (Australia). Conceived and directed by Cora Bissett.  With music by Cora Bissett, Patricia Panther and Rapper MCSoom.

Scotland 2005. Set in a high school in Glasgow where the community has learned to accept the new wave of asylum seekers in its midst for the past six years. Friendships build, bonds are formed. Life seems settled, until one family is ripped from their home in a Glasgow high rise flat, and driven away in the middle of the night to be deported.

Driven by a fierce sense of injustice, the girls fight together for the lives of their friend, for their families’ rights, for the rights of children. Despite the risks to their own safety, they take on the Scottish Government and English Home Office and as a team, succeed where adults and politicians often fail.

GLASGOW GIRLS tells the true story of one of the most vocal and powerful pro-asylum seeker campaigning groups in the country, appearing in two television documentaries and hosts of interviews. Glasgow Girls is a brand new life-affirming Scottish musical with seven strong female leads and a vibrant multi-cultural voice at its heart. The musical promises to be a celebration of Glasgow and the power of teenagers with a cause.

GLASGOW GIRLS will feature all original songs from the diverse talents of Scots-Asian Rapper MCSoom, electronic dance programmer Patricia Panther and alt-folk from Cora Bissett.

Location: Citizens Theatre, Glasgow

Dates: Wednesday 31 October  –  Saturday 17 November 2012, press night: Friday 2 November, 2012

Glasgow Girls will be presented at Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2013.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Presented by Theatre Royal Stratford East

Join Jack, his mother and everyone’s favourite cow this holiday season for one of the best-loved pantos: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK.  Directed by Theatre Royal Stratford East Associate Director Dawn Reid, our 2012 panto features all the laughs and sing-along tunes you expect from Theatre Royal Stratford East at Christmastime. Grab a handful of magic beans and venture into a sky-high world of magic, wonder and angry giants!

Location: Theatre Royal Stratford East

Dates: Saturday 1 December – Saturday 19 January 2013

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The Writers’ Rave: Truth About Youth

December 14th, 2011

Guest Post: Antonia Odunlami, 27/12/11

I had the pleasure of going to watch The Writers’ Rave: Truth About Youth at Ovalhouse on 16 December in which two ex-Youth Rheatre members, Taguma Mpofu and Russeni Fisher, were performing their own poetry material.

Taguma Mpofu
I heard about The Writers’ Rave by an email which I received from Karlos and Jan, and basically I sent in my work and got a phone call requesting that the theatre would love for me to perform my poetry. Then I was absolutely thrilled that they wanted me to perform.

I was very nervous and apprehensive about how the audience would take my work because my poetry which I have been creating is kind of rebellious in a way.

It’s funny because sometimes I looked to the audience whilst performing and forgot some of my lyrics so I had to improvise. Practice makes perfect and it’s not just about the poem it’s how you deliver your material, are you very passionate about what your saying, what type of place does your material take you as a writer? People were saying to me “you should be proud” and I was. I feel like I want to perform at more events like The Writers’ Rave to showcase my talent because I am talented.

Also, I am a poet and I am very willing to jump on any projects which are going on also I would love to jump on a track with a musician and put my work on a track – that would be brilliant!

I will be taking part in Poet’s Platform for the second time. I’m very excited about this! So please keep in your diaries February 17 and 18: come and support young people doing something constructive with their time. I promise you all you won’t be disappointed with our showcase of talent.

Russeni Fisher
I got an email from Karlos Coleman. I wrote them the poem ‘Big Bro!’ and sent it to Shereen. She contacted me to say she liked it, and would like for me to perform.

The audience seem to be shocked and surprised by the story the poems told, which is what I wanted it to do. The more confident you are with what you are performing the more powerful your message is. It was really nice to show people my own work.

I used to improve drama spoken word, but then didn’t do anything with it. So when I got the email from Karlos, I thought it was about time I do something with the talent.

I will definitely be taking part in the second edition of Poet’s Platform at Theatre Royal Stratford East; it should be fun to see what other youth are doing out there.

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Cinderella money magic!

December 1st, 2011

This Christmas we’re asking for a gift that will cost you nothing. From February some pre-Euro currencies become obsolete and will be worth nothing. But until then we can exchange them into pounds and make good use of them here at Theatre Royal Stratford East.

If you have French franks, Greek drachmas, Finnish marks, Spanish pesetas and Italian liras left over from past summer holidays hiding at the bottom of old drawers, please bring them with you when you come to see Cinderella or visit the theatre before 20 January.

Your spare change can help us continue our artistic and community work.

Thomasexchange UK Limited, a specialist money exchange company, has agreed that we can exchange the old coins and notes you donate at a preferential rate, making your donation even more valuable to the theatre. Just bring your unwanted currencies to the Theatre when you come to Panto and pop them in one of the collection boxes in the foyer or Bar.

And of course we will be grateful for donations of any other currencies that you have no need of. Don’t forget to ask your friends and family if they have  any – you might be surprised how much everyone’s old notes and coins can add up to!

If you have any questions please contact Elena Kuryleva on 020 8279 1124 or email ekuryleva [@] stratfordeast.com

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For our American friends..

December 1st, 2011

Do you want to support Theatre Royal Stratford East from across the pond, but aren’t sure how?  Theatre Royal Stratford East is now supported by American Fund for Charities, a US 501©(3) non-profit organisation EIN 52-2109597.  Donations to the American Fund for Charities from US taxpayers are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by US law.  Theatre Royal Stratford East has been reviewed by the American Fund for Charities and the board of the American Fund has determined that Theatre Royal Stratford East is a suitable charity to receive grants from a US public charity.

Kerry Michael said, ‘I am pleased to announce that we have been evaluated as a suitable charity to receive support from American donors.  We would love to have you on board for what will be Stratford’s most exciting year yet: 2012.’

So if you are a US taxpayer and want to support Theatre Royal Stratford East, please print the donation form and send it with your check or credit card details to American Fund for Charities, 1000 N. West St. Suite 1200, Wilmington, DE 19801. USA  You will be issued with the receipt you require for income tax purposes.

Alternatively you can make a safe online donation at www.americanfund.info.

You can find more information on supporting us here.  Thanks for your help!

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Best of Newham kicks off

November 24th, 2011

The first Best of Newham event took place in the theatre’s bar on Tuesday 22nd November at 7.30pm and showcased the outstanding local talent in the Borough. From a wide range of applications from comedians, poets, singers and musicians, we were able to shortlist two great acts to perform in front of the bar audience.

D-Ashley and Dylema of 4 ward Music

D-Ashley and Dylema of 4 ward Music. Photo credit Barnabas Wilhelm.

The two acts featured were, musical duo 4Word Music, comprising 20 year old Dylema from Manor Park who went to St Angelas school in Forest Gate. As well as being a talented singer she is also a Law student; she performed alongside D-Ashley who trained at Kenneth Moore Theatre School. The duo performed a remix of a Wretch 32 song with Oasis’ Wonderwall and also their original material and spoken word.

The second act, 22 year old Rachael Hannah McCaul lives in Stratford and performed original material and covers such as Jessie J’s ‘Do It Like a Dude’.

Best of Newham occurs every Tuesday night in the Bar at Stratford East. Click here to check out what else is on in the Bar this month.

If you’re interested in performing please send an example of your work to bestofnewham [@] stratfodreast.com or post to: Best of Newham, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Stratford, London, E15 1BN.

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State of the Nation invited to perform at Parliament

November 22nd, 2011

Earlier this year State of the Nation was approached by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and People’s Palace Projects  with an exciting opportunity to take their unique theatre style to the Houses of Parliament on 1st December 2011 for Worlds Aid Day.

State of the Nation Cast rehearsing

State of the Nation Cast rehearsing Stigma

As a result they have created Stigma which is an insight into people’s experiences of HIV and AIDS in 2011 using real voices & accounts.  Armed with MP3 Players, the crew have met a range of people and have recorded their experiences and accounts of HIV and AIDS. Stigma weaves the accounts into a performance alongside a debate structure; the strands are not separate activities. This model is called ‘Inter-Actor’ theatre.

State of the Nation crew are a group of local young people that are invested in contemporary stories and using them to stimulate debate with their peers and community. This is their fifth exciting production and they hope that this one will be as well responded too as the others. Members of the public are welcome to attend the free Dress Rehearsal here at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East on Monday 28th November 2011 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available by contacting srobins [at] stratfordeast.com or ringing 020 8279 1104.

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Looking for the Best of Newham

November 18th, 2011

From Tuesday 22nd November the Stratford East bar will host ‘Best of Newham,’ a weekly showcase of local talent.

The theatre is celebrating the diverse talents of Newham, where many multi talented acts have lived and worked for many years. The venue is inviting comedians, poets, singers and musicians to send examples of their work and if shortlisted they will be invited to audition in front of an Artistic team. Theatre Royal Stratford East aims to find the talents of East London, give them an opportunity to perform in front of an audience and be paid for taking part.

With this new initiative there are no losers – acts that are not successful at the audition can take part in monthly surgeries where they will be mentored by the Artistic team. ‘Best of Newham’ is committed to seeking and nurturing an array of new performers who live in the Borough.

To take part in ‘Best of Newham’ please send an example of your work to bestofnewham [at] stratfodreast.com or post to: Best of Newham, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Stratford, London, E15 1BN

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Poet’s Platform

November 16th, 2011

In September 2011 we recruited 12 budding spoken word artists aged from 14 to 21 to take part

Image of participants in the Poet's Platform

Participants in the Poet's Platform

in Poet’s Platform. Over three weeks they were mentored by award-winning performance poet, playwright and former World Slam Poetry Champion Kat Francois.  This new company accepted the challenge to create and perform brand new material in the transformed Theatre Royal Stratford East’s Philip Hedley Rehearsal for a one-off performance.

On 28th October these new poets performed to an audience of 31. The performances were funny, poignant and at times brought the audience to tears. The audience feedback was very positive, with comments that included: “The poetry was captivating the range of styles performed in the show was surprising.  The piece on a whole was powerful.”

Mentor Kat Francois was impressed by the standards that the young people reached: “They were a lovely group who went above and beyond what I expected of them.”

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Exciting Opportunities for local talent at Theatre Royal Stratford East

October 31st, 2011
Image of Byron Gold

Stratford East Singers vocal coach Byron Gold

This Autumn Theatre Royal Stratford East launches a new vocal collective – ‘Stratford East Singers’  led by singer and vocal coach Byron Gold, who recently opened a show for American artist Keith Sweat and had his own concert at O2 Indigo.

The group will have two rehearsal sessions which will focus on different musical styles; middle of the road classics, RNB and Hip Hop and show tunes.

The theatre is embarking on this project in response to an interest from locals who want to be part of a singing group. The three strands of music will ensure there is something for every musical taste.

‘Stratford East Singers’ is open to all, regardless of ability, age or experience. The theatre proactively encourages a mix of capabilities, so enthusiasm and aptitude is more important than strong singers and performers. Everyone is encouraged to have a go, whatever their level of skills and talent. The sessions require commitment as they will contribute to live performances.

Rehearsals will take place on Monday and Wednesday evening’s starting in November and people are welcome to join at any time throughout the year. ‘Stratford East Singers’ is an on-going project which will give hard working, committed singers a platform to perform at a variety of exciting, high profile events in 2012.

Kerry Michael, Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East says ‘Stratford East Singers and Best of Newham are the latest example of the building celebrating the talent of East London. I can’t wait to see the fantastic energy which these projects will bring to the building.’’

Performers are encouraged to take part as these two events are examples of Theatre Royal Stratford East’s commitment to engaging and responding to the needs of its local community by nurturing and celebrating their talent.

If you would like to part or want to find out more about ‘Stratford East Singers’ please contact Shawab Iqbal on 020 8279 1157 or email siqbal [at] stratfordeast.com

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