16 MARCH 2020 THEATRES CLOSE

Reeling from the shock of hearing the news that a dangerous virus was spreading our way, Boris Johnson advised "don't go to theatre" and with immediate effect the theatres started going dark around the country. 

BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE ANNOUNCE THIRD ROUND OF THEIR EMERGING COMPANY AWARD

This year Bread & Roses Emerging Company Award 2021 will offer an emerging BAME/BIPoC*-led theatre company a one-week funded research and development period in March 2021, with the additional possibility of a professional production run at the theatre at a later point. The Award is supported by funding from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The Award which was launched in 2015 and run for a second time in 2017 offers new theatre companies development opportunities. These have included rehearsal space, R & D, marketing support, and a performance space with 90% box-office-takings for up to one-week-runs. 

20 JANUARY FINBOROUGH LAUNCHES DIGITAL ARTS FESTIVAL WITH POPLAR UNION

Poplarism! is a unique collaboration between two venues in London – the recently opened arts and community space, Poplar Union, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and Finborough Theatre in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The two venues are joining together in a spirit of cross-London partnership and reconciliation to celebrate the centenary of the Poplar Rates Rebellion of 1921.

TWO FILM FESTIVALS RETURN TO THE HEN AND CHICKENS THEATRE IN 2021: PROCEEDS WILL HELP THE THEATRE TO SURVIVE

Unrestricted View Indie Film Festival and Horror Film Festivals are returning in 2021 and will help The Hen and Chickens Theatre to survive. The Indie Film Festival is back for its sixth year and

Live screenings are planned for The Hen & Chickens Theatre, Everyman Screen on the Green and VUE Islington. They also plan to have online screenings. The Indie Film Festival is back for its sixth year and runs from 26 April to 2 May.

 The Horror Film Festival takes place 25 – 31 October 2021

1 FEBRUARY WINNERS OF BREAD AND ROSES EMERGING COMPANY AWARD ANNOUNCED

VELVET SMOKE PRODUCTIONS and LEADING LIGHT COLLECTIVE Award winners receive a one-week funded research and development period in March 2021, with the additional possibility of a professional production run at the theatre at a later point. The Award is supported by funding from the Culture Recovery Fund.

4 FEBRUARY THEATRE503 ANNOUNCE THAT 503FIVE WRITERS RESIDENCY IS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

21 FEBRUARY OFF WEST END AWARDS TAKE PLACE ON ZOOM

Three pub theatre venues are amongst the winners at Off West End Awards 2021.

Images: (left) Scrounger by Athena Stevens at Finborough Theatre Actors: Athena Stevens with supporting performance by Leigh Quinn (right) Breathe by Neil Bebber, premiered at Bread and Roses Theatre starring Jordan Bernarde & directed by Natalie Denton (Below) Tryst by Karoline Leach at Chiswick Playhouse, Directed by Phoebe Barran

22 FEBRUARY 2021 GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES ROADMAP FOR A RECOVERY FROM LOCKDOWN

Theatre should be able to reopen with half capacity audiences 21 May

Theatres (and all hospitalities with all restrictions lifted) should be able to open at full capacity 21 June

3 MARCH KING'S HEAD THEATRES ANNOUNCES TWO FESTIVALS WILL RETURN IN 2021

King's Head Festival Playmill and The Queer Season are set to go ahead 12 - 25 July 2021 and  28 July - 22 August 2021, respectively.  Applications to take part are invited.

16 MARCH 2021 ONE YEAR ON FROM THE FIRST CLOSURE OF THEATRES

• Exactly one year since King's Head Theatre Online began they have had 100 sessions & over 78,000 views and their online community and archive keeps on growing.

• King's Head Theatre launches PLAYS ON FILM new streaming service

Images: Three plays open the first season of KHTV, Unleash the Llama's Jew...ish,  Flight and Hope's  Vespertilio and Minerva Productions' Sacrament