Here’s a quick round-up of the latest news in bite size form!

BARBICAN AND TRAFALGAR COLLABORATION

The Barbican Centre and Trafalgar Entertainment have announced a new theatrical partnership covering the period 2024 – 2026. Together they will present first class, large-scale productions in the 1,200 seat Barbican Theatre over the next three summers, featuring major international talent. The new venture follows the success of Trafalgar’s smash hit musical Anything Goes (2021 and 2022, national television broadcast on BBC Two and global cinema screenings) and its UK premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway sensation A Strange Loop (2023) – both receiving excellent reviews.

Beyond the three summer seasons, the Barbican and Trafalgar Entertainment will also collaborate to commission and develop further live theatre events. These could be staged at the Barbican Centre, at other partner venues across the UK, or abroad, and with plans for international cinema broadcasts of these productions, through Trafalgar’s Live Broadcast company (Trafalgar Releasing). The longer-term collaboration will expand Trafalgar Entertainment’s and the Barbican’s ability to commission, develop and stage new shows.

Continuing with the Barbican Centre’s work to broaden access to the performing arts, the arrangement will also introduce a new work placement scheme to support the development of skills, experience and networking in backstage and technical roles. Potential placements include joining the team in TE’s production office or one of their venues to learn about commercial producing, while opportunities at the Barbican include shadowing key roles involved in the development projects and summer season productions.

Howard Panter said: “This innovative new three year partnership will allow for longer term planning of the premium productions we plan to bring to the Barbican’s stage and beyond, working with the best international creative talent, together with TE’s relationships with some of the world’s leading theatre institutions including the Lincoln Center Theater in New York and the National Theatre in the UK. TE also continues to expand its producing and theatre operations in Australia and into Asia and TE/Barbican productions will also be aimed at these exciting markets. After three very successful summer seasons since 2021, we are delighted to be continuing and developing our strong relationship with the Barbican through this new holistic partnership.”

THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS

A Strange Loop has received three nominations for The Stage Debut Awards 2023, the only awards dedicated to recognising breakthrough theatre talent.

The show’s writer, Michael R. Jackson, is nominated for TWO awards: Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer, and Best Creative West End Debut, which is sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment.

Kyle Ramar Freeman who made his West End debut this summer, reprising the lead role of Usher that he played on Broadway, is nominated for Best West End Debut Performer.

• 

• 

The Stage Debut Awards celebrate emerging actors and creatives, from all backgrounds. This year’s ceremony takes place on October 1 in London, when the winners will be announced.