Like many people across the world, we've been at home, looking for ways to connect with others, with culture and to keep active. We'd like to share a few things we've come across that have helped us find a bit of normality in this situation.
Selected by Theatre and Dance
Javaad Alipoor's The Believers Are But Brothers. Image: The Other Richard
Lockdown challenges from Touretteshero
Before co-founding Touretteshero, Jess Thom was an inclusive playworker. Jess shares her tips and creative lockdown challenge for parents, carers and children stuck at home.
— Neil Webb, Director, Theatre and Dance
Fusebox Written & Spoken
This is one of my favourite festivals in Austin, Texas. Their Written & Spoken online platform brings together international perspectives on contemporary performance. The collection of writing, films and interviews are always interesting as the artists come from a variety of artistic, geographical and cultural backgrounds.
— Steven Brett, Theatre and Dance Programme Manager
Follow Austyn Farrell
Austyn Farrell is a London based professional dancer, he does parodies of musicals and other fun videos and he’s getting me through... Definitely check out his Cats rendition.
— Sarah Moir, Theatre and Dance Coordinator
Ballet classes with English National Ballet
It’s been quite a few years since I last did a ballet class, but I was reliving vicariously on Saturday with the English National Ballet Company's class taught by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo.
— Neil Webb, Director, Theatre and Dance
Total Theatre Archive
For anyone interested in charting the development of physical & visual theatre practice in the UK since the late 1980s — understanding how political and societal issues of the day has always underpinned the work, the Total Theatre Archive is a great resource. It illustrates how the careers of some of the artists/companies featured have evolved over the years. Sean Foley, the shorter-haired half of The Right Size, featured on this cover from 1997 is now Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep for example.
— Andrew Jones, Theatre and Dance Senior Programme Manager
Tribes by Nina Raine (playtext)
I first read this play at university and it was what inspired me to first start learning British Sign Language. The play explores Billy's unconventional family, private language jokes and rules. Arguments are an expression of love. But Billy, who is deaf, is one of the few who actually listens. After meeting a girl called Sylvia, he wants to be heard; can he get a word in edgeways?
— Tom Curteis, Theatre and Dance Touring Coordinator
European Theatre online
European theatres have been mining their archives and making them available online. Natasha Tripney rounds up the best European theatre available to watch from your home.
— Neil Webb, Director, Theatre and Dance
Social distancing festival
This is a great initiative that showcases contemporary art from across the world online — from live art, dance, music to visual art there's lots to explore. They're taking submissions too.
— Carole McFadden, Theatre and Dance Programme Manager
Vanishing Points edited by Salome Wagaine
Vanishing points is an anthology of cultural criticism focusing on live art performance in the UK. The book features contributions from Ava Wong Davies, Zarina Muhammad, Ben Kulvichit, Season Butler, Jack Tan, Salome Wagaine, Marjorie H Morgan, Rajni Shah, Selina Thompson and Dr Cecilia Wee. It's now available as a PDF on a pay what you can basis. Any funds donated will go towards artists and arts workers of colour working in Live Art.
— James Tyson, Theatre and Dance Programme Manager
Family dance workshops
Dance workshops for 2-6 year olds could be a good way to pass the time if you're stuck at home with little ones. Part of Sadler's Wells' Digital Stage programme.
— Harriet Guest, Theatre and Dance Marketing Manager
