Kinks star has no room for Zoom!
Agroup of West End actors are working on a new show that won’t be streamed on Zoom but will be performed live in a theatre — once they have reopened.
The company of nine have signed up for a one- off special concert during which they will each perform one number they have written during lockdown, plus another that they’re associated with.
John Dagleish, who won awards for his brilliant performance as The Kinks frontman ray Davies in Sunny Afternoon, will perform his own new song — plus something by the band.
The project’s called Newfound Hope Songs and it has been assured of a theatre in a central location on a Sunday night once the West End has reopened; whether that be later this year or early in 2021.
It’s clear that theatre will be one of the last industries allowed out of lockdown. Industry leaders such as Sonia Friedman, Vicky Featherstone, Nica Burns, Howard panter and rob Hastie have sounded the rallying cry for government to help save the theatre arts. Ministers had better hurry up, though, because no one wants to witness further damage to culture in the country that gave us Shakespeare.
producer Adam Blanshay has assembled an initial troupe of nine performers. In addition to
Dagleish, they include Shan Ako, Kerry Ellis, David Hunter, Cassidy Janson, rachel John, Lucie Jones and Jodie Steele.
‘They’ve each written music and lyrics to one song,’ says Blanshay. It will not be an entirely Zoom-free zone, though, since a little footage of the actors on the video conferencing site during lockdown would be shown in Newfound Hope Songs. ‘But the rest of it will be live, from a stage,’ he insists.
Funds raised from the onenight-only concert will go to the NHS Charities Together, and to the actors. Blanshay said the split would be ‘50-50’.
Musical director Matthew Brind will be working with the actors to ensure that there’s an eclectic arrangement of songs.
I do know the name of the famous theatre, which usually houses musicals, where the show will take place. But I have been asked not to mention it here until a definitive date has been set.
Sign up at the NHSongs section at adamblanshay.com.