ARTS DIARY
New appointment at Theatre Royal:
The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond, North Yorkshire, Britain’s oldest working theatre in its original form, has appointed Jo Mawhinney as its new CEO and theatre manager. She took up her post, taking over from Clare Allen, this week. Mawhinney is no stranger to the theatre, having worked at the historic venue for almost 14 years. She was initially appointed as PA to the theatre manager in 2010 and two years later was promoted to the role of office manager, overseeing the Georgian’s 100-plus volunteer workforce, managing its youth theatre and organising weddings and events. She also has long-standing experience at the theatre as a producer and director.
Memorial Gestures:
Holocaust Centre North, based at the University of Huddersfield, has announced the four new artists commissioned to participate in the second year of its ground-breaking Memorial Gestures artistic residency, funded by the Ernest Hecht Charitable Trust. Launched by the Centre in 2022, this initiative gives leading and emerging artists the opportunity to create new artwork inspired by its archives and in response to its themes and collections. Over the next nine months, Maud Haya-Baviera, Irina Razumovskaya, Ariane Schick and Matt Smith – who work in a variety of media including ceramics, video, installations, writing and sound – will take up residency. Holocaust Centre North tells the global story of the Holocaust through local stories and materials from survivors who settled in the north of England.
Supporting grassroots venues:
Pop-punk group As December Falls have announced tour dates for January and February. The band will be playing six shows in support of UK grassroots venues. Irish emo duo Greywind and Leeds-based alternative quartet Artio will join the band as support. “We have always been an independent band, doing things our own way and having a blast doing it,” says singer Bethany Hunter. “We cut our teeth in grassroots venues playing to virtually no one and learning how to be a band. So, we are excited to be playing this run of only independent venues.” They play the Key Club in Leeds on February 2.