28 Jun 2024
Big announcement incoming!
That's it. It's official. Summer is here. And finally our brand colours start to make sense!
Firstly, welcome to our brand-new subscribers who have come on board this week since we 'soft-launched' on socials (is that what the kids call it?). Glad to have you with us for this month's newsletter, which includes big news. Huge news! The most wonderful news.
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After nearly a year of supporting, championing and connecting local theatre folk via our website, we at Hastings Theatre Project are announcing our first show: DFL (yes, that is indeed the name of the play!), written by Nadine Passley.
Over the course of the next twelve months, Hastings will host a theatrical event like none seen before. Throughout the year, we will present six episodes set during key moments in the town’s calendar in locations across the borough. A girl-meets-boy romcom interrogating contemporary themes, think One Day-on-Sea, Notting Hill on the West Hill.
The first episode will be performed three times in Bottle Alley on Saturday 20th July, and is set during the Pirate Weekend festivities.
Whilst enjoying a break from work, local lad Noah is suddenly surprised when his ex, Lydia, turns up in full pirate gear, with the news that she’s moved down from London. What can possibly go wrong?
The show will be directed by HTP's Co-Artistic Directors Dan Hutton and Poppy Rowley, and supported by public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The show will be presented on a ‘Pay What You Decide’ basis, meaning you can choose from different price points which suit you to watch an exciting piece of new theatre.
Book tickets at: www.hastingstheatreproject.org/event-list
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Want to get involved? We're on the lookout for an Actor & Stage Manager to join the team. Click here for more info, and share if you know anyone who might be interested!
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But that's not all! Continue reading to hear about other shows happening around town this month...
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At Stade Hall, you can catch a work-in-progress performance of Playwell Productions RNLI musical, With Courage. We've heard some of the music this week and it sounds bangin. Tonight and tomorrow (Friday 28th June and Saturday 29th June).
Then, in a few weeks, there's the much-anticipated Hastings debut of acclaimed touring theatre company The Pantaloons with their production of The Importance of Being Earnest on Friday 12th June at 7.30pm. Bring your handbags.
Then, for the little ones and their grown-ups, there's Bigfoot Arts Education's The Story Tree on Thursday 11th July at 11.30am and Will Tell and the Big Bad Baron by Theatre Fideri Fidera on Sunday 27th July at 3pm.
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We're also pumped about Fetch Theatre's America Ground The Musical at the newly-scaffoldless Observer Building this weekend. It's described as "A musical journey through riots, drinking and mayhem and sea shanties", which are all Good Things in our eyes. It's sold out, but there are waiting lists if you're keen.
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The Stables is also getting in on the musicals act this month, with Renaissance Theatre Company's production of Betty Blue Eyes from 14th-20th July. We have yet to receive confirmation whether or not the show will feature a real pig, but we live in hope.
And sticking with the America theme is The Miss Firecracker Contest, a "Southern gothic comedy" set in Mississippi. That also kicks off tonight, so if you want to see theatre in Hastings this weekend you have plenty of choice!
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What exciting times we live in, eh?
Go on, see some live theatre. You know you want to.