Hello to the blogosphere!

Hello to the blogosphere! 

Em here, Artistic Director, in my first blog since taking up the post at Helmsley Arts Centre six months ago. Better late than never!

Very exciting developments to tell you about as our summer programme is under way and there's lots happening. 

The main news this week is that we've just signed a contract with the National Theatre to stream some of their productions ABSOLUTELY LIVE in our cinema. We are one of only 160 venues in the UK to be doing this, and we're hoping both our theatre and cinema audiences will love this new addition to the programme. I went down to the National last week to hear how it works, and was really impressed. They dont just film one of their performances from the back of the theatre; they build a platform over some of the front seats, they rig cameras, cranes and anything they need to get the best filmed version, they do separate rehearsals to ensure the filming goes well - and then fill the theatre with a live audience as well. So it really is as if you, in our cinema, are sitting on the very front row of the Olivier, the Lyttelton or the Cottesloe Theatre, and watching it all as it happens.

Nicholas Hytner, AD of the National, told us about the shows we'll be getting. The first one is Thursday 6th September; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime based on the book by Mark Haddon, filmed in the round, in the intimacy of the Cottesloe Theatre. Then on October 11th Julie Walters stars in bittersweet comedy Last of the Haussmans, which is getting rave reviews already. November 1st it's Shakespeare's Timon of Athens starring Simon Russell Beale, described by the Independent as "the greatest stage actor of his generation". This rarely-staged play depicts a society in the throes of post-credit crunch upheavals, and will be set in the present, so a topical production indeed. And on Jan 17th we'll be showing The Count of Monte Cristo, a big swashbuckling family spectacle in true National Theatre style. So - something for everyone. Get your tickets early!

Keep in touch. Tell us what you want to see at your arts centre, and thank you for your support.

More soon....Em