"Theatre has been viable for thousands of years. Yesterday’s announcement from the Chancellor that our industry is not viable represents an almighty blow and is, frankly, a huge insult to the theatre industry."
#SoniaFriedman
's full statement:
Proud to announce the world premiere of Ivo van Hove’s highly anticipated stage production of
@AllAboutEvePlay
. Starring
@GillianA
and Lily James. Tickets go on sale on Friday 28th September but sign up for priority access here:
#SamMendes
launches the Theatre Artists Fund, supported by
@NetflixUK
. It's been set up to provide emergency support for theatre workers & freelancers across the UK. It is for theatre professionals who are in need of urgent & critical financial support.
Sonia Friedman: 'Our stages will hold the stories that help us collectively process what this country has been through. Theatres will play a huge part in helping our society – our nation – to heal... It is time to act.'
Uncle Vanya. Tonight.
@BBCFOUR
, 10pm.
'Here is an extraordinary, transfiguring leap from stage to screen.' (The Observer)
'A masterpiece of love, sadness and a very timely air of ennui... A must-see.' (The Telegraph)
'This is a Vanya for our times.' (Evening Standard)
It's such a privilege that, alongside
#AngelicaFilms
, we can bring
@unclevanyaplay
to a wider audience after its run was cut so brutally short. Sign up to hear when the specially commissioned film of the original production will be released on screen:
'If nothing is done, thousands of world-leading creative businesses are set to close their doors, hundreds of thousands of jobs will be lost and billions will be lost to our economy. The repercussions would have a devastating and irreversible effect on our country.'
"London going into Tier Three is yet another blow for British theatre – one it simply cannot afford after a brutal year, and one that both could and should have been avoided."
Full statement from Sonia Friedman:
We encourage you all to sign and share this petition to demonstrate the significance of the arts across Britain and to urge the government to help support the survival of our world-leading theatre and arts industry:
@JKCorden
@stephenfry
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 “Here is an extraordinary, transfiguring leap from stage to screen... It is a new thing. The film crackles with fresh intensity – and gains new shadows from the timing of its release." Uncle Vanya is in cinemas this October.
It is time to act. 'With British theatre on the verge of collapse, we call on the government urgently to issue guidance on reopening dates, publish clear guidance from health advisers, and commit to investment.'
For all of our American audiences, we are delighted to finally bring
#UncleVanyaPBS
to your TV screens tonight via
@GPerfPBS
. We hope you enjoy the experience of this 'extraordinary, transfiguring leap from stage to screen' (Observer).
Just announced:
#SoniaFriedman
is included in the 2018
#TIME100
list, celebrating the most influential people in the world. Sonia’s inspirational leadership, talent and dedication constantly inspires our company and everyone we work with:
'Theatre is a national success story, vital to Britain’s economic prosperity,' they write. 'It attracted 34 million visitors last year, employs 300,000 people, promotes tourism & generates huge tax revenues, including VAT of £130 million in London alone.'
We're delighted that
@unclevanyaplay
's 2020 film has been nominated in the Theatre category of this year's South Bank Sky Arts Awards.
@skytv
Back in selected cinemas from 27th June.
As you will have no doubt seen, in the last 72 hours, I have had to suspend all of our productions across the globe. This has been a heart-breaking but necessary action to ensure our world, and those who are most vulnerable, remain as healthy as possible. (1/2)
I am completely and utterly floored by the news about Helen McCrory. She was one of the greatest actors we will ever see, a total one-off, utterly radiant on and offstage, the most generous and funniest person ever and I am honoured to have known her throughout her career. (1/2)
You have only four days left to watch this dramatic and darkly humorous adaptation of Uncle Vanya on BBC iPlayer.
This specially commissioned version of the stage production was produced during lockdown, and filmed without an audience.
Watch here:
"The new adaptation by Conor McPherson “has something solid and Irish about it. It’s like granite, really no-nonsense.” It’s also because of the kind of director Rickson is."
@RCArmitage
discusses the upcoming
@unclevanyaplay
:
Sonia Friedman Productions is delighted to announce the return of Ian Rickson’s production of Jez Butterworth’s
@JerusalemPlay
to London’s West End for a strictly limited 16-week engagement.
Reprising their roles will be Mark Rylance & Mackenzie Crook.
#JerusalemThePlay
RIP Darius Campbell. All involved in the London and UK Tour productions of Funny Girl were fortunate to have known and worked with him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
RIP Stephen Sondheim Utterly heartbroken. Tonight we have lost the world's greatest composer, lyricist, thinker. The greatest of men.
His music and legacy will live on forever.
#SF
Following this shocking and unprecedented period of uncertainty, we will need the relief, escapism, stories and community that only live theatre offers, and I am determined that SFP will return stronger than ever, ready to welcome back our audiences.
#SeeYouSoon
#sf
(2/2).
Bringing voices of the public together,
@Public_Campaign
#ForTheArts
amplifies why the arts industry matters to our nation and the major impact it has on the lives of those within our community. This is why we need it to survive.
Delighted that audiences will have another chance to experience this 'great work of art' (
@WillGompertzBBC
) over the festive period.
#UncleVanya
's broadcast date coming soon.
Another year at Hogwarts draws to a close today as our magnificent Year Two Company bid farewell to
@HPPlayLDN
and the Palace Theatre. Thank you for being part of the magical
#CursedChild
world.
'The prince, who is patron of dozens of arts institutions, noted they were of "enormous importance" to the economy.'
"It's absolutely crucial that they can come back twice as enthusiastic as before."
@ClarenceHouse
We’re incredibly proud that Sonia Friedman and all the team at SFP have been awarded
@TheStage
's ‘Producer of the Year’ for a record-breaking fourth time.
We are delighted to have received 15 Olivier Award nominations across three of our co-productions:
@AllAboutEvePlay
,
@inheritanceplay
,
@summersmokeplay
. Congratulations and a huge thank you to everyone involved with all our brilliant West End productions.
‘Nothing is forever in the Theatre...’
How we wish that wasn’t always the case.
Tonight is the final performance of the record-breaking, box-office smash
@AllAboutEvePlay
. We’re so proud of this dedicated, passionate, supportive and immensely talented company.
"I’m deeply relieved and immensely grateful that the Government has heard the urgent warnings from across the cultural sector… It is only the first step towards cultural recovery, but it is an essential one.” (1/3)
Full article:
Teddy, Sonia’s beloved little Bichon, the real boss of SFP, her best friend and constant companion and beloved by all who were lucky enough to know her, passed away this afternoon.
Teddy Friedman 2006-2019
On
#16March
2020, our world stopped.
Today, one year on, we honour the incredible companies of just some of our productions impacted by the devastating shutdown, those that were running, in pre-production or announced during the past 12 months, as we find hope in every story.
Bill Kenwright was a force of nature. One of the theatre industry’s biggest and most passionate personalities - almost an institution. He was a friend and supporter, an ever-witty ally, always full of banter and pearls of wisdom, who would lift my spirits whenever we spoke.
We haven’t stopped thinking about you all since the day we had to close the theatre doors, but today we share an extra special thought for the
@UncleVanyaPlay
company, who were due to have their final performance
@HPinterTheatre
. (1/2)
'A reassuring flicker of light within darkness... What is still missing of course is any investment package to be able to actually do it and, without that, we can be in no doubt that the entire theatre ecology is on the verge of absolute & total collapse.'
"Arts and entertainment contributes £2.8bn a year to the Treasury via taxation, providing 363,700 jobs. That makes it larger than agriculture and some manufacturing."
‘Tell your story bravely. It is a story worth telling. Take care of yourselves. Take care of each other.’ I am so proud of
@inheritanceplay
’s journey from London to Broadway and am devastated that this astonishing production’s final performances have had to end early. (1/2)
#sf
One year ago today was the first preview of
@UncleVanyaPlay
at the Harold Pinter Theatre. At the time, we had no idea of the epic journey this production was about to take. For now, audiences are able to view
#UncleVanya
's film hybrid on
@BBCiPlayer
:
Equally delighted that
#AndrewScott
has been awarded Best Shakespearean Performance for his beautiful and shattering performance in
@HamletWestEnd
. Thank you for leading this thrilling company so spectacularly
#CriticsCircleAwards
Something new is emerging...
The RE:EMERGE Season is coming to the Harold Pinter Theatre from May 2021, bringing audiences bold, new plays for a new world.
Sign up today to hear more about the plays, dates and first access to tickets:
#ReEmergeSFP
I am one proud, baby sister reliving
@MariaFriedman1
's completely perfect performance as the Narrator in
@OfficialALW
's classic Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The production is available to stream for the next 48 hours:
#TheShowsMustGoOn
We are deeply saddened to learn that our dear Janine Shalom has passed away. She was a loyal, devoted, deeply committed colleague and also a wonderful friend. Janine was the press rep for the very first show I ever produced at the National. 1/3
In shock and deeply saddened to hear about Paul Ritter - one of our greatest, funniest and most versatile actors - a quiet genius and a perfect company member. He will be hugely missed.
At every performance, the company of
@inheritanceplay
took audiences on a truly extraordinary journey - making them feel every moment of hilarity, heartbreak & hopefulness. Tonight's 4 wins at the
#OlivierAwards
- including Best Play - are testament to the talent of all involved.
Thank you to every single person involved in bringing this astounding production to the West End and thank you to our audiences and fans who have been amazing from the very beginning.
#AllAboutEve
We cannot wait to share
#UncleVanya
with wider audiences this autumn. Shot on location
@HPinterTheatre
, this is set to be an extraordinary hybrid of film and theatre. Tickets are on sale via cinemas now:
It's a joy to be back at the
@HPinterTheatre
for our first new production of 2020, marking SFP’s 11th collaboration with director
#IanRickson
. Conor McPherson's exquisite adaptation of
@unclevanyaplay
begins previews tonight & brings together a staggering team of creative talent.
'My message to the Government is this: we can help bring theatre, London and our regions back to life. To do that, we need to reopen safely, with certainty and at full capacity – and don’t give us that responsibility without providing the support.'
Together, we stand in solidarity with each and every one of our black company members past and present, friends, family and the entire black community, in the fight for racial justice and equality, and against all forms of racial discrimination. (1/2)
#BlackLivesMatter
Unbelievably proud of my wonderfully gifted sister,
@MariaFriedman1
and the incredibly talented
#AnitaDobson
who have just given stunning first performances as Golde and Yente in the sublime
@FiddlerWestEnd
. I am so proud of this beautiful production.
#SF
In this most difficult and unprecedented of years, when our theatres have been forced to go dark and we have all been faced with unimaginable challenges, we are incredibly humbled that
@inheritanceplay
on Broadway has been nominated for 11
#TonyAwards
. (1/2)
We're delighted that
#MatthewLopez
's
@inheritanceplay
has won the South Bank Sky Arts award for Theatre. As the production prepares to transfer to
#Broadway
in September, it means so much to see the lasting impact this life-affirming masterpiece has had on
#WestEnd
audiences.
"We are utterly thrilled and grateful to the South Bank Sky Arts Awards. This year has seen a close collaboration between theatre and film and Uncle Vanya demonstrates how the two worlds can collaborate and enhance each other in new ways." Sonia Friedman
First look at Conor McPherson's stunning new adaptation of Chekhov's
@unclevanyaplay
.
Directed by Ian Rickson,
#UncleVanya
is now in previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
'Every day I’d stand there and remember watching the audience gathering... It’s not a luxury but a natural instinct to want to gather in a room and watch something live... There’s just this human instinct to want to come together.'
"The data knows best - and that's why we must hand ourselves over to it"
@MrJamesGraham
's chilling short film for
@FinancialTimes
&
@SFP_London
- starring Lydia West & Arthur Darvill - trawls through all our personal data trails. Watch in full for free:
Filmed on stage during the global pandemic, TODAY is finally the release of
@unclevanyaplay
in cinemas & we can't wait to hear what you think of the film! Don't miss your chance to experience this 'play for our times' (Evening Standard) on the big screen:
What a production to mark our first official opening of the decade!
We can’t wait for audiences to experience this new adaptation of
@UncleVanyaPlay
at the Harold Pinter Theatre, brought to life beautifully by an incredible company.
‘Wherever there’s magic and make-believe and an audience there’s theater’
Tonight we celebrate the world premiere of Ivo van Hove’s
@AllAboutEvePlay
. We are so proud of everyone who has come together to create this outstanding production.
"It is freelancers who make art. It is art that has public value – that brings benefits for civic cohesion, education and wellbeing. It is art that will contribute to the economic recovery... It is art in which audiences find solace, provocation and joy."