Latest news with #MeganWilson
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Blue Plaque honour for Bradford theatre pioneer Esmé Church
A pioneer of theatre in the north of England has been honoured with a Blue Plaque in Esmé Church was born in 1893 in London and joined the Old Vic Company in 1927, where she performed major Shakespearean roles including Lady Macbeth and Hamlet's mother Gertrude. She moved into directing at the Greyhound Theatre in Croydon, then led the Old Vic's drama school, before becoming artistic director at the Bradford Civic Playhouse from 1944 to she was there she founded the Northern Theatre School at 26 Chapel Street in Little Germany, where Historic England has unveiled a plaque to mark her legacy. The venue has since been renamed the Bradford Playhouse Theatre. Megan Wilson, artistic director at the site, said: "The plaque is super important. The Playhouse has a fantastic history as a civic theatre."Not only did Esmé train many fabulous actors she also worked really, really hard to get young people into the theatre."One of those young people was Megan's grandfather, Kenneth Kenzie, now 91, who came to one of Esmé's productions of Julius Caesar. She said: "He was 13 years old at that point and had never been to a proper theatre."He said that his parents would never have been able to afford to send him to a theatre. I was only because it was a school trip that he managed to get to go." Ms Wilson said that despite Church's pioneering work, there were very few female artistic directors."It's still quite a male-dominated industry," she said."I think we should be celebrating, but also asking more women to be involved."While there's a a lot of women on the stage, there's not a lot of women backstage, there are not a lot of women technicians, producers, and theatre managers."I think that's a real shame." Among those mentored by Church during her time in Bradford was The Omen actress Billie actors including Lord Peter Wimsey star Edward Petherbridge, Secret Army actor Bernard Hepton and theatre actor Sir Robert Stephens were also mentored by died in 1972 at the age of great nephew, Bruce Durham, said: "Growing up with Esmé around, it was always wonderful to see and hear about her work – whether it was entertaining troops in France during the World War One, becoming the head of The Old Vic Theatre School, or travelling to and from New York."He said it was "an honour" to see the plaque Neil Mendoza, chairman of Historic England, said: "Esmé Church was a formidable force in British theatre - an actor, director, and teacher whose influence shaped generations of performers. "Like so many trailblazing women working in the 1920s and 1930s, her legacy has not received the national recognition it deserves."The plaque reads: "Esme Church, 1893-1972, actress and director ran the Northern Theatre School here." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
NZ Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Mount Maunganui's former Event Cinemas building renovated
NZME has launched On The Up – a national campaign showcasing amazing stories of inspiration, success, courage and possibilities. Reporter Megan Wilson speaks to the new owners of the 'iconic' Mount Maunganui building where Event Cinemas used to be, and how they have transformed the space. The former Event Cinemas
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bradford Playhouse to become more accessible after fundraiser
A campaign to make a historical theatre more accessible has surpassed its planned target by more than £5,000.A fundraising appeal started earlier this year by Bradford Playhouse, on Peckover Street in Little Germany, reached just over its original £10,000 the theatre company said in a post on social media that a volunteer had donated an extra £5,000 on the final day before fundraising closed, bringing their total up to £15, Megan Wilson said the original target was set up to help "ensure that every member of our community can experience the joy of live theatre". She said: "This project is about breaking down barriers and making the arts accessible to everyone."We're asking our audiences, supporters and the wider community to help us make this happen."The money will go towards adding a lift from the street level to the bar in the art deco building, as well as a new washroom and accessible internal work will further include a new doorway, the removal of metal additions from the 1990s and a repaint of the building – essentially restoring much of its 1930s design. 'Incredible help' The building is also currently being given an external makeover after works were approved by Bradford Council in Playhouse has been at the heart of the city's cultural scene since the playwright JB Priestley, who wrote the acclaimed play An Inspector Calls, was president of the theatre from 1932 until his death in theatre hosts numerous performances throughout the year, including its annual the layout of the building, including a stepped access, means it is not fully accessible.A post from the theatre thanked those who had shared their support for the works, as their "generosity is making a world of difference".The post added: "Although the official campaign has ended, we're keeping it open for a while longer to accept additional donations."Along with the generous support from Bradford 2025, your incredible help means we're one step closer to making Bradford Playhouse a welcoming, accessible space for everyone." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bradford Playhouse renovation to give venue a 'new lease of life'
Renovation work at Bradford Playhouse will give the 1930s-built venue a "new lease of life", according to its director. The 260-capacity auditorium is undergoing its first facelift since it was damaged in a fire in 1996, with work set to finish in July. The work is being supported by Bradford City of Culture 2025 and will have a "jam-packed" calendar for the second half of the Megan Wilson said she hoped the improvements allow the theatre could cater for the people of Bradford for "another 100 years". The renovation will include a new façade, seating and toilets, as well as lifts to make the theatre more accessible."It will just give us a new lease of life," Ms Wilson said."We want to be as accessible as possible and we appreciate that doesn't just mean people with mobility issues, but that has been one of our biggest sticking points."Following the work, there will be two wheelchair-assessable seats with two companion seats at the theatre in the Little Germany area of the Wilson added: "We haven't had any step free access up until now, so we're really excited that that's something we can do."It's something we've been working towards since I've been working here."She said: "Because the building has so many stairs, because it is a 1930s theatre, it has been tricky to get this up and running."Little Germany is an historical area so we had to be careful with planning." Work had been due to start last year and finish in January but Ms Wilson said it had been postponed due to delays in getting planning applications Playhouse attracts between 13,000 and 15,000 visitors each year, and Ms Wilson said she hoped the project would continue to bring people in to the venue in the future."It's a real legacy project for 2025," she said."We have been catering for the arts of Bradford for nearly 100 years and hopefully this accessible input will mean we can do another 100 years for the people of Bradford."It's not so much about footfall, it's about impact and making sure we represent as many people as we possibly can and bring as many people as we possibly can together." 'Cherished institution' Dan Bates, executive director of Bradford 2025, said: "At the heart of UK City of Culture lies a vision to create enduring cultural impact across our district that resonates well beyond 2025, one that enriches future generations and makes sure that culture is something everyone can enjoy and be part of. "We are proud to have supported a cherished institution like Bradford Playhouse to improve its access and facilities for artists and audiences alike." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
