Category Archive for ‘News’

What’s On Magazine July issue features our pictures from the launch party of The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition.

Following last year’s record-breaking 250th Summer Exhibition, this annual celebration of art and creativity continues in 2019.

Run without interruption since 1769, the Summer Exhibition is the world’s largest open submission art show and brings together art in all mediums – prints and paintings, film, photography, sculpture, architectural works and more – by leading artists, Royal Academicians and household names as well as new and emerging talent.

This year, acclaimed British painter Jock McFadyen RA takes the mantle from Grayson Perry to co-ordinate the 251st Summer Exhibition. Over 1,500 works are on display, most of them for the first time. Highlights include an animal-themed ‘menagerie’ in the Central Hall, with works by artists including Polly Morgan, Charles Avery, Banksy and Mat Collishaw. Artist sisters Jane and Louise Wilson RA have curated two galleries, one of which showcases work exploring light and time. Further artists exhibiting include Jeremy Deller, Marcus Harvey and Tracey Emin RA, and Honorary Academicians Anselm Kiefer, James Turrell and Wim Wenders.

As always, most of the artworks are for sale with proceeds helping to fund the Academy’s non-profit-making activities, including educating the next generation of artists in the RA Schools.

What’s On Magazine was invited to attend the launch party of The Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition to mark the 251st year of the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition.

Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry CBE RA co-hosted this year’s annual Summer Exhibition Preview Party. The party was held in the presence of Christopher Le Brun PRA, artist and President of the Royal Academy of Arts.
This year’s Royal Academy Summer Exhibition was co-ordinated by acclaimed British painter, Jock McFadyen RA., alongside the Summer Exhibition Hanging Committee, who has continued to build on the exhibitions’ success by providing a unique platform for artists at all stages of their career.
Celebrated artist Thomas Houseago showcased a group of large-scale sculptural works in the Royal Academy’s Annenberg Courtyard that respond to the Academy’s statue of Joshua Reynolds, which has stood in the courtyard since 1931.
To carry on the celebrations, Grayson Perry CBE RA held an intimate dinner in the RA Collections Gallery within the Royal Academy, Burlington Gardens. Guests joined Grayson for a relaxed dinner of locally sourced, British inspired menu created by Rocket Food.

Continues until 12 August 2019
Daily 10am – 6pm. Friday 10am – 10pm
£18 (without donation £16). Concessions available. Under-16s go free with a fee-paying adult. Free for Friends of the RA with no booking required.
Main Galleries and The Ronald and Rita McAulay Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts.

Summer Exhibition Explorer
Many of the works in the Summer Exhibition 2019 will be available to browse and buy online through the Summer Exhibition Explorer https://se.royalacademy.org.uk/

What’s On Magazine June edition features pictures from the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show.

You will also find a comprehensive list of forthcoming events for June in your local area as well as many London exhibitions. Pick up a copy at one of our many local distribution points including major supermarkets or read online now.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has awarded 118 RHS Medals to the gardens and floral exhibits in the Great Pavilion at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show (21-25 May) with Andy Sturgeon scooping the title of Best in Show for The M&G Garden.

Celebrating nature’s extraordinary power to regenerate landscapes with new growth, The M&G Garden is a vibrantly green and lush environment, featuring a biodiverse range of pioneering plant species from around the world. Its dramatic composition offers a variety of textures and designs, with burnt oak timber sculptures slicing through the natural woodland.

A decorated designer, Andy was awarded Best in Show when he last exhibited at the world famous Flower Show with The Daily Telegraph Garden in 2016.
RHS judge James Alexander-Sinclair said: “We seldom have the pleasure of judging perfection but in this case, Andy Sturgeon’s garden did not disappoint. The garden delighted designers, thrilled landscapers and perked up the plants people to no end.”
Gardens among the Gold Medal winners also included The Morgan Stanley Garden by Chris Beardshaw, The Welcome to Yorkshire Garden by Mark Gregory and Sarah Eberle’s return to Main Avenue with The Resilience Garden, which also won the Best Construction Award.

In the Artisan and Space to grow categories, two debut designers scooped the coveted Best in titles this year, with Artisan awarded to Alistair Bayford for the Family Monsters Garden and Best in Space to Grow going to Facebook: Beyond the Screen by Joe Perkins. For the first time the RHS has attributed an additional Best Construction Award between the two smaller garden categories, meaning a double win for Facebook and Joe Perkins.

A total of 57 Gold Medals were awarded to nurseries and growers at the heart of the Show in the Great Pavilion alongside 25 Silver-Gilt Medals, eight Silver Medals and two Bronze Medals. The Diamond Jubilee Award for the best exhibit in the Great Pavilion was presented to Kelnan Plants, who were awarded their eighth gold medal for an impressive display of mature Restio and South African flora. Lily and bulb specialists Harts Nurseries won the coveted President’s Award, presented and chosen by RHS President Sir Nicholas Bacon.

The winners of the Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard were announced at a ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Jason Manford. What’s On Magazine was once again invited to cover this star studded red carpet event.

Come From Away, Company and The Inheritance led the way, taking home four awards each.
Come From Away won Mastercard Best New Musical, as well as Outstanding Achievement in Music, Best Theatre Choreographer (Kelly Devine) and the Royal Albert Hall Award For Best Sound Design (Gareth Owen).
Jonathan Bailey picked up his first ever Olivier Award, winning Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for his portrayal of Jamie in Company. Company also won Magic Radio Best Musical Revival, the Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design (Bunny Christie) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Patti LuPone.
Matthew Lopez’s play The Inheritance was another big winner on the night, winning American Airlines Best New Play. First-time nominee Kyle Soller won Best Actor for his role in the production. The Inheritance also won the White Light Award for Best Lighting Design (Jon Clark) and the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director (Stephen Daldry).
Eight of the winners were first-time nominees, including Best Actress winner Patsy Ferran, who won for her performance in Summer And Smoke (which also claimed the award for Cunard Best Revival).
Other first-time nominee winners included Chris Walley, who won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for The Lieutenant Of Inishmore, and Kobna-Holdbrook Smith, who won Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Ike in Tina – The Tina Turner Musical.

An actress who also picked up her first ever Olivier Award was Monica Dolan, who won Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in All About Eve.
Best Actress in a Musical was won by Sharon D. Clarke for Caroline, Or Change.
Choreographer and director Matthew Bourne was presented with a Special Award by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to dance.
The night featured performances from all the musical nominees: Caroline, Or Change; Come From Away; Company; Fun Home; The King And I; Six; and Tina – The Tina Turner Musical. Disney’s The Lion King, which celebrates its 20th anniversary opened the show with a special performance.
Acclaimed West End star Beverley Knight performed during the In Memoriam section of the show, paying tribute to those in the theatre industry who have passed away over the last year.
Presenters at the ceremony included Zawe Ashton, Joanne Clifton, Kevin Clifton, Charlie Cox, Arthur Darvill, Danny Dyer, Gloria Estefan, Sally Field, Kelsey Grammer, Tom Hiddleston, Judy Kuhn, Jack McBrayer, Katharine McPhee, Bill Pullman, Shane Richie, Layton Williams, ‘Donna and the Dynamos’ from Mamma Mia (Sara Poyzer, Ricky Butt and Kate Graham), Darcy Bussell and Richard. E Grant.

What’s On Magazine April 2019 edition features our pictures from the Prince’s Trust Awards.

Phillip Schofield and Fearne Cotton hosted the annual Awards, attended by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dr Brian May, Maya Jama and Danny Dyer.
There were also special video appearances from long-standing Prince’s Trust Ambassadors Ant & Dec, Gareth Southgate and Joanna Lumley.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, founder and President of The Prince’s Trust, attended The Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards national final, held at The Palladium in London.

The awards recognise young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.
A series of regional events took place in October 2018 and culminated in this red-carpet ceremony hosted by Phillip Schofield and Fearne Cotton in the national final at the Palladium. Nine awards were given out by celebrity presenters, including Prince’s Trust Celebrity Ambassadors.
Among them were Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dr Brian May, Maya Jama, Danny Dyer, Kate Garraway, Luke Evans, Nicola Adams, Tinie Tempah, Gemma Atkinson and Tom Walker.

Dylan England, 26 from Surrey was the winner of the Homesense Young Achiever of the Year Award and was presented his award by Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Years of systemic abuse left Dylan from Surrey, battling with depression and feeling at rock bottom.
When he saw the same cycle of abuse starting over with other children, he knew he had to do something, so he reported it to the police and gave evidence in court.
The experience took its toll on Dylan and he attempted to take his own life a number of times. Dylan joined The Trust’s Team programme at Carshalton College in 2017 with the hope of turning his life around when many others had given up on him.
Dylan feels like his life has now begun and is using his role as a Young Ambassador to inspire and empower others. He is also now working as an Assistant Team Leader on the Team programme to help other young people build the confidence and skills they need to turn their lives around.
Chiwetel Ejiofor, who presented the award, said: “Dylan is such an amazing young man, and a credit to the work of The Prince’s Trust. His relentless commitment to helping others after the struggles he has overcome in his own life is truly inspiring.”
On winning his award, Dylan said: “Winning the national Young Achiever Award is such an honour. The difference between where I was even 18 months ago, and where I am now is amazing. I’ve had so much support from those around me, The Prince’s Trust and particularly my Team mentors – so would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way.”

There were a series of special moments for the young winners of the awards, including the winner of the HSBC UK Breakthrough Award, Kieran Egan, being surprised by one of his idols, England Manager and Prince’s Trust Ambassador Gareth Southgate.
Youth charity The Prince’s Trust gives young people the skills and confidence to live, learn and earn. Three in four young people helped by The Prince’s Trust move into work, training or education.
TK Maxx and Homesense have been a partner of The Prince’s Trust since 2013 and are one of The Trust’s largest delivery partners of the Get into Retail programme. This is a two to six week course that develops young people’s skills in the retail sector and supports them into positive outcomes in retail. Since the partnership began, over 70% of young people who have taken the course went on to full time employment at TK Maxx or Homesense.
TK Maxx and Homesense are proud to have helped over 1000 young people through the Get into Retail programme.
Homesense supports The Prince’s Trust’s work with vulnerable young people through the Achieve programme, which helps young people aged 13-19 to engage and succeed in education.
Achieve helps vulnerable young people to overcome the barriers holding them back and provides them with the support and skills they need to get their lives back on track. With the support of Homesense associates and customers, vital funds will be raised to help more than 1,500 young people in local communities across the UK to develop the skills and confidence needed to engage and succeed in education, through relevant, engaging and informal learning.

What’s On Magazine March 2019 edition features our pictures from the 72nd British Academy Film Awards at The Royal Albert Hall, London.

The winners of the EE British Academy Film Awards have been announced at a ceremony hosted by Joanna Lumley at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

What’s On Magazine was invited attended this red carpet event which honours the best national and foreign films of 2018.

The Favourite was named Outstanding British Film, with Olivia Colman receiving the BAFTA for Leading Actress, Rachel Weisz taking Supporting Actress and Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara winning Original Screenplay. Sandy Powell won Costume Design, Fiona Crombie and Alice Felton won Production Design and Nadia Stacey won Make Up & Hair.
Roma won four awards: Best Film, Director, Cinematography and Film Not in the English Language. Alfonso Cuarón won in each of these categories.
Rami Malik won Leading Actor for his performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody; the film also won the award for Sound.

Supporting Actor went to Mahershala Ali for his performance in Green Book.
BlacKkKlansman won Adapted Screenplay. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse took the award for Animated Film, and Documentary was won by Free Solo.
A Star Is Born won Original Music and Vice took the BAFTA for Editing.
Black Panther received the BAFTA for Special Visual Effects.
Writer/Director Michael Pearce and Producer Lauren Dark received the award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for Beast.
73 Cows won the British Short Film award, while the BAFTA for British Short Animation was won by Roughhouse.
The Special Award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema was presented to Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley, a producing partnership who have created some of the most iconic British films of recent years, including The Crying Game, Company of Wolves, Little Voice, Scandal, Carol and Colette.

The Fellowship, the highest honour the Academy can bestow, was presented to editor Thelma Schoonmaker by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, President of BAFTA, and Cate Blanchett.
The EE Rising Star Award, voted for by the public, went to Letitia Wright.

The ceremony, which was hosted by Joanna Lumley, was held at London’s Royal Albert Hall and featured performances by Cirque du Soleil and Jess Gillam.

What’s On Magazine February edition features pictures from the London premiere of Cirque Du Soleil’s London show Totum. The show continues at The Royal Albert Hall London until 26th February.

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended Cirque du Soleil’s premiere of TOTEM at the Royal Albert Hall to raise vital funds and awareness for The Duke’s charity, Sentebale which helps youth affected by HIV in southern Africa.

The very special evening saw guests grace the red carpet and enjoy an awe-inspiring performance from the cast of TOTEM.
Attendees included Sir David Jason, Sir Matthew Pinsent, Dame Kelly Holmes, Dame Esther Rantzen, Katherine Jenkins, Edith Bowman, Amber Le Bon, Danny Dyer, Claude Littner, Didi Conn, Jon Culshaw, Julia Davis, Kara Tointon, Hannah Tointon, Joe Thomas, Kelly Brook, Fiona Bruce, Rachel Riley, Victoria Pendelton, Christopher Dean, Alistair Petrie, Beverley Knight, Candice Brown, Sentebale ambassadors Laura Main and George The Poet, alongside Sentebale supporters Victoria Yeates and Laura Wright and many more.

Since its Montreal World Premiere on April 22, 2010, TOTEM has been performed over 2,800 times in more than 45 cities. Approaching its 10th successful year of touring, to date, more than 5 million audience members have been mesmerised by the production.
Written and directed by Robert Lepage, TOTEM features a cast comprised of 46 acrobats, actors, musicians and singers hailing from 19 countries: Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States.

This evening’s premiere, presented in partnership with Sentebale, marked the second event in a series of ‘Sentebale Nights’, building on the success of the charity’s first production with the hit musical HAMILTON in August 2018. Founded in 2006 by The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso, Sentebale helps the most vulnerable children in Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi – the victims of extreme poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic – get the support, tools and education they need to lead long, healthy and productive lives.

Lesotho and Botswana have the second and third highest prevalence rates of HIV in the world respectively. Sentebale works in these two countries delivering youth-appropriate HIV prevention solutions and weeklong residential camps and monthly Saturday clubs for those coming to terms with living with HIV. Sentebale reaches over 4,200 children and young people each month in Lesotho and Botswana through clubs, and last year delivered comprehensive sexuality education to 100,000 adolescents through school and community outreach projects.

In October 2018, Sentebale expanded into Malawi with the pilot programme ‘Mawa Girls’ in partnership with the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA). In southern Africa, three out of four new HIV infections in 15-19-year-olds occur among young women, and seven in ten young women lack knowledge about HIV (UNAIDS, 2018). Keeping girls in school is a proven protective factor against HIV; when girls stay in school, they have lower rates of early marriage, pregnancy and HIV infection. Mawa Girls, the word ‘mawa’ meaning ‘tomorrow’, builds on GAIA’s secondary school bursary programme by incorporating our model of psychosocial support through camps and clubs. The curriculum focuses on life skills training, include encouraging girls and young women to stay in school, HIV prevention and sexual health and wellbeing. Sentebale currently reaches 360 girls each month in clubs and plans to run four camps in 2019 for 120 of those clubbers.

Tickets are on sale now, and for a truly unforgettable Cirque du Soleil experience a collection of premium and VIP experiences for all the family are also available. Tickets can be purchased through the Cirque du Soleil website or www.royalalberthall.com or 020 7589 8212.
Sentebale, donations can be made at sentebalenights.org/cirquedusoleil