A new year brings a new lockdown, with many encouraged to stay at home and self-isolate in order to protect themselves, others, and the very structure of the NHS from a new strain of COVID-19. Thankfully, not everything is doom and gloom, as the new year also brings a heap of new theatre thanks to the theSpaceUK‘s second season of their Online@theSpaceUK festival.
Last August saw the venue company deliver their first online festival. It proved to be a roaring success, culminating in over 30,000 views as audiences from around the world tuned in to watch a season of over 80 brand-new shows. Now, Online@theSpaceUK is returning with another 50 shows from a variety of passionate and talented individuals from across the globe.
The second season will run from the 8-31 January via theSpaceUK’s YouTube channel with a variety of genres on display, including theatre, comedy, cabaret, music, and film.
As well as a verisimilitude of new talent, this new season will include returning artists and companies from the festival’s previous season: there’s Kenneth Wilson – The Poetical Cellist – who promises to provoke poetical commentary alongside his stirring music; comedian Henry Churniavsky, whose new show With All Jew Respect will be delivered as a trio of shows spanning topics from across his life; and Flying Solo! Presents who aim to deliver a variety of shows encompassing theatre, cabaret, and music.
The hope is that even amidst yet another lockdown, and continued impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the arts, theSpaceUK can continue to deliver a means by which new and emerging talent can showcase their work.
Moreover, the festival will hopefully allow performers to clear out the cobwebs before taking to the stage once theatres reopen. Artistic Director, Charles Pamment, has stated that in the wake of the cancellation of last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, theSpaceUK wants “to give [artists] a positive platform to continue to present work in preparation to getting back to the ‘live’ stage as well as exploring the ongoing experience interactive work offers”.
For those seeking a taster of what’s in store, theSpaceUK will be hosting a launch event on Saturday 9 January at 6pm. This online event will include previews of shows, as well as the opportunity to meet the artists involved in the festival. Tickets can be booked here.
The full programme for season 2 of Online@theSpaceUK can be found online here
Online@theSpaceUK will run from 8-31 January via theSpaceUK’s YouTube channel