STAGE ONE AWARDS £50,000 TO EMERGING THEATRE PRODUCER
Stage One has awarded £50,000 from its Start-Up Investment Fund to theatre producer, Stephen McGill.
Stephen McGill will co-produce the West End transfer of Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of The Pajama Game to the Shaftesbury Theatre, alongside Joseph Smith, Old Vic Productions, John Brant and Gavin Kalin.
Stage One, the charity that supports new UK commercial theatre producers and productions, today announces the latest recipient of its Start-Up Investment Fund. Stephen McGill has been awarded £50,000 by the charity to co-produce the West End transfer of the critically acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre production of The Pajama Game. He will co-produce alongside Joseph Smith, Old Vic Productions, John Brant and Gavin Kalin. The production, directed by Richard Eyre, begins previews at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 2 May 2014 and stars Joanna Riding, Michael Xavier, Peter Polycarpou, Gary Wilmot and Colin Stinton.
Stephen McGill formed his own production company in early 2011 after working as co-producer for Poppy Productions since 2010. He has previously worked on the worldwide productions of Mamma Mia! and the London productions of Billy Elliot and Jersey Boys. He recently produced the new musical The Tailor-Made Man at the Arts Theatre, London. Stephen has been involved in The Pajama Game since he contributed to its enhancement at Chichester in 2013 and met his fellow co-producers at the Stage One workshop. He will have access to all meetings and a voice in the decision making process, an invaluable experience for building his career as a commercial theatre producer and one of the key ways in which Stage One fosters the talents of emerging producers.
Stephen commented “I’m thrilled and honoured to receive this award from the Stage One Start-Up Fund. Stage One has continually offered help and support throughout my development as a commercial producer. To have such support, plus the knowledge and experience of established producers and industry professionals has been invaluable. I am delighted to be a part of this fantastic production of The Pajama Game in the West End having been involved since its run in Chichester last year. I would like to thank Stage One and everyone who supports the Start-Up Fund for making this possible.”
One of Stephen McGill’s co-producers on The Pajama Game, Gavin Kalin, is a previous recipient of the Stage One Start-Up Investment Fund. In June 2013 Gavin was awarded £30,000 by the charity to co-produce the West End transfer of the critically-acclaimed Young Vic production of A Doll’s House alongside the Young Vic, Mark Rubinstein and Neil Laidlaw.
Directed by Richard Eyre, The Pajama Game enjoyed a critically acclaimed, sold-out run Chichester Festival Theatre 22 April – 8 June 2013.
The full cast for The Pajama Game West End transfer is: Joanna Riding (Babe Williams), Michael Xavier (Sid Sorokin), Peter Polycarpou / Gary Wilmot (Vernon Hines), Alexis Owen Hobbs (Gladys), Claire Machin (Mabel), Colin Stinton (Hasler / Pop), Eugene McCoy (Prez), Siôn Lloyd (Max), Jennie Dale (Mae), Sharon Wattis (Poopsie), Keisha Amponsa Banson (Brenda), Lauren Varnham (Charlene), Jo Morris (Rita), Nolan Frederick (Charley), Richard Jones (Frank), Dan Burton (Earl) and James O’Connell (Joe).
Stage One is the operating name of the Theatre Investment Fund Ltd, a registered charity number 271349. Patrons of Stage One include Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Lord Richard Attenborough, Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith.
The Start-Up Fund is supported by individuals, trusts and businesses that care about the future of commercial theatre. Stage One is incredibly grateful for all the financial and practical support these people and businesses give.
Stage One supports new theatre producers with industry-led training workshops, bursaries, Apprenticeships, Start-Up investment, mentoring and advice. In addition, Stage One can also offer central London office space to bursary recipients. The New Producers Hub is in the heart of the West End and is generously supported by Shaftesbury PLC.
To find out more, please visit www.stageone.uk.com
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