UNISON East Midlands are delighted to be supporting the Nottingham Playhouse throughout 2022.
As a corporate sponsor this means that all members of UNISON East Midlands can benefit from complimentary Playhouse Pass membership at Nottingham Playhouse. Benefits include:
• 7 Days Priority Booking (for all Nottingham Playhouse Productions and visiting productions when possible)
• 25% off during priority booking period for Nottingham Playhouse Productions (15% outside priority booking)
• 25% off Preview & Press Night performances for Nottingham Playhouse Productions
• Discounts on selected participation programmes, studio shows and visiting productions
The first collaboration between Nottingham Playhouse and UNISON East Midlands will be to sponsor the staging of Red Ellen. Written by acclaimed poet and playwright Caroline Bird, it tells the inspiring and epic story of Ellen Wilkinson, Labour MP, who was forever on the right side of history, forever on the wrong side of life.
Caught between revolutionary and parliamentary politics, Ellen fights with an unstoppable, reckless energy for a better world. Running (quite literally in some cases) into the likes of Albert Einstein and Ernest Hemingway, she battles to save Jewish refugees in Nazi Germany; campaigns for Britain to aid the fight against Franco’s Fascists in Spain; and leads 200 workers in the Jarrow Crusade, marching from Newcastle through Nottingham and the East Midlands all the way to London, delivering a petition which aimed to end unemployment and poverty.
She serves as a vital member of Churchill’s cabinet and has affairs with communist spies and government ministers. But, despite all of this, she still finds herself – somehow – on the outside looking in.
UNISON East Midlands regional secretary Chris Jenkinson says – “This partnership with Nottingham Playhouse not only helps support a world-class, award-winning regional theatre and charity, but it gives us the chance to give something back to our members who have kept this region going throughout the pandemic. We’re planning a special performance of Red Ellen to say thank you to a number of key workers as well as ensuring all members get discounted tickets and other benefits.”
Nottingham Playhouse Chief Executive Stephanie Sirr says – “Ellen was such an extraordinary champion of workers’ rights that it made perfect sense to work in partnership with UNISON East Midlands on our world premiere of Red Ellen. We are delighted to welcome them.”
Nottingham Playhouse is the region’s award-winning producing theatre and a registered charity. The theatre’s mission is to make world-class theatre available to all and to create life-enhancing experiences for communities across the county, regardless of age or background.
Over 50% of Nottingham Playhouse’s work is community participation; such as free Shine theatre groups for young people, In House Theatre Company which provides arts experiences for those experiencing homelessness or addiction, and many other vulnerable groups such as older people and learning disabled adults.