After what seems like weeks of listening to Christmas music, December is finally here. So, as well as the auditions, monologues, and sides that fill the typical actor’s brain, you also need to find some space for seasonal fun. Fear not though – we’re here to help with our to-do list for both the naughty and nice among us…
From script to screen
Running until 12 December, Curzon Cinemas are hosting BAFTA’s Screenwriter Lecture Series. Tickets are going fast, but with this line up it’s understandable. Writer and director Noah Baumbach will be talking about his Oscar-tipped drama Marriage Story, director Céline Sciamma will be chatting about her career and her latest script, Portrait of a Lady on Fire. If that’s not enough for you, the writer of The Witch and The Lighthouse Robert Eggers will be on hand to talk cinema. Book now! (£20)
And the winner is…
We all know acting is a competitive business and on 12 December you can see that winning mentality unleashed at the National Theatre’s (NT) annual end-of-the-year Theatre Quiz. Hosted by Emma Freud, two teams of actors from NT current shows will go head-to-head. Theatre-related questions, unexpected challenges, and fierce competition are guaranteed. (£9)
Looking for theatre roles? See our UK auditions
Yuletide Mental Health
Your liver may be taking a battering during the run up to Christmas but there seems no reason to let your brain suffer. BAFTA is running a mindfulness workshop on 10 December to help you take stock of what you’ve achieved over the past year. It also wants to help participants set goals for a successful 2020. (Free)
Are you a back or a front?
Actors are an adaptable bunch. Shakespeare, Pinter, Sondheim – we’ll take it all on. So, don’t be surprised if you see some colleagues at the annual London Pantomime Horse Race on 15 December. Now in its tenth year, 2019’s race has a Star Wars theme – may the horse be with you! (Free)
READ: 5 Reasons We Should Hate Panto + Why We Actually Love It
There’s a place for us…
Actor Imelda Staunton is having quite the time of it. Next year, she opens in Hello Dolly in the West End; it’s heavily rumoured she’ll be playing the older Queen Liz taking over from Olivia Colman in The Crown, and on 14 December she’ll be at the BFI to talk about her love of the musical West Side Story. Quite the moment – so why not join her! (£12.50)
More for UK actors? Check out the magazine.